Cassie wiped the sweat from her brow as the elliptical's screen blinked in rhythm with her heartbeat. The gym was quiet, save for the hum of machines and the occasional clang of Caleb's weights in the other corner. She liked the silence—it gave her space to think, or at least pretend she wasn't overthinking.
She wore a black seamless sports bra that hugged her curves and high-waisted forest green leggings. Her hair was pulled into a high curly ponytail, frizzed a little from the workout, but she didn't mind. Cassie was mid-set on the leg press when Blair walked in.
Blair wore a dusty rose crop top and matching biker shorts that accentuated her toned legs and waist. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, face glowing with light morning freshness.
"Hey," Blair said, jogging over, her water bottle swinging at her side. "We didn't get to finish our talk the other day."
Cassie gave a small smile, pretending the awkward tension between them didn't still cling to the air. "Oh, forget about it."
"No, really," Blair said, sitting on the mat beside her. "I'm sorry if I make things difficult when I'm with James. I promise I'm not showing off on purpose."
Cassie glanced at her, trying to keep her expression neutral. "B, it's okay. I don't mind."
Blair smiled, relieved. "Okay," she said, then stood and held out her hand. "Hug?"
Cassie stood and stepped into Blair's arms. She smelled like coconut and mint toothpaste. Warm. Familiar.
"You know what?" Blair said as they pulled apart. "Why don't we spend today together? Just us. Anything you want."
Cassie blinked, surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Totally. You pick."
Cassie's face lit up. "Karaoke."
Blair groaned dramatically. "Oh, you are so going down!"
They both laughed as they walked toward the hallway. "Go change," Blair said. "We can shower together. Save time."
Back upstairs, the steam fogged up the glass of the shared bathroom as Blair stood under the water, laughing about how tone-deaf Maddie was. Cassie watched her through the mist, trying not to stare too long at her curves, her skin, the way the water rolled down her back.
She shook her head and turned back to her own shampoo. I shouldn't be thinking this way. She's Blair. She's…
After drying off, they stood side by side, each at a vanity mirror.
Blair picked a white cropped halter top with high-rise denim shorts and tied a bandana around her head. Her curls, now released, framed her face like a wild halo. She looked like summer.
Cassie went for a pastel yellow wrap top and a flared skirt with sneakers. Her hair was brushed into soft waves and clipped back on one side. Blair turned to her and gasped.
"You look hot."
Cassie smirked, even as something twisted in her chest. "Right back at you."
They grabbed their bags, sunglasses, and portable mic, ready for a day of karaoke chaos and—maybe—a little clarity.
---
Downstairs, the scent of waffles and scrambled eggs filled the air as the gang gathered around the long breakfast table. Caleb and Andrew were already mid-banter when Blair and Cassie made their entrance.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Caleb said, pushing back his chair. "Where are you two going dressed like that?"
Cassie twirled once for dramatic flair. "Out."
Blair smirked and sauntered toward James, who had just turned from pouring himself a cup of coffee. She leaned into his side, eyes glinting. "It's a sister thing. From today henceforth, Sundays are officially dedicated to Cassie and me. Sorry, boys," she added, giving James a pointed look.
James set his mug down and made an exaggerated frown. "Ouch. And I thought we had something special."
She rolled her eyes. "We do. But you're not invited."
With a grin, James pulled her into a sudden hug, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. "I'll allow it—just this once."
Blair's laugh rang out as she looked into his face—his tousled blonde hair catching the morning light, his sharp jaw, and those piercing blue eyes that always, always, made her forget whatever sarcastic retort she had planned.
"You're impossible," she whispered, cheeks pink.
"I know," he said, brushing a kiss against her cheek as he set her down.
"People," Maddie called from her seat, fork in hand. "We eat here."
"Yeah," Jazmine added with a smirk. "Keep the honeymoon vibes for the bedroom."
Cassie, who had been applying a final swipe of lip gloss in the mirror near the door, glanced back. Caleb raised an eyebrow at her.
"Where's Joseph?"
"He left last night," Cassie said coolly, snapping her compact shut.
Maddie narrowed her eyes. "Why didn't you let him sleep over?"
