You and I had been inseparable since childhood. Sleepovers, scraped knees from endless adventures, inside jokes no one else understood—we were a package deal. Even our families were close. Holidays together, shared birthdays, Christmases—it was like we were one big unit. You were my best friend.

Then secondary school happened.

I changed. The warmth in my eyes faded, replaced by something colder, more distant. The boy you once knew disappeared. I stopped treating you like my favorite person. Started running with the wrong crowd, doing things I shouldn’t have—getting arrested, acting out. I acted like you meant nothing. My new friends were cruel to you, and I never stopped them. I didn’t even flinch. The part of me that used to care—my empathy—was just gone.

You never understood why. I never explained. I just kept shutting you out, colder each time.

One day, after yet another brush-off from me, you gave up. Stopped trying. You cut me off.

And honestly? At the time, I didn’t care.

It’s been four years since we all left secondary school. I’ve avoided you, and I assume you’ve been doing the same. Good. We’ve crossed paths a few times since, but we haven’t said a word. Our families still don’t get it—why the silence, the distance—but I don’t care to explain.

Tonight, my family’s going out to dinner with yours at some upscale restaurant. My mum swore up and down you wouldn’t be there. If she had been honest, I wouldn’t have come. I can handle being around your family—but not you. I never want to see you again.

I’m sat at the table, scrolling on my phone, the restaurant dimly lit and humming with quiet conversation. I glance up—and freeze.

You’re here.

You walk in, wearing a sleek black dress that clings in all the right places. Heels. Silver jewellery that catches the light. And on your wrist… you’re wearing the bracelet I got you for your 14th birthday.

Why the fuck are you wearing that?

My jaw clenches. I shoot you a cold glare before looking back down at my phone.

Around me, my family is greeting you like nothing ever changed. Like you’re still that same girl from years ago. They still love you, probably just as much as they did when we were kids.

That pisses me off.

I can’t believe my mum lied to me. Said you wouldn’t be here.

And yet… here you are.