Camila's POV (Back in the Present)
When Julia cracked and started telling me what happened, I swear I forgot how to breathe for a minute.
Tyler? Our Tyler?
I blinked at her, waiting for her to say "just kidding"—but she didn't.
Instead, she sat there, hugging herself like she wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh, cry, or crawl under the table.
"You're telling me," I said slowly, leaning in, "that you got stormed in... and then stormed into his pants?"
Julia turned ten shades of red.
"I didn't even mean to stay!" she squeaked. "The rain came in too fast, and—ugh—it just… happened."
I had to press my lips together to keep from grinning. "I knew there was something going on. Remember when we were like twelve and I used to tease Tyler ? He used to call it 'annoying you for fun' but please—we all knew what that meant."
Julia groaned. "Can you not bring up middle school Tyler when I'm trying to process what just happened with teen Tyler?"
"Oh, I absolutely can. I must. It is my duty as your best friend," I said, nudging her. "But wait—what about Antwan? You used to have a little crush on him, didn't you?"never thought you would get over that
Julia bit her lip, eyes darting down.
"Yeah. I mean… I did. For a long time. But it never made sense, you know? He was sweet, and safe, and… I guess I just figured nothing would ever happen. Then Tyler—ugh—Tyler just happened. Like a whole storm inside a person."
That made me laugh.
A storm inside a person was exactly how I'd describe Tyler.
"So," I said, after a pause. "You really just left the next morning without saying anything?"
Julia groaned again, louder this time. "Yes! I panicked! I woke up, saw the light coming through the window, realized I still had, like, storm hair, and bolted. I didn't even realize until I got home that I left my underwear."
I choked. "Wait. WHAT?"
She covered her face with her hands. "Yes. That pair. The one that matched the bra. And I didn't realize until hours later and by then I couldn't go back because it would be so weird. Like—what do I even say? 'Hi, Tyler, just here to pick up my dignity and this very tiny piece of fabric I left in your room'?"
I nearly fell off the bench laughing.
"Girl, he probably folded it and put it in a tiny shrine."
Julia threw a napkin at me. "You are no help."
"I'm amazing help. I'm your best friend and your witness in the inevitable soap opera this turns into." I leaned forward, more serious now. "But for real—how do you feel? About both of them?"
Julia was quiet for a moment. Then she said softly, "Confused. I think… I think part of me always wanted to be seen the way Tyler looked at me that night. But Antwan—he's real. And safe. I feel like I could build something steady with him, you know?" you should have seen the way he stood at my door the way he spoke the way he told me he liked me everything
I nodded slowly.
"Well," I said finally, "sounds like you're the main character in a messy love triangle. And honestly? About time."
Julia rolled her eyes but smiled. "Only you would be excited about my emotional collapse."
"Only I," I said, grinning, "would be waiting with popcorn and commentary."
She laughed, and for a second, the tension lifted—just two girls, tangled in life and love and the chaos in between.
I didn't know what she'd decide, and maybe neither did she.
But I'd be here either way—whether she needed a shoulder to cry on, a ride to retrieve some lacy underwear, or someone to slap sense into two love-struck boys.
Because that's what best friends do.