chapter 5

Mia woke up the next morning like she was in a Pinterest morning routine video

Sunlight was filtering in through her curtains

Luna was curled up by her feet like a judgmental little croissant

Her phone was at 2% but she didn't even care because she was still floating from yesterday

She flopped onto her back grinning like a total simp

A happy dumb simp who had just survived her first real date without self-destructing or crying in a bathroom stall

Growth

Her phone buzzed and somehow against all odds it still had juice

It was a text from Jamie

Jamie: Just passed a couple arguing outside Birch. Made me weirdly grateful that our first date didn't involve yelling or tears or someone storming off dramatically. 10/10 would recommend again

She typed back with zero chill

Mia: Wow you really know how to flatter a girl. "Thanks for not being unhinged in public"

Jamie: Hey I said no yelling. I never said anything about not unhinged

She couldn't even argue with that

The bar was in hell and somehow Jamie still made her feel like a literal dream girl just by being chill and funny and normal

What was happening to her

She FaceTimed Zach immediately

It rang twice before he picked up mid-toast-bite with sleep hair and no shame

"You've got the post-date glow," he said around a mouthful of bread

"You look like you just had a near-death experience but like in a hot way"

"Zach I think I'm malfunctioning," she said, pulling her blanket over her head

"Like I'm giggling unironically. I feel like a Wattpad character. Is this what happiness feels like because it's suspicious"

Zach grinned

"So what you're saying is Jamie has been living in your head rent-free with no security deposit"

"He redecorated the whole place. My brain is now a Pinterest board titled 'soft boy moments and oat milk crushes'"

Kai joined the call two seconds later with under-eye patches and an energy drink

"Did she tell you she's in love yet or are we still pretending this is casual"

"I am NOT in love," Mia declared

"I'm just... highly invested in his existence"

"Girl you're glowing. Like emotionally and also your skin looks suspiciously clear for someone who stress eats Takis at midnight"

"I think he's making me better," Mia said, kind of stunned

"Like I'm still dramatic and spirally but in a fun quirky way instead of a 'cries over cereal ads' kind of way"

There was a beat of silence before both Kai and Zach screamed at the same time

Literal screams

Kai actually dropped her drink

"You're doomed," Zach howled

"This is how it starts. First it's butterflies then next thing you know you're writing poetry in your Notes app at 2am and naming your future kids"

Mia flopped back onto her pillows

"I hate you both"

"I love you but I also hate you"

"I need to make a playlist. I need to channel this emotional chaos into something artistic before I explode"

"Send it to me immediately," Kai said

"And title it something unnecessarily poetic like 'Fell For A Barista Boy and Now I'm Ruined'"

Mia did exactly that

The playlist had Phoebe Bridgers Clairo SZA Arctic Monkeys and like three surprise Olivia Rodrigo tracks

It was giving heartbreak even though nothing was broken

Yet

By noon she had listened to it four times

Changed her outfit three times

Made two TikToks

And watched Jamie's story on Instagram on a loop like a psycho

It was just a boomerang of him making latte art

But her brain was like

Look at the way he swirls the milk. Look at his hand. Look at the boy who knows your coffee order and remembered the exact way you smile when you're trying not to blush

Her heart was not safe

Luna yawned like she was over it

Mia tossed a pillow at her and missed

Then her phone buzzed again

Jamie: So. Second date idea. You and me. Terrible art at the paint-and-sip place downtown.

Jamie: You can judge my color choices. I can pretend not to be impressed by yours.

Jamie: Friday?

Mia screamed

Loud enough that Luna actually moved

She stared at the screen

She typed

Mia: I'm in. But just know I take painting very seriously

Mia: You might get roasted.

Jamie: Can't wait.

And just like that

She was spiraling again

But this time

It felt kinda safe, exciting, like falling into something warm and real

She flopped back onto her bed

Grinning

Already planning her outfit

And wondering

If this was how stories began

With oat milk lattes

And TikTok crushes

And chaotic best friends

And a boy who made her playlist heartache feel more like a love song