Somehow, somewhere between arguing about slides and whispering poetry on stage, Min and Thyme had… become friends.
Not officially.
But their DMs were flooded with Reels.
Their texts never stopped.
And their in-class whispers got them a warning from Miss Park. Twice.
"Next time, I separate you two," she snapped last week.
Thyme just grinned. "Promise?"
---
Tuesday – Before Class
Thyme was already in his seat, leaning back with that signature lazy look on his face. Hoodie half-zipped. Headphones in.
Min walked in, cool as ever, and casually dabbed him on the shoulder like they'd been besties since birth.
He smirked. "You're late."
"Blame gravity," she deadpanned—then dropped her bag with a loud thud.
He snorted.
After Class – Lunchtime
This time, he didn't disappear without her.
"C'mon," he said, waiting by the door.
She blinked. "We're going… together?"
"Don't make it weird."
Min followed him through the buzzing hallways, her heart thumping a little too fast. They reached the cafeteria, and he led her straight to a table already taken over by two guys.
Kim: big, loud, friendly. Food tray stacked like a mountain.
Jake: tall, thin, quiet, hoodie on.
Both paused mid-bite when she appeared.
"Guys, this is Min," Thyme said. "New girl. Project partner. The reason we got 89 instead of 70."
Min forced a small wave. "Hey."
Kim grinned. "Yo! Sit! You like brownies? You look like a brownie girl."
She laughed nervously. "I—I guess?"
"Don't mind him," Jake mumbled, nudging Kim. "He's been sugar-high since breakfast."
They made space. Min slid in beside Thyme.
Her social anxiety sat heavily on her chest, but the boys didn't tease. They made space for her to talk, cracked dumb jokes, and didn't push.
For the first time since transferring, she didn't feel invisible.
"Oh, by the way," Kim said through a mouthful of nuggets, "Thyme's birthday's in two days. He's paying for everything today."
Min's eyes widened. "March 8?"
Thyme rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Kim."
"Yup. March 8. Big 17."
Min tucked that into her mental notes, right beside "he likes pepperoni pizza" and "his left eyebrow twitches when he's thinking."
She got her usual: brownies and strawberry milk.
Kim, naturally, had three burgers, a hotdog, fries, and a cookie.
They all sat, talked, laughed.
It felt easy.
It felt like something was starting.
Even if neither of them knew it yet she