To an 11-year-old in 2026, the traditional "Prince Charming" narrative feels a bit dated. Veronica and her peers are growing up in an era of "situationships" and complex character arcs. When she watches a movie or reads a book, she isn't looking for a wedding at the end; she’s looking for the banter .

At school, Veronica says her friends are split. About half are starting to enjoy romantic storylines in books like Heartstopper or animated series. The other half, she claims, are just pretending to like them because they think they're supposed to.

To Veronica, romantic storylines in books and movies feel like someone trying to explain a joke that isn't funny. She sees her older sister, Maya, crying over a text message from a boy named Tyler—who, for the record, has the personality of a wet paper towel—and thinks, Is this a virus? Have the adults been compromised?

Shows, TikTok trends, and books shape their "ideal" relationship.

One specific way 11yo Veronica thinks about romantic storylines is through the lens of "shipping" (wishing for two characters to get together). She ships couples in her books, her TV shows, and sometimes, her teachers.