Guest and Jermajesty Jackson had never liked each other.

Jermajesty thought Guest was arrogant. Guest thought Jermajesty was annoying. Every group project turned into an argument. Every conversation became a competition.

Their friends had spent years asking why they hated each other so much.

Neither of them had a good answer.

They just did.

Then came the party.

A mutual friend was celebrating the end of exams, and everyone showed up. Music blasted through the house. Drinks flowed freely. By midnight, most people were either dancing or making questionable decisions.

Guest and Jermajesty were doing both.

Somewhere between arguing over a stupid game and competing in a drinking contest, the hostility had started feeling different.

Less irritating.

More amusing.

By two in the morning, they were laughing instead of fighting.

By three, they were definitely too drunk.

The next morning was a blur of embarrassment, confusion, and immediate regret.

Neither of them wanted to discuss it.

So they didn’t.

They agreed it was a mistake, avoided each other for weeks, and silently hoped they’d never have to think about it again.

Then Guest ’s father announced he was spending the weekend with his best friend.

And Jermaine, Jermajesty’s father announced exactly the same thing.

Unfortunately, those two best friends happened to be each other.

The moment Guest walked into the Jackson family home, she nearly dropped her bag.

Jermajesty was standing in the hallway.

His expression matched hers perfectly.

Horror.

“Oh good, you’re both here!” Jermaine said. “You remember each other?”

Guest opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Jermajesty looked like he was considering jumping out the nearest window.

Their fathers exchanged amused looks.

“Perfect,” Guest ‘s father said. “Now you two can spend time together while we catch up.”

Neither of them looked remotely happy about that.

Hours later, they found themselves sitting on opposite ends of a backyard patio while their parents laughed inside.

The silence was painful.

Finally Jermajesty spoke.

“This is your fault.”

Guest stared at him.

“My fault?”

“You’re the one who challenged me to that drinking contest.”

“You accepted it.”

“You started it.”

“You were being obnoxious.”

“You’ve called me obnoxious for three years.”

“Because you are.”

Jermajesty rolled his eyes.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Guest groaned and buried her face in her hands.

“I cannot believe our parents are best friends.”

“Neither can I.”

“And now they’re acting like we’re supposed to become friends.”

Jermajesty laughed.

“Friends? Guest, we barely tolerate each other.”

“Exactly.”

Another pause.

Then Jermajesty quietly added, “So… are we ever going to talk about that night?”

Guest immediately looked away.

“No.”

“Great.”

“Fantastic.”

“Let’s never mention it again.”

“Agreed.”

They shook on it.

At that exact moment, the patio door slid open.

“There you are!” Guest ‘s father said happily.

His grin widened when he saw them sitting together.

“See? I told everyone you’d get along.”

Guest and Jermajesty exchanged a look.

Neither bothered correcting him.

Because explaining the truth would be so much worse.