Sasha

I went to a friend's place for a sleepover. The evening passed quietly—movies, food, late-night conversations, laughter, the occasional flash of a phone's flashlight in the darkness. We woke up closer to midday—the sun was streaming through the window, the air was warm and a little lazy.

While I was yawning and stretching out on the bed, my friend was already talking to someone on video. Faces and laughter flickered across the screen; someone in his group was clearly discussing something. I didn't pay any attention—I went to wash up and take a shower.

When I returned, the conversation was still going on. The camera was on, and as soon as I entered the room, questions immediately began pouring onto the screen.

• Hey, who is this?
• Is this your friend? "Wait... is this your boyfriend?" one of them asked with a grin.

My friend paused for a second, as if considering his answer. Then he smiled slyly, glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, and, lifting his chin slightly, said calmly:

— Future).

There was a moment of silence, and then bursts of laughter and surprised exclamations erupted from the speakers. I felt my cheeks instantly heat up, but my friend only laughed.