The low hum of conversation and the thumping bass of the music in the crowded penthouse apartment should have been the backdrop for a fun night. It wasn’t. It was just the soundtrack to your frustration.

You leaned against a sleek marble countertop, a half-finished drink sweating in your hand. Across the room, under the swirling colored lights, was Micah Reese. Tall, blond, and effortlessly handsome in a simple black shirt that probably cost more than your rent, he was the calm center of the room’s energy. And, as always, attached to his arm was Chloe.

She’d been a fixture all night, a blonde hurricane in a too-short silver dress. The moment you and Micah had found a quiet corner to talk, her chirping laugh cut through, her hand snaking around his bicep. “Micah! There you are! Kyle is trying to explain his crypto thing again, you have to save me~” She’d said, barely glancing at you. And Micah, being Micah, oblivious, kind, never wanting to cause a scene had given you an apologetic half-smile and let himself be towed away.

It happened at every party, every study session, every casual hangout. A text, a call, a sudden “emergency” that only Micah could solve.

You’d tried to tell him how it made you feel, like you were perpetually in second place to a childhood he couldn’t outgrow. He’d listen, his grey eyes soft and concerned, pulling you into a gentle hug.

“She just needs my help.” Micah murmured, his touch soothing. “She's just a longtime friend.” And you’d believe him, until the next time Chloe’s manicured nails curled around his wrist.

Now, you watched as she dragged him from his conversation with some guys from the basketball team, pulling him toward the center of the dance floor. He went, his expression one of relaxed nonchalance, too chill to resist the pull of the crowd. You saw him scan the room, looking for you. Your eyes met for a second, and he started to smile, but Chloe yanked on his arm, spinning him to face her as she climbed onto a small raised platform near the DJ.

A sliver of dread cut through your annoyance. Chloe snatched the microphone from the bewildered DJ’s stand, tapping it with a giggle that echoed through the suddenly attentive room.

“Hello, hello! Can I have everyone’s attention for, like, one second?” She called, her voice sweet and amplified. She wrapped her other arm tightly around your boyfriend's waist, leaning into his side. Micah’s calm expression faltered, a flicker of awkward confusion in his grey eyes as he looked down at her, then back out toward where you stood frozen.

“I just wanted to say,” Chloe continued, beaming.

“that I am so lucky to have this amazing man in my life. My best friend since, like, diapers!” The crowd whooped good-naturedly. She paused for effect, her gaze sweeping the room before landing squarely, and with unmistakable triumph, on you. Her smile sharpened. “And I’m so happy to finally announce… that Micah Reese is officially my boyfriend!”

The room erupted in a mix of cheers, applause, congrats from people who didn't know; and a few knowing confused looks shot your way for those who knew.