---
It all started when Theo casually said, "Let's watch a movie this weekend. My treat."
Lila was halfway through chewing her pencil. "Like... all of us?"
"Yeah. Me, you... and unfortunately, Kai."
"Unfortunately?" Kai said flatly from behind his locker door.
Theo grinned, completely unfazed. "Well, you did say you had nothing better to do."
That's how she found herself squished between two boys with unresolved feelings, a bucket of popcorn, and the worst decision of her weekend: picking a rom-com.
---
As the trailers rolled, Lila was bouncing her leg in excitement, sipping her soda. Theo, sitting to her left, leaned in.
"You always do that leg thing when you're excited," he said quietly.
She blinked. "I do?"
Kai, on her right, immediately handed her his jacket. "You're cold."
"I'm not—" She looked at the jacket already draped over her. "Oh. Thanks... I guess?"
Meanwhile, Theo was glaring daggers at Kai.
"Possessive much?" Theo muttered, not-so-quietly.
Kai sipped his drink, cool as ice. "Maybe I just don't want her catching a cold. Someone has to be practical."
Lila blinked between them, completely missing the undertone. "You guys are so weird. Focus! The movie's starting!"
---
Halfway through, during a dramatic almost-kiss scene, Theo leaned closer.
"If I were the guy in that scene, I wouldn't hesitate."
Lila turned to him, a bit flustered. "What?"
But before she could even process Theo's flirting, Kai dropped a popcorn kernel straight into her hoodie.
"Kai!" she shrieked.
He just smirked. "Oops. My hand slipped."
Theo was this close to punching him. Lila was this close to melting into the floor.
---
By the end of the movie, Lila had no idea what the plot was.
But she was pretty sure two boys were in a whole different movie altogether — one called "How to Win Lila's Heart Without Actually Telling Her"
.
And honestly? She was still absolutely clueless.
---