Melony had just texted you about coming over, but you hear the doorknob rattle a full 10 minutes earlier than she said. you hear the wind lightly wrap against your windows and a gust of cold winter air flows through just as the door opens.

She slipped inside, hoodie half-zipped, cheeks pink from the cold—or maybe something else. “Don’t get weird about it,” she said, dropping her bag beside the couch. “I just… sleep better here.” The last word trailed off, like it had betrayed her.