It's not the laptop itself that gets me, it's what it means. These people—practically strangers not long ago—have somehow become a family I didn't know I needed. A family who believes in me. Tears well up, spilling over before I can stop them.

"Whoa, are those happy tears?" Camilla asks, her grin softening.

I laugh through the lump in my throat. "They're 'how did I get so lucky' tears. Thank you. I don't think I've ever had a friend like you, Camilla."

"Best friend," she corrects, pulling me into a tight hug. I let her, leaning into the comfort of it. "And same, girlfriend. I'm glad I stalked you at that café and forced my way into your life."

"Me too," I whisper, meaning it with everything in me.

Camilla pulls back, her expression shifting, more serious now. "Okay, real talk, how are you feeling? Yesterday was a lot. Are you okay after everything that happened?"

I hesitate, swallowing hard. "Kind of. I mean, things got intense after we left. Nate and I went for a drive. And well, we kissed."

Camilla gasps, then squeals, practically bouncing on the spot. "Umm, sorry what!? How and why are you only telling me this now? But also, finally!" Her hands fly to her cheeks as her grin stretches impossibly wider. "So? How do you feel about it?"

I sigh, unsure how to put it into words.

"I don't know. We haven't seen or spoken to each other since, and now I'm kind of nervous to see him. For years, we've been stuck in this weird in-between place. Friends but maybe something more? I don't know how to move forward."

Camilla tilts her head, studying me with an expression that's all-knowing and smug. "Please, you two were made for each other."

I blink, caught off guard. "Why do you say that?"

"Because," she says with a shrug, "that boy looks at you like he's memorizing every freckle on your face."

The comment sends a flutter through my chest, and she's not done.

"You don't just look at each other with butterflies and sparkles. It's deeper. It's messy and complicated, kinda like a fairytale that hasn't been written yet, but one that's going to be worth the read."

Her observation hits me harder than I expected, and I let out a slow breath.

"It's just… different with Nate. Like I said, we've always had this… connection. But I don't know how to move forward."

Camilla grips my shoulders gently.

"Nora, you can't force chemistry where it doesn't exist, but you also can't deny it when it's there. Just talk to him. Lay it out. If he is what you want, then tell him that. Boys are dumb when it comes to what's blatantly obvious and standing right in front of them."

Her confidence gives me a tiny spark of courage. Maybe she's right. Maybe Nate and I have been waiting too long in this gray area.