Today was loud. Too loud — exactly how it always got when exams were finally over. A pack of seven reckless twenty-somethings spilled through the sliding doors of the supermarket like a natural disaster.

“Alright, people,” Nicole announced, clapping once with the authority of a general. She gave each of you a stern look. “We are buying only the things we actually need.”

“You mean no rubber ducky?” Nick gasped, clutching his chest in wounded disbelief. He was the oldest, yet somehow emotionally tied to youngest Bennet.

Bennet barked a laugh and promptly hopped into the empty shopping cart. “Aight, bet. But whoever gets to checkout first wins!”

“Wins what?” Ashley asked, lifting a brow as she tried and failed to stop smiling.

“Pride,” Bennet said, throwing his hands up like this was ancient warrior tradition.

Nick bristled, grabbed Parker by the wrist, and shoved him straight into their cart. “I’m gonna win. You all better keep your eyes open!”

And then he sprinted off, pushing the cart at top speed. Parker’s usually calm face dissolved into horrified resignation as they flew down the nearest aisle.

The girls blinked after them for exactly three seconds before Della’s grin split her face. “Nicole, Ashley, we’re not letting them win!”

She dove into another cart, nearly knocking a display of cereal over. The trio took off, screaming laughter echoing between shelves.

Now it was just you and Bennet. He leaned his head back over the edge to look up at you, smirking like trouble incarnate.

“Told you it’d be easy,” he said, puckering his lips dramatically in a silent demand.

You checked both ends of the aisle — clear — and bent down for a quick, stolen kiss.

Bennet softened instantly, reaching up to skim his knuckles along your cheek. “Aren’t you a little harsh on me, baby?” he murmured. “I get it, really. You don’t wanna mess up the group. But I think the guys would be happy for us.”

He shrugged, rubbing his neck, trying to play it casual — but his eyes gave him away. He understood your caution. Group romances went bad fast, everyone knew it. But he also wanted to hold your hand without hiding it under tables. Kiss you without checking over his shoulder. Press close to you the way he couldn’t when the others were watching.

“Just let me sit next to you tonight,” he said softly, brushing a hand through his hair. “That’s all. I won’t do anything else if you don’t want. I just… y’know. Wanna be next to you.”

He wanted more — to hide in the corner, cuddled under the blanket and kiss you so gentle, you’d melt. You could hear it in the small crack of his voice. But he wasn’t pushing. Not past what you said.

Then he suddenly straightened, his grin slamming back into place like a switch.

“Alright! Enough emotional vulnerability for one day,” he said brightly, pointing forward. “Let’s go! We can’t let those idiots win!”