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I was just getting beneath the covers when my phone rang.

"Hello?" I asked groggily. Yeah, it was only eight thirty, but I was about to pass out.

"Hey, Shortcake, come open your door!"

My eyes popped open, not expecting Laney's voice on the other end of the phone.

"What?" I asked, adrenaline shooting into my blood and jolting me wide awake.

"We're here to see you!"

"You are?" I stumbled out of bed, honestly unsure if I was dreaming.

"Surprise!" I heard Mia yell in the background.

I made it to the front door, swung it open, phone still to my ear, and sure enough, my two best friends were standing there with bags of snacks in their hands.

I let out a disbelieving laugh, feeling tears prick my eyes, and then they were attacking me in a huge bear hug.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're here," I said, my voice muffled against their shoulders.

When we pulled apart, Mia’s brow furrowed, taking in my Christmas pajamas.

"Are you going to bed?" Mia asked.

I flushed and reached up to run a hand through my hair.

"Guilty," I admitted.

Laney laughed. "Oh my gosh, they really are overworking you, aren't they?"

"You have no idea," I groaned, and soon we were all on the couch, demolishing a bag of cinnamon bears and catching up on everything we'd missed over the last few months.

"You told us you qualified, but we haven't heard much since," Laney said, stuffing another red bear into her mouth.

"I know." I looked down guiltily. "It's just been so insane. I don't feel like I have a moment to take a breath."

Mia nodded in understanding.

"How are things with Coach Rove?"

"Good. He's been helping me learn to manage my pain," I said. "The PCOS makes things really painful, and he's essentially just helping me learn not to let it control my skills."

"Interesting," Laney said, her brow furrowing. "Is it working?"

"I think so?" I let out a weak laugh. "I'm still going, so I guess it is."

"Do you see Sloane and Eva a lot?" Mia asked.

"Um, yeah. Every day, but we don't really talk," I said. "Sloane has made a few comments, but I've tried to ignore her, honestly."

"Good," Laney said, biting off the head of one of her cinnamon bears. "I'm still mad about the little stunt she pulled at that party."

"Hopefully she'll get over it soon," Mia said, her brow furrowing. She seemed more sad than angry about the underlying issues between Sloane and me. I knew it was just because she was so kind-hearted. She wanted everyone to get along.

"I hope so too," I said.

Laney set her bowl of cinnamon bears off to the side, then shifted to sit crisscross, leaning her elbows on her knees.