I woke up to the sound of a muffled alarm. I opened my eyes, blinking at the early morning light streaming through the window. Across the room, James was still fast asleep, his phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand beside him.

"James," I called softly, my voice still raspy from sleep. He didn't move.

"James," I said louder, sitting up and tossing a pillow at him. It hit him square in the chest, and he groaned, pulling the blanket over his head.

"Five more minutes," he muttered, his voice muffled.

Rolling my eyes, I got up and walked over to his bed, snatching his phone off the nightstand and silencing the alarm. "Come on, George. You don't want to be late for your first class."

At that, he peeked out from under the blanket, his hair a messy tangle. "You're really never letting that go, are you?"

"Nope," I said with a smirk, tossing his phone onto the bed. "Now get up. I'm not dragging your lazy ass out of here."

He groaned dramatically but sat up, rubbing his face as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "You're way too chipper for this early in the morning."

I shrugged, grabbing my clothes and heading toward the door. "That's because I'm ready to crush my first day. Unlike you."

"Challenge accepted," he called after me as I left the room.

The drive to campus was filled with the usual banter, Amber and Liam debating the best route, Emma humming along to the radio. The closer we got, the more the nerves started to creep in, but I forced myself to stay calm. James was driving dylan today, since he's still working on his car he needed a ride and we can't fit six of us in a car.

-

The classroom was larger than I expected, filled with rows of desks and students chatting as they waited for the professor to arrive. I found a seat near the middle, pulling out my notebook and trying to focus on my breathing.

That's when I saw him.

He walked in with an easy confidence, his dark hair slightly tousled and a friendly smile on his face as he scanned the room. He was tall, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, and there was something approachable about him that immediately put me at ease.

He noticed the empty seat beside me and made his way over. "Hey, is this seat taken?" he asked, his voice warm.

"Uh, no," I said, smiling nervously. "Go ahead."

"Thanks," he said, setting his bag down and offering his hand. "I'm Ethan, by the way."

"Hailey," I replied, shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Hailey," he said, his smile widening. "First day jitters?"

"A little," I admitted, surprised at how easy it was to talk to him. "You?"

"Same," he said, chuckling. "But I figure it's all uphill from here."

Something about his energy felt refreshing, and for the first time that morning, I felt a little more relaxed

As more students filtered into the classroom, Ethan leaned back in his chair, glancing around the room. "Looks like a full house," he remarked.

"Yeah," I said, fiddling with my pen. "Guess everyone's curious about psychology."

"Or they just think it's an easy elective," he joked, flashing a grin.

I laughed softly, feeling the tension in my chest ease a little. "What about you? Are you here for the easy credits?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I'm actually majoring in psych. I want to go into behavioral research, maybe work with schools to help kids with learning disabilities."

"Wow," I said, impressed. "That's... really cool."

"What about you?" he asked, turning his full attention to me. "Why psych?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "I've always been fascinated by how people think and why they do the things they do. And I guess I just... want to help people figure themselves out."

He nodded thoughtfully. "That's a great reason. Sounds like you're passionate about it."

I smiled, a little surprised by how genuine he seemed. "Thanks."

Before he could respond, the professor walked in, commanding everyone's attention with a loud "Good morning, class!" Ethan shot me one last grin before we both turned our focus to the front.

After a whirlwind morning of classes, I was more than ready for lunch. My phone buzzed with a message from Amber: "Meet us at the quad for lunch. Bring food and gossip!"

I chuckled to myself, grabbing a sandwich and a bottle of water from the campus café before heading out to meet them. The quad was bustling with activity—students sprawled out on the grass, tossing frisbees, chatting, and soaking up the midday sun.

When I spotted Amber and Liam on a blanket, I made my way over. Liam was leaning back on his hands, sunglasses on, while Amber animatedly waved at me, her excitement practically tangible.

"Finally!" Amber said as I sat down. "What took you so long?"

"Sandwich line," I said, holding up the bag. "The usual lunch rush."

Liam smirked, glancing over at me. "How's the first-day hustle treating you?"

"Not bad," I said, shrugging. "Met some interesting people in class."

