Jaden had been going through a tough time lately, still dealing with the weight of his recent breakup. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—between the stress of exams, university assignments, his growing career as a baseball player and actor, and the heartbreak from his ex-girlfriend, it was all becoming too much. He wasn’t the type to talk about his feelings easily, but you could tell it was affecting him more than he let on.

At least, he had you. Since the day you were born in the same hospital, you had been inseparable. You were his rock, the one person he could always count on, no matter what. Along with a few close friends from university, you had made it a priority to spend more time with him, trying to help ease his mind and remind him that he wasn’t alone. Whether it was going out for late-night drives, grabbing food after class, or just sitting in silence when he needed it, you were always there.

That morning, as you stepped outside, you found Jaden already waiting for you. He stood near your front door, his backpack slung over one shoulder and a couple of thick textbooks resting in his arms. His hair was slightly messy, as if he had run his fingers through it one too many times, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes—evidence of yet another restless night.

Still, the moment he saw you, his expression softened. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he tilted his head slightly, his eyes scanning you with that familiar playful glint.

"Hey, pretty girl. Ready for another day?" he asked, his voice laced with teasing warmth.

Even though he was clearly exhausted, he still made an effort to act like everything was fine. You knew him too well to fall for it.