Let's Be Together : A Friends to Lovers story

Sixteen.

Sixteen is this damn weird age-you're not a kid anymore, but being an adult feels like putting on a suit three sizes too big. It's that awkward stage where you're still getting the hang of it, stumbling around, pretending to have shit figured out when, really, you're as clueless as ever.

Friendships get messier, crushes get more complicated, and everything feels like it's got hidden layers. Suddenly, nothing's innocent anymore.

Take the cafeteria at Halloway High, where Shawn Jones, king of the shallow end of the gene pool, is strutting around like he owns the place. He's got this cocky smirk plastered on his face, basking in all the attention he's raking in.

Today, he's bragging about his latest "accomplishment"-some sleazy, fucked-up story about sleeping with a teacher.

The second he starts talking, the whole place erupts with laughter, like it's some twisted badge of honor. And everyone's feeding into it, grinning and high-fiving like it's the coolest thing in the world.

And me? I'm just sitting there, my stomach flipping. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Since when did this become something to cheer for?

When did sleeping with someone who's supposed to be in charge of you, who's supposed to have a line they don't cross, become something people admired?

But all that cafeteria bullshit is a distant memory as I charge toward the basketball court, practically strangling my phone in my fist.

The morning sun's too damn bright, hitting my face like it's personally out to blind me. I scan the court, looking for her - Millie, smack in the middle of a game, her brown hair a wild mess and her face locked in that intense, "I'm-going-to-win-this-shit" look. She's about to make a shot when I yell out.

"Millie!"

She stops, ball still in hand, and squints in my direction, looking confused as hell. "What?" she yells back, like I just interrupted the most important play of her life.

"We need to talk!" I snap.

Five minutes later, we're in the changing room, and she's watching me with that irritatingly smug, raised-brow look.

She leans against the lockers like she didn't just drop a bomb into my morning.

"What's up, dimples?" she asks, smirking like she's got all the time in the world.

I shove my phone in her face, every ounce of chill gone. "What the actual fuck is this?" I say, my voice hard and pissed.

Her eyes dart to the screen, the cockiness on her face replaced by a flicker of surprise, and for a second, I think she might actually look sorry.

But no. Instead, she lets out this laugh - a full-on, head-thrown-back laugh, like this is the funniest damn thing she's seen all week. "Oh my God," she snorts, her eyes twinkling. "He actually replied?"

"Millie, what did you do?" I say, crossing my arms, the frustration boiling over. I swear, she just lives to mess with me.

She shrugs, like she's innocent or something. "Relax, I just borrowed your phone, shot him a text, and hit send. You're welcome."

"You texted him!" I choke out, feeling the urge to throw my phone across the room.

But honestly, the real nightmare here is what she texted him.

I throw her an incredulous look, barely able to believe what I'm seeing on my own screen. "I can't believe you actually sent him that." My voice is barely more than a growl, but Millie just grins wider, totally unbothered, which only makes me angrier.

"Oh, come on, Gracie," she says, rolling her eyes like I'm the one being ridiculous. "It's not that serious! Plus, now you know what a desperate, thirsty leech this guy is." She smirks, her tone so breezy.

I snatch my phone back from her and scroll through the texts. Every single word he replied with is burned into my brain now, courtesy of Millie.

Leaning in way too close, she starts reciting his last message right in my ear.

"'Sure! I'm a bit taken aback, babe. Didn't know you were into that, but I'm glad. Can I video call you tonight? I so want to show you my cock, and I'm sure you'll love it. Xoxo,'" she quotes, stifling another burst of laughter.

I shove her away, face twisted in disgust. "Ugh, Millie, shut up! His texts are so nasty, it's like... does he even hear himself?"

She just laughs harder, unbothered as ever. But I can feel my face heat up, that mix of embarrassment and rage bubbling over. "Why the hell did you think it was a good idea to text him, 'Hey, hottie, I'm horny. Can you help me?' Millie, I'm mortified!" I throw my head back, groaning at the ceiling, and she just shrugs.

