S A R A H

I wake up to the weight of an arm draped over my shoulder. I panic, my heart pounding, but then I remember, Ryan. His arm is casually slung over me, his head tilted awkwardly against the couch cushion.

He's fast asleep and his heartbeats pound against my ear.

Ryan came over the moment I needed him, no questions asked. His steady presence kept me grounded when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control.

I don't want to move, but before I can let myself sink back into this strange comfort, a familiar voice cuts through the room like a burst of sunshine.

"Oh my God, what am I looking at?" Nayla's voice is loud, dramatic, and completely amused.

I snap upright so fast that Ryan groans beside me, rubbing his eyes groggily. There's Nayla, her curly hair a wild halo around her head, wearing her signature bright green hoodie and pajama shorts. She's grinning like a cat that just caught a bird.

Ryan squints at her. "What time is it?" he mutters, his voice still rough with sleep.

Nayla crosses her arms and tilts her head, clearly enjoying herself. "It's 'time for an explanation,' that's what it is. Did you two seriously sleep on the couch like that?"

I fumble for words, my face heating. "It's not what it looks like! I-I was upset last night, and Ryan, he just, he was being a friend!"

Ryan yawns loudly, stretching his arms over his head like he doesn't have a care in the world. "Yep, just being a friend. The best friend, actually. Sarah would've been lost without me."

I shoot him a glare, and he smirks, completely unfazed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you," I say, glancing at him.

He shrugs, flashing a lazy grin. "I make an excellent pillow, apparently."

"This is priceless," she says, plopping down on the armrest of the couch. "But enough of that! Let's go out. It's been forever since we hung out as a trio."

Ryan raises an eyebrow. "Trio? Nayla, I don't even live here. I was just passing through last night."

"Come on, Ryan! We haven't done anything fun in ages. Don't make me beg."

Ryan sighs, rubbing his face. "You're exhausting, you know that?"

"And yet you love me," she replies with a grin. "Come on, please? For old times' sake?"

Ryan glances at me like he's hoping I'll back him up, but I just shrug, unable to hide a small smile.

"Fine," he groans,. "But I'm not staying in these clothes."

"I've got that covered!" Nayla says, practically bouncing. "Sarah, grab him a shirt from my brother's old stash."

Before Ryan can protest, I head to her brother's old room, currently hers and rummage through the closet. Most of his clothes are gone, but I manage to find a plain white shirt that should work.

When I hand it to Ryan, he raises an eyebrow. "Wow?"

"Just put it on and stop whining," I shoot back, rolling my eyes.

I retreat to my room to freshen up. My room is small but cozy, with soft pastel walls and a few pictures on the dresser, mostly of Nayla and me, and a few of my family. Living with Nayla has been a whirlwind; she's loud and chaotic, but her kind heart makes up for it.

By the time I'm ready, Ryan and Nayla are already waiting by the door. Ryan looks surprisingly good in the borrowed shirt, and Nayla, in her usual bright-colored outfit, is practically vibrating with excitement.

We head out to a cozy café for breakfast. The weather is perfect, warm with a light breeze that carries the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery.

Nayla orders a massive stack of pancakes, and Ryan rolls his eyes but ends up stealing bites from her plate anyway.

"So," Ryan says, looking at Nayla. "What's it like working for that boss of yours?"

"Oh, absolutely," Nayla replies, her mouth full of syrupy pancake. "But I told him off yesterday."

"You did what?" Ryan looks genuinely impressed.

"I said, 'Maybe you should try wearing make up.'" Nayla grins proudly.

Ryan bursts out laughing, and I can't help but join in. Nayla's stories always have a way of lightening the mood, no matter what.

After breakfast, Nayla insists on dragging us to the mall. She darts from store to store, picking up random items and then putting them back down like a whirlwind. At one point, she spots an arcade and makes a beeline for it.

"Come on, guys! Let's play!" she says, already pulling Ryan toward the machines.

Ryan groans but doesn't resist, and soon we're caught up in a heated racing game. Ryan, ever the competitive one, leans so far into the game that he's practically falling out of his seat.

"You're going to break the machine," I tease, laughing as he loses control of his car and crashes into a wall.

Ryan glares at me playfully. "You're just mad because I'm winning."

"You're not even close!" Nayla says, cackling as her car zooms past his on the screen.

A group of girls walks by, giggling and glancing at Ryan. One of them even waves, and Ryan winks, smirking.

"Looks like you've got fans," I say, nudging him.

"Yeah, well," he replies with an exaggerated smile.

"Oh, please," Nayla says. "They're probably wondering why a grown man is losing so badly at a kids' game."

Ryan gasps, clutching his chest like he's been mortally wounded. "You two are brutal. I don't know why I put up with this abuse."

We spend the rest of the day wandering the mall, laughing and teasing each other like old times. By the time dinner rolls around, Ryan has to head out for work, leaving Nayla and me alone at a cozy diner.

As we sit down with our food, Nayla gives me a knowing look. "All right, spill. What's going on with you?"

I freeze, my fork halfway to my mouth. "What do you mean?"

"You've been acting weird all day," she says, leaning forward. "Is it work? Or... is it about a boy?"

I set my fork down, taking a deep breath. "It's... complicated."

Nayla's expression softens. "Complicated how?"

I glance around the diner, making sure no one's listening, and then I tell her everything. aAbout the kiss, the fight, Ryza, and why I left. By the time I finish, my throat is tight, and tears sting my eyes.

Nayla reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "Sarah... I had no idea."

"I just... I don't know what to do," I admit, my voice cracking. "I don't want to go back, but I don't know."

Nayla gives me a reassuring smile. "You'll figure it out. And you're not alone, okay? You've got me and Ryan, even if he pretends he's too cool for emotional stuff."

I laugh softly, wiping at my eyes.

I'm home.