The moment we stepped out of the dorm building and into the brisk evening air, the reality of the double date started to sink in.
I could hear the faint hum of the city beyond the campus walls, and with each step, the familiar tension of excitement and uncertainty began to build in my chest.
Lise, as always, looked completely at ease her casual confidence grounding me, even when I was on the verge of spiraling into overthinking once again. She squeezed my hand, and I glanced at her, catching that soft smile of hers.
"I'm telling you, this is going to be fine," she said, as if reading my mind.
"I know," I replied, forcing a smile. "It's just…Cassandra and Zaya together? That's a recipe for chaos."
Lise chuckled, pulling me closer as we made our way down the path toward the main street. "Well, at least we won't be bored."
