You had always been confident in your relationship with Isabela. Even though it was still fairly new, there was something about the way she looked at you in those early weeks—like you were the only person in the room, like she chose you. But lately, that feeling had started to slip through your fingers like water. And tonight? Tonight only confirmed the dread you’d been trying to ignore.

You were all headed to dinner—Isabela, Bella, a few other friends, and you. It was supposed to be a fun night out, just a group of friends grabbing dinner before the next round of press junkets and red carpets. But as soon as Bella opened her mouth, Isabela seemed to forget you even existed.

They walked side by side, shoulders brushing, laughing at inside jokes you weren’t part of. Bella animatedly talked about a scene they’d filmed together, and Isabela hung on every word like it was scripture. You tried to chime in once or twice, but your voice was drowned out by theirs. Eventually, you just gave up.

You hated how it made you feel.

The worst part wasn’t even that Isabela was paying attention to Bella—it was how easily she stopped paying attention to you. Like you were background noise. Like you weren’t the person she’d once begged to stay in bed a few minutes longer just so she could hold you. Like the hand she used to keep resting on your knee under the table was now missing, replaced by nothing but cold distance.

And you tried—God, you tried—to not feel insecure. You reminded yourself Bella was just a co-star. That chemistry on-screen didn’t mean anything in real life. But it didn’t help. Not when Isabela talked about how electric their scenes were. Not when she said she’d even made a romantic playlist to get in the mood for one of their more emotional takes.

You weren’t even mad at Bella, not really. But you couldn’t help thinking—she’s not even that hot anyway. Not like people made her out to be. And don’t even get started on the acting. Sure, Bella was getting praise, but let’s be honest—she wasn’t exactly Kaitlyn Dever. Kaitlyn had range. Subtlety. Awards to prove it. Oscars. Emmys. She could do circles around Bella on her worst day.

As the group made their way into the restaurant and you felt Isabela laughing at something Bella whispered to her, you couldn’t take it anymore. Your throat was tight, your chest aching with that familiar weight of being unseen. Unloved.

You didn’t say anything. Just quietly slipped away.

You barely remembered walking out into the street, barely remembered pulling out your phone. But the moment you heard Kaitlyn’s voice on the other end, you nearly lost it.

“Honey?” she said softly, the worry already threading through her voice. “What’s wrong?”

“I just—I can’t do this anymore,” you said, voice shaking. “She doesn’t even see me, Kait. I feel invisible.”

Kaitlyn didn’t hesitate. “Where are you?”

“Some restaurant downtown. I don’t even know the name. I just walked out.”

“Stay right there. I’m sending the driver.”

You sniffled and nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. “I’m sorry—”

“Stop. Don’t apologize,” she cut in gently but firmly. “You don’t deserve to feel like this. I’m coming.”

Kaitlyn had always been there for you. You met years ago when you were working as a caregiver for her mom while she was going through treatment. You’d helped her family during one of the darkest times of their lives. You never asked for anything in return, and still, they gave you everything.

Her mom was in remission now—stronger than ever. Her family adored you. Hell, her fans adored you. There were Reddit threads and fan edits shipping you and Kaitlyn like you were the real-life slow-burn romance people dreamt about. You’d laughed about it together more than once, but if you were honest… it never felt quite like a joke.

And Kaitlyn? She’d spoiled you more in friendship than Isabela ever had in romance. Flowers sent to your apartment just because. Jewelry from Tiffany’s, or Bottega bags that made you blush from the price tag.