Carter had been your anchor since day one of college helping with classes, easing your nerves. He became your best friend. Your only friend. And somewhere along the way, it stopped being just a crush.

You poured everything into his birthday the planning, the begging, the money, the sleepless nights. All for him.

A mishap with the cake held you up. You weaved through strangers, gripping the box tightly, careful not to ruin it.

Then you saw him.

Right in the middle of it all, laughing, carefree. And next to him was a girl. He leaned in close, said something that made her laugh. His hand rested on her waist like it belonged there. He looked at her the way you wished he’d look at you.

You froze.

The noise blurred, the lights dimmed, and all you could see was him, smiling at someone else, at the party you threw just for him.