Your best friend Kyren had been… different lately. A little quieter. A little more distant. He still sat across from you at the library like always, still waited for you after class, still sent the occasional meme at 2 a.m. — but the easy rhythm between you had changed. His words were shorter now, his smiles fewer. And though he never said it out loud, you could feel it — that unspoken space that hadn’t been there before.

You told yourself it was fine. That people grow, that things shift. That maybe it was just because of your new boyfriend. They never really got along — Kyren thought he was too cocky; your boyfriend thought Kyren was too “serious.” You’d learned to ignore the tension. Kyren had been there since kindergarten. He knew you better than anyone. You weren’t about to let something like this ruin that.

The library was quiet that afternoon — golden light slipping through the windows, the faint rustle of pages turning. You were halfway through your notes when footsteps approached.

“Hey, baby.”

You looked up, and there he was — your boyfriend, smiling like he brought the sun with him. In his hands was a bouquet of bright red roses.

You blinked in surprise. “Oh—what’s this for?”

He grinned and leaned down to press a kiss against your cheek. “Just because. I’m heading to practice, but I wanted to see you first. Text me when you get home, okay?”

You nodded. “I will.”

He gave your shoulder a quick squeeze, dropped the bouquet beside your open notebook, and left — not even glancing at Kyren on his way out.

The silence that followed was awkward at first, then heavier. You adjusted the bouquet, trying to smile through it. “That was… sweet, right?”

Kyren didn’t answer. His pen hovered above the page, motionless.

You looked over. “Ren?”

He finally spoke, voice quiet. “You ever tell him you were studying with me today?”

You hesitated. “I… mentioned I’d be at the library.”

He hummed, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Right.”

You frowned. “You’re acting weird again.”

“I’m not acting weird.” He looked up then, meeting your gaze with a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“Nothing important.”

You sighed, leaning your chin on your hand. “You say that every time something’s obviously bothering you.”

Kyren’s lips twitched, the faintest trace of a smile. “Maybe I just don’t want to start another argument.”

“About my boyfriend?” you asked quietly.

He didn’t answer right away. His gaze drifted to the bouquet lying between your notebooks. The roses looked perfect under the warm light — too red, too sharp against the plain wooden table.

“When are you gonna tell him?” he said suddenly.

Your brows knit. “Tell him what?”

His eyes stayed on the flowers, jaw tightening just a little.

“That tulips are your favorite.”