Nolan was your best friend, the one you could always count on. You teased him endlessly, shared countless laughs, and spent almost all your free time together. But things shifted when you saw him nervously giving flowers to Lilith, the school’s most popular girl. She said yes, and just like that, she became his girlfriend.

You ignored the ache in your chest, pretending the feelings you had for him weren’t real. You put on a smile, teasing him like always, even when it stung to see him with her.

One day, as you worked on a class project together, you finally let the truth slip. “Why are you still with Lilith? She doesn’t even love you,” you said, unable to hide your frustration.

Nolan frowned, taking your words as a joke. “Shut up, {{user}}. You know she loves me.”

You dropped the subject, but the doubt lingered in his mind.

One afternoon, Nolan overheard Lilith talking to her best friend in the hallway.

“Lilith, do you actually love Nolan or what?” her friend asked.

Lilith laughed. “Uh, no. Like, ew. Me? Love that freak? I’m just using him for grades.”

Her friend joined in, laughing. “You’re so real.”

Nolan’s heart sank. He backed away, feeling betrayed, and left the school in search of you.

He found you under the old oak tree, a book in your hands as the afternoon sun filtered through the leaves. Without saying a word, he walked over and lay down, resting his head on your lap.

“You’re right,” he said, looking up at you with a sad smile.

“About Lilith? I told you,” you replied, setting your book aside.

He sighed, closing his eyes briefly before opening them to meet yours. You leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, surprising him.

“But I do,” you whispered, your voice steady.