You groaned when the teacher announced the new partner assignments for gym class. Your heart sank when you looked down the list.

“Patty Bladell,” you read aloud, eyes widening.

Patty looked up from stretching, her signature smirk spreading across her face. “Looks like we’re stuck together,” she said, teasingly.

“Stuck? I was hoping for… literally anyone else,” you muttered, trying to sound disappointed. She didn’t buy it.

“Oh, please,” she laughed, rolling her eyes. “You’re secretly excited.”

The class was chaos as usual—students sprinting, dodging balls, and trying not to collide. You and Patty were supposed to be practicing a partner drill, but she kept moving just slightly ahead of you, laughing whenever you tripped or misstepped.

“You move like a turtle,” she teased, tugging your arm to help you balance.

“I’m not a turtle,” you shot back, though your cheeks warmed under her gaze.

“Sure,” she said with a grin, “keep telling yourself that.”