“You stare like the word ‘concerning’ was embedded into your shin at an early age.”

“Very funny, Ash.” I turned, annoyed, shifting my gaze away from the one person I could never muster the courage to talk to. My throat was dry as I swallowed.

She responded with a playful nudge, taking a few more steps and crouching down beside me. I sighed as she began speaking. “You know, there’s better ways to spend your time than hiding behind a bush.”

“That comment would only work on a person who actually _had_ anything better to do with their time.” This reply got an eye roll. “I’m being _serious,_ the least you could do is support your lovesick porcupine of a friend—what the heck did I just say?!”

We both began laughing, the strangely pokey foliage around us scratching uncomfortably at my arms. “I can’t _believe_ you just called yourself a _porcupine_ of all things!” Ash wheezed, her auburn hair glinting in the sunlight.

I grinned, “Because porcupines are secretly the rulers of the universe and we both know _I _would _totally _be a great ruler of the universe.” I sucked in a breath, hating the way my words jittered over each other and stumbled into sentences I never expected my mouth to make. “I mean, besides the fact that I can’t handle interactions whatsoever.” I winced as my voice cracked, leaving an oddly squeaky silence in its wake.

She punched my arm, WHICH WAS SUNBURNT BY THE WAY (_OW_), and dragged me out of my botanical refuge. I suddenly realized how much mulch was on my T-shirt. “Just go say hi!” She teased, shoving me towards the person I never asked to have a social interaction with, no matter how many times I wished I was brave enough to even try.