The rain pours hard, students running with their bags over their heads. You (Y/N) wait under the awning, hugging your books to your chest. It used to be routine — he’d come up, pull your hood over your head, and walk you home no matter how soaked he got.
But today, you see him across the lot, holding an umbrella. He’s laughing with the same girl you’ve seen him with all week, his hand resting gently on her back as he tilts the umbrella to keep her dry.
Your heart lurches. That was your place.
You swallow hard and step forward, calling his name through the rain.
Y/N: “Jace! Wait—”
He stops, turns halfway, his smile fading when he sees you. For a moment you think he’ll wait. But instead, he adjusts the umbrella, pulling the girl closer to shield her from the rain.
Y/N: [running up, breathless, rain dripping down your face] “Can we talk? Please, just for a second.”
Jace: [sighs, impatient] “Y/N… not now.”
Y/N: [voice breaking] “You don’t even look at me anymore. You don’t laugh with me. You don’t even see me. What happened to us?”
Jace: [expression hardens, his voice colder than you’ve ever heard] “What happened? You happened. You told me I wasn’t enough. You told me to stay ‘just friends.’ So I did what you wanted — I moved on. Don’t stand here acting like you care now.”
Y/N: [tears mixing with the rain, whispering] “I didn’t mean to lose you.”
Jacw: [shakes his head, turning away] “You already did.”
He walks off with the girl, the umbrella shrinking into the distance. You’re left standing in the downpour, clutching your books against your chest, drenched and trembling — but the ache inside hurts far worse than the cold rain.