The days started to blend together. Wake up, go to school, hang out with Layla, go home, repeat. On the surface, everything was the same as it always had been. Layla’s laughter still filled their shared moments, her playful teasing still made Trinity smile, and their friendship continued like it had for years.
But underneath, something was shifting.
Trinity spent most of her time on autopilot, focusing on school and keeping her feelings buried deep. As long as she could control it, she could act like everything was normal. She could be her usual self around Layla, and Layla would never know what was really going on inside her head.
It was another Friday afternoon, and Layla had invited her over for a study session at her house. The plan simple, spend a few hours prepping for their history exam, then maybe watch a movie afterward. It was their usual routine, nothing out of the ordinary. But Trinity had been feeling on edge all day, nervous in a way she couldn’t quite explain.
She knocked on Layla’s door, already bracing herself. She had gotten good at preparing mentally before spending time with Layla so she didn’t slip. Just act normal, she reminded herself.
The door swung open, and Layla greeted her with her usual bright smile, her hair up in a messy bun and her school uniform already half undone. She was forced to wear it all day after soccer practice as she forgotten her change of clothes on her mothers parents kitchen counter. “Finally! I thought you ditched me for a better study buddy.”
Trinity smiled, stepping inside. “No chance. You’re stuck with me.”
Layla closed the door behind her. “I’m going to change out of this. I can’t stand wearing 'school' any longer.”
Trinity giggled, trying to keep her voice casual. “ You’re so dramatic.”
Layla disappeared into her bedroom, leaving Trinity to set up their books in the living room. She pulled out her history notes, spreading them across the coffee table, while Layla’s usual chatter floated in from the other room. It felt safe, routine. For a moment, Trinity let herself relax.
But that comfort shattered the moment Layla stepped back into the room.
Layla had changed into a pair of loose-fitting shorts and an oversized top that slipped off one shoulder, revealing her bare skin underneath. She was still talking as she moved around the room, completely oblivious to how much Trinity’s heart had just sped up.
Trinity’s eyes followed her without thinking. She couldn’t help it, Layla looked… different. Or maybe it wasn’t that Layla looked different. Maybe it was that Trinity was suddenly very aware of just how pretty she actually was. Her long legs, the way her loose top hung casually, and how effortlessly comfortable she seemed in her own skin. Trinity could feel her pulse in her ears, an embarrassing heat rising in her cheeks as she quickly looked away.
She felt a sudden panic swelling inside her. What was wrong with her? She’d seen Layla in shorts a million times before, but this was different. This felt different.
“Alright, let’s get to it!” Layla said, plopping down on the couch next to her, completely unaware of the effect she was having on poor friends raging hormones. She grabbed her textbook and opened it, scanning the pages like nothing had just happened.
Meanwhile, Trinity sat frozen in place, gripping her own book tightly in her hands, desperately trying to calm herself down. Her face felt hot, and no matter how much she tried to focus on the history chapter in front of her, all she could think about was Layla sitting next to her, so close she could feel the warmth of her body. Her bare leg brushed against Trinity’s knee, and Trinity flinched slightly.
