You’d been crushing on him for as long as you could remember.
Every class, every group project, he never looked your way. Not once.
So the day you finally gathered courage and confessed, you expected him to laugh, or look confused, or walk away.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he just was quiet for a while … then said he loved you too.
It felt strange. Surreal. Like a dream you weren’t supposed to be having.
And just like that, you started dating.
But even in the happiest, saddest, most private moments, she was always there.
Irene.
His so-called "best friend."
Every conversation somehow circled back to her. Irene this, Irene that.
You fought with him countless times over her constant presence in your relationship, but he always brushed it off with the same sentence:
“We’re just friends.”
And for some reason… you believed him.
Irene had a boyfriend. That’s why you cut her some slack and let yourself feel safe. That's why you thought he wasn't ever going to leave you for her because it was evident he liked her even though he'd never admit it.
PROM NIGHT.
The school gym was draped in streamers and balloons. Loud music blared from the speakers. You were holding hands with Nathan, but it was loose. He was distracted.
He kept looking at his pocket where his phone buzzed again and again. Third time. Fourth.
“You gonna check that?” you asked curiously.
He shook his head. “No. It’s nothing. Don’t start, not tonight.”
You forced a smile, trying to convince yourself you didn’t know who was stealing his attention again. This was supposed to be your night. Yet somehow, she was still ruining it.
The music slowed, and a soft song filled the room. Couples pulled eachother closer. Nathan pulled you close, but before you could start dancing, his phone rang. It was loud, cutting through the soft song.
He answered the call in an instant.
“Irene? What’s wrong?”
Your stomach twisted. Of course. It was her. Again.
Her voice was faint and shaky.
“Nathan… he dumped me. I really need you.”
His expression changed in an instant, he suddenly looked angry.
He didn’t hesitate. He let go of your hand saying:
“I’ll be right back, give me five minutes. Just five,” he muttered, kissed your hair quickly before jogging off, disappearing into the crowd.
Five minutes. Ten. Twenty. He didn’t come back.
You decided to go look for him before the dance ended. You checked the bleachers, the refreshment table, the locker room—no Irene. No Nathan.
Feeling defeated, you stepped outside for some air.
And then you saw them.
By the waterfall, Nathan’s hand held her cheek while her arms pulled him closer. The kiss was slow, intimate and desperate. Like they belonged to each other.
Ten long seconds dragged by before they broke apart—smiling at each other, like you didn’t exist.
Then Nathan turned. His smile vanished the instant he set his eyes on you. His body stiffened, and his face was suddenly pale.
“Babe— I… I promise you, it's not what it looks like.”