Amber's ears perked up. "Ooh, do tell! Any potential new friends? Or... more than friends?" Her eyebrows wiggled suggestively.

"Amber," I groaned, unwrapping my sandwich. "It's just the first day."

"Doesn't mean you can't scope out the options," she teased, leaning closer. "So? Spill."

I sighed, knowing she wouldn't let it go. "Fine. There was this guy in my psych class. Ethan. He seemed nice."

Amber gasped, clapping her hands together. "Tell me everything."

"There's nothing to tell," I said quickly. "We sat next to each other, talked a little about the class, and that's it."

Amber wasn't convinced. "Okay, but is he cute?"

"Yeah, I guess," I admitted, feeling my cheeks warm. "But it's not a big deal."

"Yet," she said, grinning.

Liam rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses. "Don't encourage her, Amber. She doesn't need you playing matchmaker."

"Oh, come on, Liam," Amber said, nudging him playfully. "You're her big brother, not her parole officer. Let her live a little."

"Whatever," Liam muttered, though I caught the protective edge in his voice

As we ate, I glanced around the quad, spotting Ethan walking toward the café. He noticed me and smiled, raising a hand in greeting.

"There he is," I said, nodding toward him. "Mind if I invite him over?"

Amber's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! I need to meet this guy."

Liam frowned slightly but didn't object. "Fine. But no promises I'll like him."

I ignored his comment, waving Ethan over. He walked up, his easy smile making me relax a little.

"Hey, Hailey," he said, stopping beside me. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," I said, motioning to the blanket. "This is Amber, and that's my brother Liam."

"Nice to meet you both," Ethan said, sitting down and setting his bag beside him.

Amber jumped in immediately, her enthusiasm uncontainable. "So, Ethan, what's your story? Psych major, right?"

"Yeah," Ethan said, nodding. "I'm focusing on behavioral research. What about you guys?"

Amber launched into an explanation of her social work goals, Liam chiming in with his law school aspirations. Ethan listened intently, occasionally nodding and asking questions. He was charming without trying too hard, and even Liam seemed to relax a little.

"So, Hailey," Ethan said, turning back to me. "Are you planning to specialize in anything in psych?"

"Maybe clinical," I said thoughtfully. "I like the idea of working directly with people, helping them figure things out."

"That's awesome," Ethan said, his smile widening. "You'd be great at that."

I felt a small surge of confidence at his words, though I tried not to let it show.

Just as the conversation was flowing smoothly, James strolled over, his hands in his pockets and his ever-present smirk firmly in place.

"Hey," he said, his tone casual as he dropped down onto the blanket beside Liam. "What'd I miss?"

"This is Ethan," Amber said quickly, her grin widening. "Hailey's new psych buddy."

James's eyes flicked to Ethan, his smirk never faltering. "Nice to meet you," he said, his tone light but with an edge that only I seemed to notice.

"Likewise," Ethan replied politely.

Amber leaned closer to James, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We like him."

"Do we?" James asked, arching an eyebrow. "Guess I'll have to see for myself."

"James," I said sharply, narrowing my eyes at him.

He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, princess. I'm just messing around." did he really have to call me that.. right now?

"I told you to stop calling me that." I crossed my arms.

Ethan looked between us, a curious expression on his face, but he didn't comment. Instead, he turned the conversation back to classes, effortlessly steering us away from the subtle tension James had introduced.

Ethan stood, brushing off his jeans, and turned to me with an easy smile. "Hey, Hailey, you wanna grab something to drink?"

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. "Uh, sure," I said after a moment, standing and grabbing my bag. "Why not?"

James, still lounging on the blanket, stiffened slightly, though he quickly masked it by leaning back on his elbows. His smirk didn't quite reach his eyes. "Have fun, princess," he said, his tone light but edged with something sharper.

I shot him a look, narrowing my eyes. "Don't call me that."

Ethan glanced between us, his polite smile unwavering but with a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. He didn't comment, instead focusing on me as we stepped away from the group. Amber gave me a subtle wink, while Liam rolled his eyes, muttering something about "young drama."

As Ethan and I walked across the campus green, he glanced at me, his expression casual but curious. "So, you and James... are you close?"

