You and Clark had known each other for as long as you could remember. Back when scraped knees and spelling tests were the biggest problems in the world, he was there — the boy with the crooked smile and kind eyes who always offered you half of his PB&J at lunch. Somewhere along the way, “childhood friend” turned into “best friend,” and “best friend” turned into something heavier. Something you never said out loud.

It wasn’t like you didn’t try to bury it. But every laugh, every late-night phone call, every smile that lingered a little too long just made it harder. You convinced yourself that maybe — maybe — he felt it too. And when he’d ask you to hang out after school, or text you about a movie marathon, or walk you home just because, those little embers of hope would flare right back up.

Your friends didn’t help, either. “See? He asked for your help in math because he wanted to spend time with you!” “He invited himself over to swim — he’s definitely trying to see you in a swimsuit.” “He keeps looking for you in the halls. That means something.”

You let them fuel the fire, even when part of you knew better.

And then there were the moments that really messed with your head — like the time he asked if you wanted to go to the park with him one evening. Your heart had practically leapt out of your chest. But you had a family picnic planned there that night, so you told him you couldn’t make it.

And that’s when you saw it.

The same evening, same park — Clark, walking under the fading light with Lana Lang. Her laughter spilling into the air, his easy smile reserved just for her. It was quiet, and it was crushing. Suddenly, everything clicked into place in the worst possible way. All those questions, all those hangouts, all those moments… they weren’t signs. They were rehearsals. You weren’t the person he was reaching for — you were just the person he felt safe practicing with.

It stung deeper than you wanted to admit. Because no matter how much you told yourself otherwise, you’d built a whole world around the idea that maybe he could love you back. And watching him with her made that world crumble piece by piece.

Then the next morning…