Weeks had gone by, and the line between Chris and Sienna had blurred more than he ever meant it to. She was around all the time. They laughed in hallways, shared earbuds at lunch, and walked home like something out of a movie. And now, apparently, even the entire school believed they were together.

 He didn’t correct them.

 Maybe it was easier that way. Maybe it gave him space to breathe—space to hide.

 That afternoon, as the final bell rang and they strolled out of school together, Sienna bumped his shoulder with hers, smiling like always. “You’ve got that look.”

 “What look?”

 “The one that says you're overthinking again.”

 He chuckled softly. “Probably.”

 Just as they reached the gate, Nick and Jin appeared.

 “Yo, Chris,” Nick said. “Can we talk? Just us.”

 Chris paused, looking between them and Sienna. She gave a gentle nod. “It’s fine. I’ll wait at home.”

 Chris followed them a short distance away, toward the quieter path near the side fence. The energy shifted as they stopped.

 Nick spoke first. “Look, man… we’ve been meaning to say this for a while.”

 Jin folded his arms. “You’ve been kinda… distant. Ever since you got with your new girl.”

 Chris’s brows pulled together. “She’s not—”

 “We know, or at least we think we know,” Nick interrupted. “That’s not the point.”

 Jin added, “You can have a girlfriend. That’s not the issue. It’s just… it’s felt like you forgot about us.”

 Chris looked away, jaw tense.

 “We’re not mad,” Nick continued. “We just miss you, bro. You used to be in our group chats, hangouts, jokes, all of it. Now we barely get two texts a day unless we bump into you at school.”

 “I didn’t mean to…” Chris started, voice trailing off.

 Nick watched him closely. “Is there something going on?”

 Chris hesitated. His hands curled slightly. The words sat at the edge of his mouth, heavy and unspeakable.

 Nick gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to say it. Not now. Just… when you’re ready, alright? That’s all I’m saying. I just want my friend back.”

 Chris gave a small nod, the pressure in his chest loosening just a little. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks.”

Back home, Chris dropped his bag and flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.

 His phone buzzed.

 Laurel:

So is it true? You and Sienna aren’t actually dating?

 He stared at the screen for a long moment.

 Chris:

No. We’re not.

 A second later:

 Laurel:

Not like you care, but I’m single. The guy I was rumored to be with? Just rumors. Just wanted to let you know.

 Chris blinked, then typed slowly.

 Chris:

Oh really? That’s kinda good. Thought you moved on so quick.

 She replied:

 Laurel:

Well... you did.

 Chris just sighed and sent back a 😶 emoji.

That night, the room was quiet except for the low hum of his fan. He was about to put his phone down when it lit up—Ash video calling.

 He answered, a tired smile pulling at his lips. “Yo.”

 Ash appeared on-screen, lounging back against his pillow. “You look like you’ve been run over.”

 “Long day,” Chris muttered.

 They talked for a while, about small things—classes, music, nothing that mattered. It felt normal. It felt safe.

 Then the door creaked open.

 Chris nearly jumped. “Crap—Mom?”

 A small figure shuffled in, hugging a stuffed llama nearly twice her size.

 “Oh. Lila?” Chris exhaled, hand on his chest. “What’s wrong?”

 His six-year-old sister stood in the doorway in her bunny onesie, blinking sleepily. “I don’t wanna sleep alone.”

 Chris softened immediately. “Sure. Come up, sweetheart.”

 She climbed into bed with him like she always used to, curled against his side without a word. He kissed her forehead and tucked her in.

 Ash smiled through the screen. “Didn’t know you had a little sister.”

 “Yeah,” Chris said, glancing at her. “That’s Lila. She’s six. First time she’s popped up in this chaos.”

 Ash laughed quietly. “Cute. How many siblings you got?”

 “Three. Older brother—he’s married now. Tiana, you’ve met. Then Lila.”

 “You close with your brother?”

 “Very. He calls almost every week.”

 Ash nodded, expression softening. “You know… I also had an older sister. I’m not the firstborn.”

 Chris’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Had?”

 Ash’s eyes flickered down. “Yeah. If she was still here, she’d probably be married too.”

 The silence that followed was gentle and full.

 Chris spoke quietly. “She’d be proud of you. I’m sure of it.”

