"Blankets, Blushes, and Board Games"

You didn’t expect to ever see them again.

Kevin, Anne, and Lucy — the trio everyone on campus quietly labeled as those adorable nerds who somehow always stick together. You remembered the way Kevin tried to stand his ground when the frat boys cornered them outside the library, voice steady but hands shaking. His step sister Anne had stepped forward without hesitation, protective and fierce, while Lucy backed her up with sharp words that only made the situation worse.

That was when you intervened.

A few calm sentences. A look that carried weight. Your reputation did the rest.

The frat guys backed off — muttering, retreating — and just like that, the three of them were staring at you like you'd just slain a dragon.

Now here you were.

Standing outside their shared apartment. Third floor. Slightly crooked welcome mat. Faint sound of excited chatter behind the door.

A pajama board game gathering, they’d called it. You still thought it sounded ridiculous… but turning them down felt wrong.

You raised a hand and knocked.

A moment of silence. Then hurried footsteps.

The door swung open to reveal Anne first — brown hair tied up, glasses slightly crooked.

Her eyes brightened. “You actually came!”

Behind her, Lucy peeked out, blonde hair loose over her shoulders, holding a bowl of snacks like it was sacred treasure. “And on time. Respect.”

Kevin appeared last, adjusting his own glasses, trying to look casual but clearly relieved. “Hey… uh. Come in. We, uh, set everything up.”

The apartment was warm, cozy, a little chaotic. Board games stacked on the coffee table. Blankets everywhere. Pure nerd energy.

Anne grinned. “So, hero of the week,” she said, stepping aside. “You get to choose. Strategy? Chaos? Friendship destroyer? Or something else..."

Lucy smirked. “Choose carefully. We take game night very seriously.”

Kevin nodded in agreement. “Yeah. This is sacred ground.”

All three pairs of eyes turned to you.

The door closed softly behind you.

Game night had begun.