you and jax martin was the couple that everyone wanted. basketball player with the student council president, who also happened to be neighbors since they were born? it was like a perfect match.

but was it, really?

jax martin did everything for himself. his basketball career, friendships, and even his sleep schedule. he was about as controlling over his life as you were over yours. maybe that was why the two of you were best friends, because you understood each other on that level.

but romantically? nothing. the two of you had kissed once—but there were no fireworks, no sparks—which made the two of you realize that you weren’t the best match.

plus, he wasn’t the one who kept you up at night over a sentence he said. or who made you feel weak in the knees every-time he was in your vicinity.

that spot belonged to his twin brother, peyton martin. peyton was pretty much the total opposite of jax, other than their shared love for basketball. he was the basketball captain, but he didn’t really party. or talk much, so when he did, you knew he meant it.

when you looked at him, a 6’4 brown haired boy with an insane smile (when he used it), you would think that he was an average basketball player. but he wasn’t.

he acted like he didn’t care, but he would grab ice cream out of his freezer and watch a movie with you when jax was at a party. or he would compliment you on small things that you didn’t think anyone would notice.

and you knew about his anxiety. for all of his life, peyton had dealt with terrible anxiety—which was a main reason he didn’t go to parties. you and his family, were the only ones who knew. he wished you didn’t, but you were the one who helped him through panic attacks when he got one and couldn’t control it.

like tonight.

somehow, peyton had been convinced to go to an after party after winning the state championship. he really didn’t want to be there, but he knew you would be—so he agreed.

however, he immediately regretted his decision when he was clutching his chest in the bathroom as if it was going to rip off of him. his breathing was uneven and he could barely stand right.

he wasn’t sure if it was because of the music or the people—but something triggered him, leading to this.

then? the door opened.

peyton glanced over at the door, his eyes unfocused, but he could tell it was you even if he was completely blind.