That

had memorized three

ghetti should come

tor had a personal gr

wasn't just loud

ial declaration. But ever since that first chaotic day, Crizzle had become p

dy breaks with chaotic playlists and unsolicited critiques of his sketches. And somehow, Mikey

again, a secret spot she'd declared theirs by

building. Crizzle lay on her back, arms folded under her head, while Mikey

ellyfish," she said, poi

her finger.

a jellyfish. A s

You just like sa

im. "It's a fun word. Jelly. Fish.

nge acc

ock serious fac

rumpled candy wrapper at

p of his pencil. "So what are we doing u

. "I had a w

talk ab

, then asked, "Do y

ked. "That

thinking... what if people are meant to meet? Like, no m

lking a

look at h

low the sudden tigh

k some people feel... familiar, even if you've n

looked

. Are you okay? You hit

them shifted. It wasn't heavy just prese

ned. "You ever fall f

art st

," she added, watchi

ips. "Not reall

whispered, a

d. "Why are you a

just... easy to talk to. You

her gaze

them, unspoken meanings

down, sighed, and stood. "Group

to walk y

hey already hate m

oulder and turned toward the s

, Mi

ea

if they noticed you really

gers curled slightly arou

hought the tim

rstood. Like maybe she didn't

rough the door wit

r question replaying over and over. His chest fe

sking for

. hoping

cared him that he wanted

tchpad, revealing a half-finished sketch

ai

ed the p

quiet. Mikey passed her door slowly, the hum of sof

. Just fo

e took a step a

key

Barely audible. Like a whi

rt hammering

he dr

a c

. talking

knock. D

whole body alive with que