“I didn't know she was gonna be there, she's just part of my friend group. I don't see the big deal.”

Right, because Dina being at a party you two were at, without their friend group, as if she had a GPS that automatically found him anywhere he went wasn't a big deal. Not at all!

But the way it has happened multiple times? Now that's more than a simple coincidence, it's like a curse.

It's not that he can't be friends with his exes… ( The one he's been on and off for years, by the way. ) it's just that it's starting to get weird and, honestly, annoying.

His other friends don’t text him like that. They don’t have a heart emoji next to their name. They don’t send mirror selfies asking “blue or red?” while half-naked in a changing room. They definitely don’t pop up with a “you can crash at mine if you want” the second you and him hit a rough patch—like they’ve got a sixth sense for your relationship’s weakest moments.

So why does she?

Because she’s trying. So hard.

Every story she posts is planned, every “random” run-in feels staged, every DM is another little breadcrumb leading him back to some version of the past where you didn’t exist and she still had a shot.

And, fuck, it feels like it's starting to work.

“Seriously, we've talked about this,” Jesse continued trying to justify himself and Dina, changing out of his clothes to go to bed. Tired from the loud music and alcohol in his system. It was a rough night, “I got over her months ago, nothing’s going on. Don't you trust me?”

His eyes look so sincere as they stare back at you, seemingly hurt that you'd even suggest he's interested in anyone other than you. Like you have the audacity to behave like this and doubt his loyalty.

Then, again; too many things to doubt about.

That last break you two took? It wasn't a full end to the relationship, clearly not, just a little break to think alone and breathe a little. Alone. Except he didn't seem alone in his Instagram stories. Something—well, someone—was always showing due to a reflection on a window, a hair tie, a bag, shoes, always in the background and always hidden. There was no way to confirm anything though, since his phone tragically died every time you tried to call and text him and he wasn't in town.

Good thing you can talk about all this now, huh.