I hesitated, his question catching me off guard. "I mean, we live together. He's my brother's best friend, so... yeah, I guess we're close."

Ethan nodded, his smile turning thoughtful. "He seems... protective."

I huffed a small laugh, shaking my head. "That's one way to put it. He's like that with everyone. It's not a big deal."

Ethan chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Good to know. Still, it's nice to have someone looking out for you."

I nodded, but his words lingered as we entered the café and ordered our drinks. As Ethan talked about his favorite study spots and how he got into psychology, I couldn't help but think about the look on James's face when Ethan had asked me to come over here. It wasn't just teasing or his usual arrogance, it was something sharper, something I couldn't quite name.

Whatever it was, I wasn't sure I was ready to face it. For now, I focused on Ethan's easy smile and the warmth of the coffee in my hands, trying to enjoy the moment.

-

"Who wants to go shopping after school?" Amber asked, her tone bright and full of energy, as i finaly made my way back to them. Ethan had to leave early for a class so I joined the others.

"Sure," I replied, while Emma chimed in with an eager, "Absolutely!"

Liam leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I think we're gonna stay home and study," he said, answering for both himself and James, who gave a small nod in agreement.

"That's alright!" Amber said, undeterred. "We're gonna have some girl time!" She cheered, clapping her hands together excitedly.

Emma laughed. "It's been a while since we've had a proper shopping adventure. I'm in."

-

The mall buzzed with energy as we stepped inside, a mix of chatter, upbeat music, and the occasional click of high heels echoing off the polished floors. Emma and Amber flanked me, each with a determined gleam in their eyes that made me feel like a mission was about to begin.

"So," Amber started, looping her arm through mine as we strolled past the stores. "What exactly are we looking for?"

Emma snorted, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Well, you've got a potential future boyfriend now."

"This Ethan guy asked you out for a coffee," she said, a grin spreading across her face. "That means he's interested. You have to look cute."

"Exactly," Emma chimed in.

I groaned. "You two are ridiculous. It's not like that."

"Sure, it's not," Amber said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

-

Half an hour later, I stood in the fitting room, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Amber and Emma had insisted I try on a red dress they found, and I had reluctantly agreed, thinking it would be too much. But as I looked at myself now, I had to admit—it was... stunning.

The dress hugged my figure in all the right places, the soft fabric flowing just above my knees. The color brought out the warmth in my skin, and for a moment, I barely recognized myself.

"Okay, come out," Emma called from the other side of the curtain.

"I don't know," I said hesitantly, smoothing the fabric. "It's a little... much."

"Just show us!" Amber demanded.

With a deep breath, I pushed the curtain aside and stepped out. Both of their jaws dropped simultaneously.

"Hailey," Amber said, her voice almost reverent. "You look incredible."

"I told you red was your color," Emma added, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. "You have to get this."

"No way," I said quickly. "No way, It's way too much"

Amber crossed her arms, giving me her signature no-nonsense look. "You're getting it anyway. You need this in your life."

"Amber's right," Emma said. "this dress is non-negotiable."

I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. "Fine. But just this once."

After trying on half the store, we finally settled on a soft white blouse with delicate lace details and a pair of fitted jeans. It was simple, comfortable, and exactly what I needed to feel like myself.

"This is perfect," I said, twirling slightly in front of the mirror.

Amber clapped her hands together. "See? We told you we'd find something."

Emma nodded, looking proud of herself. "You'll knock it out of the park.

-

When we walked into the cabin, the sound of video game explosions and frantic button-mashing greeted us. James was sprawled out on the couch, a controller in hand, while Liam sat nearby, scrolling through his phone. The TV screen was a chaotic mess of gunfire and bright colors, and James muttered something under his breath as his character narrowly avoided defeat.

Liam looked up from his phone as we entered. "Finally. What took you guys so long?"

"Hailey was being picky," Amber said teasingly, plopping the bags onto the kitchen table. "We had to make sure she had something perfect for her future date."

James's fingers paused briefly on the controller, but he didn't look up. "Future date huh?" he said, his tone light and casual. "With Ethan?"

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Calm down he hasn't asked me out yet."

Liam raised an eyebrow at me. "So, Ethan, huh? He seemed all right at lunch, but... you sure about this guy?"

