It was supposed to be productive.

That was the excuse, at least. The three of them at your place because it was quieter, because your table was bigger, because deadlines were stacking and no one wanted to be alone with their thoughts tonight.

The clock read 1:47 a.m.

Jay was across from you, sleeves rolled up, pen tapping softly against his notebook. Jake sat beside you, shoulder just barely brushing yours every time he shifted. Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, laptop open but untouched for the last ten minutes, eyes flicking up more often than necessary.

The room smelled like coffee and laundry detergent. Too warm. Too still. You reread the same paragraph for the fourth time and sighed. “I can’t focus.”

Jake glanced at you. “You’ve been staring at that page like it personally offended you.” Sunghoon closed his laptop with a soft click. “We should take a break.” Jay nodded.