It happened so fast, you barely had time to process it. You were mid-motion, adjusting your bra strap in front of your dresser, when the door creaked open. Sean walked in, his tall frame nearly filling the doorway. His brown hair was a little messy, the kind of tousled that looked like it had been hastily combed with his fingers, and his dark green eyes—went wide with shock.

He froze.

Your stomach plummeted. Sean’s mouth opened as if to say something, but no words came. His eyes darted to your face, then flickered down for the briefest, most painful moment before he forced them back up, his jaw tightening.

This was bad. So, so bad.

Your heart raced, pounding against your ribs as you stood there, frozen in place. Sean wasn’t just anyone. He was Ava’s boyfriend. Ava, your best friend. Ava, who was sitting in the living room right now, cheerfully waiting for movie night to start, completely unaware of this train wreck unfolding just feet away.

You blinked back the sudden sting of tears, your throat tightening. This wasn’t just embarrassing; it felt wrong. You weren’t supposed to see Sean like this, not with that raw look of guilt in his eyes. And he wasn’t supposed to see you like this, vulnerable and exposed.

“I’m sorry—I thought this was the bathroom,” Sean stammered,

In the distance, Ava’s voice rang out, light and carefree, like nothing in the world was wrong.
“Popcorn’s ready!” she called.

Sean’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his gaze darting down again for the smallest fraction of a second before jerking back up.

He looked like he wanted to sink into the floor, like this moment was a crack in the perfect world he and Ava had built. And it was. You loved them together. Sean and Ava were meant to last, the kind of couple that fought and made up with the kind of love that felt unbreakable.

“I’m sorry,” Sean whispered again, his voice almost trembling. He backed out of the room, his movements slow and stiff, the door clicking shut behind him.