Wren leaned back in her chair, the remnants of a long day weighing lightly on her shoulders. The last bell had rung, and the once-bustling halls of the school were now quiet. She packed her bag, her thoughts drifting to the small, yet significant, encounters of the day. There was something about the start of a new school year that always felt like the calm before the storm—like everything was on the brink of changing.

As she stepped outside, the late afternoon sun bathed the campus in a warm glow. Connor’s car was parked in its usual spot, and the sight of him leaning casually against it brought a smile to her face. His presence was a comforting constant in her life, something she had come to rely on without even realizing it.

She walked up to him, and he immediately straightened, his easygoing smile spreading across his face.

"How did today go?" he asked, opening the passenger door for her.

"Pretty good," Wren replied, sliding into the seat. "Nothing too crazy."

Connor closed the door behind her and jogged around to the driver’s side. As he settled in, he glanced over at Wren, sensing the undercurrent of excitement in her demeanor. He knew her well enough to recognize when she was holding something back.

“I’m glad,” he said, shifting the car into gear. “But I get the feeling there’s more to it.”

Wren’s eyes sparkled as she leaned towards him. “Oh, there is. I’ve got some juicy gossip for you.”

Connor laughed, intrigued by her enthusiasm. “Oh really? What is it?”

Wren could hardly contain her excitement. “You’ll never guess!”

“Probably not,” Connor teased, his curiosity piqued.

Wren grinned, savoring the moment before dropping the bombshell. “Your little brother likes Stormi.”

Connor’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned to her. “Seriously?”

“Yep,” Wren confirmed with a nod. “But there’s a problem.”

Connor’s expression shifted to one of concern. “What’s that?”

Wren hesitated, not wanting to dampen the mood, but knowing it was important. “Stormi only sees him as a little brother. And… she likes someone else.”

Connor sighed, a look of empathy crossing his face. “Does Riley know that?”

“I think he knows the first part, but not the second,” Wren said, her voice softening. “He’s probably really sad right now.”

Connor nodded, his mind already thinking of ways to comfort his brother. “I should check in on him.”

“Yeah, me too,” Wren agreed. There was a brief pause, the weight of the situation settling between them.

But then Wren, always one to lighten the mood, smirked and said, “And that’s not all of it.”

Connor raised an eyebrow. “There’s more?”

“Guess who it is that Stormi likes,” Wren said, her tone turning playful again.

Connor frowned, deep in thought. “Umm… I don’t know.”

Wren nudged him, eager for him to figure it out. “Come on, guess. It’s someone you know really well.”

Connor scratched his head, thinking hard, but eventually, he threw his hands up in surrender. “I give up.”

Wren burst into laughter. “It’s Rex!”

Connor blinked, stunned. “Rex… my friend Rex?”

“Yep! Can you believe it?” Wren said, enjoying his reaction.

Connor shook his head in disbelief. “Well, no, but…” He paused, a mischievous grin slowly spreading across his face. “I have a secret to share with you too.”

Wren’s eyes widened, her excitement rekindled. “What is it? Tell me!”

Connor chuckled, enjoying this rare moment of holding something over her. “Promise not to tell first.”

Wren crossed her heart with her finger, leaning closer. “I promise.”

Connor took a deep breath, the words coming out almost like a confession. “Rex likes your cousin Stormi. He’s liked her for a long time now.”

Wren’s reaction was surprisingly calm, as if she had been expecting it. “I figured.”

“You’re not surprised?” Connor asked, slightly taken aback.

“Not really,” Wren admitted, a knowing smile on her lips. “I’ve seen the way he looks at her sometimes.”

Connor nodded, the pieces falling into place. “Yeah, he stares at her a lot.”

“He probably thinks he’s hiding it,” Wren mused, “but I noticed a few weeks ago.”

Connor looked thoughtful for a moment. “Does Stormi know?”

“No,” Wren said, shaking her head. “That girl has no idea. She’s naive when it comes to love.”

Connor laughed, the sound filling the car. “So is Rex. He’s never had a girlfriend.”

“Stormi’s never dated either,” Wren added.

A comfortable silence settled between them as they both thought about their friends’ complicated situation. Wren, however, wasn’t one to sit idly by when there was a chance to play matchmaker.

“Connor,” she said suddenly, turning to him with a spark of mischief in her eyes. “I know how we can help those two get together.”

Connor glanced at her, intrigued. “What’s your plan?”

“Let’s have a party at your apartment,” Wren proposed, her excitement growing.

Connor raised an eyebrow, curious. “What kind of party?”

Wren’s mind was already racing ahead. “Umm… my birthday is coming up. We can have an early party.”

Connor smirked, seeing where this was going. “Ahh… Sunshine, I had plans for your birthday.”

Wren waved his concern away, her focus unwavering. “We can do that separately.”

She turned to him, her eyes wide and pleading, lips slightly pouted. “Pretty please.”

Connor looked at her, unable to resist the combination of her enthusiasm and that adorable face. With a grin, he gave in. “How can I say no to that face?”

Wren let out a triumphant cheer. “Hooray!”

But Connor wasn’t done thinking through the details. “Umm… I think you’re forgetting something.”

Wren frowned, momentarily confused. “Forgetting what?”

“Riley,” Connor reminded her. “What will you do with Riley?”

Wren’s face fell slightly as the realization dawned on her. “Oh… I didn’t think of that.”

Connor nodded, his expression serious. “It will be an awkward love triangle with him and Rex there together.”

Wren bit her lip, considering the dilemma. “I’ll have a talk with him before the party.”

Connor studied her, still concerned. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Yeah,” Wren said, her resolve firming up. “He has to face the truth. It will be better for him in the long run, and he has our support.”

Connor gave her a small, reassuring smile. “Alright. I’ll help you then.”

Wren returned his smile, feeling a sense of warmth and partnership between them. As they drove off, the sun dipping low on the horizon, she couldn’t help but feel that this year was going to be far more interesting than she had anticipated. Little did they know, the party they were planning would be the catalyst for a series of events that would change their friendships—and possibly their lives—forever.