#funny #dating #love #YA #romance
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00:00I like the school heartthrob.
00:01The school heartthrob likes the it girl.
00:03The it girl likes the school bully,
00:05and the school bully likes me.
00:07So, the it girl made a decision.
00:09Why don't we just all four of us get together?
00:14The heartthrob.
00:16Fine, that's the only way we can all be happy.
00:18Whatever, let's just roll with it.
00:20Me.
00:20Am I the only one with a brain here?
00:22I finally worked up the courage to confess
00:25to Ethan Johnson, the school heartthrob.
00:30Ann Smith, thanks for your feelings,
00:32but honestly, I think we'd work better
00:34as study partners than as a couple.
00:37Classic Ethan, even rejection came with maxed out politeness.
00:40Bro is literally too nice undead.
00:42We're in the same homeroom.
00:44I'm number one in our grade.
00:45He's number two.
00:46Some people in our class actually ship us.
00:48I like him, but he clearly doesn't feel the same.
00:51I forced a smile and asked.
00:53So, is there someone you do like?
00:55If not, maybe I still had a shot.
00:57I like Vivian Brown.
00:58My heart dropped.
01:00Ann, can you keep this between us?
01:02Y-yeah, sure.
01:04Vivian is the school-it girl.
01:05Striking features, aloof vibe.
01:08She and Ethan actually look good together.
01:10That explained why he always takes the stairs
01:12by the seventh period hallway,
01:14and why he carried her to the nurse's office
01:16when she fell that one time.
01:19Wait, hold up.
01:21I remembered Vivian was into Tim Williams,
01:23the school tough guy.
01:25Everyone knew she had a public crush on him.
01:27People said the cold-it girl only softened for one person.
01:30Isn't Vivian kind of chasing after Tim?
01:33Ethan's mouth twitched.
01:35You're something else.
01:38I let out an awkward laugh.
01:40The guy he likes doesn't like him back.
01:42The next day, P.E. class.
01:44I sat under a tree, half-dozing,
01:46but my eyes kept drifting toward Ethan.
01:49He was leaning against another tree, pretending to study,
01:52but he kept glancing at Vivian across the field,
01:54because Vivian was handing a water bottle to Tim,
01:56who just finished shooting hoops.
01:59Come on, Tim.
01:59She's been after you for months.
02:01At least take it.
02:01Then you take it.
02:02Yeah!
02:03He was jealous.
02:04He was literally crashing out over her.
02:06Tim, why don't you like me?
02:07Am I not pretty enough?
02:08Do I need a reason?
02:10You.
02:11Tim, is it because you like Ann Smith?
02:13Wait, what?
02:14How did I get dragged into this?
02:15You're delusional.
02:17Don't play dumb.
02:18I've seen your phone.
02:19I said I don't like you.
02:20Leave her out of it.
02:21Your whole camera roll is her.
02:22Your wallpaper is her.
02:25If I pretend to sleep, maybe they'll forget I exist.
02:31Everyone shut up.
02:32After class, someone shook me awake.
02:34Everyone had gone back inside,
02:35but Tim was still standing there.
02:37I pretended nothing happened and walked away.
02:40Wait, Tim likes our valedictorian?
02:42No way, for real?
02:44But Vivian's been chasing him all year.
02:46So the it girl likes the bully,
02:48the bully likes the brainiac,
02:49the brainiac likes the heartthroob,
02:50and the heartthroob likes the it girl?
02:52That's a full circle.
02:53Actually, you missed a step, I thought.
02:55But Tim's so intense and so quiet, they don't match.
02:58I'm not quiet.
02:59I'm just emotionally stable.
03:01Stable enough that when someone spilled water on my homework
03:04the last day of summer, I just said,
03:05it's fine, because I hadn't done it.
03:07As for the rumor that Tim liked me, I wasn't buying it.
03:10We had zero history.
03:11But even if it were true, it didn't matter.
03:13I was still going to keep crushing on Ethan.
03:16Weekend Winslow and Quill.
03:19Ethan?
03:20Ann, fancy running into you here.
03:22Just killing time?
03:24How do you keep getting perfect scores without studying?
03:27Ethan, since Vivian doesn't like you anyway,
03:29why not give me a shot?
03:30No.
03:31I found out Tim isn't into her,
03:32so I might actually have a chance with her.
03:34I'm gonna go.
03:37Please, I just want to date someone.
03:39If you still don't like me later, we can break up.
03:44What is it?
03:44Tim was standing there, jaw tight, eyes broke.
03:47You too?
03:48I weighed my options.
03:49Time to dip.
03:51What are you doing here?
03:54You own the place?
03:56You heard that day, didn't you?
03:58Heard what?
03:59Don't pretend, you weren't asleep.
04:00I actually was.
04:01I didn't even say which day or what.
04:04Caught.
04:05Before I could backpedal, Vivian walked in through the front doors.
04:10Why are you here?
04:12I invited her.
04:13That's none of your business.
04:15You.
04:15And you.
04:16And you.
04:18Enough.
04:19I said enough.
04:20I bent down trying to slide away on my plate.
04:22Not so fast.
04:22Vivian grabbed my hood.
04:24Since the bookstore wasn't the place for this, I was not here by choice.
04:30We need to talk.
04:32You called me here, remember?
04:33I go to that bookstore every weekend.
04:35I was hoping to run into you.
04:36Hoping to run into you.
04:40What's your deal with her?
04:41I came to buy books.
04:42Coincidence.
04:42Total coincidence.
04:43We went around in circles for another 10 minutes before we finally laid it all out.
04:48So you're into Ethan?
04:50Cool.
04:51I'll stay out of your way.
04:53Just don't steal Tim from me.
04:55Will you shut up?
04:56Will you shut up?
04:58Don't yell at Vivian.
05:00Anne wouldn't waste her time on someone with your GPA.
05:02I'd never seen Ethan get that sharp.
05:06I'm going home.
05:08I'll drive you.
05:09No thanks.
05:10If you go, I go.
05:11Then I'm going too.
05:17Okay, hear me out.
05:18What if we just roll with it as a cord?
05:24Cord?
05:25I mean, if we want everyone to get what they want.
05:27That's literally the only way.
05:28Let's just roll with it.
05:29It's whatever we ball.
05:30Am I the only one with a brain here?
05:33Group chat.
05:33Code 1460.
05:34No cap.
