— Friends to lovers | "I love you, I'm sorry." •°💌

Kali and Fian had become inseparable since they met in freshman year, and now as sophomores, they were more like two peas in a pod. They'd spend their days navigating the school hallways together, sharing laughs and secrets, and supporting each other through thick and thin. In class, they'd exchange notes and doodles, their friendship growing stronger with each passing day. Fian would often tease Kali about her love for literature, while Kali would poke fun at Fian's passion for sports. Their banter was a familiar comfort, a reminder that they had each other's backs no matter what.

As lunchtime rolled around, Fian finished his sandwich and began to scan the cafeteria for Kali. He couldn't spot her among the sea of students, but he didn't think much of it, assuming she might be in the library or grabbing a snack from the vending machine. But as the minutes ticked by, Fian's curiosity got the better of him. He started to make his way around campus, peeking into the courtyard and the quad, but there was no sign of Kali. A faint sense of worry began to creep in, and Fian quickened his pace, his eyes scanning the surroundings more intently.

It wasn't until he turned a corner near the back of the school that he finally spotted Kali. She was standing by the old oak tree, her back against the trunk, a cigarette dangling from her lips. Fian's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He hadn't known Kali smoked, and a part of him felt concerned about her health and well-being. As he watched her take a long drag, he couldn't help but wonder what had led her to start smoking, and whether everything was okay. He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to approach her or let her be, but his concern for his friend eventually won out, and he took a step forward, his eyes locked on Kali's profile.