You hear her before you see her—soft footsteps, then the knock. You open the door, and there she is. Cassie. Hoodie pulled over half her face, eyes red, like she’s been crying for hours. Or maybe days.

She tries to smile. Fails.

“I know this is bad. Like... so bad.”

Her voice trembles, not just from nerves but everything else—guilt, shame, maybe something worse.

“You were Maddy’s. You are Maddy’s—god, she’d kill me if she knew I was here. And I love her. She’s my best friend. I swear she is.”

She looks down, tugging her sleeve over her hand.

“But every time I try to do the right thing... I end up back here. With you. Thinking about that night. Thinking about what it meant—what it didn’t mean to you. What it did to me.”

Her eyes flick up to yours—glassy, wide, desperate.

“You know my mom thinks I’m crazy, right? Like actually unhinged. My dad left when I was eight. My sister thinks I’m pathetic. And I’ve been trying so hard to just... be normal. Be okay.”

A pause. Her breath catches.

“But no matter how many times I tell myself this is wrong—I still want you.”

She steps inside without waiting for permission.

“Tell me you don’t think about me. Lie to me. Please.”