The Things We Never Said

Tessa Monroe and Amberly Winters have shared a silent language of hand squeezes since kindergarten-two for *I'm here*, three for *don't let go*-and now, thirteen years later on move-in day at Aldercrest University, that bond is still what steadies them. Amberly, outwardly organized and high-achieving, hides deep anxiety rooted in a difficult childhood and channels it into perfect control over her life and diabetes, determined never to be a burden again. Tessa, impulsive but fiercely loyal, doesn't know all of Amberly's past, yet instinctively senses when she's overwhelmed and promises to carry what she can't. Surrounded by friends and the chaos of new beginnings, they stand on the edge of college-and possibly love-held together by a connection that has always been more than friendship, even if neither of them has said it out loud.

1 in bffs- 17/02/26