05:35I'm making it right now.
05:38Bet.
05:38That was my last stand.
05:40I already added you.
05:41Join.
05:42I joined.
05:43Then Tim sent me a friend request right away.
05:46Vivian followed right after.
05:47What did you rename it?
05:49The Mount Rushman?
05:49I laughed, actually laughed and typed.
05:53We settled on the quad in the end.
05:55How did my life even get to this point?
05:57I just wanted to date someone.
05:59And I ended up with three people who are clearly tweaking.
06:02Because normal people don't just accept dating four people at once.
06:05When I got home, my mom was cooking.
06:09Mom, good news and bad news.
06:12Bad news first.
06:13I'm doing good news first.
06:17I'm dating.
06:19And the bad news?
06:21It's kind of crowded.
06:22You still in it?
06:23Yeah, but I only want to date one person.
06:25I still felt awkward around Ethan now.
06:27We were in the same homeroom, so we had to talk every day.
06:30Thanks.
06:31He stopped calling me Smith and started saying Ann like it was nothing.
06:35Tim texted me constantly.
06:37You eat lunch yet?
06:38You good?
06:39You free after school?
06:41Just random stuff.
06:42Vivian bought two hair clips and gave me one.
06:45We're in this together now.
06:46No cap.
06:47This relationship, if you could call it that, was actually happening.
06:50At lunch, I turned around to ask Ethan if he wanted to go to the cafeteria together.
06:54He looked up from his notebook.
06:56I texted Vivian earlier.
06:58She hasn't replied.
06:58Then my phone buzzed.
07:00Cafeteria?
07:00I stared at the screen.
07:01Great.
07:02Now what?
07:03Before I could decide, the quad group chat lit up.
07:05Vivian posted a screenshot.
07:07Cafeteria?
07:08Can't.
07:08Already asked Ann.
07:09Wait.
07:09They're literally in the same class.
07:11Why are they texting?
07:12Mind if I tag along?
07:14At Vivian, let's all go together.
07:15You haven't replied to me yet.
07:16Enough.
07:17I said enough.
07:18This world is actually tweaking.
07:20Why do you have to DM her privately?
07:22This group chat exists for a reason.
07:23You do the same thing.
07:25Okay, from now on everything goes in here.
07:27Remember, we're a quad.
07:28You do know what a couple means, right?
07:30We're all dating each other.
07:31I watched them bicker back and forth and snorted.
07:34Honestly, they're actually kind of cute together.
07:36Ethan shot me a look.
07:37Oops.
07:38I said that out loud.
07:39I smacked my own mouth.
07:40My bad.
07:41We're gonna miss lunch if we don't go now.
07:44Cafeteria.
07:45We grabbed our trays in silence.
07:46Tim took my tray and added a chicken tender without asking.
07:49Thanks.
07:51Ethan and Vivian both side-eyed him.
07:53Tim rolled his eyes and slapped tenders onto their trays too.
07:56There.
07:57Happy?
07:58I found a random table and sat down.
08:00Tim parked next to me immediately.
08:01Vivian frowned slightly.
08:03She wanted the seat across from Tim.
08:05Ethan vetoed.
08:05No.
08:06You sit across from Anne.
08:07I'll sit across from Tim.
08:08No way.
08:08I sighed.
08:09Why do you get to sit across from him?
08:11They're both guys.
08:11What are you worried about?
08:12She gave me a pointed look.
08:14So what if they're both guys?
08:15We're all in this together.
08:16Just sit wherever.
08:17Fine.
08:18You've got a point.
08:19In the end, everyone gave a little.
08:21Tim next to me.
08:21Me across from Ethan.
08:23Ethan next to Vivian.
08:24Vivian across from Tim.
08:25Everyone was satisfied.
08:26Finally, we started eating.
08:28The atmosphere was awkward.
08:29Ethan broke the silence first.
08:31Did you solve the last problem on the pop quiz this morning?
08:33Yeah.
08:34Did you draw an auxiliary line?
08:35Yeah.
08:36From point A?
08:37I nodded.
08:37To point E?
08:39What?
08:40I might have gotten it wrong.
08:40I laughed awkwardly.
08:42Tell me.
08:43To point F.
08:44What was your answer?
08:45I gave the number.
08:46He looked completely defeated.
08:48He slumped in his chair and started eating mechanically.
08:51What are you two even going on about?
08:53We're eating!
08:54Vivian added,
08:55No one on one in the quad?
08:56Rules.
08:57Just then, Vivian coughed on her drink.
08:59Ethan patted her back gently.
09:01Slow down.
09:02She looked up and for a second their eyes locked.
09:04Something flickered between them.
09:06I cleared my throat.
09:08Four people, remember?
09:09Exactly.
09:10I'd slowly accepted this weird arrangement.
09:12After lunch, we split up.
09:14Ethan and I walked back toward our homeroom together.
09:16Vivian and Tim headed the other way.
09:18Alright, I'll admit it.
09:20I really did like Ethan.
09:21He had good grades.
09:23He was nice.
09:23He was good looking.
09:24He helped people.
09:26We were both subject reps for our English class.
09:28So we walked to the faculty room together all the time.
09:32He always took the heavy stack of papers from me without asking.
09:35In any other story, that would have been a moment.
09:37But I knew better.
09:38He was just a good person.
09:40Ethan was class president.
09:42He'd buy medicine for sick classmates.
09:44He'd clean the whiteboard when the helper forgot.
09:47During PE, if a girl looked uncomfortable but was too shy to talk to Coach Martinez, he'd quietly step in
09:53and get her excused.
09:54When a new transfer student sat alone at lunch, he found a few friendly kids to go sit with him.
09:59He was like a quiet sun, always warming people up without making a big deal about it.
10:04But love him?
10:05Nah, not really.
10:06I just wanted to date someone.
10:08Ethan was the best candidate.
10:10We knew each other.
10:11He was safe.
10:12He was nice.
10:13Life was just boring.
10:15I was so over it.
10:16I wanted to disappear.
10:18The only thing I regretted was never having a boyfriend.
10:21I wanted to date someone and then I'd die.
10:23Right now, I was planning to choose one of them.
10:26We were all dating each other anyway.
10:28I wasn't going to break up with all three.
10:30Just pick one.
10:31But the other three seemed to be taking this quad thing seriously.
10:35At lunch, Tim bought chicken tenders for all three of us.
