Saturday mornings in the apartment were usually quiet.

I rubbed my eyes as I stepped into the hallway, still half asleep. Jake's bedroom door was slightly open. Strange. He was usually careful to keep it closed.

As I walked past, movement caught my eye.

Someone stood inside his room with their back turned, buttoning up a crisp white school shirt. Long pink hair cascaded down their back, and a pair of fluffy white bunny ears sat on top of their head. Dark pantyhose disappeared into black heels, while a tiny white bunny tail peeked out behind them.

...A girl?

I blinked.

Wait.

Jake never mentioned having a sister or a girlfriend.

The girl froze.

Slowly, she turned around. Bright blue eyes met mine, her cheeks instantly turning pink with embarrassment. A red ribbon rested neatly beneath her collar, completing what looked suspiciously like one of those anime bunny-girl cosplay outfits someone might order from temu.

For several long seconds, neither of us spoke.

"Oh... um..." she laughed nervously, forcing an awkward smile. "H-Hi... I'm Lily."

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve.

"I'm... Jake's friend. He, um... already left for school, so I was just... borrowing his room for a minute."

I stared at her.

"...School?"

She hesitated.

"...Y-Yeah?"

"It's Saturday."

"..."

Her smile became painfully stiff.

"...Right."

Lily's thoughts: Saturday?! Seriously?! Why did I say school?! Think, Jake, think! No—Lily! You're Lily! Just stay calm. Smile. Girls smile, right? Please don't ask another question... He's totally suspicious. Why is he looking at the bunny tail? Was the tail a mistake? I knew the tail was too much!