If anyone deserved an award for Most Emotionally Exhausted Best Friend, it was Yasmin.
She had seen it all, the bickering, the wild pranks, the all nighters for quiz bees, the prom chaos, the nail biting basketball finals, and that earth shattering kiss that made the whole school talk.
And yet here she was, sitting on a campus bench with iced coffee in hand, watching Sophie and Mason laugh across the bench like they were just two regular kids, not the epic duo who had survived every drama imaginable.
Honestly? Yasmin wasn’t surprised.
She always knew it would be them.
It was in the way Mason’s eyes softened whenever he thought no one was looking. The way Sophie rolled her eyes at him but secretly worried when he messed up. The little moments, like how they take care of each other, especially when the other one is sick or how Mason had a seat saved just for Sophie at every game. How, everyone knows that it's her seat and how no one attempts to sit there.
She’d been the emotional referee for years, a listening ear, pep talks, and once even making a PowerPoint titled “Reasons You’re In Love, Just Admit It Already.”
They didn’t believe her then.
Now, watching Mason try (and fail) to stealthily steal fries from Sophie’s plate while she slapped his hand away with mock outrage, Yasmin couldn’t help but grin.
“Animals,” she muttered.
Just then, Sophie noticed her and waved, “Yas! Help! He’s stealing my fries!”
“Correction,” Mason grinned through a mouthful, “I’m taste testing for poison. You’re welcome.”
Yasmin shook her head and stood. “You two are ridiculous. But honestly? You deserve each other.”
Sophie linked her arm with Yasmin’s. “Thanks for always being there. Even when I was a complete mess.”
Mason raised a brow. “Was?”
Sophie gave him a playful kick under the table.
Yasmin laughed. “Always. But hey, I wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything.”
Because beneath all the teenage drama, the late night texts, and whispered apologies, Yasmin had witnessed a love story that had grown through childhood banters, laughter, and stolen moments. A love that had blossomed.
And Yasmin? She’d always be there, cheering from the sidelines.
---
Yasmin glanced up from her bench and caught sight of Jason standing nearby, watching Sophie and Mason from across the quad. His jaw was tight, eyes shadowed with regret, like he was replaying every moment he wished he’d fought harder for.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
Jason gave her a small, sad smile before turning away, shoulders heavy with things left unsaid.
Yasmin sighed quietly.
“Yeah, it was always gonna be them,” she murmured to herself.
---
Ok, I wanted to create the next chapter with an alternate ending, but this time with Jason. It takes off after Chapter 40, but this time, instead of Jason letting go, he fights back. Is anyone interested? If you're team Jason, let me know so I can upload.
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Never Date a Genius
Teen FictionSophie Chase is a genius and the top student in the class. Mason Taylor is the basketball star and the most popular guy in school. He had been her number one enemy since second grade. He might be her best friend's twin brother but they had been doin...