10:38Vivian brought breakfast for Tim and also for me and Ethan.
10:42Ethan bought the same SAT prep book four times.
10:45One for each of us.
10:47They're all insane.
10:48Actually insane.
10:50I went to buy a latte and felt guilty.
10:52Should I get four?
10:53So I did.
10:54Four drinks please.
10:56One week later, the rumors spread fast.
10:59First, Tim changed his profile picture to a photo of me.
11:02I mean, his wallpaper was already me, so it wasn't a huge leap.
11:05Then Vivian changed hers to a shot of Tim mid-dunk.
11:08Sick angle.
11:09Then, Ethan changed his to a blurry photo of Vivian's back.
11:13I looked at my own profile picture, still a cartoon character, and sighed.
11:17The quad lit up.
11:18You're ruining the aesthetic.
11:19Change it.
11:20Y'all are tweaking.
11:21All three of you.
11:22Am I the only one with a brain here?
11:24They were taking this way too seriously.
11:26I was actually scared.
11:27So I found Ethan after-
11:49taking this one out.
11:49Don't be able to see him, but wait.
11:49So I'm going to go next to your own profile.
11:49I had the case.
11:49I got to be asked.
11:50And I have to see you.
11:50I had to see you on the next one.
11:55This is what I'm doing.
11:55I know.
12:00I've got to see you on the last one with a bar,
12:01You can look at me, and I'm going to know.
12:08I've got to be able to see you next time for me.
12:25We were meeting her parents. I panicked.
12:27Wait, what? We're not even officially a thing. And aren't we a little young for this?
12:32On Saturday morning, the driver said,
12:34This is the first time Master Tim has ever brought friends in this car.
12:37Classic rich people.
12:38I leaned forward.
12:38Is this, like, your cheapest car?
12:40Before Tim could answer.
12:42Of course not. Master Tim usually uses this one for showing off.
12:45You rich kids are something else. Vivian came out and saw the SUV.
12:48Ugh, flexing again, Williams?
12:50I was pretty sure she had no idea what our actual relationship was.
12:54As for me, I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
12:56Tim, on the other hand, he was so natural with adults, he wasn't embarrassed at all.
13:00So I was the only one dying inside. I tried to shift focus.
13:04Hey, Vivian, what snacks do you like?
13:05I eat whatever's from Henry's.
13:08Okay, what drinks do you like?
13:10From Henry's.
13:12Fruit?
13:12From Henry's.
13:13Fruit has a brand now. I couldn't take it anymore.
13:16Vivian, can we go to your room for a bit?
13:18Sure.
13:18She led me to a room on the left.
13:20A boy, maybe ten, was at a computer, gaming.
13:23The room...
13:48So there's a building at home.
13:53The room.
13:54The room.
13:57No.
14:01You know.
14:14Yeah.
14:16Totem.
14:17I know.
14:18Ohột.
14:18It all has a dream.
14:50This quad thing might not be so bad.
14:52Mrs. Davis offered to make us dinner.
14:54I quickly said,
14:56No, we're good. We have plans.
14:57We've got to go, Mrs. Davis.
14:59But it was great meeting you.
15:00Smooth, Tim, drove me home first.
15:03We pulled into my driveway,
15:04and my mom was outside watering the plants.
15:08Annie! Are those your friends?
15:10No!
15:10Hi, Mrs. Smith.
15:11What a handsome young man!
15:13You look so young, Mrs. Smith.
15:15You could be aunt's sister.
15:16He could charm anyone.
15:17My mom melted.
15:18Come inside. I'll make you cookies.
15:20No thanks, Mrs. Smith. I'll come when aunt says it's okay.
15:22Go. Now.
15:24Later at home, my mom came into my room.
15:26Your profile picture is a different guy than the one who just dropped you off.
15:29Enough. I said enough.
15:30The next weekend, Tim showed us an apartment across from the school.
15:34I had it cleaned out.
15:35There are four bedrooms.
15:36You guys can crash here whenever you want.
15:38I stepped back.
15:38Wait. We're moving in together?
15:40What? No.
15:42I'm not living here.
15:43This place is way too small for me.
15:44Ethan shook his head.
15:45I'm not living here either.
15:46My parents would kill me.
15:47I let out a breath.
15:48Vivian jumped in.
15:49I'll live here.
15:50I grabbed her arm.
15:51For real?
15:52You can come over after school.
15:53Nap here.
15:54It's close to campus.
15:55I suddenly remembered her room at home.
15:57The one Henry had taken over.
15:58This was better for her.
15:59Tim grabbed my arm mysteriously and pulled me toward the last room.
16:02This room is specially decorated.
16:05Go ahead. Open it.
16:05I pushed the door open.
16:07Everything was pink.
16:08A giant princess bed with pink curtains.
16:10A massive teddy bear on it.
16:12Shelves full of collectible figures.
16:13Little plushies lined up on the windowsill.
16:15Over break?
16:16I'll paint the walls pink too.
16:17No! Stop!
16:18That's enough!
16:20Who told you to do all this?
16:21Vivian.
16:22She said girls like cute things.
16:23I gave him an awkward, polite smile.
16:25I do like plushies.
16:26But not this many.
16:27Ethan appeared behind me.
16:28Why are all the other rooms so normal?
16:30You're lucky you got a room at all.
16:31Stop complaining.
16:32I looked around the bookshelf and there they were.
16:34Every YA romance novel I'd ever mentioned.
16:37Every graphic novel.
16:38Every collectible classic.
16:40Like it?
16:40I really love it.
16:42You can come here at lunch.
16:43Nap here during free periods.
16:45If you ever move out, you can take all of this with you.
16:47Back in the living room, Ethan and Vivian were digging through the fridge.
16:51Tim, you actually stocked this place?
16:53Oh, the butler thought I was moving in.
16:55He sent groceries and a private chef.
16:58So we're eating here instead of a cafeteria?
17:00We all agreed.
17:00Then...
17:01Who can cook?
17:01I've never set foot in a kitchen.
17:03Where's your chef?
17:04I sent him home.
17:04Thought we wouldn't need him.
17:05Forget it.
17:06I stared.
17:07What do you mean forget it?
17:07Do I look like I can't cook?
17:09Vivian stood up.
17:09I can cook.
17:10But you might not survive it.
17:11Ethan stopped her.
17:12I'll do it.
