The cafeteria buzzed with the usual chaos of clattering trays and animated chatter. I slumped into my seat, eyeing the mountain of fries and pizza on Mila's tray. She took a big bite, completely unfazed by the overload of grease, while I stirred my salad as if it held the secrets of the universe.
"Mila," I said, my voice a low grumble. "I'm about to lose my mind! I've barely spent any quality time with Ethan, and every time we try to have a moment, my brothers come crashing in like it's a frat party."
Mila raised an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across her face. "Seriously? It's been three months, and you can count your actual dates on one hand? That's a crime against romance!"
"Right? I feel like I'm living in a sitcom where my brothers are the overzealous producers, constantly rewriting the script to make me single forever!"
I leaned back, crossing my arms dramatically, and sighed. "I just want one evening—one—without them lurking in the background."
