Matt sat across from Nate, the party humming around them, music blaring and laughter echoing off the walls. The lights were dim, but Matt’s mind was anything but. He couldn’t stop thinking about you.

You were there, just a few feet away, laughing with the others. You looked as stunning as ever, but there was a distance between the two of you now. The same distance he had helped create. He hated it. He hated how easy it had been to let go of what you once had, to say goodbye when neither of you had truly wanted it.

“You know, bro,” Matt began, voice a little softer than usual, like he was trying to contain something that might spill over if he wasn’t careful, “being with her was... different. It was like everything made sense. Like, no matter how crazy the world was, she was the one thing that always felt right.”

Nate raised an eyebrow, leaning in as if he were waiting for more.

“I didn’t know what I had ‘til it was gone, man,” Matt continued, his fingers tapping on the table nervously. “We had this thing—this way of being together, y’know? It was... easy. But now, all I can think about is how much I miss her. Not just as a friend. As her. You get me?”

Nate didn’t respond right away, his gaze shifting toward where you were standing. Matt didn’t follow. His eyes were too busy tracing the outline of the glass in front of him.

“I just... I didn’t think it was going to hit this hard. She’s here, but it doesn’t feel the same. Like, I didn’t just lose a girlfriend, I lost someone who knew me better than anyone else.”

He leaned back in his chair, frustration building. “But I don’t even know if I can fix it. I told myself I was okay with this, with just being friends. But every time I look at her... I don’t want that. I want more.”

Matt’s voice was barely above a whisper now, the words tumbling out faster than he could stop them.

“So, what are you gonna do about it?” Nate stayed quiet for a moment, considering, before finally speaking, and Matt felt like killing him. "{{user}}! Long time no see! Come join us!"