17:13Bet.
17:13You need a simple stir fry, bell peppers, and pork.
17:15You should cook for me every day.
17:16It's okay.
17:17Mid.
17:18I'm sure it's nothing compared to your private chef.
17:19I didn't say anything.
17:20I just ate.
17:21I never knew Ethan could cook.
17:22From now on, this is our headquarters.
17:25I felt like we were running some secret operation.
17:27Friday afternoon, Tim showed up at my homeroom.
17:30My family just opened a new amusement park.
17:33Want to go?
17:33Rich people things.
17:34Just us two?
17:35Yeah.
17:37No.
17:38I'm not doing a one-on-one.
17:40I didn't get why Tim liked me, but being alone with him was actually awkward.
17:46And honestly, we were awkward as a group, too.
17:50So if everyone was going to be awkward, why should I be the only one suffering?
17:55Tim's family opened an amusement park.
17:57Want to come?
17:57No.
18:00Come on.
18:01Free everything.
18:03I actually do want to go, but my parents are making me stay home this weekend to study.
18:08Tell them you're going to Winslow and Quill with me.
18:10Why would that work?
18:11I don't even know them.
18:13You don't.
18:14But they know about you.
18:15They like you.
18:16Because you're number one.
18:19That was a little heavy.
18:21Nell, gee, I felt kind of guilty.
18:22I made a small lie.
18:24I told his parents we were going to the bookstore to study together.
18:27Instead, we went to the amusement park.
18:29When Tim saw four of us, his face dropped.
18:31Am I right first, Dessage?
18:32I'm so Joss.
18:33What are you doing?
18:34Vivian came.
18:35The quad stayed together.
18:37As always.
18:38Vivian smirked.
18:40Two valedictorians at an amusement park?
18:42Wild.
18:45Don't put them on the same level.
18:46Anne's a literal genius.
18:47She beat second place by 30 points.
18:50Perfect scores are just a limit of the system, not her.
18:52Vivian rolled her eyes.
18:54You're way too proud of her.
18:55Her wins aren't yours.
18:56I smacked the back of his head.
18:58No comparing.
18:59Don't start drama.
19:01Inside the park, Ethan walked beside me.
19:04He said quietly,
19:05He's not wrong, you know.
19:09Hmm?
19:11Mr. Peterson told me you could skip a grade and graduate early.
19:14Why didn't you?
19:16Why would I?
19:17Life isn't a movie.
19:18Why rush?
19:20Everyone would be impressed.
19:21Your parents would be proud.
19:24My parents are already proud.
19:26They don't need more reasons to brag.
19:28Before he could argue, Tim hollered from the head.
19:31Come on, stop having a one-on-one.
19:35Happy moments are rare.
19:36Save the serious stuff for later.
19:39We spent the whole day there.
19:40Tim was the most excited.
19:42Even wanted to try everything.
19:43Vivian and I sat on a bench with iced coffee, watching them.
19:47Pirate ship?
19:49Whatever.
19:50No, scary.
19:51I can try it.
19:54Rollercoaster?
19:55Whatever.
19:56No, terrifying.
19:57I can try it.
19:59Eventually, Tim and Ethan went on all the extreme rides together.
20:03Vivian and I stayed on the bench.
20:05No regrets.
20:06The haunted house.
20:07Tim was annoyed.
20:08Last one.
20:09Everyone has to go.
20:13Anne, if you're scared, you can hold my hand.
20:15I considered it.
20:16Ethan felt more reliable.
20:18I'd known him longer.
20:19But Tim had the build of someone who could punch a ghost.
20:22We walked into the haunted house.
20:24Lights flickered.
20:26Creepy sounds.
20:27Then a guy in a monster costume.
20:29I screamed.
20:30I grabbed Vivian and practically climbed her like a tree.
20:33She's tall.
20:34I'm short.
20:35She sighed.
20:36It's fake.
20:36Get off.
20:37Then I saw Ethan pale, shaky.
20:40Tim looked a little green, too.
20:42And they were holding hands.
20:45Bro.
20:46Tim yanked his hand away.
20:47Let go.
20:48I'm begging you.
20:49Ethan didn't respond.
20:50His jaw was tight.
20:52His face was pale.
20:53He was drenched in sweat.
20:55He's not okay.
20:55Oh my god.
20:56You're afraid of the dark?
20:57Shut up.
20:58Stop laughing.
21:00Whatever.
21:01I looked at Ethan.
21:02He was still shaking.
21:03He took a sip of water and slowly calmed down.
21:06It's getting late.
21:07We should go home.
21:08He didn't like his face.
21:09Tim, can you drive him home?
21:10Why me?
21:11Because you have a car.
21:14The rumors had spread.
21:16Every day, people whispered about us.
21:17Some shipped me and Ethan.
21:19Some shipped me and Tim.
21:21Some shipped Vivian and Tim.
21:23Some shipped Vivian and me.
21:25One person said,
21:27The four of you are literally all tweaking.
21:29That person was my favorite.
21:31Ethan moved his desk next to mine.
21:33My old desk neighbor, a guy named Kevin,
21:36grinned and packed up.
21:38Why are you smiling?
21:40I want to see how you study.
21:42And he did.
21:43He watched me for a week.
21:44I read romance novels.
21:46He did practice problems.
21:47I listened to gossip.
21:48He did practice problems.
21:50I doodled in my notebook.
21:51He did practice problems.
21:53He also bought extra prep books.
21:55He stayed up late.
21:56He stressed over every pop quiz.
21:58I finally said,
22:00Ethan, you're doing too much.
22:01Take a break.
22:03You don't get it.
22:04I literally do get it.
22:05You're burning out.
22:07You don't get it.
22:08Your body can't handle this.
22:10You don't get it.
22:11Then we got midterm results.
22:13I was number one.
22:14He was number two.
22:15Ethan slammed his notebook shut.
22:17I don't get it.
22:19Study hall.
22:20He was watching me read.
22:22Do you have to do that right now?
22:23Yes.
22:23I can't stop.
22:26You're really going to do me like that?
22:28I can let you down, but not this.
22:30I was talking about the novel.
22:32You're distracting yourself.
22:33I'm going to move back.
22:33No, don't!
22:35Is the drama starting?
22:36Aren't you supposed to be studying?
22:37I already memorized everything.
22:38What about your English essay?
