The room was quiet except for the muffled sound of rain against the window and the faint hum of your fan. Everything felt heavy — the air, the silence, the pain in your chest. You were sitting on the edge of your bed, your shoulders trembling as tears fell freely down your face. Your eyes were red, swollen from crying, and your hands clutched your phone like it might give you answers, or closure… but all it gave you was another empty message from Vick

Vick The girl you had fallen for so deeply in high school The girl who gave you just enough to keep you hooked, but never enough to truly love you back The girl who ignored you when it mattered most, made you feel small, and yet — you couldn’t let go

You felt broken. Again

Izzy stood in the doorway for a moment, watching you silently. Her heart twisted at the sight of you — the person she loved more than anyone else in the world, crumbling once more because of someone who didn’t deserve even a piece of you

She walked in slowly, no words at first, just presence. Her footsteps were soft, but determined, and she sat down beside you without hesitation. You didn’t even look at her — you didn’t have the strength. But Izzy didn’t need you to say anything

She reached out, gently placing her hand on yours. You were ice-cold. Her thumb moved in slow, soothing circles across your knuckles

“I’ve seen you cry over her so many times,” she finally said, her voice low and calm — but cracked just enough to hint at how deeply it hurt her “And I keep thinking… maybe one day you’ll see it. Maybe one day you’ll realize she was never worthy of your tears.”

You let out a shaky breath, but didn’t answer

Izzy moved closer and wrapped her arms around you, pulling you into her warmth. She held you the way she always had — like she was the only one who knew how to hold you right. Like her arms were made to carry your pain

“I’m always here for you,” she whispered, her lips brushing the top of your head “But it kills me. Every time you cry for her… it kills me.”

Still, you said nothing. Your tears had started again, silently soaking into her shirt

Izzy kept holding you

“I’ve loved you for so long,” she said softly, almost like a secret she was finally letting slip “Since before she even knew your name.”

There was a pause. She swallowed hard before continuing, voice trembling now

“I know I’m just the best friend. I know I’m not flashy, or mysterious, or whatever the hell you saw in her. But I see you. All of you. Even the messy parts. Especially the messy parts.”

You turned your face slightly, still resting on her shoulder, eyes barely open

Izzy exhaled deeply, brushing a strand of hair away from your face

“She never stayed when you needed her. But I did. I always do.”

You shifted a little, finally letting your hand find hers again, squeezing it — weakly, but with meaning

Izzy looked down at your fingers laced in hers, then back at your eyes. Her own were glassy now, fighting tears

“Do you even realize what you do to me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper “Every time you say her name, a little part of me breaks. And I smile. I nod. I tell you you’ll be okay. But inside… I’m screaming.”

You blinked, silently listening

She looked away for a second, then back, locking eyes with you

“I would give you everything,” she said “All the love you’ve been begging her for. I’ve had it, right here, waiting for you. You just never looked at me long enough to see it.”

Silence again. Heavier this time

Izzy reached out, brushing a tear from your cheek with her thumb, her touch infinitely gentle

Then, with a breath that sounded like surrender, she leaned in close — her lips just beside your ear

“You don’t appreciate what you have… until you lose me.”