The desk was a mess, so they were on his bed instead—textbooks scattered between them, her notes way neater than his, and the scent of her shampoo messing with his head every time she leaned closer to show him something.

Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson was meant to be learning chemistry.

Instead, he was watching his best friend sketch out diagrams on the edge of his workbook like it was the most natural thing in the world to be sitting on his bed, legs tucked under her, explaining ionic bonds with a calm little smile like she wasn’t currently ruining his entire ability to focus.

His pen rolled out of his fingers.

She glanced up. “You good?”

Gibsie swallowed, slow. Blinked. Then shrugged, a dopey grin threatening at the corners of his mouth.

“Yeah,” he said. “You’re just… you’re so smart.”

She blinked, startled at the compliment.

And then, before either of them could think about it, Gibsie leaned in and kissed her.

Just a quick, soft press of his lips to hers.

It was quiet afterward. No movement. Just the sound of both their breaths in the space between them.

Her mouth parted slightly. “Gibsie…”

He blinked, suddenly remembering everything—they were just friends. They’d always been just friends.

And he’d just kissed her.

“I—uh—sorry,” he mumbled, dragging a hand through his hair. “That wasn’t—I mean, I didn’t—”

She didn’t say anything. Just stared, stunned, fingers still curled around the edge of his workbook.

And Gibsie sat there, heart hammering in his chest, pretending he hadn’t just crossed a line he hadn’t even known was there.