The first time Mia laid eyes on the Wrenwood house, she was a little kid , wearing pigtails and a butterfly dress. She remembered thinking it looked really big and wide, white stone walls, huge wraparound porches, and windows that reflected the summer sun like glass in a snow globe.
Now, so many years later, it still looked like a castle. But she was no longer a little girl, and this summer, she was determined to stop being treated like one.
Her mom's car rolled to a stop at the top of the driveway. The back of the car was packed with luggage, snacks, and sun hats her mom insisted on bringing "just in case." Mia opened the door and stepped out, her white sneakers crunching over the gravel. The humid July air wrapped around her like a warm towel.
"Mia!" two voices screamed in unison.
Her best friends — Lila and Zara — Ethan's little sisters — came barreling down the porch steps. They looked the same as ever: big brown curls, oversized t-shirts, and enough excitement to light the sky.
"We're going to have the best summer ever!" Zara squealed, grabbing Mia's hand. "We have pool days planned, beach days, movie nights—"
"Shut up, let her breathe first," Lila laughed, tugging Mia in for a hug. "Also, Ethan's inside. Looking very Ethan."
Mia tried to play it cool, but her pulse kicked into gear. She hadn't seen Ethan for a long time . They used to text more when she was younger — harmless messages, jokes — but lately, things had quieted. He was busy with "real life" now: college, work, his own friends.
As they dragged her inside, the house buzzed with noise. Ethan's mom was in the kitchen slicing fruits . The younger brother, Jordan, was on the couch playing Xbox. Somewhere upstairs, loud music thudded beneath a closed door — probably their older sister, Alina, being dramatic as usual.
And then she saw him.
Ethan.
He stepped into the hallway from the den, holding a glass of iced tea, wearing gray joggers and a plain white shirt that clung to his arms like they were sculpted just for him. His hair was a little longer than before, a little messier. He looked tired in that hot, grown-man way — like he hadn't slept enough, but still somehow made exhaustion look good.
"Mia," he said, smiling.
Her breath caught.
"Hey," she replied, trying to sound casual.
He walked over and pulled her into a quick hug — not too long, not too short — the kind of hug he might give his sister. Or… a little sister.
"You look different," he said. "Older, I guess."
"I turned eighteen last week," she blurted. "Legally an adult."
He laughed. "Don't go getting too grown on us now."
Too late.
Before she could reply, another voice entered the room.
"So this is Mia?"
She turned to find a tall guy with honey-colored skin, perfect hair, and a grin that bordered on cocky. He wore a gold chain and a linen button-down half undone like he didn't care what anyone thought. But his eyes — dark and playful — were locked on her like she was already a challenge he planned to win.
"I'm Eli," he said, stepping close and offering a hand. "Ethan's best friend."
Mia took it.
His smile widened.
"Welcome ," he added, not letting go too fast.
Ethan glanced between them, then cleared his throat. "Eli's staying in the guest room this summer."
"Guess that makes us housemates," Eli said, eyes still on Mia.
Mia just smiled — but inside, everything was spinning.
It was going to be a long, hot summer. And she had no idea who she'd be by the time it ended.