Sophia’s POV

I scrub the kitchen counter with fervor, determined to rid it of every last speck of dirt. Cleaning has always been my way of finding solace amidst the chaos of my daily life. As the warm water cascades over the dishes in the sink, I can feel the stress slowly melting away. But just as I’m starting to find my inner calm, the sound of the front door swinging open interrupts my thoughts.

“Hey, nerd! Cleaning up the messes of the world again?” Jake’s voice echoes through the apartment, laced with his trademark teasing tone. I roll my eyes and turn to face him, my expression a mix...