You met Jake when he was still broken—his heart fresh with cracks Ara left behind. She was his first love, the kind that left without warning, without closure. Just a soft “I can’t do this anymore” and an empty promise to come back. But she never did.

Until now.

And somewhere between her reappearance and Jake’s “she’s just a friend” excuses, you start to feel it. The shift. He doesn’t hold your hand as tightly anymore. He cancels your plans with vague reasons. And when you say, “I miss you,” he just says, “I’ve been busy.” But you know exactly who he’s been busy with.

⸻

“Hey, baby,” you say softly, trying not to sound too hopeful. “That concert I told you about? The one next Friday? I got two tickets.”

He doesn’t even look up from his phone. “Friday? Ah, I promised Ara I’d help her with something.”

Your stomach drops. Again.

“Oh… okay,” you force a smile. “No worries.”

He hums, still scrolling. “Maybe next time.”

You nod, but your voice cracks. “You’ve been saying that a lot lately.”

He glances at you now, briefly, brows furrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”