The party was in full swing, laughter and music spilling into the night. {{user}} sat at the edge of the deck, knees pulled to her chest, her face buried in her hands. Sam knelt beside her, one arm around her shoulder as {{user}}’s quiet sobs filled the space between them.

“It’s gone,” {{user}} choked out, her voice breaking. “My mom’s necklace… it’s gone.”

Sam held her tighter, whispering reassurances. Everyone knew what that necklace meant to {{user}}. It wasn’t just jewelry; it was her mother’s, the last piece of her she had left. After her mom passed away, the necklace became her anchor, a reminder of the woman everyone in town loved and admired.

A shadow fell over them, and both girls looked up. Thane stood there, hands in his pockets, his sharp gaze flickering between {{user}} and Sam. He was the last person {{user}} wanted to see.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

{{user}} hesitated. Thane had always been… complicated. They didn’t get along, not really. He was brash, sarcastic, and far too blunt.

Still, grief overpowered her pride. “I lost my necklace,” she whispered, wiping her tears only for more to fall. “In the lake.”

Thane’s usual smirk was absent, replaced by something unreadable. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

{{user}} blinked, stunned by his silence. No teasing, no snide comments. She let her head drop again, her sobs quieting to sniffles as the minutes passed. Sam had gone to get her some water.

When he returned, {{user}}’s breath caught. Dripping wet, his hair plastered to his face, his clothes and shoes soaked, Thane knelt in front of her. In his hand was the necklace, gleaming in the moonlight.

He didn’t say a word as he fastened it around her neck. The chill of the chain sent a shiver down her spine, but his touch steadied her.

Thane brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his hand lingering on her cheek. His thumb lightly grazed her skin as he studied her tear-streaked face.

“All better,” he murmured, his voice soft.