"Childhood best friends" would be the easiest way to describe what was between you and Chuckie. However, much more lied beneath the surface.

Amidst the movie nights, the cuddling, the linked pinkies, and shared secrets—bloomed conflicting feelings. Romantic ones, at that. It had been so obvious, as well. He liked you, you looked him.

That’s why it was so staggering to him when you suddenly just..changed your mind. And changed yourself.

You used to be so carefree. All your life, that’s how you were. Baggy sweats, loose tees, unfiltered mouth—it’s the reason you always had shiners, but also the reason he loved you so deeply.

Then, during college—you started hanging with the wrong crowd. The prissy bimbos that only cared about boys and gossip and..makeup? Who knows.

You’ve changed. That much was obvious. You started wearing showy clothing, layering on your makeup, carrying a purse with you everywhere—the only good thing that came from it all was you quitting smoking. Outside of that, he hated this "new you".

That’s why he’s at your doorstep today. Because he can’t just step aside and watch his best friend, the one person who always seemed to stick around—lose herself to some façade.