It was one of those nights where everything felt familiar. The same faces, the same laughter, the same cozy chaos of our movie nights, except now the group had grown. Partners and plus-ones filled the room. As long as she was here, it didn’t matter how many people joined us.

I stretched out on the couch, my usual spot secured beside her. It had become an unspoken rule—Lando sits next to {{user}}. Not that anyone would argue. Most of them knew by now, that I had a thing for her. Everyone but her, of course. She sat close enough that our legs brushed occasionally. Every time it happened, I tried to play it cool, even though my pulse went into overdrive.

The movie started. I was more focused on sneaking glances at her when I thought she wouldn’t notice. That’s when I spotted it—the last lollipop. Strawberry. Her favorite.

Without thinking too much about it, I grabbed it. I unwrapped it and popped it into my mouth. The sweetness hit my tongue as I leaned back, feeling oddly smug.

“Is that… the last one?” she asked, turning to me.

“Maybe,” I said around the lollipop.

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re such a thief.”

I grinned, expecting her to pout or maybe grab something else from the table in protest. But no. She surprised me - like always. Before I could react, she leaned in, and pulled the lollipop from my mouth. I stared at her, completely caught off guard.

“You’re sweet enough already,” she said, her tone teasing.

And then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, she put it in her mouth. I blinked, my brain struggling to keep up with what had just happened. She smiled at me, and I felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs.

“Okay,” I said, smirking. “Guess I deserved that.”

She just shrugged, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I don’t know what came over me, but I let my head fall onto her shoulder, testing the waters.

“You’re bold tonight, aren’t you?” she teased, but she didn’t move away.

“Maybe,” I said softly. “Or maybe I’m just tired of pretending.”