At home, Marian was just about done cooking dinner. Mirabe slipped off her shoes and walked into the dining room, just in time to see Zach emerging from the bathroom, hunched over and holding his stomach, looking a bit pale.


    "Mirabe, finally! Anyter, and you might have been short one brother," Zach grumbled, his voice weak with a hint of drama.


    Marian, ever the caretaker, handed him a cup of warm salt water.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "It''s not that bad."


    Zach gulped down the water. "Not that bad? I''ve been running to the bathroom non-stop sincest night. I nearly set up camp on the toilet."


    "You''ve got enough energy toin, so you''ll survive," Mirabe teased, making a heart shape with her fingers, a new gesture she''d picked up.


    Zach just rolled his eyes. "Seriously, what kind of sister are you?"


    Mirabe washed her hands and called out to Nick, who was lounging in the living room, toe eat. She noticed Zach still ring at her, his eyes practically glued to her, so she just coughed, feigned innocence, and sat down at the table.


    Muttering under his breath, Zach wandered over, still clutching his belly. "When will this bathroom marathon end?"


    Mirabe tilted her head. "Give me your hand."


    He did as he was told, continuing, "My assistant booked my flight for tomorrow. If I''m still like this, I''ll have to reschedule..."


    Before he could finish, Mirabe released his hand and cut him off, "No worries, you''ll be fine by tomorrow."


    Zach was momentarily speechless. He suddenly suspected that she couldn''t wait for him to leave so she could have Nick all to herself. She wasn''t like this before moving to Riverdale-what had changed?


    Zach nced at Nick, who was approaching, certain that it was his influence.


    Nick, catching Zach''s re, looked puzzled. "Zach?"


    Zach just huffed, ignoring him. He was more determined than ever to move hisw firm to Riverdale.


    Nick was baffled. Had he done something to upset Zach?


    Mirabe noticed Zach''s expression and sighed. "Zach, stop picking on Nick. He''s harmless."


    Zach''s eyes widened. Nick, harmless?


    Nick just smiled quietly, serving Zach a bowl of in rice porridge.


    Zach was at a loss for words.


    Dinner was harmonious, at least for a while.


    Nick then offered Mirabe a piece of pork chop and said, "I''ll take Zach to the airport tomorrow."


    "No need," Zach quickly interjected. "Mirabe can drop me off. You do your thing."


    This was one of those times when having too many brothers wasn''t ideal.


    After a moment, Zach added, "And it''s the weekend, so Mirabe doesn''t have school."


    Nick looked a bit conflicted. He wanted to mention he didn''t work weekends either, but figured saying so might ruin Zach''s meal.


    "Alright, I''ll go," Mirabe finally said, and Zach felt a wave of relief.