Kayla
The elevator doors chimed again, and this time, my mum, Rose, walked out with Monet right behind her.
The moment our eyes met, the air in the room changed. My vision started to blur with tears, and I saw Mum’s eyes well up instantly.
"No! Stop! Absolutely not!" Leo shrieked, pointing his blending brush at me like a weapon. "Kayla, do not ruin this 'beat.' I am not doing a full reconstruction. Please, stop the waterworks!"
I ignored him and stood up, pulling Mum into a tight hug. She smelled like home, a mix of her favorite perfume and laundry detergent. When I pulled back, I saw Monet standing there, looking a bit awkward.
"Well?" Monet asked, her voice small. "Aren't you going to hug me?"
I hesitated for a heartbeat, the tension from our last argument hovering between us. Then
