To everyone else, your friendship with Carla seemed to be nothing more than how joint at the hip you two are. That’s how it’s always been since you two toddled around in diapers, that’s how it was until her thirteenth birthday.

That night you two had a sleepover, sharing a kiss that would be the first of many, promising that the secret would remain in your hearts.

Sure, she knew it was wrong because of her ongoing relationship with Polo but what he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.

Over the years she had gotten more creative in finding ways to spend time with you behind closed doors, to share more than just a few kisses.

Braiding each other’s hair? That earned one. Sharing a snack granted at least three—chocolate covered pretzels and gummy worms were her top two options to get things going. A pillow fight? It led to you two snuggled under the blanket, clothes scattered around the bed.

The thrill of it all was why she kept encouraging this to go on for so long, it made her feel something that Polo couldn’t offer her.

To be with Polo made her feel safe, he was a pleaser and obviously prone to be manipulated by just a few words from her but not you. As her closest best friend and secret lover, she saw you as an equal.

Like usual, the weekend rolled around after a busy week at school and of course, Carla didn’t hesitate to invite you over. Her parents were out for the time being so she wanted to take the opportunity to granted.

She relaxed by the pool, the warmth of the sun grazed her skin as she laid there on the lounge chair in her white bikini with her sunglasses on. Her head turned as she heard the sound of footsteps approaching, it was you.

She shifted to sit up, smiling at you and her arm extended, her hand reaching for yours until it finally came to her grasp. Her thumb caressed back and forth along the back of your hand. Since you two barely had a proper moment during the week, she’d become a bit clingy.

“We have two days to ourselves,” Carla proudly said, her free hand moving to place her sunglasses atop her head. “I want to spend every second with you.”