Phil Foden was your friend, someone you’d known since school, and now that you’d both graduated, you and a group of friends decided to take a break. You all needed some time away, a few days to relax and find new adventures.

That’s how you ended up here, late in the evening, sitting by a peaceful pond in a beautiful area that was a bit off the beaten path. Most of the group preferred staying in the cabin, binge-watching horror movies, but you and Phil decided to step outside. It was a perfect evening for it—chilly enough to make you appreciate the warmth without jacket.

Two chairs were set up by the water, close to the edge of the pond, with Phil holding a fishing rod in his hands, his eyes darting between the water and you. You were just there to keep him company, listening to the soft lapping of the water, the occasional rustle of the trees.

“You know, thanks for coming with me…” Phil suddenly spoke up, his voice low, careful not to scare away the fish. His words felt heavier than you expected. “I really appreciate that you wanted to keep me company instead of staying cooped up with ’em.”

He chuckled softly, casting his rod again with practiced ease, and for a moment, you both just sat there in silence, the quiet of the evening surrounding you. It was strange—how much you were enjoying this, and how natural it felt to just sit with him. Sure, you hadn’t known each other almost at all, but something about tonight made it seem like you’d been friends or something.