"Gracie, stop freaking out. It's just for fun," she says, still chuckling. "Besides, now you know he's a total perv."

I smack her arm and drop down on the bench beside her, my mind still spinning. I glance down at my phone again, scrolling through the texts that I have with Finn.

I mutter, more to myself than her, "I actually thought Finn was... I don't know, like, a decent guy? I mean, he seemed chill." My cheeks still burn, the reality of Finn's gross response making my skin crawl.

"Guess I was wrong," I add quietly, feeling Millie's gaze on me as she finally softens a little.

"Yeah, but better to find out now," she says, patting my shoulder. And just like that, she's laughing again.

I can't help it-I burst out laughing too. The way Millie's cackling is infectious, her whole face lit up like she just won the lottery. I shake my head and tell her, "You're such a red guard for me, you know?"

She pauses, trying to catch her breath, brows scrunched in confusion. "Wait, what the hell is a red guard?"

Still laughing, I explain, "Every time I get close to making a boyfriend, there you are, ready to blow it all to hell." And it's true. She's like my personal disaster squad, always lurking with some ridiculous plan to ruin any guy I might have a chance with.

"Remember Harry?" I ask, and she starts grinning, knowing exactly where I'm going. Last month, Harry from my algebra class asked me out on a movie date. We'd been vibing pretty well for a couple of months, so I thought, why not?

But of course, Millie couldn't let that slide. Nope. She shows up in the theater, dragging along some random dude I didn't even know. Turns out, that random dude was Harry's secret crush. And apparently, that guy was also into Harry.

By the end of the night, they're making out in the back row, and I'm going home with Millie, who's doubled over, laughing her ass off like she just pulled off the world's best prank.

She pinches my cheeks then, and her expression softens as she looks right into my eyes. "I'll do anything to make sure you don't get hurt," she says, voice unexpectedly serious. "None of these guys deserve you."

I roll my eyes, but my heart squeezes a little. That's Millie for you-chaos wrapped in a protective shield.

She ruffles her sweaty hair back, all nonchalant, like she didn't just drop a mini emotional bomb on me.

"Oh yeah?" I say, smirking, "So, according to you, no one in the world deserves me because I'm too special?"

She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Damn right. You should just be with me."

I nudge her shoulder, laughing. "Shut up, idiot." I pull her into a hug, holding her tight. For all her pranks and sabotage, she's my best friend, my partner in crime. I'd pick her over any guy, any day.

She smirks, pulling back just enough to say, "So... I'm your rebound, huh?"

I raise a brow, giving her a playful nudge. "You want that tag?"

She pretends to think it over, biting her lip, eyes twinkling with that same troublemaker spark. Then, turning to me with a grin, she says, "I'll tell you over text... or maybe I'll keep you waiting for a video call tonight."

She laughs again, full of mischief, and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"God, you love messing with me," I say, exasperated but grinning like an idiot.

Then, she leans closer, her laughter fading just a little, her face now inches from mine. "I love you," she says, soft but sure, the words hanging in the air, almost catching me off guard.

Best friend.

What even is that, really? We all throw the term around, but if you stop and think about it, it's something far more profound.

A best friend is that person who doesn't just know your secrets; they know you, the you beneath all the layers.

They're the one who sticks by your side through every high and low, cheering you on even when you don't believe in yourself and calling you out when you're on some nonsense.

They're like family, but they're different from family too. They're a choice, a bond built from every shared laugh, every late-night confession, every moment you thought no one else would understand.

Everyone has a best friend. And me? I've got Millie Hayes.

Millie and I go way back-eleven years, to be exact. We practically grew up in each other's houses, being neighbors and all.

Her window is right across from mine. Our parents are best friends too, so from day one, it was as if the universe lined it all up perfectly, like, here's your forever friend, have at it.

