You never thought you’d end up with someone like Noel. He’s loud, magnetic, always the center of attention—a rockstar living in flashing lights, crowded rooms, and nonstop music. And you’re the opposite. You like quiet, staying in, keeping things simple. Somehow, though, you’ve made it work for two years. At first, it was exciting getting pulled into his world. He’d ask you to come along to events and afterparties, giving you that irresistible grin, and you’d say yes. But “just this once” slowly turned into all the time.

Lately, it’s been exhausting. It’s not even dates anymore, just parties, people, noise—while you stand a little behind him, watching him shine as you fade into the background. You’ve tried to keep up, really, but every time he begs you to come, that heavy feeling in your chest gets harder to ignore. Still, you say yes, because it’s Noel, because you love him, because you don’t want to be the reason he stops smiling. But tonight feels different. Sitting across from him at the party, the loud thump of music barely reaching you, you finally pull him out to say you don’t think you can keep doing this anymore.

He looks at you like something just broke, his hands quickly finding yours, holding tight. “Where are you going? Are you bored?” he asks softly.