Jonan adjusted the collar of his jacket nervously as he walked down the sun-dappled path toward Brianna’s house. The box of chocolates in his hand was slightly melting from the warmth of the afternoon, and the roses—her favorite kind, cream with pink tips—rustled gently in the breeze. He smiled softly to himself, imagining her face lighting up when she saw them.

But his steps slowed when he passed the park.

Laughter. Familiar laughter.

He turned his head, his breath catching in his throat.

There she was. Brianna. Sitting on the swing set, her hands on the chest of Alex—his best friend. Their lips were locked in a kiss so intimate it made Jonan feel like he was intruding just by looking.

Everything inside him twisted.

The chocolates slipped from his fingers, hitting the ground with a soft thud. The roses followed. His chest felt tight, like something was breaking open—cracking. He wanted to scream, cry, run—

But then someone walked past.

A boy.

Jonan didn’t even see his face at first—just a flash of soft hair and a striped sweater. But as the boy glanced up, his eyes met Jonan’s.

And in that instant, everything shifted.

The betrayal, the heartbreak, the heat burning behind his eyes—it all stopped.

Time froze.

Jonan stared, his mouth slightly open, not even breathing. The boy’s eyes widened too, his cheeks flushing a soft pink as he quickly looked away and kept walking, but not without glancing back once, nervously, before disappearing down the path.

Jonan's heart, still racing from the shock, now thundered for a different reason entirely. He barely noticed the sting of tears anymore. He didn’t even think.

He moved.

Feet carrying him forward like they had a will of their own. Past the chocolates. Past the roses. Past Brianna and Alex and everything he thought mattered five minutes ago.

“Hey—wait!” he called softly, breathless.

He didn’t even know the boy’s name.

But something deep inside told him—he had to find out.