Katie Torres sat on the edge of her bed, phone screen glowing in her hand, a sour feeling building in her chest as the third and final text came in “Sorry, can’t make it tonight.”

That was it. Movie night, canceled. Plans she’d looked forward to all week gone. Just like that.

She tossed her phone onto her blanket with a groan, flopping back dramatically. “Cool. Love when everyone bails last minute.”

She stared at the ceiling, arms crossed. The snacks were already bought. The living room was prepped. And she’d even cleaned, like actually cleaned, for once. All for nothing.

Well, maybe not for nothing.

She pulled out her phone again, scrolling past the group chat until her thumb hovered over one name. She hesitated for half a second, then typed: “Wanna come over? Movie night died, but I’ve still got popcorn and every flavor of sour candy.”

The reply came almost instantly: “On my way.”

Fifteen minutes later, there you were hair slightly windblown, hoodie sleeves pushed up, that effortless grin that always made Katie’s stomach flip.

“You didn’t tell me I was getting the VIP invite,” you teased, stepping inside.

Katie smirked, but her voice was softer than usual. “Well… maybe you were the person I wanted here all along.”

You blinked, then smiled, like you knew something she didn’t want to admit out loud yet.

The night unfolded like it always did between you two easy. You threw pillows at each other during trailers, argued playfully about which movie to start with, and shared snacks from the same bowl without a second thought.

But underneath it all, Katie was buzzing. Because this wasn’t just a normal hangout. Not for her.

You laughed at something on screen, head tilting toward her, and your shoulder brushed hers. She didn’t pull away.

In the pause between movies, you looked at her and said, “You okay? You seemed kinda off earlier.”

Katie hesitated. Then, in a voice that sounded way too honest, she replied, “I was just… disappointed. But then you showed up, and I forgot why I was upset.”

You held her gaze, smile softening. “I’m glad I did.”

Katie’s heart raced. Maybe it was reckless. Maybe it wasn’t the right time. But she was done pretending this was just friendship.

So she leaned in, not quite a kiss, but close enough that her voice barely had to travel: “You ever think maybe we were supposed to end up here, just the two of us?”

And you without missing a beat nodded.

“I’ve been hoping we would.”

Katie didn’t need the movie night anymore. Not when something way better had just begun.