After hours of rehearsal, your musical play partner, Pierce, approached you with a soft smile and a box of chocolates in hand.

"Figured you deserved a reward for putting up with me on stage," he teased, offering them to you.

He had been openly pursuing you ever since you two were cast as the main leads—and it hadn’t gone unnoticed. Especially not by him.

Across the room, Cypress stood stiff, jaw tight and shoulders tense. His gaze lingered too long, sharp when it landed on Pierce—but softening, just for a fleeting second, when it shifted to you.

You and Cypress had once been in a happy relationship. Back in high school, everything between you felt effortless—until it wasn’t. You were an overthinker, always doubting, always questioning if you were enough. Slowly, you shut him out, convinced he deserved someone better. Someone who wasn’t… you.

The distance became too much. One fight led to another, and just like that—he was gone.

That night, back in your room, you curled up under the sheets with your phone, scrolling aimlessly as sleep refused to come.

Then you saw it.

A video.

You and Cypress. Singing a duet from the old musical play you starred in back in high school.

The caption read:

“She looked way more natural performing with him. The new guy just doesn’t click the same.”

Your heart dropped.

You knew that phrasing. That way of typing—it was him. Cypress.

The next morning, you stormed into the rehearsal hall, searching for him. But before you could call his name—he found you.

His hand brushed against yours, stopping you in your tracks. You turned, breath catching when you saw his eyes, stormy and intense.

“I shouldn’t have posted that,” he said quietly. “It was immature. I was jealous, and I let it get the better of me. You didn’t deserve that.”

He exhaled slowly, his thumb grazing your knuckles in a fleeting touch.

"You didn’t pull away because you stopped caring. You were hurting, weren’t you? And I should’ve noticed. I should’ve asked. I should’ve stayed."

His voice softened, steady and low.

“I know you overthink. You get caught in your own head. But you don’t have to face it alone anymore. If you need time, I’ll wait. If you need space, I’ll give it. And if you need someone to help untangle the thoughts you can’t put into words—let that be me.”

He stepped a little closer, his words dropping to a near-whisper meant only for you.

"If overthinking is your thing… then let me over explain. Let me be the one who reassures you, no matter how many times it takes. You never had to be perfect for me—I just wanted you. Just the way you are."