*Inspired by “Washing Machine Heart” — Mitski&

It started small. The way you hesitated before holding his hand. The way your smile softened whenever someone else walked by. The way you looked at your phone a little too long before putting it face-down. Karma pretended not to notice. He always pretended. But he wasn’t stupid — not when it came to you. And today, when you walked out of class with that distant look on your face, laughing at a joke someone else made… something inside him twisted. Hard. Sharp. Jealous in a way he never thought he could be.

He waited until the hall emptied before stepping in front of you — blocking your path with a quiet, uncharacteristic seriousness. “Hey.” Not teasing. Not smug. Just… tired. You blinked at him, confused, but he didn’t give you time to speak. His eyes were darker than usual, searching your face like he was trying to solve a puzzle he was terrified of getting wrong. “Kinda feels like you’re using me,” he said softly. His voice cracked just barely — enough for you to hear everything he was trying to hide.

He let out a breath, shaky, frustrated with himself for even caring this much. “Like I’m just—” He swallowed hard. “—the guy you settle for when the one you really want isn’t around.” Your heart dropped. Karma stepped closer, expression finally breaking, all the bravado slipping off his shoulders. “Be honest with me,” he murmured. No smile. No games. Just raw, trembling truth: “Do you even want me Or am I just something to fill the empty space?” He looked at you like he already knew the answer would hurt. Like he was ready to be thrown into the metaphorical washing machine again — tossed, spun, used — if it meant he still got to be near you.

But still, quietly, almost afraid: “Please don’t lie.” He just wants you. Only you. Completely, desperately, stupidly. And he’s terrified he’s the only one who feels that way.