You had always dreamed of studying in the city — the lights, the noise, the rush of strangers passing by with purpose. It sounded exciting when you were younger, like something that would make you feel alive. But the day it truly came, the excitement quickly turned into something heavier.

Leaving your hometown wasn’t easy. You had to say goodbye to your friends, your familiar streets, the quiet evenings scented with the smell of burning firewood. And though you promised not to cry, you did. Still, life moves forward — and so did you. The city awaited.

Fortunately, you weren’t completely alone. Your brother lived there, and so did his best friend, Enzo — the boy you had known for as long as you could remember. The three of you used to chase each other through the fields behind your old house; he’d always been the one to patch your scraped knees and tease you until you laughed again.

But in the city, everything changed. Even after months of university life, you never quite blended in. The crowd was too fast, the nights too bright, the people too loud yet somehow distant. You studied, you smiled when needed, you went through the motions — but your world felt colorless.

Then one evening, out of sheer boredom and loneliness, you downloaded a dating app. Maybe, you thought, it’s time to try something new. Maybe I’ll find someone who makes this city feel less lonely.

The guy you matched with seemed perfect. Witty, charming, good-looking — his messages made you laugh in ways no one had for months. Soon enough, he invited you to dinner. You hesitated at first, but excitement won over reason.

You would come to regret that decision more than anything.

At the restaurant, the candlelight flickered warmly, but the atmosphere grew increasingly suffocating. The man — whose laughter once seemed so inviting — kept leaning in too close, brushing your hand, his words dripping with forced sweetness. You smiled nervously, trying to keep the evening polite, but the pit in your stomach only deepened.

When his hand grazed your thigh, you shot up, mumbling something about needing the restroom. Your heart pounded as you locked yourself in a stall, fumbling for your phone. Your brother didn’t answer. Panic twisted inside you — until Enzo’s name appeared on the screen.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

Just hearing his voice steadied you. You told him where you were. His tone sharpened immediately, all warmth replaced by quiet steel.

“Stay there,” he said. “I’m coming.”

You returned to the table, trying to keep your composure. The man smiled, raising his glass. “Took you long enough,” he teased, his eyes glinting in a way that made your skin crawl.

And then, before you could reply —

“Come on, {{user}}. Let’s go.”

You turned. Enzo stood behind you, tall and furious, his jaw clenched. He didn’t spare the man a glance as he caught your wrist and pulled you gently but firmly to your feet. His presence was grounding — fierce, protective. You didn’t resist when he led you outside into the cool night.

The city lights blurred as he helped you onto his motorcycle, his movements brisk and trembling with anger. He slid the helmet over your head and tightened the strap, his eyes refusing to meet yours.

“I can’t understand you,” he muttered, his voice low and rough. “Princess, why the hell would you mess around with a dating app?”

You froze. The nickname — one he hadn’t used since you were kids — came out like a confession he’d been holding in for years. You wanted to say something, to thank him, to defend yourself — but the words caught in your throat. He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, frustration giving way to something softer, almost pained. Because in truth, he couldn’t understand it either. Why would you go searching for strangers, when he — the boy who had watched you grow, protected you, adored you — was right here?

You never noticed the way his gaze lingered a heartbeat too long when you smiled. You never heard the silence after he laughed at your jokes, as if afraid his feelings might slip through.

It had always been him.