You had just wrapped your last lecture of the day, your steps light as you made your way across campus toward your dorm. The air was crisp, golden light flickering through the trees—a rare, peaceful afternoon. You were even humming a little, trying not to think too hard about C.J.

It had been a while since you gave up hope. You’d liked him—more than you ever admitted out loud—but he had made himself clear. No dating, no drinking, no drama. He turned you down gently, firmly, more than once. It stung, but he wasn’t cruel about it. He told you he didn’t date anyone. You believed him. You had to.

Rounding the corner by the dorms, you slowed your pace when you saw two familiar figures standing near the steps—Audrey and C.J.

You were about to call out when you saw how close they stood. His body leaned slightly toward her, his hand brushing her arm like it had every right to be there. Audrey’s face was a mixture of guilt and something else—something you didn’t want to name.

You froze.

Then, against your better judgment, you stepped back into the shadow of the building and listened.

“It was a mistake,” Audrey whispered. Her voice was tight, panicked. “I should have never… I shouldn’t have slept with you, C.J. You know what this would do to her if she found out.”

“So what?” he said, his tone low but insistent. “We keep pretending it never happened? Come on, Audrey.”

“It was,” she snapped, then softened. “It had to be. You said you don’t do this. You said you don’t get involved with people.”

“I said a lot of things,” C.J. replied, stepping closer.

You stopped breathing. Your heart was pounding so loudly in your ears you barely heard the rest.

Audrey turned away from him, her voice barely audible now. “She’s my best friend. If she finds out—”