Y/N’s POV + 

I woke to sunlight blazing through the windows…and the sound of someone relentlessly hammering on the doorbell. I stretched, ignoring the ear-splitting din. “OH MY IRENE, I’LL BE THERE!” I yelled, knowing the perpetrator couldn’t hear me. I slid out of bed and headed for the stairs, finally reaching the door and yanking it open with a frustrated surge. + 

“WHAT DO YOU WA—” I stopped mid-sentence, seeing a streak of blonde on the ground. A guilty lump formed in my stomach as my gaze landed on Garroth, rubbing his nose. My suspicions confirmed, it was him. “OH MY IRENE, GARROTH, ARE YOU OKAY?! I’M SO SORRY!” I cried, rushing forward. + 

“I-I’m fine, I deserved that,” he said, still massaging his nose. + 

Desperate to help, I heard laughter. I looked up from Garroth to see Laurance rolling in the grass, doubled over with mirth. + 

“Laurance! Get over here and help your best friend!” I shouted. + 

Laurance wiped a tear, sitting up. “Sorry, sorry! That was just too good,” he responded, walking over and kneeling beside Garroth. “Hang in there, buddy, you tried your best,” he sighed, patting Garroth’s shoulder. + 

“Tried my ass, you dared me to ring that doorbell persistently!” Garroth snapped, glaring at Laurance. + 

“Well, I needed something funny this morning, and you delivered,” Laurance replied with a grin. + 

I rolled my eyes. “Laurance, pick up Garroth and bring him inside. I need to get ice for his nose.” I stood up, already turning toward the kitchen. Laurance winked before following me. + 

Garroth’s POV + 

Once Y/N was out of earshot, I glared at Laurance. “Asshole, you made a fool of me in front of Y/N.” + 

“So what? We’ve literally known her for a day, and we helped her, too. I doubt acting like a lunatic would change her opinion of you,” Laurance retorted. + 

He paused, a familiar smirk playing on his lips. “Wait…don’t tell me Prince Garroth is falling for the new maiden?” + 

My cheeks burned. Love? No way. We’d only met yesterday. She was just cute and friendly, and I didn’t want to risk losing her friendship over something stupid. + 

“Yeah right, drama king. Y/N is just cute and friendly. I wouldn’t want to lose her friendship over something *you* made me do,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. + 

“But you said she’s cute, huh?” Laurance pressed, his tone teasing. + 

My face flushed hotter. “LAURANCE, CAN WE JUST DROP THIS SUBJECT?” I yelled defensively. + 

Laurance stared at me, then chuckled softly. “Relax, Garroth. I was just messing with you. I know love at first sight doesn’t exist.” + 

Relief flooded through me. “Thank goodness.” + 

Laurance picked me up, surprisingly. “Well then, Prince Garroth, shall we head back inside to the lovely princess Y/N?” he teased. + 

I shot him a cold glare. “Laurance, say anything like that again and I’ll cut your head off!” + 

Laurance’s eyes widened. “Woah, chill! I was just joking!” + 

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” + 

Back inside, Y/N was waiting, an ice pack in her hand, anger flickering in her eyes. “What took you so long? Were you making out on my doorstep?” she asked, a smirk tugging at her lips. + 

Before I could answer, Laurance intervened. “No, even if I wanted to make out with Garroth, I wouldn’t do it somewhere as lame as your doorstep,” he said, setting me down on the couch. + 

Y/N glared at him before handing me the ice pack. “Here. This should help your nose. Again, I’m so sorry about earlier.” + 

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It wasn’t your fault. I was stupid to accept a dare from him,” I shot Laurance another glare, who looked innocently away. + 

Y/N sighed. “Thank goodness.” + 

She glanced between Laurance and me. “By the way, why were you two coming to my house?” + 

Laurance and I exchanged glances. “We wanted to show you around the neighborhood,” we answered in unison. + 

Y/N was silent for a moment. “You know what? That actually sounds fun!” she exclaimed, radiating happiness. + 

“Alright you two, go wait outside. I’ll meet you out there,” she said, heading for the stairs. + 

“Why do we need to go outside?” Laurance asked. + 

Y/N sighed. “Because I need to change out of my pajamas, and I don’t want you two inside while I do.” She explained, realizing I hadn’t noticed she was still in her pajamas. + 

Laurance smirked. “I still don’t see why we need to get out of the house.” + 

I glared at him, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the door. “Oh my Irene, Laurance, come on! Let’s go.” + 

Word Count: 1096 + 