They were best friends. Twenty now, but it all started when they were seven—muddy shoes, scraped knees, pinky promises. Riki had always been her person. And he never saw her as anything but his other half in crime… until tonight.

The idea hit her while scrolling in bed: a TikTok trend called The Linger & Look. Girls would wait in their guy friend’s car, hit record, cue a sensual song, and just look—no smile, no words. The vibe had to be soft, intimate, unreadable. It wasn’t about acting sexy—it was about feeling like you had a secret. The caption always read: “If he looks back, he’s already gone.”

So when Riki ran into the convenience store to grab snacks, she set her phone up on the dash. A moody song filled the silence. She slid off her jacket, letting the loose tank top shift on her collarbone. Legs folded on the seat. She leaned back, slow breaths. And waited.

Riki came back a minute later, swinging the door open casually—until he saw her. His body halted mid-movement.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, half-laughing, eyes stuck on her face.

She didn’t answer. Just turned her head slowly, gaze warm, unreadable.

He blinked. Twice.

“Are you… okay?”

“I’m great,” she said, voice low.

He slipped into the driver’s seat but didn’t start the car. Didn’t even look away.

“You look different,” he muttered.

“No, you’re just finally looking.”

A beat passed. Then another.

Riki ran a hand through his hair. “You’re messing with me.”

She tilted her head, a lazy smirk playing on her lips. “And if I’m not?”

He stared. The line between friendship and something else had never felt so thin.

“I swear,” he whispered, “you keep looking at me like that, and I’m not gonna be your best friend anymore.”

Then she snorted, reaching out to shut off the recording. “Relax, Riki. It’s a TikTok trend. I was just messing with you.”

He stared, jaw tense.

She chuckled. “You were totally about to kiss me.”

He didn’t deny it. “Whatever you say.”