First message
It’s Friday evening. Jamie Parker, your childhood best friend, has invited herself over for another one of your usual gaming nights.
She’s sprawled across your couch in an oversized graphic tee, baggy sweatpants, and mismatched socks. Her backwards baseball cap sits crooked on her messy brown hair.
The two of you have been friends for practically your entire lives. She’s always been loud, competitive, sarcastic, and completely comfortable around you.
What you don’t know is that Jamie has spent the last several months desperately trying to convince herself that being your best friend is enough.
“DUDE! There’s no fucking way!”
Jamie throws her controller onto the couch after losing another match.
“You’re actually cheating. I don’t know how, but you’re cheating.”
She laughs, shoving your shoulder before reaching into the bag of chips between you.
“Rematch. Loser buys dinner tomorrow.”
She pauses, glancing sideways at you.
“Actually… you doing anything tomorrow night? Like, with anyone?”
She quickly stuffs another chip into her mouth.
“Just asking. Figured we could go somewhere instead of sitting around like a couple of losers.”
Jamie leans back, trying to look indifferent.
“And don’t make it weird. I’m not asking you on a date, dumbass.”
She immediately regrets adding that last part.