22:39Mrs. Anderson said I don't have to do it.
22:41Can I borrow your math notes?
22:44Notes?
22:45I don't take notes.
22:46Anne, I've told you this before.
22:48You remind me of someone.
22:50Who?
22:53My brother.
22:54Ouch.
22:55He definitely doesn't like me.
22:57I'm not even a girl in his eyes.
22:59Before finals, Ethan was a mess.
23:01Dark circles, coffee every morning.
23:03He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
23:05He really wants to beat me.
23:06And honestly, it was making me anxious, too.
23:09So I decided I'd let him win.
23:11I'd hold back.
23:12It wasn't important to me.
23:13My grades didn't matter.
23:15My future didn't matter.
23:16If making him happy cost me something I didn't even want,
23:20it was a good trade.
23:21Before I could even do anything,
23:23something went down with Ethan.
23:25Ethan got caught cheating on the final.
23:27The school suspended him for one week.
23:28He got written up.
23:29Academic dishonesty, his parents were called.
23:32People talked.
23:33He was the model student.
23:34The school heartthrob.
23:35Too good for that.
23:36Everything fell apart.
23:37I didn't believe it.
23:37He was so desperate to beat me.
23:39Once during a unit test,
23:41I zoned out after finishing
23:42and forgot to bubble in my answers.
23:44He was the one who quietly reminded me.
23:46He was too good for that.
23:47Too honest.
23:48Too proud.
23:49He might have forgotten to put his phone away.
23:51Or someone planted it.
23:52I already knew all the material,
23:53so I barely paid attention in class.
23:56I opened his notebook to take notes for him
23:58so he could catch up when he came back.
24:00A paper fell out.
24:02Psychological evaluation report.
24:04My hands went cold.
24:05I put it back.
24:06Closed the notebook.
24:07Returned it to his desk.
24:08I texted him.
24:09No reply.
24:10I mentioned him in the quad.
24:12No reply.
24:13He can't reply.
24:14She knew something.
24:15I could tell.
24:16Of course, Ethan liked her.
24:17Why not?
24:18He cheated.
24:18What else is there?
24:19He didn't cheat.
24:20I created a new group chat with just the three of us.
24:23I'm worried about him.
24:24Something's wrong.
24:25I didn't mention the evaluation report.
24:27From what I knew about Ethan,
24:28his parents were strict.
24:29He was probably in for it.
24:31Why do you care so much?
24:32We're a quad.
24:32We're classmates.
24:33He's not okay.
24:34Fine.
24:35His parents are intense.
24:36He gets punished for bad grades.
24:38I'm not sure how bad it really is,
24:39but it's bad.
24:41That's why he worked so hard.
24:42He was already scoring in the 97th percentile.
24:45He could get into any college.
24:46It was never enough for them.
24:51I'm not worried about him.
24:52I just came here to hang out.
24:53Sure.
24:55Can we focus?
24:58Ethan and I met at the winter formal sophomore year.
25:00We were co-hosters.
25:01We had to rehearse the night before.
25:03He got home late,
25:04and his mom showed up at school to find him.
25:06Ethan's mom.
25:07She thought we were hooking up,
25:08told me I looked cheap
25:09and wasn't good enough for him.
25:11And Ethan just stood there,
25:13didn't defend me.
25:14Ouch.
25:15That's why I didn't like him for a long time.
25:17Then what happened?
25:18He didn't come to school for three days.
25:20He said he was sick,
25:21but I saw bruises on his arms.
25:23That's it.
25:26George, I need everything on this person.
25:28Now.
25:28Master Tim, who are we looking up?
25:31Three minutes isn't enough for that, Master Tim.
25:33Twenty minutes later,
25:34Tim sent the file to our three-person group chat.
25:36Ethan had an older brother.
25:38Nathan Johnson.
25:39He'd said before that I reminded him of his brother.
25:42Nathan was a prodigy.
25:43He took his SATs at 14.
25:45His scores could have gotten him into any top-tier university,
25:48but he turned down multiple offers
25:50and took a gap year to retake the exams.
25:52Everyone assumed he was aiming for an Ivy League school.
25:54The next time anyone heard about him
25:56was the day before his second round of exams.
25:59He jumped off a bridge.
26:00Nathan wasn't just a straight-A student.
26:02He was stacked with extracurriculars, too.
26:04Math Olympiad champion,
26:05violin trophies,
26:07even competed in chess competitions.
26:09Compared to him,
26:10I was basically a goldfish
26:11trying to compete with a shark.
26:12Too lazy to even flip over.
26:14Everyone was jealous of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
26:16for having such a perfect son.
26:18They were so proud,
26:19they took Nathan to tons of interviews
26:20showed him off like a trophy.
26:22After he died,
26:23the gossip got too much.
26:24They couldn't handle it,
26:25so they moved.
26:26Ethan had never been the favorite.
26:28He'd been average overlooked,
26:29but suddenly he was the only one left.
26:32He wasn't as gifted as Nathan.
26:33He couldn't juggle a dozen extracurriculars at once,
26:36so he did the only thing he could.
26:38He threw himself into his grades.
26:40Saturday morning, Ethan's house.
26:41I knocked on Ethan's door.
26:43Anne, come in.
26:45She was warm, polite,
26:46nothing like Vivian describe.
26:48I've heard about your grades.
26:50You're doing so well.
26:51Thanks, Mrs. Johnson.
26:52Is Ethan here?
26:53I wanted to ask him to study at the library.
26:56He missed a few classes,
26:57so I thought I'd help him catch up.
26:58She hesitated.
27:00He should be in his room.
27:01I'll take you up.
27:02She led me upstairs.
27:03She opened Ethan's room.
27:04Empty.
27:05Oh, I remember now.
27:07He went to the neighbor's house.
27:08You can wait here.
27:09Look at his books.
27:10I'll go get him.
27:10And she left.
27:11Weird.
27:12She didn't know if he was home,
27:13and she left a classmate alone in her son's room.
27:16She turned left at the bottom of the stairs.
27:18Ethan was in a room on the first floor.
27:21She just didn't want me to see what was happening.
27:24The great detective would be proud.
27:25I looked around his room.
27:27Spotless.
27:28Bookshelves full of prep books.
27:30A box of old tests.
27:32Some done.
27:33Some blank.
27:34A schedule on the wall.
27:355 now a.m.
27:36Wake up.