I sighed, setting my bag down and turning to face him. "He's nice, Liam."

"Alright," Liam said, crossing his arms. "But I'm keeping an eye on him."

"Oh, come on," Amber said, exasperated. "Ethan's great. He was polite, funny, and totally interested in Hailey. What more do you want?"

"Maybe for him not to rush things," Liam said. "They just met today."

James finally looked up from the game, his smirk firmly in place. "Relax, Liam. It's not like Hailey can't handle herself."

Liam grumbled something under his breath, clearly not convinced.

As the conversation shifted to the shopping trip, Amber wasted no time launching into the details. "She tried on this dress that was absolutely stunning," Amber said, her hands gesturing dramatically. "James, you should've seen her. She looked amazing."

"Amber," I said sharply, feeling my cheeks burn. "Why are you telling him this?"

"Because it's true," Emma added with a mischievous grin. "She looked like a total knockout."

James's smirk widened as he leaned back on the couch. "Let me guess. It was red?"

I froze, narrowing my eyes at him. "How'd you...?"

"Just a hunch," he said with a shrug, his eyes briefly meeting mine before returning to the TV. "You've got a thing for red. Always have."

I blinked, caught off guard by the comment, and crossed my arms defensively. "You're weird."

"And you're predictable," he shot back, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement.

Amber and Emma exchanged a knowing look, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. Liam, however, didn't seem amused.

"I'm going to bed. Try not to overanalyze my non-date while I'm gone." I sigh and start heading back to my room.

"Goodnight, princess," James called after me, his tone teasing.

"Don't call me that," I shouted back, though I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

As I closed the door, I leaned against it with a sigh, the sounds of their laughter fading slightly. Tomorrow was going to be interesting.

The cabin was quieter now, the muffled sound of Liam and James talking in the living room through the walls. I grabbed my pajamas from the dresser, quickly changing into the soft, worn fabric that always brought a sense of comfort.

I sank onto my bed, the events of the day replaying in my mind. Ethan's friendly smile, Amber and Emma's over-the-top enthusiasm at the mall, James's teasing smirk, it was all a little overwhelming. Tomorrow wasn't even here yet, and I was already feeling the weight of everyone's expectations.

I pulled my blanket over me, staring out the window at the dark, star-speckled sky. A sliver of moonlight streamed into the room, faintly illuminating James's side. His bed was empty for now, his usual messy pile of clothes and books scattered around. Typical.

The quiet of the room was both calming and unsettling. For all his teasing and arrogance, James had a way of filling the space with energy. Without him here, the room felt... different. Too quiet.

Just as I started to drift off, the door creaked open. I peeked over the edge of my blanket as James slipped into the room, his steps soft but not exactly subtle. He flicked on his phone flashlight, clearly trying to navigate the mess on his side without tripping.

"You're late," I muttered sleepily, my voice muffled by the blanket.

James glanced toward me, his face partially lit by the faint glow of his phone. "Didn't realize I had a curfew," he quipped, though his voice was quieter than usual.

I rolled my eyes, turning onto my side to face the wall. "Just don't wake me up with your loud snoring."

"Funny," he said, tossing his phone onto the nightstand before flopping onto his bed. The springs creaked under his weight, and I could hear him rustling around as he got comfortable.

The room fell silent again, save for the faint rustle of the blanket and the steady rhythm of our breathing. For a moment, it felt like James was going to say something, but he didn't. Instead, the quiet stretched on, the unspoken tension between us settling like a weight in the room.

Shaking off the thoughts, I closed my eyes, letting the quiet rhythm of the night lull me to sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and whatever it brought, I'd be ready.

-

The soft morning light seeped through the curtains, waking me gently. I stretched under the covers, groaning softly as my mind adjusted to the new day. When I opened my eyes, my gaze was drawn to James standing by his bed, rummaging through a drawer.

He was shirtless, again, wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers, why? The sight caught me off guard again. His broad shoulders flexed as he moved, and his toned back was... well, hard not to notice. My eyes lingered a moment too long, and before I could stop myself, they traveled down to his boxers, which hung low on his hips.

Snap out of it, Hailey!

