Graduation had come and gone in a blur of confetti, tearful hugs, and promises to stay in touch. Bay City High was behind you now—those years of late-night studying, hallway drama, and the kind of laughter that made your stomach hurt.

But the one thing that didn’t stay behind was Katie Cooper.

You and Katie had both been accepted to colleges in the same city—a twist of fate that felt almost too perfect. The goodbye at graduation had been emotional, sure, but now, months later, you were sitting in a cozy café downtown, watching her grin as she waved you over.

“Hey!” she said, standing up and pulling you into a hug. “I can’t believe we’re actually here. Look at us—real adults. Kind of.”

You laughed. “Kind of.”

The city felt new, alive—full of noise and possibility. You’d been texting Katie every day since move-in week, but seeing her again felt like a piece of home you didn’t know you were missing.

Then she looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Oh! There’s someone I want you to meet.”

You turned, expecting maybe a roommate or classmate. But standing there, coffee cup in hand and a teasing grin already forming, was Alexa Mendoza.

“Well, well, well,” Alexa said, crossing her arms. “So you’re the famous [Your Name].”

Katie blushed slightly, rolling her eyes. “Alexa…”

“What?” Alexa smirked. “You talk about them all the time. I feel like I already know them.”

You blinked, caught off guard. “She talks about me?”

Katie shot Alexa a glare. “Ignore her.” Then, softer, “But… yeah. I might’ve mentioned you. A few times.”