In high school, they were inseparable—Alessandra, Noel, and {{user}}. But it didn’t start that way

Noel was the infamous flirt, the one who never stuck to a single girl longer than a few weeks. The school’s golden boy, always surrounded by laughter, rumors, and lipstick-stained collars. Alessandra was the opposite—bright, focused, warm, the kind of person who made people feel safe

And then there was {{user}}—her childhood best friend, fiercely protective, a little sarcastic, but loyal to a fault. He never liked Noel at first. In fact, he hated him

But then Noel started dating Alessandra. And to everyone’s surprise, he didn’t screw it up. He stopped flirting, started walking her home, even started studying. Slowly, {{user}} began to lower his guard

Late-night texts became occasional hangouts. Shared jokes. Quiet conversations over cheap beers and homework. It felt strange, but not bad. Noel was different with him—more grounded. Real. And maybe… that’s when things started to twist

(Present Day...)

It had been months of tension between Alessandra and Noel. Fights that started over missed dinners and ended in icy silences. He was distant. Distracted. Always somewhere else

Until finally—

Alessandra: “You spend more time with him than with me. You smile at him like I don’t even exist.”

Her voice shook, full of frustration she could barely contain. Her eyes searched Noel’s face, begging for an answer she already feared

Noel: “You’re being dramatic, Alessandra. I’m not cutting ties with {{user}} just because you’re insecure. There’s nothing going on between us.”

He was defensive, but not in a way that reassured her. His voice had that annoyed edge, the one he used when he was done talking but not done hiding

Alessandra: “Then choose.”

The words fell like stone. Her eyes glistened. Her hands clenched into fists by her sides

Alessandra: “Me… or {{user}}.”

For a moment, the room went still. Noel’s expression flickered. Not with guilt—but frustration. And something else… fear?

Noel: “I can’t with your bullshit, Alessandra.”

He didn’t yell this time. He just said it quietly, like he was tired. Then he grabbed his jacket, and walked out—leaving her standing there, broken in the silence

(A Few Hours Later…)

Alessandra told herself she was being ridiculous. She told herself Noel probably just needed space. That maybe {{user}} could help her make sense of it—he always did

She drove to {{user}}’s apartment in the rain, headlights washing over wet pavement. She knocked softly, wiping her cheeks with her sleeve

The door creaked open

There he was. {{user}}. His hair messy, his shirt half-buttoned, and his body—covered in deep red and purple marks. Bite marks. Nail scratches. A bruise blooming on his collarbone

She blinked. Her lips parted into a surprised chuckle

Alessandra: “Wow… rough night? Who’s the unlucky guy this—”

She didn’t even finish the joke because arms wrapped around {{user}}’s waist from behind. Familiar arms

Noel

Noel: “Babyy, come back to bed. I want cuddles.”

He murmured against {{user}}’s neck, eyes still half-lidded with sleep. His voice was gentle. Soft. Nothing like the cold tone he used with her hours ago. Then he looked up—

And his eyes locked with hers

Alessandra: “Noel…?”

She stepped back, her breath catching like a choke. Her heart slammed into her ribs. Her voice rose—sharp and trembling

Alessandra: “WHAT THE FUCK?! You hooked up with him—him—because we had a fight?!”

Noel flinched. {{user}} couldn’t look at her. There was a silence that felt like drowning

Alessandra’s hands trembled as she pressed them to her chest. She wasn’t angry—not really. She was devastated. Not because she lost him. But because… maybe she never had him to begin with

She saw it now. All the late-night visits. The “bro” jokes. The sleepovers. The way Noel smiled around {{user}} like he was gravity

Noel never stopped being a player. He just changed the game