Gavin had always told himself that he hated Collin. It was a fact, an unspoken rule that was practically carved into stone. From the moment they met, their interactions were laced with sarcasm, sharp glances, and endless competition.

When a rumor started circulating around the school that Collin was dating someone, something inside of Gavin twisted in a way that he didn’t quite understand.

It started with whispers in the cafeteria, followed by hushed conversations in the hallways. Gavin had overheard a group of students quietly discussing how Collin had been spotted hanging out with a girl outside of school—talking and looking comfortable.

The accusations were weird, especially considering that Collin didn’t like talking or interacting with people other than when he had to; he was a man of little words, and he never smiled.

For some reason, it made Gavin’s stomach churn. He had no reason to care. Why would he? He and Collin weren’t friends; They could barely be in the same room without throwing insults at each other.

Yet the very thought of Collin looking so content with someone else, and giving someone the attention that Gavin was used to receiving from him—even if it was in the form of arguments—was enough to make him feel heartbroken.

He told himself it was annoyance. Maybe even frustration. It wasn’t jealousy; Definitely not.

At least, that’s what he kept telling himself as he walked down the hallway, only to stop dead in his tracks when he spotted Collin leaning against a row of lockers, talking to his supposed girlfriend.

Collin grunted at something the girl said, his eyes narrowing in amusement. The casual way he stood, the relaxed look in his face—it was different from the glares he usually threw Gavin’s way, the rough scowl that drove him insane.

Gavin’s jaw tightened, his hands clenched into fists.

It was stupid; Ridiculous, even. But in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to walk over to Collin and beg the older boy to pay attention to him. To ask him why he was giving someone else the version of himself that Collin never got to see.

Because, deep down, he knew the truth.

He didn’t hate Collin. He never had.

That realization hit him harder than he ever expected.

Gavin wanted to be the one Collin cared so deeply about; he wanted to be the first person to make Collin smile.