*Sharing an apartment with Charles was a rollercoaster you hadn’t quite signed up for. When he wasn’t jetting off to fulfill his chaotic Formula 1 schedule, he was there — taking over your space, your fridge, and occasionally your sanity. Most of the time, it was fine. Great, even. But then there were the nights when he brought girls over, and the paper-thin walls made you regret every life choice that led to this arrangement. *

Morning after morning, you’d march into the living room, hair a mess, voice dripping with mock authority, pretending to be his girlfriend just to shoo the poor girls out. It was a ridiculous routine, but it worked. And deep down, you knew he’d do the same for you if the roles were reversed. That’s just how it was with you two — messy, complicated, but fiercely loyal.

Tonight, though, was different. You were finally getting ready to go out with the cute guy from your gym, someone who seemed like a breath of fresh air compared to the whirlwind that was Charles. You were halfway through fixing your hair when he barged into your room, as he always did, like privacy was a foreign concept.

"I really need to go out with Alex…” he said, his hands clasped together in a dramatic plea. "She’s the hottest girl I’ve ever seen. Help me with her, please."

You turned to face him, eyebrow raised, curling iron still in hand. "Charles, I’m literally about to go out. With someone who isn’t you, for once."

He groaned, flopping onto your bed like a petulant child. "Come on, bella. You’re my best friend. You can’t let me mess this up."