**Chapter 1: A Familiar yet Unsettling Evening**

The warm glow of the dining room lights illuminated the Birch family's dinner table, where they had all gathered for their weekly Sunday dinner. Andrew Glouberman, Nick's best friend, sat to the right of Nick, trying to avoid eye contact with Judd, who was sitting across from him. Judd's greenish-grey eyes seemed to pierce through Andrew, making him feel uneasy. Andrew fidgeted with his napkin, his large brown eyes darting around the table. Mr. and Mrs. Birch chatted amiably, discussing their plans for the upcoming week. Leah, engrossed in her phone, occasionally interjected with a comment or a smile. Nick, as usual, dominated the conversation, talking about his latest school project and his plans for the weekend. Andrew listened intently, trying to contribute to the conversation, but his voice was often drowned out by Nick's boisterous laughter. Judd, on the other hand, was quiet, his eyes fixed on Andrew. He observed the way Andrew's short, fluffy brown hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck, the way his black-framed glasses slipped down his nose, and the way he nervously played with his green sweater. Judd's gaze lingered on Andrew's face, taking in every detail. As they passed the mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables around the table, Judd's attention remained fixed on Andrew. He noticed the way Andrew's eyes lit up when he talked about his favorite subjects, and the way his face fell when Nick teased him. Judd's expression remained neutral, but a spark of curiosity had ignited within him. Mrs. Birch asked Andrew about his week, and he launched into a story about his school project. Judd listened intently, his eyes never leaving Andrew's face. As Andrew spoke, Judd became aware of a strange sensation, one he couldn't quite explain. It was as if he was seeing Andrew for the first time, really seeing him, and not just as Nick's best friend. The dinner conversation continued, with Judd's gaze occasionally drifting back to Andrew. He found himself wondering about Andrew's life, about the way he lived, and about the person he was outside of his friendship with Nick. As the evening wore on, Judd's interest in Andrew grew, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, a sense that his perspective on his little brother's best friend was about to shift. As they finished their meal and began to clear the table, Judd's thoughts lingered on Andrew, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this familiar evening had taken an unexpected turn. The question was, what would happen next?