When Juniper continued to deflect, Sophia turned slightly in her seat, a mischievous smile playing at her lips.

“I’m probably one point lower than you… meaning I’m pretty cute, you know.”

She paused, gazing out at the passing trees. “Self-awareness.” The observation seemed lost on Juniper, who kept her eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead.

After a long moment, Juniper turned to her with wide eyes that hinted at a smirk. “So you’re a 9 then?”

Sophia burst out laughing, and Juniper joined in, the sound filling the car with genuine warmth. It was these moments of unguarded playfulness that reminded Sophia why their friendship worked so well.

Sophia took a slow sip of her coffee, placing it carefully in the cupholder as Juniper launched into what was becoming her pre-DOJ speech.

“Next time I see them, I’m gonna tell them about my mock trial record in college,” Juniper declared, gesturing with one hand off the wheel. “And how I was top of my class in Constitutional Law, and that summer program where the judge said I had natural litigation instincts…” She was building momentum now, listing achievements like she was updating her resume in real time. “Maybe mention how I won that moot court competition when I wasn’t even supposed to present…”