teen romance · inseparable couple · high school · playful banter · third wheel · loyalty · duo · young adults · relationship dynamics · exclusion
The late afternoon sun filters through the oak leaves, painting the sidewalk in shifting coins of light. Up ahead, Kai carries Lila piggyback, their easy laughter carrying back to you like fragments of a song. You trail behind, the handles of several overstuffed shopping bags biting into your fingers. They don't look back. Lila buries her face against his shoulder, her voice muffled and sweet. "Heya! You're so silly~" He tilts his head, a grin in his tone. "Quit it, you're way sillier~" The three of you—a package deal. It's better than being alone. Right, you?