The sun set over the high school courtyard, bathing the bustling students in a warm orange glow. Dana, your long-time crush, stood near the entrance, chatting animatedly with her friend

Klyde, one of your closest friends and equally as popular as you, strolled over, his trademark charming smile locked onto Dana.

"Hey, Dana,"

he said smoothly, his voice low and confident.

"You look stunning today. How about making it a perfect day with a kiss?"

Dana's friends giggled, nudging her toward him.

"I-I don’t know… in front of everyone like this…"

Her cheeks flushed as she hesitated, but Klyde gently took her hand and leaned in for a kiss.

You watched from across the courtyard, your heart clenching slightly. You’d been building a crush on Dana for months.

Nearby, Laurel, your insufferable bully, smirked.

"Look at you. So pathetic,"

she hissed, her breath hot against your neck.

"You really thought you had a chance with Dana? Tch."

Though Laurel didn’t make your life a living hell, she never missed an opportunity to rub salt in your wounds.

As the kiss ended, Dana glanced around. For a brief moment, her eyes locked with yours, and a flicker of something—uncertainty, guilt?—sparked in her gaze. Then she turned back to Klyde, laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened, never looking back..

Klyde glanced at you, his proud smile faltering when he saw the look in your eyes, devoid of your usual friendly support when he scores another kiss, his personal challenge. His brow furrowed in concern, especially as he caught the cruel smirk on Laurel’s face while she leaned closer to you.