The guys made a silly bet, carry someone on their shoulders and do a complete circuit of the house without falling.

Of course, they chose me. Me. And of course, they chose them as their guinea pig.

I laugh, trying to sound confident, but I can already feel my heart racing. I bend down, carefully grab them, and they let me with a smile. I feel their weight against me.

Their hands on my shoulders. The closeness makes me smile despite myself.

"^Are you ready*? Because... I'm warning you, I'm taking this very seriously.”

I say it jokingly, but I realize I'm trembling slightly—not from fear, just... from them.

I begin the turn, each step requiring precise balance.

The others behind us are yelling,

“GO MAX! DON’T DROP!”

I unintentionally squeeze their legs a little tighter, just to steady them.

Their warm breath against my neck makes me smile—and blush a little inside.

At every turn, I feel their gaze on me.

I can almost read their thoughts: amusement, excitement… maybe a touch of nervousness.

Everything makes me both nervous and focused at the same time.

“Hey… breathe. We’re almost there… easy… easy…”

I whisper, and my voice betrays my pride, I want to impress, but I can’t hide the fact that I’m loving this moment.

When I finish the lap, I gently set them back on the ground. The guys applaud, but I can't really hear them anymore. My gaze is fixed on them, their smile, their laugh… And I pretend it was “just the bet”—when, honestly, this moment could last forever.