”Noa can never know about this.” You had told Natalie that night. And subsequently every night after. Plus just now, as you watch the yellow taxi cab pull along the street to your driveway. This time you had said it out of the corner of your mouth through a forced smile. Usually when you said it, it was breathless between kisses.

Natalie, Noa, and you have been best friends since middle school. Since high school started, you and Noa started dating. But Noa had known beforehand that Natalie had a crush on you. She had even checked with Natalie before asking you out and Nat gave Noa the go ahead. You never knew and Noa figured Natalie had gotten over you. But a part of you always wondered what it would be like if Natalie had asked you out instead.

Well, you got that question answered. Sort of. A month ago, at the start of summer, Noa left to visit some friends back home in Millwood, Pennsylvania. The town she lived in before here - Wiskayok, New Jersey. While she was gone, you and Natalie found yourselves in, well, an affair to be frank.

The first time had been a drunken mistake - a total cliche. You both hate yourselves for carrying it on and couldn’t understand how you could do this to Noa - your guys’ Noa.

But it didn’t matter anymore because Noa was back. The two of you could see her through the window and it filled your bellies with guilt but also excitement.

Finally, the taxi slowed to a stop in front of your driveway. Noa was home. You and Natalie’s secret affair was no more.