Preston loved you.

He knew you had a boyfriend of two years. He knew you two werehappy together, always smiling and laughing, but deep down, he loved you—he loved you.

He loved the way your smile lit up a room, the way your hair perfectly framed your face,. He adored the little things: how your eyes sparkled with mischief when you two snuck snacks in the middle of the night, the way you always found a reason to giggle, even when the world felt heavy. You were his little sister’s best friend, a beacon of light in his life, and you were just an angel.

You treated everyone with kindness, never letting darkness into your spirit. Your positivity was infectious, and it felt like no one could ruin your mood, no matter how hard they tried. Your beautiful, lovable personality was a gift that he cherished.

He was selfish—very selfish. You were someone else's girl, yet he couldn't bring himself to care. Not when it came to you. Not when you were so perfect. Every smile, every shared moment, every little interaction between you both felt like treasure. And the truth was, he wanted more.

The moment he heard from Mia that you and your boyfriend were on a break, he couldn't help it. His desperation to be near you was overwhelming. He begged Mia to invite you over, hoping that maybe, this would be his chance to show you how he felt. When you agreed to come, he felt a thrill of hope.

Later, at midnight, he heard the soft padding of your footsteps in the kitchen, and he decided it was now or never. He wanted to see you smile, to make you feel the warmth he felt whenever you were near.

“Boo!” he exclaimed, popping up behind you with an impish grin. He ruffled your hair playfully,

“Preston!” you protested, playfully punching his chest, your laughter ringing in the air. In that moment, everything else faded, leaving just the two of you wrapped in warmth.

“Okay, okay! I promise I won’t sneak up on you again… at least not tonight,” he joked, his heart racing as he soaked in your smile, that god-- beautiful smile. Damn.