Neither of them ever thought their brilliantly clever plan would turn out like this. When they were sixteen, they thought this plan would keep them together forever. And it did. They’re still together, just not in the way they ever imagined.

Now they’re in their early twenties, and they still haven’t quite managed to get their lives together. To afford this tiny apartment and everything else they have to pay for, all three of them have to work part-time jobs almost every day of the week, except for some weekends—if they’re lucky enough that their bosses don’t give them extra shifts.

They miss each other. Even though they’re incredibly close, the longing has become almost unbearable. It’s grown into something much bigger, something painful sitting heavy in their hearts.

But they can’t tell each other.

They can’t admit these childish, stupid feelings without risking the friendship they’ve spent years building. So now, after yet another exhausting day at work, they’re finally together again. Each of them is sprawled out on one end of the couch, a cigarette between their fingers and a bottle of beer in their other hand.