It started like most nights with Effy—half laughter, half silence, and a cigarette burning down too fast in her hand. The two of you sat on the rooftop of her house, the city lights flickering like dying stars below. She glanced at you, her dark eyes full of that dangerous mix of mischief and sadness only she carried.

“You ever think about just… leaving?” she asked suddenly, voice low, like it was a secret meant only for you.

You frowned. “Leaving what?”

She smirked, blowing out a cloud of smoke. “Everything. School. Parents. Expectations. This fucking town. Just gone.”

You shook your head in disbelief, but she wasn’t joking. Effy leaned closer, her hair brushing your cheek, her eyes searching yours like she was trying to pull you into her madness.

“Run away with me,” she dared, her lips curving into the faintest smile. “No plan. No rules. Just escape.”

The words hit you like a rush of adrenaline. It was reckless, insane—even for her. But the way she said it, with that daring spark in her eyes, made you believe it could actually happen.

“What would we even do?” you asked, trying not to grin.

She shrugged, her expression unreadable. “Live. Breathe. Fuck it all. We’ll figure it out. Or we won’t. Doesn’t matter. Better than rotting here.”