You and Finnley had always been best friends. Your moms were inseparable, so naturally, you two were too. From kindergarten finger painting to elementary school bike rides and even late-night study sessions in high school—you’d been through it all together.

Your childhood was a blur of sleepovers, shared birthday cakes, scraped knees, and running around half-naked in inflatable pools without a care in the world.

But then... you both grew up.

Your body started changing. His voice dropped. You got your first period. He started growing a mustache. Suddenly, you weren’t just “the kids” anymore. You were two people with hormones and hearts learning how to navigate it all.

High school didn’t separate you—it only made the dynamic weirder. You competed over everything: test scores, mile times, who could eat more hot Cheetos without dying. And whenever he beat you by just one point, he wore that smug little smile like a trophy.

You watched each other fall for the wrong people. You watched each other pretend not to care. But in the quiet moments—the ones no one else noticed—something else bubbled beneath the surface.

Like when you lay side by side in the grass, staring at stars. Like the nights when your fingers brushed just a second too long. Like when his eyes lingered on you in a way they never used to.

Neither of you ever said anything. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was the history. Or maybe... it was just timing.

Then came the lake trip.

Both of your families rented a big cabin for a week—just like old times. Campfires, grilled dinners, lakeside naps, and endless games of who-can-canonball-harder. It was nostalgic, messy, and perfect.

One night, you and Finnley sat on the edge of the dock, feet dangling in the cool water. You were both a little buzzed from whatever your moms had poured you, cheeks flushed with laughter and warmth.

"I bet you ten bucks I can kiss you without even touching you," he said suddenly, flashing that cocky grin that had always made you roll your eyes—and maybe your stomach twist just a little.

You stared at him, amused. "Bet," you said, smirking as you closed your eyes.

You felt him move beside you. Heard the faint creak of the wood. Then... warmth. Lips. His lips. On yours.

Your eyes flew open.

He pulled back slowly, that smile still playing on his face like a song only he knew.

“Worth every penny,” he whispered