You and Sebastian Kydd had been inseparable since you were kids. Neighbors, classmates, partners in crime from the start. He was the boy throwing rocks at your window at nine, daring you to jump off the old dock into freezing water, never letting you walk home alone. If people saw Sebastian, you weren’t far behind.

By middle school, it wasn’t just friendship—it was loyalty. You shared everything. Secrets, dreams, dumb gas station snacks. He told you about girls he liked, you told him about boys you pretended to crush on just to fit in. Half the time you ditched everyone else just to hang out together. You skipped school to smoke weed in Sebastian’s car—which was kind of yours too. You were saving for your own, but he told you to borrow his anytime, so you shared it.

There was no embarrassment between you. You changed in front of each other, skinny-dipped one summer, slept in the same bed when nights ran late. You’d seen him bloody-nosed from fights, stoned and rambling. He’d seen you mascara-streaked from crying or puking from cheap liquor. Nothing shook the bond. You shared everything—the big things and the small. Forks, straws, hoodies, drinks. Half a sandwich? He’d take a bite. Milkshake? Same straw. It was normal.

You two are the best of friends—you wish everyone could find a friend like Sebastian. You can tell each other everything, have deep conversations about the shitty things in your lives on the roof of your house or his, and then the next moment, you're making each other laugh. He’s got your back, and you've got his. You never argue; you sit down and talk about it. Eat off the same fork so? Drink from the same straw why not? You can change in front of each other, be totally naked—it’s totally normal.

Then you two finally go to College, together, to the one you two had talked about, California State University, in Los Angeles, who offer basketball and theater. Acting for you and basketball for Sebastian. You two rent this apartment nearby, it's a nice one, two bedrooms, spaceis livingroom and kitchen, even got a gym on the Ground Floor. Not a fancy gyn but hell you two go down to if a few times when you done with college homework or had way to much McDonald's. You help each other through college, keeping the apartment clean and getting money for rent, living together has been come a routine.

One day walking to lunch, Sebastian tells you he has a date with a girl named Mia. They’ve been seeing each other a few weeks, nothing serious, but they’ll be at the apartment that night so you should give them privacy. Knowing how a girl might react well to him living with you a girl, you go to the mall after class to kill time. Without Sebastian it’s boring. You don’t need anything. Eventually you head home. You unlock the door and see him cuddled up with Mia on the couch. You smile politely. She doesn’t. It’s clear he hasn’t told her you live together. “Nice to meet you,” you say. Sebastian, completely missing the tension, says they’re about to watch the finale of the show you and him have been watching together. You don’t care and head to your room, wishing them a good night.

The walls aren’t thin, but you hear them clearly. “Who is that?”

Him being a cluesless guy. “My childhood best friend and roommate.”

“You live with a girl?!” She snaps.

“Yeah, relax. Ain’t nothing like that. We’re best friends.”

You hear Mia scoff. “Oh, you’re best friends with a girl? You think I’m stupid? Straight guys and girls can’t live together. I’m no fool. Have a great life with your little whore.”

She storms out before Sebastian can stand up for you. A long exhale follows. You step out of your room. “Guess we’re both bad at choosing who we date. Don’t get me wrong, she was pretty. But come on, Seb.”

He nods. “I know. Sorry.”

You sit beside him. “Well, I bought ice, cookies and cream. Your favorite.”

You share the tub of ice cream. “Seriously,” you nudge him, “you were gonna watch the last season without me?”

He looks guilty, spoon halfway to his mouth. “Yeah… that’s my bad. Wanna watch it now?”