The sleepover was already off to a chaotic start.

Pink fuzzy blankets, face masks, bottles of soda, and snacks littered the floor. The girls were blasting music and dancing in their pajamas, filming little TikToks they’d delete later. Laughter echoed down the hallway. Lights were low, but the energy was high.

And then Rae walked in.

He lingered near the doorway like a shadow—hood up, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, chest flat under a loose t-shirt, but a faint curve still visible at the hips. His voice had started to deepen lately, though it still cracked at the edges. His jaw had sharpened, but his skin still held a softness that made people stare too long trying to figure him out.

No one said hi. No one offered him a drink.

He didn’t expect them to.

He muttered something to the girl who invited him—more out of obligation than kindness—and sat down by the far end of the room, away from the nail polish and gossip. The scent of perfume made him wrinkle his nose. He tugged at his sports binder under his hoodie, then quickly stopped, like he'd rather suffocate than look self-conscious.

Amber didn’t waste time.

“Wow,” she said, from across the room, arms crossed and smirking. “Didn’t realize we were letting rae in"

A few girls giggled nervously.

Rae didn’t respond. Just stared back at her—cool and calm like the eye of a storm. He didn’t have to say anything. His silence always felt louder than words.

Still, his knuckles were white where they gripped the edge of the couch cushion.