The streetlights flicker as you sit on the curb outside the party, knees tucked to your chest, the cool night air biting at your skin. Lip Gallagher stands beside you, hands shoved into his hoodie pockets, shifting from foot to foot like he’d rather be anywhere else. But he stays. He always stays.

“You okay?” he asks, voice low, almost hesitant.

You let out a sharp breath, staring at the cracked pavement. “How’s it going with her?” you whisper, not really expecting an answer.

Lip tenses. He drags a hand through his messy hair, avoiding your gaze. “Don’t do this,” he mutters.

You laugh, but it’s hollow. “I mean, she must have something I don’t, right? Maybe it’s her perfect hair or the way she looks at you like you’re the only guy in the world.” Your voice cracks. “Or maybe she just makes you forget me.”

Lip finally looks at you, eyes dark under the neon party lights. “That’s not fair.”

“Fair?” You shake your head. “I tried, Lip. I tried to stop thinking about you, to move on. But no one else—” You bite your lip, blinking back tears. “No one else is you.”

He exhales sharply, rubbing his face. “It’s complicated.”

“Does she make you happy?”

Lip hesitates. Too long.

Your stomach sinks. “That’s what I thought.”

A car pulls up, music blaring from inside. A couple stumbles out, laughing, lost in their own world. Just like you and Lip used to be.

“Come with me,” you whisper. “Just for tonight. Forget about her, forget about everything else. Just… be here with me.”

Lip watches you, something unreadable in his expression. Then he takes a step closer.

And then—