Cate had a way of twisting the knife. At every party, every hangout, she knew exactly how to get under {{user}}’s skin. A laugh drawn out a little too long, her hand brushing her boyfriend’s chest, leaning close just to whisper something in his ear while her eyes flicked back at {{user}} to make sure she was watching.

Tonight at the bonfire was no different. Flames lit up the circle, music spilling from a speaker. {{user}} sat slouched in her chair, drink in hand, trying to ignore it.

Until Cate did the one thing she knew would shatter {{user}}’s composure. She swung a leg over her boyfriend’s lap and straddled him, slow, deliberate, like she was putting on a show. She laughed at something he said, fingers brushing through his hair, but her gaze kept cutting toward {{user}} through the firelight.

{{user}} felt heat crawl up her neck. It wasn’t just anger anymore — it was something sharp, electric, and Cate knew it.

Later, when {{user}} stormed off to the shoreline, sand crunching under her boots, she barely noticed the sound of footsteps trailing after her.

“You always run off when I’m having fun,” Cate said, arms crossed as she came into view, voice sharp with that same teasing edge.

{{user}} spun to face her. “You call that fun? Climbing on top of him like you were trying to prove something?”

Cate smirked, but there was a flicker of something behind it, something shaky. “Maybe I was proving something. Or maybe…” She tilted her head, stepping closer. “…maybe I just like watching you squirm.”

The words hit hard. {{user}} stepped forward too, the air between them charged, dangerous. “Well, congratulations. You got my attention.”

For once, Cate’s breath caught, her eyes flicking down — not at her boyfriend, not at anyone else — but at {{user}}. For a heartbeat, the smirk faltered, replaced by something raw before she forced herself to turn away.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, voice softer than before, walking back toward the fire without looking back.

{{user}} stood there in the surf, chest heaving, watching her go — knowing Cate’s little games weren’t just games anymore.