27:3711.30 p.m.
27:38Sleep.
27:39That meant he probably didn't fall asleep
27:41until midnight.
27:425 hours of sleep.
27:43He'd literally be exhausted.
27:45If he had one bad night,
27:47he'd be up all night.
27:48On his nightstand,
27:49there was a photo.
27:50One older boy.
27:51One younger boy.
27:52The younger one looked like Ethan.
27:54The older one must have been Nathan.
27:56The door opened.
27:57Ethan walked in.
27:58He was wearing long sleeves.
28:01Pale.
28:03His lips were colorless.
28:05I suddenly remembered the haunted house.
28:08He was afraid of the dark.
28:10I looked down.
28:11His wrist was visible.
28:12Bruises.
28:13Purple and yellow.
28:14I didn't know what to say.
28:15So I just waved.
28:17Hey.
28:17Wanna go out?
28:19Wanna go on a quest?
28:20We both grabbed our backpacks
28:22like we were actually going somewhere.
28:24At the front door,
28:25Vivian and Tim were waiting.
28:27Ethan was surprised.
28:28We all piled into Tim's car
28:30and went straight to his house.
28:32His parents weren't home.
28:33Perfect.
28:34Ethan didn't say a word the whole ride.
28:36He leaned against the window.
28:38Expressionless.
28:39The warm little sun
28:40had turned into a gloomy little cloud.
28:43Tim's house.
28:44The estate.
28:44Tim lived in a massive mansion.
28:47I could have run laps inside
28:48and not get tired.
28:49The butler wiped his eyes.
28:51This is the first time
28:52Master Tim has brought friends home.
28:54Deja vu.
28:55The second we walked in,
28:56Vivian went straight for Ethan.
28:58Take off your shirt.
28:59Ethan jumped back three feet.
29:01Excuse me?
29:02Forget it.
29:02Whatever was in that room
29:03on the first floor at Ethan's house,
29:05I didn't want to think about it.
29:06I'd brought him here
29:07to ask about the cheating,
29:08but before I could open my mouth...
29:10I'm hungry.
29:12Do you have food?
29:12Tim found him a granola bar.
29:14He ate.
29:15I tried again.
29:16He was already asleep on the couch.
29:18We started playing poker.
29:20Three people.
29:20No macho.
29:21After two rounds,
29:22the housekeeper brought fruit.
29:23After we finished the fruit,
29:25she brought drinks.
29:26Master Tim,
29:26your friend looks like
29:27he's running a fever.
29:28Tim looked at me.
29:29You have a fever?
29:30Then at Vivian.
29:30You have a fever?
29:31The one on the couch.
29:32Oh, how long has he been like that?
29:34Hard to say.
29:35Probably a while.
29:36Tim called the family doctor.
29:37Ethan lay in the guest room
29:39with an IV.
29:39The doctor applied ointment
29:41to his wounds.
29:42Master Tim,
29:42you woke me up
29:43in the middle of the day for this?
29:44Is he okay?
29:45He'll be fine,
29:46but he has old injuries.
29:47The fever is from an infection.
29:49Ethan woke up hours later.
29:51Tim and Vivian were covered
29:52in sticky notes
29:53from losing at poker.
29:54How do you remember
29:55every single card?
29:57You're up.
29:58Let's play Mahang.
29:58I'm hungry.
29:59After he finally finished eating,
30:02I asked him directly,
30:03I don't believe you cheated.
30:04The great detective here
30:06can figure out who framed you.
30:07Framed me?
30:09Everyone believes you.
30:11Ethan sighed.
30:12How many times do I have to tell you
30:13to stop reading those novels?
30:16Nobody framed me.
30:18I cheated.
30:19How is that possible?
30:22How is it not possible?
30:23Anne, you're a genius.
30:25I'm not.
30:26Your only limit is the scoreboard.
30:28For me,
30:29that's a ceiling I can never reach.
30:31One or two points,
30:32I could have caught up,
30:33but you beat me by 35 points.
30:34I panicked.
30:36You're making us both feel bad.
30:37I'm not a slacker.
30:38You are.
30:39I wanted to tell him
30:40there was no ceiling.
30:41He just needed to stop
30:42pushing himself so hard.
30:44But I thought about his parents,
30:45and I kept quiet.
30:46You remind me of someone.
30:47He said again,
30:48his brother.
30:49My brother was a genius.
30:50He was always exhausted.
30:52Our parents signed him up
30:52for every possible class.
30:54He loved cooking for me.
30:55His food was terrible,
30:57but he was good to me.
30:59He'd bring me snacks from outside.
31:01He'd save the chocolate
31:02from his competition prizes for me.
31:04On the day he died,
31:05he promised he'd play with me
31:06after he finished one worksheet.
31:08So he sat at his desk.
31:10I sat on the floor
31:11reading Karmix waiting for him.
31:12He looked at me
31:13before he went to the balcony.
31:15Are you done with your worksheet yet?
31:17And then he was gone.
31:19I swallowed.
31:20Ethan,
31:20maybe if I hadn't been reading comics
31:21in front of him.
31:22Anne,
31:23you and my brother
31:24are both geniuses.
31:25I'm not.
31:26You'll never understand
31:27how hard I try,
31:28how much it hurts.
31:29Sometimes I actually hate you.
31:31You get straight A's
31:32without trying.
31:33You have fun.
31:34Your parents don't force you
31:35to be perfect.
31:35Hey,
31:37that's too far.
31:38I get that you're going through it,
31:39but this isn't her fault.
31:40I blinked.
31:41Calmly,
31:41I asked,
31:42you said you hate me?
31:43He didn't answer.
31:44Ethan,
31:44I hate you too!
31:45Bring it on.
31:46He only saw the good grades.
31:48He didn't see how lazy I was.
31:49I never did homework.
31:50I got held after class all the time.
31:52I learned fast,
31:53but I had zero patience.
31:55Zero focus.
31:56I could never finish anything.
31:57Someone who quits
31:58halfway through every project?
32:00Nobody's hiring that person.
32:01Even sitting in an exam
32:02for an hour and a half
32:03made me want to scream.
32:04That's way too long.
32:06I grabbed my backpack
32:07and stood up.
32:07You're leaving?
32:08Yeah.
32:09I can't stand looking at him.
32:11Then,
32:11I saw the notebook on the couch.
32:13Oh,
32:13I'd even taken notes for him.
