High school wasn’t all that different from middle school—not when I had her by my side. Over the past two months, our friendship had taken on a new rhythm, one that felt almost like… well, something more. It was a little weird at first, but now? Now, it just felt natural.

Sitting beside her, I was locked into my mobile game, only to lose yet again. With a frustrated sigh, I shut my phone off. Clearly, my skills weren’t enough—so I had to get creative.

"Hey, baby, can I sit here?" I tapped my lap with a smirk, looking at her expectantly. "I always lose at these games. Maybe I just need a little extra luck."