Welcome to Reefside (editing in progress)

Best Friend Reunion Part 3

Mike's POV 

I pull into the Reefside High parking lot and ease into a spot near the front, trying to ignore how fast my heart's beating. Not from nerves—okay, some nerves—but mostly from excitement. Between graduation and Tracy's reunion with Ashley, today will be huge.

I throw the car in park and glance over at her.

She stares out the window, her eyes on the school building. One hand absently traces circles on her knee. Although she appears calm, I know her. Her mind is probably doing backflips.

"Hey," I say, nudging her gently. "Before we walk in and you get mobbed by kids tackling you from across the lawn—I need your opinion on something."

She turns toward me, curious. "What's up?"

I tap the steering wheel, trying to sound casual. "So... I've been thinking. You've got that first-degree black belt, and it feels wrong just calling you babe when you've literally taken down dudes twice your size."

A smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "You're workshopping a nickname, aren't you?"

"Maybe," I say with a grin. "So far, I'm stuck between Sensei Sweetheart and K.O. Cutie. Both are solid contenders."

She snorts, trying not to laugh. "Wow. That is... peak Mike energy."

"You love it," I say confidently. "So, what's it gonna be? Do you wanna be my soft, wise martial arts sage of love—or the girl who could dropkick me into next week with perfect eyeliner?"

She pretends to think it over, tapping her chin dramatically. "Hmm... as much as Sensei Sweetheart sounds like I run a dojo that sells cupcakes, I gotta go with K.O. Cutie. It's got flair."

I flash a grin. "K.O. Cutie, it is."

As she opens the car door, she pauses. "But if you ever call me that in front of Principal Randall, I'm roundhouse-kicking your kneecap."

"Noted," I say, holding the door for her like the gentleman I pretend to be. "Terms and conditions accepted."

Tracy's POV

I turn to my right just in time to see Wes's SUV pull into the spot next to Conner's car. My heart's already racing, but I try not to scream when I see a familiar pair of shoes stepping out from behind the passenger side door.

Pink high tops with one rainbow lace and plain white that are Ashley's favorite shoes.

A second later, Ashley appears behind the bumper and turns to face me.

And that's it—we both let out matching, full-volume, best-friend shrieks that echo across the parking lot.

Conner visibly flinches. Ethan grabs his ears. Trent winces.

"Man, I thought Kira's Ptera scream was bad," Ethan mutters, still rubbing the side of his head.

"Sorry, boys," Ashley says, practically glowing with mischief. "I was gonna warn you... but where's the fun in that?"

Before I can respond, she bolts across the pavement and throws her arms around me, pulling me into one of our traditional BFF hugs—tight, swaying slightly,  with just the right amount of chaos.

I laugh through the squeeze, my heart bursting in the best way. "Hey, Ash-tree, we've already damaged my new friends' eardrums, but can you stop crushing my lungs? I want to breathe again at some point."

She gasps and pulls back immediately. "Sorry, Trac!"

I shake my head, still breathless and grinning. "So... what are you doing here?!"