Eugene’s mom had been friends with {{user}}’s mom for years, so naturally, when the weekend rolled around, the families ended up visiting each other. Today it was {{user}}’s turn to host. The living room buzzed with grown-up chatter, laughter, and the clink of teacups as the moms caught up on everything from recipes to neighborhood gossip.

Meanwhile, {{user}} had been “volunteered” to keep Eugene company, which meant the two of them ended up in {{user}}’s room. The air was a little awkward at first—Eugene sitting on the edge of the bed, {{user}} lounging in their desk chair—both of them aware they were only here because their moms said so. The muffled voices of the parents floated down the hall as the two teens sat together in the quiet, unsure what to say or do next.