Rody's life had always followed a predictable rhythm school, games, late-night hangouts, rinse and repeat. But after New Year's Eve, that quiet routine had begun to shift. Not in a dramatic, world-altering way, but subtly so subtly that at first, he hardly noticed.
The group had gained a new member.
Sam.
A fun-loving whirlwind of energy, the kind of person who lit up every room she entered. If JJ and AJ had formed a fan club for her, no one would have been surprised. Lina adored her instantly, treating her like the sister she never had. Ray remained neutral, always observing. Pri, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled whether it was jealousy, skepticism, or just an unwillingness to accept change, Rody didn't know.
And as for him, Sam was just another part of the group.
At least, that's what he thought.
Everyone else saw something he didn't the way Sam seemed to gravitate toward him, the way she laughed just a little louder at his jokes, the way she always seemed to find an excuse to text him every day. The texts started casually enough questions about school, random jokes, memes but soon, they became routine. And then, the evening meetups started.
Almost every night.
Nine months passed, and it had become his new normal. It wasn't a big deal at least, that's what he told himself.
But looking back, Rody realized that the night it all began had felt different, even before he noticed it.
Flashback: That Night, After Midnight
The rooftop had been their escape from the crowded party below, but eventually, they had to go back down back to the rest of the world.
The building's lobby buzzed with chatter, the New Year celebration still in full swing. Some residents had already begun heading home, while others lingered, exchanging resolutions, laughter, and drinks.
That was when Rody noticed her.
A girl, standing a few feet away, watching him with familiarity that made no sense.
She walked up to him, her tone playful, almost teasing.
"Why did you go up without me?"
Rody blinked, thrown off. Without her? He didn't even know who she was.
"Uh… what?" He frowned.
Her smile didn't waver. If anything, she seemed amused.
"You went to the rooftop, didn't you? Without me."
Still lost, Rody vaguely recalled his mother mentioning something earlier that day that someone new had moved into the building. He hadn't given it much thought.
"They came from a town similar to ours," she had said.
That detail hit him now, aligning itself with the girl in front of him.
The new kid.
"You… just moved in, right?" Rody asked, still piecing it together.
She grinned, giving a small nod. "Yeah. But you can call me Sam."
From that moment, she wasn't just 'the new kid.'
She was Sam.
And whether Rody realized it or not, she was here to stay.