Annika sat on the bench for a little longer, the last traces of sunlight slipping below the horizon, casting the park in a soft, golden hue. She had been so absorbed in the book, savoring the quiet moment, but now the coolness of the evening air reminded her that time had passed quickly. Realizing it was getting late, she slowly closed the book and slipped it into her bag. She stood up, stretching her arms above her head, feeling the muscles loosen after the long, peaceful read.

As she left the gazebo, the world around her seemed to soften with the fading light. The park, usually so bustling, now felt tranquil, the whispers of the breeze moving through the trees carrying a sense of calm. Annika's footsteps were light, her heart a little lighter than it had been when she arrived. The moments spent with Mac today—the laughter they shared, his playful teasing, and that stolen kiss—were still fresh in her mind. His words, his smile, and the feel of his lips brushing against her cheek played like a song on repeat in her head, stirring something deep inside her. It was a warmth she couldn't shake.

Her pace quickened as she headed home, her thoughts swirling with the images of him—the way his hair had stood up from static that morning, the mischievous gleam in his eyes when he filled Nico's bag with silly string, and the way he had made her laugh effortlessly. Annika chuckled quietly to herself, imagining the chaos that must have ensued at the rink. She couldn't wait to hear all the details from Mac himself.

Despite her playful thoughts, the weight of her feelings for him became harder to ignore. She had tried to keep their friendship safe from the growing emotions she felt, but now, with every passing day, it seemed impossible to deny that something between them was shifting. She didn't want to risk what they had, but with each shared laugh and secret glance, it felt like the right thing, like something worth exploring. But what if it all changed? What if they both regretted crossing that line?

The path leading home was familiar and comforting, the sight of her neighborhood bringing a sense of ease. She passed the corner store where she'd gotten ice cream as a kid, the lampposts flickering to life, casting soft pools of light along the sidewalk. She barely realized she was almost home until she almost missed her turn. Blinking out of her reverie, she hurried her steps, trying to clear her head as she approached the front door.

Unlocking it, she stepped inside, greeted by the comforting silence of the house. It was the same quiet she'd come to cherish after a busy day. Setting her bag down, she made her way upstairs, and with a deep sigh, collapsed onto her bed. Her phone was still in her hand, and, without even thinking, she opened it. She couldn't help but wonder if Mac had sent her anything about his silly string prank. Her heart skipped when she saw his name pop up on the screen.

M🏒

Operation Silly String: complete. Thanks for the great idea, Nika!

Attached was a picture of a bag, specifically Nico's bag who he had been having a rivalry with, bag covered in a mess of brightly colored silly string. The image was chaotic, with streaks of pink, blue, and green tangled all over the inside of the bag. Annika couldn't help but burst into laughter. Mac had really gone all out, and she could only imagine the chaos that had ensued at the rink. She quickly typed out a reply, unable to contain her grin.

Nika🌷

Haha, perfect! Glad it was a success.

Annika finally reached home, feeling lighter and happier than she had in a long time. Mac's message, along with the image of his silly string prank, had her grinning from ear to ear. The warmth of his kiss on her cheek, his laughter, and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes had been etched into her heart. Though they'd always been close, it was becoming harder to deny her growing feelings for him. She knew the risks of crossing the line between friendship and something more, but moments like today made it feel so right, so natural. The thought of losing their bond, though, was enough to make her hesitate. She didn't want to ruin what they had.

But staring at her phone, she couldn't help but feel hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that Mac felt the same way. "Woah, watch out, baby." She hadn't even realized she would've bumped into the wall had it not been for her mom pulling her out of the way. She had gotten inside the house and closed the door, but that was about it as she continued texting with Mac.

Lena laughs softly as she shook her head at her daughter. "Lost in thought again, huh?"

Annika blinks, her phone still in hand, and looked up at her mom, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Lena raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Mac, right?"

Annika blushes, caught off guard by her mom's teasing tone. "Maybe..." She muttered, unable to hide the smile that tugged at her lips.

Lena chuckles, patting her daughter's shoulder. "Come on, you just got back in time for dinner. You can tell me about your day."

Annika smiles at her mother, putting her phone away and joining her mom inside the kitchen. She notices her dad was there, but her older brother wasn't. "Hey, dad." She greets, smiling at him as he returns it. "Where's Harrison?"

"Oh, he said he would be home late. He's actually on a date." Lena explains, earning a surprised look from Annika."Okay, it's not actually a date." Lena corrects herself. "He's just having dinner with Sky, you've met her, right? The girl who works at the cafe at the rink?" When Annika nods, she smiles. "Yeah, they're having dinner together and while he claimed it wasn't a date, I think we all know that he has been crushing on her."

"Ah, I see." Annika says, a teasing grin on her face. "I guess I'll tease him about it later."

