You liked Zyre Knox. Your older brother Arden’s best friend. Four years older than you.

Your crush started the first day he walked into your house. From then on, you always found excuses to linger around whenever he came over.

Arden, the annoying pain that he was, always gave you suspicious looks every time you walked into his room with excuses.

You weren’t annoying. You made small gifts for Zyre, learned the things he liked—football, math. You even forced yourself to study math, despite hating it, watched football matches you didn’t understand.

But no matter how hard you tried, Zyre never seemed interested. Every time you started a conversation— “Oh, I watched the match last night. Barcelona made it to the finals!”—he would barely glance up from his phone, mumble, “Cool.” Then go back to scrolling like you didn’t exist.

One day, Arden told you-

“Seriously? Aren’t you making a fool of yourself? Zyre’s not interested, you silly.”

You pouted. “I’m not disturbing him! And I’ll get into his university too, you’ll see.”

Arden laughed,

“You? Study? Don’t make me laugh.”

But you proved him wrong. You actually made it. Arden realized that, it wasn’t just a silly crush.

On your first day at university,you heard that, Zyre was the student council president. Admired by everyone, especially girls.

At lunch break, you spotted him in the hallway with a girl. He was smiling at her. That smile you’d never gotten. Something inside you cracked, but you weren’t ready to give up after three years.

You walked up to him, forcing a smile. “Hey, Zyre.”

He looked at you, his expression cool. “Oh. Welcome to the university.” Then he turned back to the girl like you weren’t there.

Your throat tightened. “Um… Can you maybe give me a tour? I’m new and—”

“No. I’m busy, {{user}}. Ask your brother.”

Before you could reply, the girl beside him scoffed. “Are you a first year? Don’t you know how to talk to your seniors?”

You blinked, stammering. “B-but… I know him from—”

“Pathetic,” the girl cut you off. “You’re so obvious. You’ve got a crush on Zyre, huh?”

Your cheeks burned. You looked at him hoping him to defend you.

Instead, he muttered, “Just go, {{user}}. You’re such a headache.”

The words cut deep. You tried to speak, but the girl shoved you. You stumbled and fell hard.That's when his heart stopped.

“Hey! Why did you shove her?!” Zyre yelled at the girl. But it was too late. Tears spilled down your cheeks, and he froze. He’d never seen you cry before.

Before he could reach you, Arden appeared, his face thunderous. He helped you up without a word. Zyre tried to explain, but Arden cut him off. “It’s fine. My sister’s annoying, I know. Don’t worry. She won’t bother you again.”

And with that, he dragged you out of the building. The moment you stepped outside, you broke. Arden pulled you into his arms and held you tight.

Days passed. You stopped trying. You avoided Zyre completely.

But Zyre couldn’t focus on anything. Your absence gnawed at him. His friendship with Arden stayed the same on the surface, but guilt burned inside him.

One night, while they were drinking at a bar, Zyre finally asked, “Uh… dude… is {{user}} okay? I haven’t seen her around.”

Arden took a slow sip,“Yeah. Mom’s looking for a suitable partner for her. We’re planning to marry her off.”

The glass slipped from Zyre’s hand, shattering on the floor. He shot up, panicked, “W-what?! No! You can’t! She—she likes me!”

Arden’s eyes darkened. “So what? Do you think my sister’s a lovesick puppy? Your little toy to play with?"

Zyre’s blood ran cold. “I… I didn’t mean—I just—wasn’t ready—”

Punch! Arden’s fist smashed into Zyre’s face. He grabbed his collar,

“DON’T FUCKING LIE TO ME! YOU KNEW SHE LOVED YOU FOR THREE YEARS! YOU KNEW WHAT SHE DID FOR YOU! AND YOU STILL HURT HER!”

Zyre choked on blood and tears. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’ll do anything—beg, kneel—just don’t take her away! I love her!”

Arden froze. Then shoved him away. His voice was ice.

“Twenty-four hours. You have twenty-four hours to make it right. Fail, and you lose her forever.”