From kindergarten sandbox days to those cringe middle school dances to high school, Millie's always been there.

It's wild to think of all the stuff we've been through together, all the different versions of ourselves we've watched each other become.

If I had to describe her? She's my shield.

Sure, I could go on about how she's absolutely gorgeous-short, messy brown hair, those intense green eyes, a dusting of freckles across her nose that somehow makes her look both tough and innocent at once.

Oh, and she's tall, with these long legs that make me feel like a hobbit standing next to her. Yeah, I'm definitely jealous sometimes. She's cool, too, like ice queen cool.

No wonder everyone calls her that. But beneath all that, she's got the softest heart. No one would guess it, but she's the kind of person who'd risk everything to protect the people she cares about.

She's also totally uninterested in boyfriends and dating, like, at all. It's a bit of a mystery, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't sometimes wonder if she's into girls or maybe just not into anyone.

Every time I ask, she laughs it off, gives me that mischievous smile, and says she's only ever been interested in me.

"Grace, watch out!"

Before I can process what's happening, bam-something smacks me hard on the side of the head. I feel myself dropping to the ground as the world spins around me in a blinding white blur.

Everything's a mess of distant laughter and a throbbing ache in my skull.

I feel hands on me, and a concerned voice cuts through the ringing in my ears. "Grace, can you hear me?" It's Juhyuk Lee. I think.

I squint, trying to open my eyes and make out his face. The world's a bit hazy at first, but I manage to make out his worried expression as he helps me sit up.

I rub the side of my head, hissing as I touch the sore spot. "Are you okay, Grace? Can you see me?" he asks, his brow furrowed with concern as he helps me get back on my feet.

Kids around us are laughing, probably because I must've looked ridiculous getting knocked over by whatever hit me.

I ignore them, still dazed, trying to figure out who the hell threw that ball.

Then I see him, jogging toward us, and the sight almost snaps me back to reality in one go. This guy is like someone straight out of a teen drama-a lean, muscular frame, tanned skin, blonde hair, and abs that definitely aren't normal for high school.

I'm openly staring as he stops in front of me, his skin glistening with sweat in a way that's honestly unfair.

"I'm really sorry. You okay?" His voice has a smooth, British accent that somehow makes him even more ridiculous. I blink, still leaning against Juhyuk as I find my voice.

"Uh... yeah. I'm okay," I manage, barely. He gives me this charming half-smile, and it's almost enough to distract me from the throbbing pain in my head.

"That's a relief," he says, flashing one more smile before jogging back to the lacrosse team. I watch him go, still slightly in shock, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I've never seen him before.

"Who was that?" I ask Juhyuk, who's still steadying me, shooting death glares at the people who are laughing at my little accident.

Juhyuk groans, rolling his eyes at my dazed expression. "Transfer student from England. Moved in yesterday. His name's James Ellington. He's in my biology class."

James Ellington. No wonder I haven't seen him around.

My gaze drifts back to the lacrosse field, where he's already picked up his stick and is back in the game.

"You're drooling," Juhyuk teases, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "No, I'm not."

"Uh-huh, sure. I thought maybe getting hit in the head would've fixed you, but I guess not," he shoots back, smirking. That earns him a half-hearted shove from me.

"Oh, please. Maybe you should've taken the hit then," I retort, crossing my arms.

He just shakes his head, unimpressed. "Says the one who was staring like she'd seen a unicorn."

Honestly, sometimes I think Juhyuk and Millie are cut from the same cloth. They always act annoyed anytime they catch me checking someone out. I give him a look, challenging. "So what if I was? He is handsome."

He rolls his eyes again, in that classic "I'm over this" way, and just as I'm about to say something else, Juhyuk's twin sister, Jugyoung, bounds over to us, calling out, "Hey, wait up!"

The moment she reaches us, she beams, her face lighting up. "How's your head?" she asks, feigning concern but with a hint of drama.

I laugh. "I'm fine, seriously."

