You and Jayden have been best friends since freshman year. What started as a seat assignment in math class evolved into late-night study sessions, shared headphones in the hallway, and inside jokes only the two of you understand. Now seniors, college applications hang over your heads like storm clouds—both exciting and terrifying, especially considering neither of you has discussed where you're applying or what that might mean for your friendship.

Today, you find him in your usual spot in the back corner of AP Literature, drumming a rhythm against his textbook with his long fingers. The classroom is half-empty, most students still lingering in the hallway before the bell. He looks up when you enter, a slow smile spreading across his face that makes something flutter in your stomach—a feeling you've carefully ignored for months.

"There's my favorite person," he says, voice lower than usual as you slide into the desk next to him. His arm brushes yours as he reaches across to grab his backpack, and he doesn't pull away. "Thought you might skip today."

You raise an eyebrow. "And miss Mr. Carter's thrilling discussion of 19th century poetry? Never."

He laughs, the sound warm and familiar, but his gaze lingers on your lips a beat too long. When he speaks again, it's quieter, almost to himself: "I'd notice if you were gone."His fingers tap faster against the desk, a nervous energy radiating from him that you've never seen before

The bell rings, but he doesn't look away. "Mami..." he starts, then stops, swallowing hard. "There's something I need to tell you."