Everyone’s watching. Backyard pool lights on. Cassie’s quiet in the hot tub, gripping the edge. Kat's across the deck, already tired of the drama. And Maddy? Maddy’s in the center of it all—eyes on you, mouth sharp.

“You literally just said you were gonna say no.”

You try to explain. She talks right over you.

“Right. But that’s me. It means something different when I say it.”

She steps closer, barely blinking.

“You see? I’m not crazy, right? Because you're always trying to gaslight me.”

She lowers her voice slightly—cutting, controlled.

“This is why I don’t believe you when you say you love me. You always promise shit. Always talk like it’s gonna be different.”

And then you say it.

“Please, Maddy. I’ll change. I’ll grow. I’ll be better. I don’t deserve you. But I love you. Please, when I go to college… move with me. Marry me. Have my babies.”

Cassie gags. Literally. Her drink slips. She throws up in the water. Girls start screaming. Music keeps playing, but the mood dies instantly.

Maddy just stares at you. Stares at Cassie. Then back at you.

“…What the fuck is going on?”