She gasps, her eyes widening in exaggerated shock. "Fine? You got hit by James Ellington! How are you just 'fine'?" She puts on a pout, crossing her arms as if I'd let some miracle pass by.

"By the ball, Jugyoung. The ball," Juhyuk repeats with a flat tone, rolling his eyes. But she's already ignoring him, looping her arm through mine as we make our way toward the parking lot, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Oh my God, Grace, did you see him?" Jugyoung gushes, still buzzing from the encounter. "He's mesmerizing! And that British accent... ugh, to die for."

I shoot Juhyuk a smug look. "Now who's drooling?"

He sighs, throwing in another classic eye-roll as I unlock my bike. Just as I'm waiting for Juhyuk to grab his, Jugyoung leans in close to me, eyes wide with a barely-contained thrill.

"Grace," she whispers, her voice low but dripping with excitement, "I have big news."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's up?"

"Promise you won't tell my brother? He'd totally freak out and tell our parents."

I bite back a laugh, nodding. "Fine, I won't tell."

She glances over at Juhyuk to make sure he's out of earshot, then turns back to me, smiling like she's holding onto the biggest secret in the world. "I got invited to James Ellington's party tonight!"

My jaw drops. "Wait, what? How?"

She lets out a little squeal, trying to keep her excitement contained. "I may have begged Charlotte to ask him if I could come, and she actually pulled through."

"Wow, that's amazing!" I say, genuinely impressed. I didn't even know Jugyoung was in with that crowd. She grins, her excitement contagious.

"You have to come with me, Grace. You're my ride-or-die."

I feel a flicker of excitement, but then reality sets in. "I don't know... sneaking out would be tough."

"Just say yes, and we'll make it work. Besides, it'll be fun to check out the scene and maybe... see a certain British someone again?" She gives me a knowing smirk.

Before I can reply, Juhyuk steps closer, eyeing us suspiciously. "What are you two whispering about?"

We exchange a quick glance before Jugyoung straightens up, her face turning serious. "Nothing. Just... period talk."

Juhyuk's face shifts to one of instant horror, hands in the air. "Okay, I'm out," he says, backing away to avoid further details, and we both laugh as he heads over to his bike.

Jugyoung turns back to me with a smirk. "You're coming," she mouths, her tone final. "I'll pick you up tonight. Be ready."

She heads off with a little wave, leaving me to consider the dilemma. Part of me is thrilled at the thought of going, of maybe meeting James again and seeing what the fuss is all about.

But I'd need to be careful- can't tell my parents. And definitely can't tell Millie. If she comes along, any chance I have of getting to know James will vanish.

Have you ever been scared to tell someone something important because you know their reaction will hit you like Newton's third law? I'm not talking about my parents. I'm talking about Millie.

She knows me better than anyone else, probably even better than I know myself sometimes, so whenever something big comes up, I can almost feel her judgment before I even tell her.

I glance at her through the edge of the cards I'm holding, wondering how on earth I'm going to sneak out without telling her. She knows me too well-if I try to lie, she'll pick up on it immediately.

"You're gonna bore holes through my face if you keep staring at me like that," she quips, pulling me out of my thoughts with that familiar smirk of hers.

She flips her cards over, revealing her hand with a flourish, letting me know she's won this round too. I sigh, revealing my losing hand and setting it on the bed.

She raises an eyebrow, clearly concerned. "You've lost twice now," she notes, leaning in with a look of mock horror. "Are you feeling okay?" I never lose, not in card games that's for sure.

I give her a small, tight smile and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yeah, just... feeling a bit hot," I say, trying to brush it off, but she's instantly on high alert, reaching over to press the back of her hand to my forehead. Her touch is gentle, almost instinctive.

"Temperature feels normal. Anything else bothering you?" she asks, her green eyes studying me closely.

I shake my head quickly. "Nope, I'm good," I say with a forced smile, inwardly realizing that faking an illness isn't going to get me anywhere.