I quickly averted my gaze, but it was too late.

"You done staring, or should I turn around and give you a full view?" James's voice was laced with amusement, his smirk audible even before I dared to look back at him.

My face went red-hot as I fumbled for a reply. "I wasn't staring," I mumbled, pulling the blanket up to my chin. "Don't flatter yourself."

He turned to face me, that cocky smirk firmly in place. "Sure, princess. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"I told you not to call me that," I shot back, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably. My cheeks still burned, betraying me completely.

He chuckled, grabbing a shirt from the drawer and tossing it onto his bed. "Relax. I'm just messing with you."

I huffed, grabbing my phone from the nightstand and pretending to scroll through it. Anything to avoid looking at him again.

After a moment of silence, he glanced over at me with a raised eyebrow. "Hurry up. Don't want to keep Ethan waiting, do you?"

My head snapped up, my cheeks flaring again. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," he said casually, pulling on his shirt. "You've got a big day, right? Meeting your new psych buddy and all."

I narrowed my eyes at him, tossing my blanket aside as I got out of bed. "You're insufferable."

"Thanks," he said with a grin, sitting down on his bed and watching me with amusement. "But seriously, don't keep the guy waiting. First impressions and all that."

I grabbed my clothes and headed for the door, shooting him a glare over my shoulder. "Maybe try being less of a jerk for once."

"Where's the fun in that?" he called after me, laughing as I slammed the bathroom door behind me.

I leaned against the bathroom door, taking a deep breath to steady myself. James's teasing was relentless, but it wasn't like it was new. Still, something about this morning, about the way he looked at me, that smirk on his face felt different. Shaking off the thought, I quickly got to work getting ready for the day.

After washing up, I changed into a pair of fitted jeans and a soft lavender sweater. Comfortable but presentable. I braided my hair loosely, checked my reflection once more, and then headed back to the room to grab my bag.

-

The morning classes went by in a blur, and by lunchtime, I found myself heading toward the café where Ethan had suggested we meet again. The small space was cozy, with warm lighting and the faint hum of quiet conversations. I spotted him near the back, sitting at a table with his notebook open in front of him.

"Hailey!" he called, waving me over with a smile.

"Hey," I said, sliding into the seat across from him. "How's your morning been?"

"Not bad," he replied, closing his notebook. "Classes are already piling on the work, though. How about you?"

"Same," I said with a laugh. "It's only the first week, and I already feel behind."

He grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Well, if you ever need a study buddy, I'm your guy."

"Good to know," I replied, smiling. His confidence was easygoing, and it put me at ease almost immediately.

We fell into a comfortable conversation, talking about our professors, favorite classes, and random topics.

"Hey, um, do you want to go out for an actual coffee that doesn't taste like water? Maybe after school?"

"Yeah, I'd love to." Ethan was funny and engaging, and I found myself laughing more than I expected. For a moment, I forgot about James's earlier teasing altogether.

-

The school day wrapped up faster than I anticipated, and I was just finishing up at my locker when Liam texted me: "Meeting ran late. Ask James for a ride."

I sighed, shoving my phone into my pocket. Of course. The last thing I wanted to do was ask James for anything, especially after this morning. But I didn't have much of a choice.

As I made my way through the hallway, weaving past clusters of students, I finally spotted him near the end of the hall. He was leaning against a locker, his hands on the waist of a girl who was clearly enjoying his attention. They were making out, oblivious to the world around them.

I stopped a few feet away, feeling an unexpected twist in my stomach. I told myself it was just irritation. Why am I surprised? This is classic James.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. He ignored me, his focus still on the girl as if I didn't exist.

"James," I said louder, tapping his shoulder again. "Liam said you'd give me a ride."

Without even glancing back, he muttered, "I'm a little busy," before pulling the girl closer and kissing her again.

Wow. Really?

Frustrated, I tapped his shoulder one more time, harder this time. The girl finally pulled back, turning to glare at me. "Can you leave us alone?" she snapped, shoving me lightly.

I stumbled back, more from shock than anything else. Before I could say a word, James turned sharply, his expression dark. "Hey. Don't touch her."

