I left her purring on my bed and headed back downstairs.
The common room had transformed.
The boys had cleared most of the obvious disaster zones. The furniture was straightened. The floor was visible again.
In the kitchen, Emi stood at the oven wearing an apron with "Kiss the Cook" embroidered across the front. Celeste worked beside her, whisking something in a bowl with perfect technique. Akari leaned against the counter, supervising while eating cookie dough straight from the mixing bowl with her finger.
Natalia sat at the table, pretending to study while actually watching the other three like a hawk tracking field mice.
Skylar had disappeared somewhere, probably to her room.
"They're going to be here in ninety minutes." I grabbed another energy drink. "Everyone good?"
"Define good." Celeste didn't look up from her whisking. "If you mean prepared for a maternal inspection that will determine our social standing within your personal hierarchy, then no."