My phone pings, and I glance down at it, hoping she doesn't notice. It's a message from Jugyoung: Be there in an hour to pick you up-wear something chic!

Biting my lip, I type back, Millie's here, I don't know how I'll pull this off.

I glance at Millie from the corner of my eye. She's watching me, her eyes sharp and focused, and my heart skips a beat.

I can't tell if she's suspicious yet, but that's enough to make me turn my phone screen off quickly.

"Who was that?" she asks, her gaze flicking between me and the phone.

"Oh, just Mariam from my Chemistry class. She wants the notes for tomorrow," I say as casually as I can manage, turning my attention back to her.

Millie pops a caramel nut in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully before commenting, "She should do her own homework for once."

"Yeah, I totally agree," I reply, trying to laugh along. But my mind is elsewhere, stuck on the fact that in just an hour, Jugyoung will show up at my place, fully expecting me to slip out of here and join her for the party at James's.

I hate lying to Millie or keeping anything from her. Even thinking about hiding something from her gives me this tight feeling in my chest.

Millie's the type who doesn't do well with secrets; she picks up on everything. One look at my face, and she'll know something's up, and once she senses it, she won't let go until she figures it out.

But at sixteen, I'm finally feeling ready to live a little. In all these years, I've never had a boyfriend, never had anything close to a "real" teenage experience.

And as much as I adore her, Millie's like this invisible shield around me, ensuring any guy who might've even thought of being interested keeps his distance.

I don't want to look back and wonder what if-what if James and I vibe? What if there's actually a spark between us? What if I actually end up missing out on something just because I'm too scared of her reaction?

For once, I want to take a chance.

Millie's hand reaches into the caramel nut bag, pulling one out and popping it into my mouth with that familiar, no-nonsense look on her face.

Just then, her phone buzzes. She glances at the screen before pressing it to her ear. "Hello?" she says, her expression unreadable, eyes flicking toward me briefly before looking off toward the wall.

I can't hear who's on the other end, but her voice sounds neutral. That's Millie's poker face, and if there's one thing she's perfected, it's hiding her thoughts when she doesn't want me-or anyone-to know them.

"Alright, where are you?" she asks, still watching me but with a distracted air. "I'll be there in five minutes," she says, then hangs up.

I shift on the bed, doing my best to keep my nerves in check. "Who was that?" I ask, a casual smile fixed on my face as my heart picks up speed.

Millie straightens up, smoothing down her jeans and adjusting her tank top. "It's Hannah from my team," she explains. "She's stuck at school without a ride. Her mom's still at work, and her boyfriend's busy, so... I'm her last resort, I guess."

I raise an eyebrow, pretending not to care too much. "What's she doing at school this late?" I ask, trying to keep the conversation going to buy myself some time to process this unexpected coincidence.

Millie just shrugs, shaking her head. "No clue. Our practice ended ages ago, but I guess she's got her reasons."

With a quick "I'll be back soon!" and a wave, she heads out the door. The moment I hear it click shut, my phone lights up. It's Jugyoung calling. I pick up, still in a bit of a daze.

"Did she leave?" she asks, a laugh hidden in her tone.

"Yes, but..." I glance toward the door, lowering my voice. "How did you know she'd be gone?"

There's a pause, then Jugyoung's playful voice drifts through. "Because I planned it, obviously. The whole Hannah thing? That was my idea."

My eyes go wide, and I can practically hear her smirk through the phone. "Wait-what? How'd you even get Hannah to go along with it?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she teases. "That, my dear Grace, is my little secret. But what matters is, you've got the perfect window now, so get glammed up and ready in ten minutes! I'll be there to pick you up."

"Okay, okay!" I squeal, suddenly all excitement and nerves, the thrill of doing something unexpected rushing through me.

Hanging up, I bolt to my closet, throwing open the doors. Every "sensible" outfit I'd normally wear for my parents approval suddenly feels like the last thing I want.

