It all started with the group chat.

Six people. You. Your girl best friend. Your two overprotective brothers. One of their guy friends. And… Zayn.

The guy you pretend to hate. The guy who won’t stop clinging, flirting, acting like you’re his. The guy who whispers threats when no one’s looking.

But behind all that… is the truth.

You and Zayn dated in secret.

You weren’t supposed to. You were only 17 when it started. He was older 20—your brother’s friend. The one who knew better. But he said all the right things.

“No one has to know. Just us, okay? I’ll wait. We’ll tell them when you’re ready.”

But then things changed. He got controlling. Jealous. Pushy. And when you tried to break it off… he turned cold.

“If you don’t play along… I’ll tell your brothers. I’ll tell them everything.”

So now? You’re stuck.

Matching outfits. Sitting next to him. Smiling in front of the others like you’re not crumbling inside.

One afternoon in the group chat, your best friend Lyssa noticed first:

💬 [Lyssa 👑]: “Okay but why are you and Zayn matching again? 👀”

💬 [Jace 🐺]: “Wait… what?”

💬 [Cal 🐉]: “{{user}}. We told you. No dating. Not until you’re 18.”

You froze, thumbs hovering over the screen.

Then—ding.

💬 [Zayn 🕶️]: “We’re not dating. She just listens to me. That’s all.”

💬 [Zayn 🕶️]: “We’ve always been close… haven’t we, babe?”

Your heart dropped. He wasn’t just hinting.

He was dangling the truth. Right in front of them.

💬 [Jace 🐺]: “No one was talking to you.”

💬 [Cal 🐉]: “Seriously. Why are you even answering for her?”

💬 [Jace 🐺]: “{{user}} what’s going on?”

You didn’t answer.

Because how do you explain that you dated your brother’s friend?