 Ash looked at the screen, something unspoken in his gaze. “Thanks.”

 They didn’t say much more after that. Just a few sleepy jokes. Then—

 “Night,” Ash said.

 “Goodnight,” Chris replied, reaching over to turn off the call.

 He was just about to close his eyes when his phone buzzed again.

 Nick:

Yo. Wanna go somewhere tomorrow since it’s the weekend? Your girlfriend can come too 😂

 Chris stared at the screen, then smiled, typing back:

 Chris:

Sure then.

 Chris woke up to tiny fingers poking his cheek.

 Chrisss,” Lila whispered dramatically, her bunny ears flopping as she leaned over his face. “Wake uuuup.”

 He groaned into his pillow. “Lila, it’s Saturday…”

 “I know. But you promised to make pancakes today. And you can’t break a pinky promise,” she said with serious six-year-old conviction, holding up her tiny hand for emphasis.

 Chris sat up with a laugh, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Alright, alright. Pancakes it is.”

 As they made their way to the kitchen, he passed his mom sitting with her coffee and reading the news. She gave him a curious glance over the rim of her mug.

 “You’re up early.”

 “Blame the bunny,” he muttered, pointing at Lila, who grinned like she was proud of it.

 She tugged at his shirt. “Chocolate chip?”

 “You got it.”

 After flipping pancakes and sharing giggles with Lila, Chris finally retreated to his room around 10 a.m. He threw on a loose black tee, some comfortable jeans, and a pair of clean sneakers. He checked his phone—nothing new from Ash, but Nick had already texted.

 Nick:

We’re picking you up at 1. Bring the princess if she’s coming.

 Chris smiled and replied:

 Chris:

Yeah she’s in.

 He messaged Sienna next.

 Chris:

Wanna roll with us today? Nick’s picking us up at 1.

 Sienna:

Obviously 😌 I’m your fake girlfriend, remember?

 Chris:

Right. Can’t let the media get suspicious.

 She sent a laughing emoji and a selfie with her messy morning hair and a half-smile.

 12:56 p.m.

 Chris stood outside, hands in his pockets. The sun was warm but gentle, the kind of Saturday that made the world feel calm. Sienna joined him moments later in a flannel and cropped tank, with her tote bag slung over one shoulder.

 “You ready to be seen with me in public again?” she asked with mock seriousness.

 He smirked. “If I must.”

 Nick’s car rolled up, windows down, music already blasting. Jin waved from the backseat.

 “There they are,” Nick shouted. “Mr. and Mrs. Lowkey.”

 “Get in losers, we’re going... somewhere chill,” Jin added.

 Sienna laughed as they climbed in.

They ended up at the lake, but this time with more intention. A full picnic.

 Nick and Jin had actually packed real food—sandwiches, chips, bottled sodas, and even a speaker. Jin brought a checkered blanket, and Sienna pulled out cut fruit and snacks from her bag like she was prepping for a picnic in a movie.

 They settled under the tall trees near the shore, sun filtering through the leaves. It was peaceful, the kind of afternoon where time didn’t matter.

 Chris sat cross-legged between Nick and Sienna, unwrapping a sandwich. Jin was already laid out like he was auditioning for a nap.

 Nick took a swig from his soda. “Okay but seriously—this is elite.”

 “No school, no homework, no group projects. Just air,” Sienna said, lifting her face to the breeze.

 Chris smiled a little. “It’s nice.”

 They fell into casual conversation, half-banter, half-heartfelt. At some point, Jin started talking about movies, Nick argued over favorite snack brands, and Chris just… took it all in.

 He leaned back on his hands, his phone in his lap. Then, almost without thinking, he unlocked it and opened his messages.

 Chris:

Hey. You good?

 He stared at the screen for a second before pressing send. Ash hadn’t texted all morning—not that he usually did, but Chris kind of wished he had. He didn’t even know why.

 Sienna glanced at him. “You good?”

 Chris nodded. “Yeah. Just checking on someone.”

 “Someone important?” she asked, her tone light, but her eyes curious.

 He shrugged. “Yeah. Kinda.”

 She didn’t press. Just passed him a cookie from the container. “Don’t overthink it.”

 He smiled as he took it. “Trying not to.”

 The phone stayed in his lap, screen dim, message unread—for now.

 But somehow, just sending it felt better than silence.