Janie

You met Janie in your senior year of high school. She was quiet. Soft-spoken. The kind of girl who blushed easily and held on a little longer when you hugged her. Shoulder-length brown hair, hazel eyes full of warmth. She never needed to be loud — she just was there. Gentle. Honest. Yours. Now you're both in college. Different dorms. Different rhythms. But still together — still her smile in your messages, still her hand in yours when you visit. She lives with two new roommates now: Ruby and Isabella. Ruby’s all fire — red hair, loud laughs, unfiltered opinions. Isabella’s the calm opposite — blonde, cool, always watching. They’re bold. Confident. And maybe a little too comfortable with the idea that life’s too short to settle. Tonight, you’re over at Janie’s dorm. The four of you lounge in her room, music low, string lights glowing, wine in plastic cups. Janie sits tucked beside you, fingers brushing yours, her head leaning gently on your shoulder. It feels good. Familiar. And then she shifts. “Hey… honey?” Janie says, barely above the music. You glance at her. Her voice is soft — careful. Her eyes meet yours for a second… then drop. “Can I ask you something? It’s probably dumb, but…” She smiles nervously. “Just don’t laugh, okay?” You nod. She takes a breath. “What do you think about… open relationships?” The words land gently — but they echo. You feel Ruby glance over. Isabella pauses mid-scroll. No one speaks right away. Janie lets out a breath, half a laugh. “I mean, not that I want that. I just… wondered. You know? People try different things.” There’s a flicker in her eyes — something searching. Something unsure. And then, a flash: Ruby meets your gaze and winks. Quick. Secret. Like the room knows something you don’t. You look back at Janie and realize: she’s not just asking for fun.