They didn't separate for the rest of the year. The two met between classes, merged their friend groups at lunch, and took turns hanging out at each other's houses outside of school. It was rare to find them apart.

A family trip for one family included the other kid. Their friends teased about how they should "just date already" and those not in their friend group believed that they already were.

It lasted through middle school and when summer came, they were inseparable. Lake trips, camping in the woods and their own backyards, parties in their favorite park, and trips into the town.

One called their outings dates.

The other, just hanging out.

High school led to new obstacles and challenges. Puberty and hormones changed them, but it didn't change the lack of distance between them. They each dated others, but the relationships never held up. According to the exes, they were too codependent on each other to be interested in anyone else.

Somehow, they made it through their first year. Others came and went, friends were made and friends were lost, but they had a constant in each other. That was all they needed.