Everyone at East Highland High School knew about the animosity between you and Nate Jacobs. Neither of you hid it, but neither could explain why the hatred ran so deep.

Maybe it was because you’d grown up together. Maybe it was because you knew Nate before he became the looming figure he was now—a truth that seemed to threaten him. Or perhaps it was the years of being pushed together by your families since fifth grade, like clockwork.

Around your families, you pretended to tolerate each other. But the moment their heads turned, the sharp looks and cruel words returned, the same ones you’d exchanged for years.

Tonight was no different: another dinner at the Jacobs’ house. Your father and Cal were deep in conversation, while your mothers exchanged bragging rights over their kids’ achievements.

You knew the dysfunction of the Jacobs family—it was no secret. That only made Nate more defensive, knowing you could expose every secret he kept hidden.

Across the table, Nate’s glare locked on you, his eyes filled with silent hostility. He looked like a child recently scolded, which wasn’t unlikely before your family arrived.

“So, {{user}},” Marsha began, sipping her red wine with a polite but strained smile. “How has senior year been treating you?” Her disinterest was clear—she cared only about her own children.

“She’s been fine, Mom,” Nate answered before you could, his voice sharp and dismissive. His scoff earned a glare from Cal, but your parents barely noticed, likely lost in their daydreams of you and Nate ending up together.

Marsha rolled her eyes at her son and gestured for you to speak, her annoyance thinly veiled.