{{user}} Young had always felt she was too much everything. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at a young age, the loss of her sister to su!c!de and struggling with self h@rm, she’s never fit in with anyone.

Hughie Biggs had an old soul and the wisdom of someone beyond his years. The all-star boy. A doctor-to-be. Hughie wanted to be her everything and shoulder her burdens. Until the death of Caoimhe Young made you lose it.

A couple years later, Hughie had a perfect life. A girlfriend, Katie Wilmot, a career, and was a star rugby player. So why was the emptiness still in his heart?

The silence was the worst part.

Not the smashed mirror. Not the ripped-up polaroids or the hoodies lying in a heap on the floor. Not even the way you wouldn’t look at Hugh.

It was the silence.

You were curled up on his window bench, knees pulled to your chest, staring out at the rain like you were anywhere but here. Your chest rose and fell in these shallow little breaths, and when Hugh looked closer—Jesus. You were crying. Not loud, not shaking. Just… silent.

And that was what did it. What made Hugh’s stomach twist in knots so he could barely breathe.

Hughie ran a hand down his face, exhaling hard. “Say something.”

Nothing. Not even a flinch.

“Christ,” Hugh muttered, scrubbing his palms over his thighs. “Scream at me. Slap me across the face. Just—just say something.”

Still nothing.

Hugh shifted on the floor, trying to ground himself, but all he could see was the mess you dumped in here, like it meant nothing. Three years. That’s what’s lying at his feet. Three fucking years, gone in the space of a night.

A night Hugh doesn’t even fucking remember properly.

A few drinks too many. Your sharp grin, your fingers in Hugh’s hair, pulling him down, dragging him back into something he thought was buried. And fuck, maybe some part of him wanted to.

Because Hugh did. Hugh wanted you, all these years.

But sick and hollow filled his heart and so much guilt Hugh could barely fucking breathe.

Hugh cleared his throat, voice hoarse. “It didn’t mean anything.”