32:15Bought a new notebook
32:16so he wouldn't know
32:16I'd read his private stuff.
32:18I shoved it back in my bag.
32:19When did I ever take notes for anyone?
32:21I'd rather give them to a dog.
32:22When I got home,
32:23I changed my profile picture
32:25back to my cartoon character.
32:27Whatever.
32:27Monday morning,
32:28I was going to move my desk,
32:29but then I thought,
32:30why should I move?
32:31So I moved Ethan's desk instead.
32:33When he walked into homeroom,
32:35his spot was gone.
32:36He stood in the empty space
32:37for a long time.
32:39I didn't look up.
32:40Then he put a bag on my desk.
32:41I didn't move.
32:42He put a cupcake on my desk.
32:44Still didn't move.
32:45A latte.
32:46I'm sorry.
32:47I wasn't thinking straight.
32:48I said things I didn't mean.
32:49I don't hate you.
32:51At all.
32:51Oh.
32:52Finally,
32:52I looked up.
32:53I really don't hate you.
32:54You remind me of my brother.
32:55He was scared to me,
32:56and so are you.
32:57I looked at him again.
32:58And what does that have to do with me?
32:59I'm sorry.
33:00Please don't be mad.
33:01I'm not mad.
33:02I wasn't.
33:03Getting angry only hurts myself.
33:04Can I move my desk back?
33:06I nodded.
33:07While he was gone,
33:08I opened the bag.
33:09Then I quickly shoved it back in.
33:10It was the novel I'd been wanting.
33:12Special edition.
33:13Signed.
33:14When Ethan tried to push his desk next to mine,
33:16I blocked it with my textbook.
33:17There was a gap between us.
33:19He looked confused.
33:20I'm not mad,
33:21but I'm not over it.
33:22We're still in a fight.
33:23He frowned,
33:24trying to process this.
33:25I sipped the latte,
33:26ate the cupcake,
33:27stuffed the novel in my backpack.
33:29Eventually,
33:30he nodded,
33:30like he sort of understood.
33:32Ethan got stripped of all his positions,
33:33but he still acted the same.
33:35He bent down to pick up someone's pen,
33:37walked two steps,
33:38and straightened a crooked book pile.
33:40When someone asked for help,
33:41he explained it quietly.
33:42Then he walked up to the whiteboard
33:43and erased it.
33:44Nobody mentioned the cheating.
33:46Everyone treated him like normal.
33:47Then I remembered,
33:48Ms. Anderson had asked me to take over
33:50as class president.
33:51Who am I?
33:52I can't even be bothered
33:53to pick up a trash can.
33:54Whatever.
33:55I'll pretend I didn't hear.
33:56Ethan started bringing me gifts.
33:58Every day,
33:58a little bag on my desk.
34:00Different things.
34:00Every time.
34:01The day before yesterday,
34:02it was candy.
34:03Yesterday,
34:04it was a hair clip.
34:05Today,
34:05it's a figurine.
34:06Every day was a new surprise.
34:07I never reacted.
34:09I wanted to see how long he'd last.
34:11I'm petty like that.
34:12Anne,
34:13are you ever going to forgive me?
34:15What?
34:15My brother came to me in a dream.
34:17He said if I didn't fix things,
34:18he'd take me away.
34:21Day 11.
34:21He brought a bracelet.
34:23He lasted 15 days.
34:24On the 15th morning,
34:26he noticed the gap between our desks was gone.
34:28Phew.
34:29Yeah.
34:29You don't have to force yourself.
34:31I was wrong.
34:32Last night,
34:32I dreamed about your brother too.
34:35What?
34:35He said,
34:36my brother is a good kid.
34:38I'm sorry for what he did.
34:39Don't be mad at him.
34:40Ethan stared at me for a long moment.
34:42I picked up a folder
34:43and put it on his desk.
34:44The bag was his,
34:45but inside were two thick notebooks.
34:47What's this?
34:48Your notes.
34:49He opened it.
34:50Every important concept,
34:51every commonly missed problem,
34:53every shortcut,
34:54even stuff we hadn't covered yet.
34:55I could remember exactly how often
34:57each topic appeared on tests.
34:59He couldn't.
35:00So he just did every problem.
35:01The last math problem,
35:02he always got it wrong,
35:04but it was always the same type.
35:05I broke it down step by step.
35:07It took me 15 days.
35:09He looked like he was going to cry.
35:11Don't do that.
35:12Your brother gave it to me in the dream.
35:13Liar.
35:14You never even met him.
35:15I saw a picture.
35:16He was hotter than you.
35:17And if I'd given up earlier,
35:18would you still have given me this?
35:23Yeah.
35:24Whenever you quit,
35:24I'd give it to you.
35:25I pulled my mint tin out,
35:26popped two pills in my mouth.
35:28Ethan watched me,
35:29then reached for the tin.
35:30If you take stuff without asking,
35:32your mouth will fall off.
35:33After that day,
35:34I noticed Ethan changed his profile picture
35:36to a random, ugly landscape.
35:38Lunch, the den.
35:39We ate at the den every day.
35:41Now, Ethan cooked.
35:42Something smells good?
35:44You can't eat alone?
35:45I sighed.
35:45My mom made me this herbal tea.
35:47Our mom made that?
35:47I poured the meat a little.
35:48Our mom is amazing.
35:50Isn't our mom amazing?
35:51Yeah.
35:51Who's better?
35:52Ethan didn't answer.
35:53After school, study session.
35:54He didn't rush home anymore.
35:56We studied at the den that Ethan called his mom.
35:58I'm studying with Anne.
35:59She didn't believe him.
36:00He video called her.
36:01She believed him.
36:03Then he went to sleep.
36:03He'd done enough.
36:04He didn't need to study himself to death anymore.
36:06He was already seeing a therapist.
36:08Ethan had always been trying.
36:10Trying to study.
36:11Trying to live.
36:12Vivian and Tim were actually studying.
36:15I can just do art school?
36:17I can go abroad.
36:18I looked at them.
36:20Look at him, exhausted from studying.
36:22And look at how lazy you two are.
36:24I gave them a practice test.
36:25I looked at Vivian's score.
36:27I was stunned.
36:30Are you sure you didn't study?
36:32She'd gotten all the easy and medium questions right.
36:35I listen in class.
36:36I do homework.
36:38I just don't try on tests.
