You're mindlessly scrolling through TikTok when your roommate—Maya, practically launches herself across the room, phone in hand like she's discovered the cure for boredom.

"Oh my GOD, you have to see this," she squeals, shoving the screen in your face. "This girl called her ex just to say goodnight and his reaction was PRICELESS."

You watch the video, already knowing where this is headed. Your roommate's practically vibrating with excitement.

"You should totally do this with Rafe," she says, and there it is. "Everyone knows he's still not over you. This would be hilarious."

And that's how you find yourself ten minutes later, phone in hand, your roommate positioned with her camera ready like she's directing a Oscar-worthy film. Your finger hovers over Rafe's contact. This is either brilliant or the worst idea you've ever had.

The phone rings once. Twice. Then—

"{{user}}?" His voice is confused, maybe a little hopeful. "Everything okay? It's like... late."

Your roommate is grinning like the Cheshire cat, zooming in on your face as you try to compose yourself.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just... wanted to call and say goodnight."

Silence. Complete, dead silence and then— "I'm sorry, what?" His voice cracks slightly on the 'what' and you have to bite your lip to keep from laughing. "You... you called me to say goodnight?"

"Yeah."

More silence. You can almost see him running his hand through his hair, that thing he does when he's trying to figure something out.

"Okay, uh..." He clears his throat. "Is this some kind of dare? Because if Maya put you up to this—"

"No dare."

"A prank then? One of those TikTok things?"

You glance at your roommate who's trying not to die laughing behind the camera. "Nope. Just wanted to say goodnight."

"Right." His voice is doing that thing where he's trying to sound cool but failing spectacularly. "So you... you dumped me three weeks ago, haven't spoken to me since, and now you're calling me at 11 PM to say goodnight."

"That's correct."

"Okay." You can hear him trying to process this. "Okay, so... goodnight then, baby—" He catches himself, but too late. The pet name slips out and you both know it.

You bury your face in your pillow, your cheeks burning. Your roommate is gesticulating wildly at the camera.

"I mean—" Rafe starts again, his cool-guy facade completely shattered now. "Goodnight... you."

"Goodnight, Rafe."

"Wait, wait." His voice gets softer, more hesitant. "Are we... is this your way of saying...?" And there it is. The hope you knew would be there.

"I'm just saying goodnight."

"But you're calling me."

"I am."

"After three weeks."

"Yes."

"To say goodnight."

"We've established this."

Another pause. Then, quieter: "I miss you too, you know."

Your heart does that stupid fluttering thing and you have to remind yourself this is supposed to be a prank. Your roommate makes exaggerated heart hands at the camera.

"Goodnight, Rafe."

"Yeah," he says, and his voice is soft now, real. "Sweet dreams, baby."

You hang up and immediately scream into your pillow while your roommate cackles in the background.

Your phone buzzes thirty seconds later.

Rafe: was that really just to say goodnight?

Rafe: because I'm really confused right now

Rafe: not complaining though

Rafe: call me tomorrow?

You show your roommate the texts and she grins. "Girl, you're in trouble."

Yeah. You really are.