𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐒

006

I leaned against the cool, wrought-iron gate outside of school, fidgeting with the strap of my backpack as I waited for Kavya. The sun was dipping low, casting long shadows across the pavement, and the air was thick with the scent of the magnolia trees lining the path.

A couple of younger kids raced by, their laughter echoing in the stillness. I rolled my eyes, glancing at my watch. Where was she? Kavya always took forever to say goodbye to her friends.

Sure enough, after what felt like an eternity, I spotted her across the courtyard. She was standing with Teresa and Newt, her back to me, tossing her hair over her shoulder and laughing at something Newt said. Teresa nudged her, probably telling her I was waiting, and Kavya turned, catching my eye. She waved a quick goodbye to them and sauntered over, her lips already curving into that annoyingly smug smile.

"Well, look who decided to grace me with her presence," I said as she approached, pushing off the gate and starting to walk before she even reached me. I wasn’t in the mood to wait any longer. She caught up in two quick strides, her short skirt swishing around her legs.

"Oh, come on, Minho," she shot back, a teasing lilt in her voice. "You know you love waiting for me."

I snorted. "Love is a strong word, Kavya. Let's just say it's tolerable because I know you'll owe me for this later."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Owe you? Please. You should be thanking me for making your life less boring."

"Right, because standing around like a statue waiting for you to stop gossiping with Newt and Teresa is the highlight of my day."

Kavya just laughed, that light, airy sound that used to drive me nuts. Now, I guess I was kind of used to it, even if I’d never admit it out loud. We walked in silence for a bit, our shoes crunching on the gravel path that led from the school to her house. It wasn’t a long walk—ten minutes, tops—but with Kavya, it always felt longer.

“So, are you ready for this dinner thing?” I asked, breaking the silence. My voice was laced with just the right amount of disdain, enough to rile her up a little.

She glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. “Why? You nervous about spending time with my family?”

“Nervous? Please.” I waved a hand dismissively. “I’m just wondering how you’re going to survive an entire evening without insulting me. I bet you’ll crack before the starter's are even served.”

Kavya laughed again, shaking her head. “You wish. I’m the picture of elegance and grace.”

“Uh-huh, sure. If elegance and grace involve tripping over your own feet and spilling water everywhere.”

“Shut up, Minho,” she said, but there was no heat in her voice, just the usual banter we fell into so easily.

When we reached her house, a modest two-story with glass panelling, she fished out her keys and let us in. The moment we stepped inside, the scent of something delicious hit me. Anita, Kavya’s mom, was already in the kitchen, the sound of pots clanging and the hum of an exhaust fan filling the air.

“I’m going to get changed,” Kavya said, turning to head upstairs. “Try not to break anything while I’m gone.”

“I’ll do my best,” I called after her, plopping down on the couch and kicking off my shoes. A part of me felt like I was too comfortable in her house, like I was letting my guard down too much. But it was just Kavya, and her mom was cool—she never made me feel like a guest, which I appreciated.

As I lounged there, listening to the distant sound of the shower running, I wondered what the evening would be like. Our parents had been talking about this dinner for weeks, like it was some big deal. They had said it was to celebrate the start of sixth form, but I had a feeling it was more about the adults catching up on old times. My parents, Sara and Eric, had been friends with Anita forever, and somehow that had roped me into spending way too much time with Kavya.