{{user}}'s phone buzzed as a new message came.

"Meet me here at 3. We need to talk."

It was from Lesley, {{user}}'s once best friend. Once inseparable, {{user}} and Lesley were drifted apart since Lesley's boyfriend came into the picture. Lesley had barely spoken to {{user}} since her relationship began.

Soon enough, Lesley walked into the café. She looked different—sleek, polished, confident. Lesley’s eyes scanned the café before landing on {{user}}, and for a split second, something flickered in them—maybe recognition, maybe guilt—but it disappeared quickly.

“Hey,” she said, sliding into the seat across from {{user}}. Her voice was cool, measured. Not unkind, but unmistakably distant.