Cassie shrugged and looked directly at Blair. "Because... nothing." Then, turning back to the group, she flashed a bright smile. "Shall we?"
Blair looped her arm through Cassie's as they made their way toward the front door. The driver was already waiting by the car.
Andrew called out dramatically, "If y'all come back tone-deaf, we're disowning you."
Blair flashed a peace sign. "Too late for that!"
With that, the girls slid into the car, sunglasses on, playlist queued up, and the city waiting.
Karaoke Sunday had officially begun.
---
The car pulled up to a cozy, stylish karaoke lounge tucked into a lively street corner downtown. The glowing neon sign above the door read SingCity, its letters flickering in pink and violet. Music drifted faintly from inside, and the soft thump of bass hinted at the energy within.
Blair stepped out first, her sundress fluttering in the breeze. Cassie followed, wearing a cropped graphic tee and a pleated tennis skirt, her sleek ponytail swaying confidently behind her. Both girls looked like they walked straight out of a music video—and people noticed. A few bystanders even turned for a second look.
Inside, SingCity was a dream of velvet booths, warm lighting, and crystal-clear acoustics. The decor was a playful blend of retro and modern—vinyl records on the walls, vintage microphones as centerpieces, and touchscreen consoles embedded into each private karaoke room. The scent of nachos and popcorn hung in the air.
"Okay, this place is way cooler than I imagined," Blair whispered.
Cassie grinned and led the way to the front desk. "Reservation for two—Cassie and Blair."
The hostess, a girl their age with a pierced brow and holographic nails, gave them a knowing smile. "You're gonna love Room 7. It's our VIP suite—has a disco ball."
As they were led through the corridor, passing other rooms filled with chaotic, joyful noise, Cassie and Blair exchanged excited looks. Once inside, they gasped.
The VIP room was decked in black leather couches, multicolored LED lights, and, true to her word, a glittering disco ball spinning slowly overhead. A touchscreen menu popped up automatically on the glass table in the center, displaying thousands of songs.
Cassie immediately pulled out her phone. "We have to take pictures."
They posed against the neon "Sing Like Nobody's Watching" sign, Cassie doing the peace sign and Blair blowing a kiss to the camera. They took a few selfies together, then recorded a quick boomerang of them dancing under the disco ball. Cassie posted one to her story with the caption: Sunday Sister Date — Karaoke Queens.
Blair texted a picture to Maddie, adding: Your girl might go viral.
After hyping each other up for a while, Cassie stood. "Okay. My turn."
Blair flopped onto the couch with popcorn. "Let's gooo!"
Cassie scrolled through the options, then paused.
She selected All I Ask by Adele.
As the room dimmed slightly and the spotlight shifted to her, Cassie stood confidently in front of the mic. Her heart thudded once in her chest, but she pushed through. The instrumental started, and her voice followed—soft, smooth, vulnerable.
From the first note, it was clear: Cassie could sing.
She didn't just perform—she felt it. Her voice echoed through the room, low and full of raw emotion. She sang with her whole chest, her gaze drifting naturally toward Blair. She wasn't thinking. She wasn't even sure why. But Blair was smiling at her with such pride, clapping and cheering and shouting lyrics along.
And Cassie just… kept singing.
Outside the room, a few staff paused to listen. Someone peeked through the glass panel of the door and started filming. Cassie didn't notice. She was lost in the music.
By the end of the song, Blair was up and clapping wildly. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! CASS. YOU'RE A STAR!"
Cassie blushed deeply, letting out a breathless laugh. "That was so embarrassing."
"Shut up, you just gave Adele a run for her money!"
Her phone buzzed—@singcitykaraoke reposted your story.
A text popped up from Caleb: Just saw you trending on my explore page…??
Cassie snorted and showed Blair. "We're kinda famous."
They spent the rest of the afternoon singing duets, laughing until their cheeks hurt, and taking goofy videos of each other. At one point, they ordered milkshakes and fries from the in-house diner and ate barefoot on the velvet couch like they owned the place.
As the sun began to set and they finally left, arms linked, Blair turned to Cassie.
"We should do this every Sunday."
Cassie nodded, eyes soft. "Deal."
---