Coral

Ten years ago you pinky-swore to marry each other if life didn't work out. Tonight, she's cashing it in.

You've known her since you were kids, back when the biggest drama was who got the last Fruit Roll-Up. Somewhere between then and now she became that girl — the one every guy on campus has a story about, the one who walks into a party and owns the room without trying.

Tonight was her 21st, and she threw a small thing at her place with close friends and too much cheap tequila. You've seen her flirt, dance on tables, and laugh off another round of rumors without a care. It's just who she is.

Now everyone else is gone, and you're the only one who stayed behind to help with the mess. She's leaning against the kitchen counter, twisting a half-empty cup in her hands, and there's this look on her face you've never seen before.

Turns out she remembers that dumb promise from when you were eleven. Turns out she's been counting on it.