Annika had to admit she wasn't surprised. It was obvious Harrison was crushing on Sky from the way she had seen him act around Sky and hear him talk about her. Annika hoped eventually he would confess and ask Sky out. She had a feeling they would be good together. "So, what's for dinner?" She questioned, smiling as she hooked her bag over a chair at the table.

****

Dinner with her parents was a cozy, familiar routine that Annika cherished. The smell of roasted chicken and vegetables filled the kitchen, and the soft clinking of plates as her mom set the table brought a sense of comfort. As they sat down, her parents exchanged knowing smiles, clearly picking up on the fact that their daughter was more distracted than usual.

"Seems like you and Mac have been getting more close." Robert commented, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

Annika couldn't help the blush creeping up her neck as her parents stared at her. She knew they were curious about her relationship with Mac, and she couldn't blame them. They had been best friends since they were kids, and their bond was one that ran deep. It wasn't unusual for them to spend time together, but lately, things had felt different.

"Well, we have always been close..." She started, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the words to describe the shift in their relationship. She had never been good at talking about her feelings, and her parents' knowing looks weren't helping.

Lena smiles, sensing her daughter's discomfort. "It's okay, Annika, you don't have to explain anything. We're just glad you two have each other. You've always been a great support for him, and I know he does the same for you. We love seeing you two together, and we're so proud of the amazing young woman you're growing into. That being said, we also respect your privacy, so you don't need to tell us anything unless you're ready. Though it's clearly obvious something changed between you two." Lena's warm smile softened the teasing tone of her words, and Robert nodded in agreement.

Annika felt a wave of relief wash over her. She appreciated how supportive her parents were, even if their gentle nudging made her a little embarrassed. But they were right—something had changed between her and Mac. What exactly that change was, though, she was still figuring out herself.

"Thanks, guys." Annika said with a shy smile. "I guess...I just need some time to figure it all out."

Her parents exchanged a glance but didn't press any further, instead moving the conversation to lighter topics. Annika felt grateful for the shift, allowing her to enjoy the rest of dinner without the pressure of addressing her complicated feelings for Mac.

After dinner, she helped her mom clear the table before retreating to her room. As she lay back on her bed, her mind inevitably drifted to Mac, and the thought of him made her heart flutter. Despite the nerves that came with exploring her growing feelings, she couldn't help but feel excited, the promise of something new and exciting lingering in the air.

As much as she had tried to fight her feelings, she was beginning to realize that maybe it was time to stop running. She was falling for her best friend, and though it terrified her, it also felt like the most natural thing in the world. She picked up her phone and scrolled through their previous messages, smiling at the inside jokes and the way they made each other laugh. Each text felt like a small thread weaving their friendship closer together.

She found herself reminiscing about their countless adventures—roller skating, movie nights, and late-night talks that lasted until the early morning. The thought of sharing her feelings with Mac made her stomach twist, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he might be experiencing something similar. Could it be that he, too, felt the shift in their dynamic? The way he looked at her sometimes made her heart race, a glimmer of something unspoken passing between them. She paused, biting her lip as she thought about it. Maybe it wasn't just in her head. Maybe there was more to their connection than just friendship. The warmth she felt every time they were together, the way his presence made her feel grounded, safe...It felt different. But was it enough to risk everything? To possibly change their entire dynamic?

Annika set her phone down and stared up at the ceiling, trying to sort through her emotions. She knew Mac well enough to know he wasn't someone to play games with. He valued honesty, and if he felt the same way, he'd tell her, right? She sighed, feeling a little overwhelmed by the possibility of what could be, but also excited by it. She was starting to realize that maybe taking that step into something more wasn't as scary as it seemed. With a final glance at her phone, she tucked it away and decided she would sleep on it. Maybe tomorrow would bring some clarity, or maybe it would be another day of pretending things were the same between them. But in her heart, Annika knew she wasn't sure if she could keep pretending much longer.

She sighed, resting her phone on her chest and staring at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling. Even if her feelings were returned, there was still so much uncertainty. What if they changed everything between them? What if it didn't work out? She bit her lip, pushing those anxious thoughts aside. It was hard to ignore the way Mac's laughter echoed in her mind, the warmth of his presence during their late-night chats, and the way he always seemed to know what she was thinking. All of those moments felt more significant now, as if they were breadcrumbs leading her to something new and exciting.

She sighed and got up to get ready for bed, brushing her teeth and changing into her pajamas. As she slipped under the covers, her phone lit up, and a notification popped up.

M🏒

Hey, you coming to the game tomorrow?

Nika🌷

Obviously! Wouldn't miss it.

She couldn't help but smile. Tomorrow would be another chance to see him, and even though the rink was packed during the game, somehow they always managed to find each other. Maybe tomorrow would be the day she finally found the courage to tell him how she felt. The thought sent a flurry of nerves and excitement coursing through her, and as she turned off her lamp and closed her eyes, her dreams were filled with the sound of laughter, the rush of wind, an energetic crowd, and the sight of her best friend.