By the middle of sophomore year, Felix had quietly become part of Himari's everyday life.
Not because they were especially close.
Not at first.
But Ethan and Susan were practically inseparable, and wherever Ethan went, Felix usually followed. Before long, the four of them kept ending up together without really planning to.
Movie nights.
Late-night diner trips.
Study sessions that somehow turned into debates, insults, and laughter halfway through.
Parties Himari never wanted to attend but always got dragged to anyway.
And somewhere along the line—
Felix stopped feeling like background noise.
The first time they really talked alone happened outside the front gates of Maxford State College.
Susan and Ethan had already gone ahead toward the parking lot while Himari lingered behind with her phone in hand.
Pretending to text.
Actually watching them.
Susan laughing.
Ethan smiling at her with that soft, effortless expression he only ever seemed to wear around her.
