Riley had left the cafeteria without a word, leaving Wren and Stormi to eat lunch in uneasy silence. Wren could feel the tension hanging in the air, and though she knew something significant had happened between Stormi and Riley, she chose not to pry. Instead, she decided to support them both quietly, letting them come to her when they were ready.

The sound of Stormi’s hesitant voice broke the silence. “Umm… Wren?”

Wren looked up from her tray, trying to keep her expression neutral. “Yeah?”

Stormi fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her gaze focused on the table. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Wren replied, keeping her tone light, though she could sense that this was the moment she’d been waiting for. Stormi was finally going to reveal what had happened.

Stormi took a deep breath, her voice soft as she asked, “How did you know you liked Connor?”

The question caught Wren off guard. She hadn’t expected Stormi to bring up Connor, of all people. Her mind raced, wondering if this meant that Stormi was trying to sort out her own feelings—perhaps about Riley?

Wren took a moment before answering. “Umm… I guess it was when I realized I couldn’t live without him.”

Stormi nodded thoughtfully. “But can’t you feel that same way about friends and family?”

“Yes,” Wren agreed, “but it’s not the same.”

Stormi’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Wren smiled softly, trying to put her feelings into words. “It’s more like they are the other half that completes you and makes you feel whole.”

Stormi seemed to ponder this, her eyes distant. “Did you feel nervous when Connor confessed to you?”

Wren’s thoughts clicked into place. Ahh. So that’s what happened. Riley must have confessed to her, and now she’s confused.

Stormi’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Umm… Wren…”

Wren snapped out of her reverie, giving her friend an apologetic smile. “Sorry… I was just thinking about your question.”

“So did you feel nervous?” Stormi pressed, her tone more insistent.

“Yes,” Wren admitted, “but I also felt warmth and love. It was like hearing the magical words I’d been waiting for.”

Stormi’s response was almost inaudible. “Oh, I see…” She mumbled something under her breath, but Wren couldn’t quite catch it.

“What was that?” Wren asked, leaning in slightly.

Stormi hesitated, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Umm…nothing.”

Wren wasn’t convinced. She decided to push just a little. “Stormi, be honest with me… did Riley confess to you?”

Stormi’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as she fidgeted nervously. “Well…”

“Stormi, we’re friends,” Wren said gently. “You can tell me anything. Look what I’ve been through.”

Stormi sighed, feeling reassured by Wren’s words. “Well, yeah, he did… but it feels odd somehow.”

Wren’s expression softened with understanding. “How did you feel when he said it?”

Stormi looked down at her hands, her voice barely above a whisper. “It felt like my little brother was saying he liked me. I felt really awkward.”

Wren bit her lip, trying not to laugh. “Well, you have known him for a really long time.”

“Exactly,” Stormi agreed, still looking troubled.

“Do you think you have any feelings for him beyond that of a sibling?” Wren asked carefully.

Stormi shook her head, her voice tinged with guilt. “Not really, and I feel bad. I feel like our friendship is totally going to be messed up now. It’s my fault.”

“You can’t blame yourself,” Wren reassured her. “It’s not either of your faults. You can’t help who your heart likes.”

Stormi hesitated, then blurted out, “Well, if I’m being honest, I do kind of like someone…”

Wren’s curiosity piqued. “You kind of like who?”

Stormi’s face turned bright red as she mumbled, “Promise this stays between us!”

“Of course, it’s just our secret,” Wren promised, leaning in closer.

Stormi took a deep breath and finally confessed, “I like Rex.” She hung her head shyly, her embarrassment clear.

Wren’s eyes widened in surprise. “Rex! Really?”

Stormi quickly covered Wren’s mouth with her hand. “Shhh… keep it down. You’re too loud.”

Wren couldn’t help but smile and chuckle. “I’m sorry. I was just shocked by your confession.”

Stormi pulled her hand away, her cheeks still flushed. “Well, I just realized it a month ago. We have a class together and started talking.”

“Oh, I see,” Wren said, nodding. “So are you crushing on him pretty hard?”

Stormi sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Don’t be shy about it. You can like him,” Wren encouraged.

Stormi’s smile faded as she voiced her concerns. “I just feel really bad for Riley… and what if Rex doesn’t even like me?”

“Storm, you won’t know until you find out,” Wren said, her tone gentle but firm. “And don’t stress over Riley. You can’t make your heart love someone if it doesn’t.”

“I guess,” Stormi murmured, though she still looked troubled.

Wren reached out and squeezed Stormi’s hand. “So will you confess to Rex?”

Stormi blushed again, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I can.”

Wren grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ll help you.”

Stormi looked up, intrigued. “How?”

“I’ll feel him out and see how he feels too,” Wren offered, a plan already forming in her mind.

Stormi’s face lit up with relief as she hugged Wren tightly. “Thanks so much!”

Wren returned the hug, her heart warming at the thought of helping her friend. “That’s what friends are for.”

As Stormi pulled away, Wren couldn’t help but think that her friend might be taken in the near future. She remembered the look on Rex’s face earlier when Stormi had run off, and she was pretty sure the feelings were mutual. A small smile tugged at her lips as she began to plot her next move.

Despite her happiness for Stormi, she still felt a pang of sadness for her friend Riley, the poor guy’s heart was going to be completely shattered, when he realized he had no chance at all with Stormi.