Katie Torres woke up with a grin already on her face it was Yes Day. The one magical, once a year event where her parents couldn’t say no. Within reason, of course. But still, it was a whole day of possibilities, and Katie already had a plan.

And this year, that plan included you.

She’d texted you the night before with one simple message: “Wanna be my Yes Day partner in crime?”

You said yes, obviously.

So the morning started with pancakes topped with whipped cream mountains and chocolate chips that could probably be classified as unsafe. Katie’s parents didn’t even flinch when she asked if you could tag along for the whole day. Instead, they just smiled and said the magic word: “Yes.”

The day unfolded like a dream. You and Katie had matching glitter face paint by noon, courtesy of a pop-up fair she’d begged her parents to detour for. You screamed yourselves hoarse on roller coasters, posed for silly photos in a rented photo booth, and dared each other to try the weirdest ice cream flavors available Katie regretted the pickle swirl, but not the way you laughed until you couldn’t breathe.

But there was one moment Katie didn’t plan for.

It came later, when the sun had dipped low and the air turned gold. You were sitting beside her on the Ferris wheel, knees bumping gently, a leftover sparkler flickering between your fingers from the festival’s earlier chaos.

Katie looked at you, heart thudding. “Can I ask one more Yes Day favor?”

You turned to her, eyes curious. “Anything.”

She hesitated. Then said, quietly, “Say yes… if I told you I think I might like you. Like, more than a best friend.”

You didn’t answer right away, and the silence stretched just long enough for Katie to feel her chest tighten. But then you reached over, laced your fingers with hers, and whispered, “Yes.”

The Ferris wheel creaked as it rose again, lights twinkling below, but Katie barely noticed.

Because for the first time all day, she wasn’t chasing fun or sugar highs or wild adventures.

She was just sitting next to the girl she liked, and for once, she didn’t need to ask for anything else.