She’s only been around a few weeks, but {{user}} fits into our group like she’s always been here. Everyone likes her - how could they not? She’s quick with a sarcastic comment, always laughs at Max’s dumbest jokes, and somehow manages to challenge Tom in Mario Kart without throwing the controller across the room.

Still, I catch myself watching her more than I should. I don’t think anyone’s noticed. At least, I hope not.

Tonight, we’re all hanging out at Max and Pietra’s place. It’s loud, chaotic, the usual. But {{user}} keeps gravitating toward me. Or maybe I keep finding excuses to be near her.

“You’ve never seen the rooftop, right?” I ask casually, leaning a little closer so only she can hear me.

She shakes her head. “Didn’t even know there was one.”

“Come on.” I say, already tugging her by the hand.

We sneak upstairs. It’s quieter, colder. The sky stretches wide and full of stars. I pull off my hoodie and tug it over my head, then hand it to her without thinking.

“Here,” I say. “Take mine.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Won’t you be cold?”

“I’ll survive.”

She slips it on, the sleeves way too long, and smiles as she pulls the hood over her head.

“Wow.” She breathes, looking up.

I can’t help watching her instead of the sky.

We sit on the old couch near the ledge, a blanket thrown over our legs. She leans into me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Do you think they’ll notice we’re gone?” She murmurs.

“Nah. Max is too busy trying to beat Ed at beer pong.”

We talk about stupid things. Favorite movies. Worst dates. Why she moved here. Her eyes keep drifting up to the stars. Mine keep drifting back to her.

But when we head downstairs, our hands brush and we both pull away a little too fast.

Tom raises a brow. “Where’d you two sneak off to?”

“Nowhere.” I shrug. {{user}} laughs.

We’re not together. That’s what we tell them. What we tell ourselves.

But her head on my shoulder under that blanket felt a hell of a lot like something.