Omniscient Pov

Fina sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the blanket. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness stir in her chest. It had been a while since she'd felt like doing something normal, something that wasn't clouded by her struggles. But after everything, she realized that it was time to start opening up to life again—letting herself experience simple joys, even if it felt like stepping into uncharted territory.

Her thoughts drifted to her friends—Mia, Ethan, and Aiden. Mia and Ethan had become constants in her life, always there to support her when she needed it most. And Aiden, well... he had already become something more than just a friend. She smiled softly at the thought of him. They had spent so much time together recently, and despite the ups and downs, he had never faltered in his care for her.

Fina sighed as she shifted on her bed. The thought of them all coming together for a sleepover made her heart flutter with excitement, and a little bit of apprehension too. It felt like a step forward—a chance to have fun and just be a teenager, something she hadn't really allowed herself to do in a long time.

She glanced toward the door as she heard footsteps approaching. Her mom, Isabella, appeared in the doorway, her face warm with a gentle smile. "Hey, sweetheart," she said softly. "How are you feeling today?"

Fina smiled faintly, her nerves still fluttering in her stomach. "I'm... I'm doing okay, Mamma. Actually, I've been thinking about something. I want to ask you something."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, her expression both curious and concerned. "Of course, sweetheart. What's on your mind?"

Fina hesitated for a moment, her fingers still nervously twisting the hem of her shirt. But she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. "Well, I haven't been to school in a while... and I've been thinking. Maybe I could have a sleepover with Mia, Ethan, and Aiden? I haven't really spent much time with them outside of school, and I think it could help me feel... normal again, you know?"

Isabella blinked, her smile softening as she processed what Fina was asking. The thought of Fina inviting her friends over was a positive sign—a sign that she was trying to reconnect with the outside world, that she was taking small steps toward healing. Her mother nodded slowly, a proud smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Sweetheart," Isabella began, her voice full of warmth, "I'm so proud of you for wanting to do this. You've been through so much, and seeing you want to spend time with your friends... it means a lot. You deserve to have fun and enjoy yourself, just like any other teenager."

Fina felt a rush of relief at her mom's approval, her heart swelling with gratitude. She was always so careful about what she asked for, afraid that her mom might say no or not understand. But this time, Isabella had been nothing but supportive.

"So," Isabella continued, her smile still in place, "I think a sleepover sounds like a wonderful idea. As long as Aiden, Mia, and Ethan are all okay with it, I'd love for them to come over. We can make sure everything is safe, and you can have a little fun with your friends."

Fina's face lit up, her excitement growing. "Thank you, Mamma!" she exclaimed, jumping up from the bed to hug her. "I promise, we won't make a mess or anything."

Isabella chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around her daughter. "I'm sure you won't. Just remember, you don't have to rush anything, Fina. Take your time. And if you ever need to talk, we're here for you."

"I know, Mamma," Fina murmured, hugging her tightly. "I really appreciate everything. You and Dad have been amazing, and I just... I want to make things feel a little more normal again."

Isabella pulled back slightly, holding Fina at arm's length as she looked her in the eyes. "You're stronger than you know. But it's okay to take things one step at a time. Having your friends over will be a good start."

Fina smiled, feeling the weight in her chest lift just a little. Her mother was right. She was trying, and that was all she could do for now. Slowly but surely, she was moving forward.

"Thank you," Fina said, her voice filled with sincerity.

"Of course, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you."

As Fina walked back to her bed, she pulled out her phone from the bedside table. She quickly texted Aiden, Mia, and Ethan:

Fab Four

"Hey guys, I asked my mom if we could have a

sleepover at my house. She said it's okay,

so if you're free, I'd love for you all to come over!"

She hit send, her heart pounding with anticipation. She had missed them—missed the feeling of having fun and just being a normal teenager again. No more hiding in her room, no more isolating herself from everyone. She was ready to share moments of joy with those who cared about her.

As she awaited their responses, Fina felt a rush of excitement building inside her. This could be the start of something new. She was taking the steps to heal, to live again. And with the support of her family and friends, she was ready to make those steps count.