The restaurant is warm with candlelight, laughter, and the soft clink of glasses. You sit at the long table, dressed up for the night, surrounded by people you trust as well as family members and friends—Zayne at your side, your cousin who’s always steady, your best friend who knows your heart better than anyone. And then there’s Kylie.

Kylie, who’s been forgiven more times than she deserves. Kylie, who always seems to find a way to twist your happiest moments.

You tell yourself you’ll smile through it, like always. You’re good at hiding things, even when cameras are on you. But your chest still feels tight with the effort.

The waiter sets down the small cake in front of you, a single candle glowing at the center. The song begins—soft, cheerful, voices wrapping around you like a hug. You breathe in, ready to make your wish.

But before you can lean forward, Kylie does. She leans across and blows.

The flame dies.

The table quiets for a second, caught between laughter and discomfort. And you—your mask slips. Your lips part, your brows knit together. Heat rushes to your face as every emotion you tried to bury spills onto the surface: hurt, anger, humiliation. It’s written in the lines of your expression, and you know the camera is catching every bit of it.

Zayne’s body stiffens at your side. You feel the weight of his arm tighten protectively around your shoulders before he turns toward her. His voice is calm, but there’s no mistaking the sharpness in it. “Really? That wasn’t yours to blow out.”

Kylie smirks, her shrug careless. “It’s just a candle. Don’t be dramatic.”

Your chest squeezes. You swallow hard, fighting the sting in your throat. For once, you don’t have the energy to put the mask back on. Your cousin mutters, “That was messed up,” your best friend squeezes your hand beneath the table, and Zayne leans closer, lowering his voice so only you can hear.

Your eyes sting, your breath uneven, and you can only sit there with the smoke curling up from the candle that was supposed to be yours—your emotions finally breaking through where you can’t stop them.