“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.