Along for the Ride

Raj’s brain was fried. Completely.

He stood frozen in the middle of the hallway, his backpack slipping off one shoulder, and he barely noticed.

Because Isla Cunningham had just asked him out.

To a party.

At Joey’s place.

On Saturday.

Raj replayed it in his head like a TikTok loop, each time making it harder to believe it had actually happened.

Isla had been standing so close to him that he could smell her perfume—something sweet, like vanilla and coconut. Her blonde ponytail was pulled high and tight, not a hair out of place. She was wearing a white crop top that clung to her curves perfectly, with just the right amount of midriff showing. Low-rise jeans hugged her hips, dipping so low that Raj had to physically stop his eyes from wandering. The pink polish on her nails matched her lips, which curved into that dazzling smile that was way too bright for someone looking at… him.

“Hi, Raj,” she had said, her voice smooth and flirty, “what are you doing Saturday night?”

His brain had immediately short-circuited.

“Uh… existing?”

You’re such an idiot.

But Isla had giggled. Like, actually giggled.

“Good,” she’d said, stepping a little closer. “Because I want you to come to a party with me.”

Raj had felt his heart stop.

“It’s at Joey Granger’s place.”

Joey? Raj almost asked. But he couldn’t speak. He was too busy trying not to faint.

“Is that a yes?” Isla had tilted her head, her blue eyes sparkling like she knew exactly what she was doing to him.

“Y-yeah.”

And then it happened.

Isla leaned in, her lips brushing against his cheek, soft and warm.

“Thank you!” she had whispered, her breath tickling his skin. “You won’t regret it.”

Raj stood there like a statue, barely breathing, as she turned and walked away. And damn.

His brain was still trying to process the fact that Isla Cunningham had kissed him, but his eyes? His eyes were locked on the way her jeans clung to her as she walked down the hall.

Holy…

Her hips swayed like they were telling a story—one he wanted to read again and again. Each step was a new chapter, the curve of her waist drawing his eyes down, the rise and fall of her perfect backside making his throat go dry. His whole body went hot, like he was standing too close to a fire. He felt dizzy, his head swimming, and for a second, he thought he might actually pass out.

“Bro…” he whispered under his breath.

Was this what a stroke felt like?

Raj floated into the cafeteria like he was in a dream, his feet barely touching the ground. His face still burned where Isla’s lips had brushed his cheek. His first kiss. He didn’t care that it wasn’t on the lips. It was a kiss. It counted.

He spotted Nick at their usual table, but something was off.

Nick was just… staring at his lunch. His tray was untouched, his juice box sitting there with the straw still wrapped. And Nick never left his juice box unopened.

Raj dropped into the seat across from him, practically bouncing.

“Dude.”

Nick blinked. Once. Twice.

“Bro.”

Nick’s head tilted up slowly, and Raj froze.

Nick had the look.

The same dazed, “did-I-just-get-hit-by-lightning” look Raj was pretty sure he was still wearing.

“No way.” Raj’s eyes narrowed. “No way.”

Nick blinked again, like he was trying to find words.

“Taylor Vasquez,” Nick said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Raj’s mouth fell open. “Get the fuck out.”

“She…” Nick swallowed hard. “She just asked me out.”

“To Joey’s party?”

Nick nodded slowly.

Raj slapped the table so hard that Nick’s tray jumped.

“WHAT?!”

“And then…” Nick’s voice went higher, like he couldn’t believe it himself. “She kissed me.”

Raj grabbed his head like he was trying to keep his brain from exploding.

“Wait, wait, wait.” He held up both hands like he was about to stop traffic. “Back up. Taylor Vasquez—Taylor—asked you out?”

Nick nodded again, looking like he was about to pass out.

“To a party at Joey’s?”

“Yeah.”

“And kissed you?”

“On the cheek,” Nick added quickly, but he still looked like he was floating.

Raj leaned back, blinking in disbelief.

“What the hell is happening?”

“I don’t know, man.” Nick rubbed his eyes like he was trying to wake up. “I thought maybe I hit my head in gym class.”

Raj snorted. “Dude, if this is a head injury, I never want to wake up.”

They sat there in silence for a second, both of them trying to process what was happening.

“Joey’s throwing a party,” Raj finally said, breaking the quiet.

“Yeah, Joey,” Nick echoed, shaking his head.

“Our Joey, ” Raj continued, “That's almost as unbelievable as Taylor and Isla...”

“Dude barely knows how to talk to people,” Nick mumbled. “And now he’s throwing a party?”

Raj frowned, his mind racing. “When was the last time Joey even went to a party?”

“Never,” Nick said without hesitation.

“Exactly!” Raj’s voice went up an octave. “So how the hell is he hosting one?”

They both fell quiet again, the weight of the situation sinking in.

“Do you think…” Raj’s voice trailed off as a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.

Nick glanced at him. “Do I think what?”

Raj took a deep breath. “What if Joey, like, wished for this?”

Nick smirked, “Like… Aladdin-style?”

“Yeah.” Raj leaned in, his voice low, grinning, “What if Joey rubbed a magic lamp or something? Like, I don’t know, made some wish that turned his life into…” He gestured wildly, “…this.”

Nick stared at him for a beat, then deadpanned, “Okay, but if he did…”

Raj raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Why didn’t he wish for, like… super strength or something?” Nick asked, leaning forward. “Dude could be benching cars instead of just… making out with two girls at lunch.”

Raj snorted. “Bro, if I had that kind of power, I wouldn’t be in the gym. I’d be flying to school.”

Nick shook his head. “Nah, man. I’d wish for teleportation. Imagine sleeping in and still making it to class on time.”

Raj laughed. “Screw class. I’d be teleporting straight into Isla’s—” He stopped himself, eyes wide. “Uh… I mean, I’d teleport… places.”

Nick smirked. “Sure, buddy.”

They both collapsed into a fit of laughter. Their lives had suddenly been flipped upside down. Hot, popular girls asking them out. Joey Granger throwing parties. Raj had no idea how to think or feel about his life anymore. It all seemed focused. All the changes, all the weirdness. Joey had to have something to do with it. Still..

They were along for the ride.

“Dude…” Raj ran a hand down his face, his mind spinning. “We’re going to Joey’s party.”

Nick swallowed. “Yeah. We are.”

“And we’re going with Isla Cunningham and Taylor Vasquez.”

“Yup.”

Raj’s lips curled into a slow, disbelieving grin.

“Bro…” He let out a breath, shaking his head. “If this is a simulation…”

Nick met his gaze, his expression a mix of awe and fear.

“…I hope the Wi-Fi never goes out.”

Raj cracked up, and for the first time all day, Nick laughed too.

“Same, man,” Nick said between laughs. “Same.”