The sun dipped low over the island, casting long gold streaks over the ocean. The group had gathered around the bonfire, laughter rising with the sparks—but it all felt tense. You could feel it in the air. The smiles were forced. And all because of one thing.

Amber.

She stood apart from the others, arms crossed, eyes fixed on you like she was waiting for an answer you didn’t want to give.

“Are you really still hanging out with her?” she asked, her voice deceptively calm but sharp enough to cut through the night.

You followed her gaze to where Mia sat by the fire, her expression tight as she pretended not to listen.

“She’s my friend,” you said carefully. “You know that.”

Amber’s lips curved into a small, cold smile. “No, she’s pretending to be your friend. That’s what Mia does. You think she actually cares about you? She’s using you—just like she used everyone else.”

“That’s not true,” you replied, though your voice wavered. “She’s changed.”

Amber took a step closer, her perfume sweet but suffocating. “Don’t be naïve. You’ve seen the way she talks about me. About us. You can’t keep both of us in your life.”