The girl blinked, startled by his sudden shift in tone. "What? She's interrupting us."

"I don't care," he said firmly, his gaze hard. "You don't put your hands on my—" He hesitated briefly before finishing, "my little sister."

The girl huffed, glaring at both of us before storming off. James sighed, running a hand through his hair as he turned to me.

"Really, Hailey?" he said, his tone exasperated but lacking any real anger. "You couldn't wait five minutes?"

"Liam told me to ask you," I shot back, crossing my arms. "I didn't exactly have a choice."

He rolled his eyes, grabbing his bag. "Fine. Let's go."

The car ride was tense and quiet. James drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his usual smirk nowhere in sight.

"Thanks for sticking up for me," I said finally, breaking the silence.

His grip on the wheel loosened slightly, and he glanced at me. "You don't need to thank me. Nobody gets to push you around."

For a moment, his words hung in the air, and I found myself staring out the window, unsure how to respond

When we got back to the cabin, Amber and Emma were waiting for me in the kitchen, their excitement written all over their faces.

"There she is!" Amber said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the table. "Come on, we need to get you ready."

"For what?" James asked, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

"Her coffee date," Emma said, grinning as she held up the blouse we'd picked out earlier. "She's going to look amazing."

James's jaw tightened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a smirk. "Don't overdo it. It's just coffee, right?"

"Right," I said, shooting him a look. "So you can mind your own business."

"Whatever you say, princess," he said, turning to leave the room.

Amber and Emma practically dragged me into my room as soon as James left the kitchen. The door shut behind us with a soft click, and they immediately got to work. Emma sat me down in front of the small mirror on the desk, while Amber started pulling clothes out of my closet and bags.

"This is going to be so fun!" Amber squealed, holding up the blouse we'd bought yesterday. "You're going to look amazing."

"I still don't know why you guys are making such a big deal out of this," I muttered, though I didn't fight as Emma began brushing through my hair.

"Because it is a big deal," Emma said, her tone matter-of-fact. "First impressions are everything. You don't want Ethan thinking you don't care."

"I'm sure he's not overanalyzing this like you two are," I said, but my cheeks warmed at the thought.

Amber smirked, laying out the blouse with a pair of fitted jeans and cute ankle boots. "Maybe not, but we're making sure you're prepared for anything." Emma started curling the ends of my hair.

Amber nodded in agreement. "Ethan's not going to know what hit him."

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My hair fell in soft waves, and the blouse and jeans combo felt comfortable but still polished.

"Okay," I said, standing and brushing off invisible lint. "Let's do this."

Amber and Emma followed me to the door, their excitement contagious. "Good luck," Amber whispered, giving me a quick hug. "Text us as soon as it's over."

-

The café was warm and inviting, the scent of freshly brewed coffee hanging in the air. Ethan was already waiting at a corner table, a cup in front of him and a welcoming smile on his face as I walked in.

"Hey," he said, standing as I approached. "You look great."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a little self-conscious but smiling nonetheless. "So do you."

He gestured to the seat across from him. "What can I get you? My treat."

I hesitated for a moment before deciding on a simple caramel latte. Ethan nodded, heading to the counter to order while I settled into the chair. The café was buzzing with quiet conversations, and I took a moment to steady my nerves.

Ethan returned a few minutes later, setting my drink in front of me before taking his seat. "So," he said, leaning forward slightly. "How's your day been?"

"Pretty good," I replied, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. "Yours?"

"Busy, but this is definitely the highlight," he said with a grin, his words making my cheeks warm.

We fell into easy conversation, talking about everything from classes to favorite movies. Ethan had a way of making me feel comfortable, his relaxed demeanor easing my usual first-date nerves. He was funny, smart, and genuinely interested in what I had to say.

"So, do you think psych is what you'll stick with?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Definitely," I said, nodding. "I've always been fascinated by how people think and why they do what they do. It's... I don't know, it feels like what I'm meant to do."

He smiled, his gaze warm. "That's awesome. You don't meet a lot of people who are that sure about their path."

"What about you?" I asked. "Do you think you'll stick with behavioral research?"

"Absolutely," he said, his eyes lighting up. "I want to work with kids, especially in schools. Help them figure out their challenges and overcome them."