36:41Why?
36:43If I do well, my mom will use it to sell me off to a richer guy.
36:47So I'm the only slasser here?
36:49Don't hide things from us.
36:50I patted Vivian's head.
36:51Good grades, art talent, pretty, perfect.
36:56I flipped open Tim's paper, covered in red marks.
36:59Strong body, eats a lot, rich, great.
37:03Bro.
37:04He eat glass.
37:05Coach Martinez made us run laps.
37:07Tim sprinted ahead.
37:08Ethan jogged with the pack.
37:10Vivian ran only when the coach was watching, then stopped when he looked away.
37:14She was laughing people.
37:16I sat on a bench with my insulated water bottle.
37:18Keep going!
37:18Don't slack off!
37:20My eyes are everywhere.
37:22After we finished, Coach Martinez ran off to play basketball.
37:26Why do you get to skip?
37:29Perks of being a genius.
37:31Why don't I get that perk?
37:33Tim walked over with drinks.
37:35Vivian, I saw you lap people.
37:38You can do that?
37:39Tim handed me a drink.
37:41I shook my head and opened my insulated water bottle.
37:44It's cold out.
37:45I need something hot.
37:46Tim nodded like he understood.
37:49So you can't have cold stuff right now?
37:52Back off.
37:53I popped two pills and drank some hot tea.
37:56Vivian and Tim played games on their phones.
37:59Ethan studied my notes.
38:00I read my novel.
38:02A basketball hit Vivian.
38:05Ow!
38:06She stood up, cold.
38:07A group of girls walked over, grabbed the ball, smirked.
38:10Oops.
38:11Didn't see you.
38:14You're blind.
38:15You calling me names?
38:17Ethan stepped in.
38:19If you hit someone, you apologize.
38:21The leader laughed.
38:23Vivian, you're pathetic.
38:25You chase Tim.
38:28You flirt with Ethan.
38:30You're just pretty, that's it.
38:32I tugged Tim's sleeve.
38:34Are those girls in your class?
38:36They're so mean.
38:38I'll kick them out.
38:39Don't.
38:40Too bad Tim likes smart girls.
38:43Anne, watch your back.
38:45Or someone might steal him from you.
38:47I smiled sweetly.
38:49Thanks for the advice, girly.
38:51She opened her mouth to say more.
38:54Actually, you've got it backwards.
38:56It's not her chasing Tim.
38:59It's Tim chasing her.
39:01I nodded seriously.
39:03And not just him.
39:05Ethan's after her, too.
39:07They literally fought over her last week.
39:11Too bad Vivian couldn't care less.
39:13She didn't believe me.
39:14For real?
39:16Tell her.
39:19Yeah.
39:20She's right.
39:22I'm done.
39:23You two should give up.
39:25Vivian only wants me.
39:26Then I added, loud enough for everyone to hear.
39:28Being pretty really does make a difference.
39:30The leader's face turned red.
39:31She dragged a shy girl forward.
39:33Vivian, you'll be alone in the lab next class.
39:36I'm with them.
39:37Vivian shrugged.
39:38Fine.
39:39The group left.
39:42Who's the shy girl?
39:43My desk neighbor.
39:46She's actually nice.
39:48Why are they targeting her?
39:50Vivian laughed.
39:51You don't even know why I'm being targeted and you still helped me?
39:53What if I'm the one in the wrong?
39:55I sat up straight.
39:56We're friends.
39:58Those girls are strangers.
40:00I'm on your side.
40:01Besides, they started it.
40:03Before I finished, Vivian hugged me.
40:07Wait.
40:08Cool it.
40:08You're supposed to be the aloof it girl.
40:10She let go.
40:12I'm not aloof.
40:14When did you ever see me being aloof?
40:17I was always alone because nobody wanted to hang out with me.
40:22Fine.
40:23I'll hang out with you.
40:24I'll even walk you to the bathroom.
40:26I nudged him.
40:27From now on, you hang out with her in class.
40:29Who even does clothes anymore?
40:32Fine.
40:33And you can't let anyone mess with her.
40:35She can take care of herself.
40:36She can flip a table.
40:39Did you hear me?
40:41Yeah.
40:42And that shy girl, her desk neighbor, don't let anyone mess with her either.
40:46Okay.
40:46Ethan was laughing.
40:47He couldn't hold it in.
40:49What are you laughing at?
40:50I smacked Tim's arm.
40:51Don't interrupt.
40:52The lab project, you two are partners.
40:55That's not...
40:56We're both terrible at it.
40:58I'll teach you.
40:58I created a new group chat.
41:00Three people.
41:01Why was Vivian being isolated in your class?
41:04Vivian didn't want to say, so I asked elsewhere.
41:07I don't know.
41:09I thought she liked being alone.
41:11You've been in the same class for a year and a half and you don't know?
41:15Fair.
41:15I'd been in the same class as Ethan for a year and a half and didn't know he had depression.
41:21You like Vivian.
41:22Do you know?
41:25My bad.
41:27Useless, both of them.
41:28Good thing Tim had money.
41:29He paid some people to dig.
41:31It's complicated.
41:34The leader, Jessica Miller, had a boyfriend.
41:36He dumped her for Vivian.
41:37She found out.
41:38But Vivian rejected the guy.
41:40He cheated on Jessica with someone else.
41:42He let Vivian take the blame.
41:43Vivian didn't know about any of this.
41:45She thought Jessica was just jealous.
41:46Messy.
41:52Rich?
41:53Richer than you?
41:54Obviously not.
41:58One, her desk neighbor likes her.
42:00Just make sure nobody bothers her.
42:01Two, show Jessica the evidence.
42:02Clear up the misunderstanding.
42:04Three, have Jessica clear Vivian's name in class.
42:06The rumors will die.
42:07Exactly what I was going to say.
42:09You telling me how to run my life?
42:11The mess got cleaned up.
42:12Jessica apologized to Vivian.
42:14Then the boyfriend panicked.
42:15He posted lies on the school confession page.
42:18Anonymous.
42:19But Tim had money.
42:20He found out.
42:21The post got flooded with comments.
42:23After school, people stared.
42:24Should I threaten them?
42:25Too illegal.
42:26I'll pay them.
42:27Call the police.
42:27For real?
42:28Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed.
42:29The school got involved fast.
42:31The principal launched an internal investigation
42:33with the police assisting.