Page 28 of Set me Free

"What, being a spoiled NYU girl?"

"Exactly," Egypt grinned, sipping on her chai latte. "Serenity, I need you to adopt me into your rich-ass family. You got room for one more?"

I laughed shaking my head. "Girl, my family is already a lot. You sure you wanna be part of the chaos?"

"Chaos with money? Sign me up," Egypt teased, before turning serious. "Nah, but for real, y’all my girls now. I rock with y’all heavy."

Averi nodded, smiling. "Same. It’s crazy how we just met, but it feels like we been cool forever."

I felt the same way.

Averi and Egypt had already cemented themselves as my people, and it had only been a few weeks.

"Speaking of chaos, though," I muttered, glancing down as my phone rang. Sevyn.

I smirked, already knowing what this was about.

"My favorite sibling," I greeted, answering the call.

"Your only sibling," he shot back, laughing. "What’s up, birthday girl?"

"My birthday ain’t for another week," I reminded him, twirling my straw.

"And? I gotta start planning now. You know we doing it big, right?"

"We?"

"Yeah, we. You think I’m letting my baby sister’s first birthday in New York slide with some regular party? We turning up."

"You’re so dramatic," I laughed.

"I’m dramatic? Nigga, you the one named Serenity and ain’t never been peaceful a day in your life."

Egypt and Averi burst out laughing.

"Who is that?" Egypt mouthed.

"Sevyn," I mouthed back, watching as her eyes lit up with interest.

"Oh, he sound fine." She grinned, leaning forward. "Put me on."

I rolled my eyes but put the phone on speaker.

"Sev, meet my new besties. Averi and Egypt."

"What’s up, ladies?" he greeted smoothly.

"Oh yeah, he fine," Egypt whispered dramatically, making Averi giggle.

"I’m doing amazing now that I heard your voice," Egypt flirted, and I groaned, shaking my head.

"Nope. We’re shutting this down right now," I said quickly.

"Aww, Tootie, why you blocking?" Sevyn teased.

"Because I’m trying to keep my friendships intact," I huffed.

"Whatever," Egypt smirked. "I’ll see you at the party, future brother-in-law."

---