"That's amazing," I said, genuinely impressed. "You must have a lot of patience."

"It's a work in progress," he admitted with a chuckle. "But I'm passionate about it, so that helps."

As the date wound down, I couldn't help but feel like things had gone well. Ethan was charming and easy to talk to, and I felt like we clicked in a way I hadn't expected.

He walked me to the door as we left the café, his hands shoved casually into his pockets. "This was fun," he said, his tone genuine. "We should do it again sometime."

"Yeah," I said, smiling up at him. "I'd like that."

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking to mine, a nervous edge creeping into his usual confidence. Then, before I could react, he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a gentle, unassuming kiss. It was brief, but it left a warmth lingering between us.

When he pulled back, his cheeks were slightly flushed, but he managed to grin, his eyes meeting mine. "Great. Let me know when you're free."

"Okay," I said softly, a little breathless as I watched him turn to walk away.

As we said goodbye, I couldn't help but feel a small flutter of excitement. Maybe this new chapter really was going to be better than I thought.

When I walked through the front door, Amber and Emma were waiting like hawks, perched on the couch with wide, expectant grins. The smell of popcorn wafted through the air, and the TV hummed softly in the background, though neither of them seemed to be paying any attention to it.

The moment I stepped inside, Amber spotted me and practically jumped out of her seat. "You're back!" she exclaimed, her eyes alight with excitement. "Okay, spill. How was it?"

Emma, sitting cross-legged on the couch, patted the space between her and Amber. "Come on. We need details."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling as I set my bag down and walked over to join them. "It was nice," I said, sitting between them. "We talked, had coffee, you know... casual."

Amber narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed with my vague response. "Casual? That's all you've got? No, no, no. We want the good stuff."

Emma nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, like, what did he say? Did he flirt? Did he—" She paused, her eyes widening as she leaned in closer. "Wait. Did he kiss you?"

I hesitated, my cheeks heating under their intense scrutiny. "Maybe," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Amber gasped, clapping her hands together. "I knew it! You're blushing. He totally kissed you."

Emma squealed, grabbing my arm. "How was it? Was it good?"

"It was fine," I said, though the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. "Okay, it was nice. He was sweet about it."

Amber grinned like she'd just won the lottery. "Sweet and cute? Hailey, you're winning."

"Don't get ahead of yourselves," I said, laughing. "It was just one date. We'll see what happens."

"Whatever you say," Emma said, smirking. "But you're not fooling anyone. You're excited."

I sighed, shaking my head, but I couldn't deny the flutter of excitement still lingering in my chest. Maybe they were right. Maybe this really could turn into something.

As Amber and Emma continued to tease me, their voices filling the living room with laughter, I didn't notice James leaning casually against the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but his arms were crossed, and his gaze was fixed firmly on me.

"So, he kissed you, huh?" James said, his tone casual, though there was an edge to it that made me stiffen.

I froze mid-laugh, turning toward him. Amber and Emma immediately stopped, exchanging wide-eyed glances.

"Uh, yeah," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "Why?"

He shrugged, his smirk creeping onto his face, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "No reason. Just wondering how the princess is adjusting to her new prince."

Emma covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, and Amber elbowed her, but I was too focused on James to care.

"Seriously?" I said, narrowing my eyes. "What's your problem?"

"Problem?" he echoed, feigning innocence. "I don't have a problem. Just curious."

I stood, crossing my arms. "Well, don't be. It's none of your business."

James's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Just looking out for you, that's all."

"Looking out for me," I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's rich coming from you."

Amber cleared her throat, standing up. "Okay, this feels like a good time to go make popcorn or... something. Emma?"

Emma nodded quickly, grabbing Amber's arm as they slipped past James and disappeared into the kitchen.

The room fell into an awkward silence, and James finally sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I'm just saying... you jest met him, don't let him mess with your head, okay?"

I frowned, the heat of frustration bubbling up in my chest. "Why do you care?"

"Because—" He stopped, his jaw tightening before he looked away. "Because I do, alright? Just... forget it."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, confused and more frustrated than ever. Whatever his deal was, I didn't have the energy to figure it out—not tonight.