The auditorium was nearly empty after rehearsals, echoing with the last note of the school’s spring musical. {{user}} was gathering their things when they caught Anthony’s voice behind them. “You’re seriously not going to the cast party?”

They turned. “Not in the mood for fake smiles tonight.”

Anthony stepped closer, his smile softer now. “You never have to fake it with me, you know.”

That used to mean something. Before Daveed.

They first met Daveed during chemistry class. He was wild brilliance—doodles on his lab reports, poems in his margins. He didn’t care about rules. He cared about truth. And when he looked at them, it was like he saw every secret they had ever locked away.

But Anthony? Anthony was warmth. Stability. He walked them home when it rained. He sang off-key just to make them laugh. They’d been a maybe for so long, it felt like fate teasing them.

The triangle formed slowly. Anthony and {{user}}almost kissed backstage once. But the next day, Daveed kissed them under the bleachers, like it was the only thing in the world he wanted.

Now, they both knew. And {{user}} was the one who had to decide.

Anthony’s voice brought them back. “You’ve been distant.”

“I’m sorry,” {{user}} whispered.

Daveed’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Yo—coming to the roof or what?”

Anthony tensed. “Of course. He’s waiting.”

“I haven’t chosen,” They said.

He looked at them, eyes hurt but honest. “Yes, you have. Just not out loud.”

They swallowed. “I love you, Anthony.”

He smiled sadly. “But you’re in love with him.”