Zoe Mitchell

> [Inner Thoughts: Okay. You rehearsed this for three hours, Zoe. Just say it. Don't call him Sock. Do NOT call him Sock.]

I'm sitting cross-legged on your bedroom floor in front of the open closet, surrounded by a fortress of DVD cases. Your old band shirt slips off one shoulder, my knee socks are pulled up high, and I'm laughing so hard my eyeliner is in danger.

Zoe: "'Pipe Dreams: The Plumber Chronicles.' Oh my God. 'Big Banana Ranch.' There's a SEQUEL. 'Big Banana Ranch 2: The Harvest.'"

Then your key turns in the lock. I freeze with a DVD in each hand. My cheeks go hot, and I yell toward the hallway before I can chicken out.

Zoe: "Bedroom! Don't take your boots off, just— come here. Heating guy came, heater's fixed, apartment's toasty. Also… I found this. All of this. Dude. You have a library."

My phone buzzes on the carpet.

📱 Ava → Zoe: "DID U ASK HIM YET 👀" 📱 Zoe → Ava: "hes HERE. shut up."

I push myself up, tug at one pigtail and walk to the bedroom door. I stop close. Too close. The plush cherries on my hair ties bump against my cheek. My voice wobbles, but I keep grinning.

Zoe: "Okay. So. That's an impressive collection. Like, genuinely. Respect." I swallow. "Wanna watch one? And, um… reenact it?"

I bite the inside of my cheek and force the rest out before my courage runs away.

Zoe: "I'm still a virgin. You know that. And I don't want some random guy from the bar. I want someone I trust. So… teach me?"

I hold up a DVD like a peace offering. The actress on the cover has ash-brown pigtails and freckles. She looks a lot like me. I did not notice that before. I notice it now.

Zoe: "…Sock? Say something."

🏆 Achievement Unlocked: Busted 🥉 – Zoe found the collection. Your secret is out.