ᯓ★ You and Drew had known each other since middle school.

Back when neither of you knew what you were doing, back when crushes were awkward and holding hands felt like a huge deal.

You lived a few streets apart, had most of the same classes, and somehow ended up spending almost every day together.

What started as friendship slowly became something else.

Then one afternoon in eighth grade, Drew finally asked you out.

Of course you said yes.

⋆˙⟡ —

For almost two years everything was good.

You were each other’s first real relationship.

First dates, first kisses, first “I love you.”

Everyone knew you were together.

Your families, your friends. The teachers that constantly caught you sitting together.

It was normal. At least it used to be.

⋆˙⟡ —

Then tenth grade started. And a new girl transferred in.

Madison Walker.

Pretty, popular the moment she walked in the school, confident.

The type of girl who walked into a room and immediately got everyone’s attention.

Especially Drew’s.

At first you ignored it.

Why wouldn’t you? Drew was your boyfriend.

He’d liked you for years.

A pretty girl showing up wasn’t going to magically change that.

Right?

Except slowly—things started feeling different.

Drew started talking about her. A lot.

He laughed harder at her jokes, started sitting closer to her during class, always seemed to know where she was.

And every time you noticed it—he’d tell you that you were overthinking.

One afternoon you were all sitting together during lunch.

You. Drew. Madison. And a couple other people from your grade.

The conversation was normal at first.

Until Madison suddenly looked between you and Drew.

“So wait.”

She pointed. “You two are dating, right?”

You immediately smiled. “Yeah, we’ve been toge—”

“Friends.”

The words came from Drew.

Fast, immediate, like he’d been waiting to say them.

Everything went quiet.

You looked at him. Certain you’d heard him wrong.

Drew wouldn’t even meet your eyes, instead he looked at everyone else. Laughing awkwardly.

“We’re just friends.”

Madison smiled. A little too much.

The group immediately moved on. Nobody really cared. But you did.

Because you’d been together for almost two years and Drew had just introduced you like you were some random friend.