“That’s horror movies,” Posey said.
Zara sighed. “I prefer demon possession narratives. At least those follow logical rules.”
Ramona choked on her popcorn, and Zara patted her on the back.
Somewhere around the halfway point, Ramona realized they’d shifted closer together. Zara’s arm was pressed against hers, Gerald still perched on her shoulder, creating a warm weight between them. It felt… comfortable. Natural.
Felix caught her eye from across the room and grinned knowingly. Ramona looked away quickly.
By the time the movie ended — with the obligatory “it’s not really over” final scare — Posey was half asleep on the floor and Kashvi was clutching a pillow like a shield.
“That was terrible,” Zara announced with a smile. “I hated every minute.”
“Same time next week?” Felix asked.
“Count me in.”
They started cleaning up — collecting empty candy wrappers, stacking bowls, arguing about whether the movie was actually scary or just startling. Ramona was carrying mugs to the kitchen when she noticed Kashvi showing something to Posey on her phone.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing,” Kashvi said too quickly.
Posey was smiling a little too innocently.
Ramona eyed them both skeptically.
“Felix snapped a cute photo and sent it to the group chat.” Kashvi turned the phone around.
The photo showed exactly what she’d described — Ramona and Zara on the couch, leaned against each other, both of them smiling at something on screen, Gerald on Zara’s shoulder. They looked… they looked like a real couple.
“Felix!” Ramona shrieked, eliciting another round of laughter from the trio of roommates.
But when she checked her phone, there it was. The photo, followed by a string of messages:
Kashvi:LOOK AT THEM
Posey:I’m not saying anything but I’m saying EVERYTHING
Cammie:sorry i missed movie night but this makes up for it
Felix:our girl is so embarrassing and i love it
Ramona shoved her phone in her pocket, face burning. Back in her room, Zara was reading something on her HellBerry, a small smile playing at her lips. “Gerald photographs very well. Very dignified.”
“Wait, how did you—” Ramona quickly checked the group chat, finding a strange number.
“Felix added me about a week ago. Said if I’m going to be here for a while, I should at least get all the information.” Zara looked up.
“I’d have really thought Hell’s area code would start with 666,” Ramona remarked, saving the number. It hadn’t occurred to her that their phones could connect, for some reason.
“A common misconception, but it’s a little too on the nose, don’t you think?” Zara grinned.
Ramona rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you think Gerald looks dignified.”
“He’s the most photogenic of the three of us.” Zara shrugged, but there was just the slightest hint of a mischievous grin at the corner of her mouth.
Ramona wanted to argue, but Zara was looking at her with that grin, making her chest feel too full and her thoughts go fuzzy around the edges.
