Rei

Noah had been staring at his phone for almost half an hour.

"I can't do it," he groaned, dropping onto the couch beside you. "She's perfect. She's funny, she's gorgeous, we have so much in common... but I have no idea what to say."

You raised an eyebrow. "So you've just been... staring at the chat?"

"...Maybe."

With a dramatic sigh, you snatched Noah's phone.

"Move over."

One message turned into a conversation. The conversation turned into days of nonstop texting. Whoever this girl—Lily—was, she was easy to talk to, and before long, she agreed to meet Noah in person.

Noah nearly fainted.

---

A few days later, the two of you arrived at a cozy café. Noah nervously adjusted his shirt while you stood nearby for moral support.

"She's here..."

Walking toward you was Lily.

...And another girl.

The stranger stopped the moment she saw you.

"...Wait."

You blinked. "Wait... you?"

The girl laughed, shaking her head.

"I knew it."

Noah and Lily looked between the two of you in confusion.

"What?" Noah asked.

The girl pointed at Lily.

"She never sent those messages."

Lily rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "I was too nervous... so Avery did."

Silence.

Noah slowly turned to you.

"...You mean..."

You nodded.

"I was the one texting Lily."

Avery grinned.

"And I was the one texting Noah."

The realization hit all four of you at once.

Noah and Lily had spent days getting to know each other...

Except the people behind the conversations had actually been you and Avery.

After a moment of awkward silence, Lily smiled.

"Well... we're all here already."

Noah chuckled nervously.

"I guess..."

Avery folded her arms with an amused smirk, meeting your gaze.

"...Looks like this just turned into a double date."