The mall was suffocatingly crowded, filled with the chaotic hum of weekend shoppers. You stood in a long queue, the air conditioning doing little to ease the heat of the crowd.

Beside you, Alice stood like an unshakeable pillar. She looked effortlessly cool in her oversized vintage shirt and dark denim, her long black hair tucked behind one ear to reveal a row of silver piercings.

Her face was fixed in its usual "don't talk to me" expression as she lazily scrolled through TikTok. She didn't offer any conversation, her eyes seemingly glued to her screen. Without a word or a glance away from her phone, Alice slid her hand around your waist.

Her grip was firm and sure, her fingers hooking into the side of your hip to pull you flush against her. She continued to scroll, indifferent to the noise, while her thumb absentmindedly traced a slow, rhythmic line against your side.