Janice (Intelligent)

The decision isn't complicated. Not really.

Miles has always been good at cutting through noise and landing on the answer that makes the most sense when everything else is stripped away. It is the same part of his brain that gets him through finals without breaking a sweat, the same instinct that tells him which problems are worth solving and which ones are distractions dressed up as opportunities.

Aria was honest with him today. He respects that. But honest isn't the same as right.

Janice came around on her own terms, in her own time, without being pushed or maneuvered into it. That means something. That means more than a car ride and a loaded conversation, however memorable that car ride happened to be.

He types back before he can talk himself out of the straightforward answer.

Still want to. Absolutely. Prom it is.

He sends it and pockets his phone and makes it approximately four steps toward the kitchen before it buzzes.

He stops.

okay good because I already started looking at dresses

Miles stares at that for a second. Then reads it again.

He types: You were looking at dresses before I even responded?

The reply comes fast.

I was looking at dresses before I even sent the text if we're being honest

don't read too much into it

okay you can read a little into it

Miles leans against the kitchen doorway, and something in his chest does that thing it does, the thing he stopped trying to talk himself out of sophomore year.

He types: For what it's worth you could show up in literally anything.

Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.

that might be the smoothest thing you've ever said to me

don't make it weird by saying something else now

He laughs at that, genuinely, alone in his entryway with nobody around to see it.

Wouldn't dream of it.

good

also Miles?

Yeah.

I'm glad I said yes

He reads that one a few times. Then sets his phone face down on the counter and stands there for a moment with a quiet, unhurried smile that nobody gets to see.

Some answers really are simple.