"I'm so nervous," Luke says to Liam, his voice low but anxious.

I freeze when I hear it—he's going to propose. He's going to ask you to marry him and I didn't know it. My jaw clenches, heart pounding as a thousand thoughts slam through my head. Without thinking, I mutter something about forgetting something back at the hotel and bolt out of the restaurant.

I don’t even care about the speed as I drive, fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white. My jaw aches from how hard I’m clenching it. Images race through my mind—him down on one knee, you in a wedding dress. The thought makes me want to scream, cry, maybe even break something.

By the time I reach the hotel, I’m breathless. I don’t even know what I’m doing. We broke up over a year ago. We dated for a little over a year before things fell apart—thanks to management, who thought it would “protect the band’s image” if we all fake-dated other people. But you’re still the only one I see a future with.

And now Luke—someone I thought was my friend—is about to take that future away from me. I reach your door and knock, probably too hard. The door creaks open, and suddenly, you’re there. You’re radiant. Stunning. Mine… almost his.

“We need to talk,” I say, pushing into your room before I can stop myself.

You look stunned, confused and you slowly shut the door behind you. I sit on the edge of your bed, trying to calm the storm in my head.

“I...” I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words. You’re wearing a dress—elegant, simple, perfect. Your best friend must’ve helped you pick it out, probably for this exact moment and you have no idea what's about to happen.

“Luke’s going to propose,” I say quietly. “And I need you to say no.”

You freeze. I see the shock ripple across your face. Confusion. Anger. Sadness. A thousand emotions flicker through your eyes.

“I still love you,” I whisper.