The sun was setting as you lay in the backyard, beside JJ, your best friend and the one person who had always been there. You hadn’t been able to talk to anyone about how things had gotten so bad with your boyfriend. He wasn’t abusive, but the constant insults, the constant making you feel small, was enough.

JJ, who had been by your side for as long as you could remember, knew you better than anyone. He could see through the smile you plastered on your face every day, could see the way you started to unravel bit by bit.

You sighed, your voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

JJ shifted beside you, his usual teasing smile gone, replaced by concern. “You’re tied together with a smile,” he said softly, his words cutting through the silence, “but you’re coming undone, {{user}}.”

You swallowed hard, fighting the lump in your throat. “It’s not abuse… I just…” you trailed off, your voice breaking. “I don’t feel like I’m good enough.”

JJ’s eyes softened, a sharp ache in his chest at hearing you say that. He wanted to reach out, to make you see the truth. “You are enough. He’s making you feel small, but you’re not.”

You shook your head, unable to believe it. “I don’t even know who I am anymore, JJ.”

“You’re you, the girl I’ve known forever, you’re {{user}} Callaway,” he said, moving closer, his voice steady. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

His words, his presence, were all the comfort you didn’t know you needed. In that moment, you realized you didn’t have to pretend anymore.