The hallway buzzes with noise—lockers slamming, laughter bouncing off the tiled walls, someone shouting about practice after school. It’s the kind of chaos that usually fades into the background, but today it feels louder. Sharper. Like everything is pressing in a little too close.

You stand with Nancy and Robin near the classroom doors, your books hugged a little tighter to your chest than usual. Robin’s mid-sentence, rambling about something that makes Nancy roll her eyes, but you’re only half listening. Your gaze keeps drifting—like it has a mind of its own—down the hall.

Billy’s at his locker.

Of course he is.

Leaning back like he owns the place, one arm braced against the metal door, talking to Tommy and laughing at something dumb. He looks effortless. Like he always does. Like the whole world just… bends around him.

And then—

She walks in.

Brittni.

You don’t even know her, not really. Just the whispers. New girl. From California. Pretty. Confident. The kind of girl who knows exactly what she’s doing when she walks into a room.

And yeah… she does.

Her eyes scan the hallway once—quick, calculating—and then land right on him.

Billy.

Your stomach drops before your brain even catches up.

“She’s the one I was telling you about,” Robin mutters under her breath, nudging Nancy slightly.

But Brittni isn’t paying attention to anyone else.

She makes a straight line for him.

No hesitation. No second guessing. Like it’s already decided.

You feel it before anything even happens—that quiet, creeping tightness in your chest. Not jealousy, not exactly. Something worse. Something quieter.

Fear.

Because girls like her don’t wonder if they’re enough.

Girls like her don’t stand on the sidelines, waiting to be chosen.

They just… take up space.

You shift your weight, fingers tightening around your books. Your eyes flicker back to Billy just in time to see her stop in front of him.

He notices her instantly.

Of course he does.

Billy’s smile changes—just a little. Not softer, not warmer. Just… interested. Curious.

It’s nothing.

It’s probably nothing.

But your chest doesn’t get the memo.

Nancy says your name, pulling you back for a second, but you barely register it. Your focus is locked down the hall, heart beating just a little too fast, a little too loud.

Because this—this exact moment—

This is the one you’ve always been scared of.

The moment someone better walks in.

Someone easier. Prettier. Brighter.

Someone who doesn’t feel like they have to hold their breath just to be worth staying for.

And Billy—

God, Billy—

He hasn’t seen you yet.

Hasn’t looked your way.

And for the first time since you started dating him, a quiet, terrifying thought slips in—

What if he does?

And realizes he could do better?