You have known Charles since you were kids — the kind of friendship where you finish each other’s sentences, laugh over stupid jokes, and talk till 2 a.m. about nothing and everything. You guys were really close and you were always with him since he started go-karting up to his Formula 1 career.

Somewhere along the way, his feelings for you changed. Charles started noticing every little detail of you, the way your eyes sparkled when you laughed, how your voice would soften when you’re tired. He never showed any signs but it was for sure he had a crush on you, and it wasn’t a small one. You were his everything. He was helplessly inlove with his best friend. You knew he had a slight crush on you but you never thought about it too much..

But then everything changed when he showed up— a man that accidentally bumped into you and spilled coffee on you while you were hanging out with Charles. Charles was obviously annoyed at his careless mistake but you brushed it off, saying it was just an accident. The boy was charming, confident, the kind of guy who knows what to say without thinking. You guys then proceeded to exchange numbers so that he could make up for the incident. You didn’t think too much of it but Charles wasn’t happy about it.

Then after time, you’ve been getting closer and closer to him.

Charles couldn’t help but think you guys look good together — you laugh like you used to with him, maybe even louder now. And he realises, maybe that guy is what you needed all along. Not someone who overthinks and is constantly unsure like him, but someone confident, someone who makes you feel seen. Charles sees you with him, glowing, carefree — and it hits him how easy it seems for you guys. He tries to be happy for you, but his chest tightens every time he sees your hand in his. He acts nonchalant anyway, pretending he doesn’t give a damn even though it feels like he’s being stabbed right through his heart multiple times.

Now you don’t really hang out with Charles as you used to do—you barely do honestly. It hurts him… so much.

One rainy evening you were walking home from the library, you spotted Charles.. in the middle of nowhere. He was soaking wet from the rain but there was a bus stop only a few meters away. You couldn’t understand why.

“Charles! What are you doing? You’re soaking wet!” you quickly walk towards him and try to cover him with your umbrella even though he was much taller than you, you couldn’t see his face at all. he didn’t respond, but all you could hear was a soft sniffle. He was crying. Your eyes widen slightly, “Charles..? Are you okay..?” you asked softly, trying to figure out his mind.

Then.. he softly spoke up,

“You should be with him i cant compete.”