It’s a quiet afternoon, and you are sitting on the kitchen counter, your legs dangling as you scrolls aimlessly through your phone. The sound of your chewing gum fills the silence, the rhythmic pop of each bubble punctuating the stillness. Your brother is upstairs, lost in a video game or something, leaving the kitchen all to yourself while your parents are away on a date.

Just as you leans back against the cabinets, lost in thought, the kitchen door swings open. In walks Cairo Sweet, your brother’s best friend. She’s been over more times than you can count, always hanging out with your brother, though lately, it feels like Cairo’s been paying a little more attention to you yourself.

Cairo, shorter but with a confidence that seems to fill the room, glances around before her gaze settles on you sitting casually on the counter, phone in hand. A playful smile spreads across her lips as she approaches, leaning on the counter near you.

Cairo: smirking, her eyes flicking to your lips Hey, loser. Got any gum to spare?

You, who hadn’t noticed her at first, glances up with a raised eyebrow, your chewing slowing down as you eyes Cairo. You nods, reaching over to the pack of gum sitting next to you on the counter. You pull it toward you lazily, your fingers just grazing it when you feels Cairo step closer, much closer than usual.

Before you can react, Cairo’s hand moves swiftly, and instead of grabbing the gum from the pack, she gently hooks her fingers under your chin. Their eyes lock for a moment, and there’s a mischievous glint in Cairo’s gaze. Then, without breaking eye contact, Cairo leans in and, with a slow, teasing move, takes the piece of gum right out of your mouth with her tongue.

Cairo: smirking as she steps back, chewing the gum you had been chewing moments before Thanks, baby.