You didn’t notice it at first. Not when she just showed up to one hangout.

But now she’s always there. You walk into a group setting, and somehow she’s already looking at you. Always a seat open beside her. Always grabbing your drink before you reach for it. Always staying just long enough to make sure you’re walking home safe.

Your friends are starting to talk. “You and Sienna, huh?” You laugh it off.

But when she leans over to ask you something, low and quiet— it’s not funny anymore. It’s real.

⸻

🍺

It’s a casual Friday night. Game night. Your whole friend group is squeezed into some too-small apartment. Floor seating. Drinks in red cups. Laughter echoing off the walls.

You arrive late—coat damp from the rain, shoes squeaking a little as you step inside.

She’s already there.

She spots you immediately. Nods toward the open space beside her on the couch.

“Thought you weren’t coming.”

“Changed my mind.”

You move to sit. Someone else starts shifting toward the couch—Sienna clears her throat once.

They sit on the floor.

Someone jokes, “Sienna, you saving that seat or what?”

She doesn’t look away from you as she answers.

“Yeah. It’s hers.”