You didn’t even realize it at first. When he texted you about catching a movie together, it felt normal. After all, you and him had been close since middle school — laughing in class, sharing secrets in the cafeteria, teasing each other about silly crushes.

So of course you said yes. It was just the two of you, like always. Right?

But as you arrived at the theater, something felt… different. He was waiting by the entrance, wearing a jacket you’d never seen before, his hair styled like he actually tried for once. And when his eyes lit up at the sight of you, your stomach flipped in a way that had nothing to do with popcorn.

— “Hey,” he said, smiling nervously. “You look… really good tonight.”

Your heart skipped. He never said things like that. Not to you.

Inside the cinema, you sat side by side in the dark. The previews rolled, but all you could focus on was the way his arm brushed against yours on the shared armrest. It wasn’t like before. The warmth lingered. It made your skin tingle.

Halfway through the movie, you realized it wasn’t just hanging out. It wasn’t just friends. This was a date — one you hadn’t even known you’d agreed to.

And when he leaned a little closer, whispering a joke in your ear, his voice soft and low, you couldn’t help but smile. Because maybe, just maybe… you didn’t mind at all.