Tonight, I want to feel... different.

I pull out a fitted black top, one I'd never wear to school, along with a pair of jeans that are tight in all the right places. It's a little rebellious, a little unlike me-but tonight, that's exactly what I want. I slip on a pair of chunky boots, adding a bit of edge.

My fingers fly through my hair, brushing it out, and I swipe on a hint of eyeliner and mascara, just enough to make my eyes pop.

A dab of lip gloss finishes it, making me look just a little less like "Grace the Good" and a little more like someone who belongs at a party.

Standing back, I take one last look in the mirror, nerves and excitement mixing in my chest. Just as I'm slipping my phone into my pocket, I hear Jugyoung's car pull up outside.

As I make my way downstairs, I spot my parents snuggled up on the couch, totally absorbed in an episode of their favorite show, Mysteries Uncovered.

The room has this warm, cozy vibe with them all tucked in under blankets, so when I walk in, all dressed up, their attention snaps to me, both of them looking equally stunned.

It's like I've just morphed into an alien. A tiny wave of self-consciousness hits me as their eyes stay glued on me.

I clear my throat and try to sound casual. "Um, so, one of Jugyoung's friends is throwing a party, and she invited me to come too. Can I go?"

There's a beat of silence as they exchange glances, then, to my complete surprise, their faces break into smiles. My mom is practically beaming.

"Of course, you can! I can't even remember the last time I saw you going to a party!" she says, her eyes bright with encouragement.

I let out a small, relieved laugh, caught off guard by her enthusiasm.

My dad chimes in, giving his usual dad-approved nod of approval. "Go have fun," he says. "Just...not too much fun," he adds with a playful smirk. "And make sure you bring a jacket."

I nod, patting my side bag to show I've got it covered. Then Mom squints a little, the curiosity peeking through. "So, is Millie waiting outside?"

My stomach tightens just a little. Keeping my cool, I shake my head. "No, Millie isn't coming. Something urgent came up for her, so...it's just me tonight."

Before they can ask more, I add, "So, um, maybe don't mention this to her? She might feel a bit left out since I'm going without her."

My parents share a look before nodding. "Alright, we'll keep it to ourselves," Mom says with a smile.

Another honk sounds from outside, a reminder that my ride's waiting. I give them a quick wave goodbye, and a grin spreads over my face as I step outside, nerves giving way to excitement.

Jugyoung pops her head out from the passenger seat, practically bouncing as she waves at me to hurry up. Charlotte is behind the wheel, glancing over with a nod, her face unreadable.

We're not really friends-she's more of an acquaintance I've barely exchanged words with over the last couple of years-but her presence feels oddly reassuring.

I slide into the backseat next to Hannah, and she immediately squeals.

"Oh my god, you look so goated!" she says, eyeing my outfit with an approving grin.

I laugh, glancing over her outfit-a tiny tube top and a miniskirt. "Right back at you! You look hot, too."

Charlotte smirks, shifting the car into gear as she pulls out of the driveway. I lean forward, looking over at Jugyoung.

"So, how'd you manage to sneak out looking like that?" I ask, gesturing to her own party-ready outfit.

She laughs, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, I walked out in jeans and a hoodie-super casual. Changed in Charlotte's car. Charlotte's my alibi; my parents think I'm studying with her tonight."

I glance between them, feeling a bit impressed and slightly curious about when they'd even gotten close enough to plot together like this.

"I have a feeling tonight's going to be insane," Jugyoung says, her eyes sparkling as she wiggles her shoulders with excitement.

I nod, feeling it too, but there's this strange, quiet worry niggling at the back of my mind. A part of me can't help but wonder if Millie will somehow find out about this.

It's not like I'm doing anything wrong-this is just a regular party, something tons of people do all the time. Still, with Millie's absence looming over me, there's this nagging feeling, like I'm breaking some unspoken rule between us.

But I push the thought down, looking out the window as the city lights start to blur around us.