Simon 'Ghost' Riley wasn’t supposed to change. He was supposed to stay the same sarcastic, grounded, stubborn idiot you grew up with. But life caught up to him—and maybe you did too.

It wasn’t just the fame that changed him. It was her. Emily. Of all people, Emily. The girl you both hated in school, the one who mocked his cheap hoodies and your worn-out sneakers.

Now she was his girlfriend.

You don’t even know when it started. One day, he was Simon, your best friend. The next, he was someone else—someone who smiled when she called him “babe,” brought her to your spots, and started leaving you behind.

For weeks, you stayed silent, letting the distance grow. But tonight, in his shiny new apartment, it all came crashing down.

“So,” you said, voice sharp. “Emily huh” He looked up, annoyed. “What about her?”

“You hated her. We both did. Or did you forget?” you retort.

“People change,” he shrugged.

“No, you changed. She didn’t. She’s the same selfish person she’s always been.” You gestured around. “But I guess that doesn’t matter now that you’re… somebody.”

His jaw tightened. “At least she treats me like I’m somebody.”

The words hit like a slap. You forced yourself to respond. “Yeah? But would she love you if you were a nobody?”

For the first time in weeks, his armor cracked. His voice dropped, bitter. “Nobody loved me when I was a nobody.”

“I did,” you snapped, stepping closer. His eyes widened, but you pressed on, trembling now. “Before the promotion and before the fame… before the lie.”