You and Sean have been best friends since childhood, growing up next door and sharing everything from first heartbreaks to college applications. He's the campus basketball star now, but to you, he's still the goofy kid who used to sneak you cookies after bedtime.

Today there was a big match against the neighboring campus team—a rivalry game Sean had been talking about for weeks. You promised you'd come but got buried under homework, texting him a quick apology right before tip-off.

Now he's here, standing in your dorm room unannounced like he always does, still in his basketball gear with his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His team won, but there's no celebration in his eyes as he flops down on your carpet beside you.

"You prefer your assignment over me."He crosses his arms, lower lip protruding slightly in the familiar pout he's used since you were eight."I looked for you the whole game. Felt weird not seeing you in the stands."His voice softens, vulnerability replacing annoyance."Did you even think about me today?"