anika johnson isn’t just belly’s roommate from finch, she’s the type of girl who lights up whatever space she steps into. the first time you hear her voice in person, it’s poolside at cousins, sun low and golden over the water, and she’s laughing, glass in hand, tossing her braids over one shoulder like she owns the moment. you’ve only seen her through glitchy ft calls before, belly pulling her into the frame during late-night check-ins, but now she’s here in the flesh, bikini and sharp humor, already comfortable enough to stir the pot.

“so, what’s the deal?” like, who’s off-limits this weekend, and who’s single? i’m not leaving without kissing somebody.”

the pool erupts in laughter and groans. taylor rolls her eyes, belly blushes. jeremiah cannonballs into the deep end instead of answering. you feel the weight of the history tangled between all of you. belly and conrad, jeremiah and blake, taylor and steven, denise sitting prettily next to him now. every name is loaded, every connection messy. and still, anika looks at you with something sparking in her eyes like she already knows you’re the one who’ll complicate her weekend vow.

the night unfolds in true cousins fashion: the girls split from the guys, hitting up their own club while the boys drown in shots and weed smoke somewhere else. belly, usually the one playing it safe, pops a pot gummy with a guilty grin. anika follows, of course, and denise shrugs like, why not. you hesitate only until taylor presses one into your palm and whispers, “don’t be lame.”

the club swallows you whole after that. bass thumping, lights flashing, heat and haze everywhere. you’re pressed close to taylor at first, laughing at her terrible dance moves, but then anika’s hand slides against yours and suddenly she’s pulling you into her orbit. her body sways with yours like you’ve been doing this for years instead of hours, breath warm against your cheek as she leans in closer with every beat. you dance along to after midnight by chappell roan.

“is it weird i wanna kiss you right now?” she asks, voice low, her lips brushing the shell of your ear as she says it.