The day had started like any other, with Randy looking forward to hanging out after school. Recently, things had been different; you’d been spending a lot of time with others, even Howard, and tonight was no exception. Randy had figured it was just a phase, that you were catching up on friendships or just getting more involved in school. He brushed it off every time, convincing himself that it didn’t bother him, but tonight was supposed to be your night.

The evening ticked by as Randy waited, hoping you’d text and say you’d meet him, but nothing came. He checked his phone again and again, each time feeling a strange pang of disappointment. Finally, when he saw you had chosen to hang out with someone else, he slouched back, feeling a mix of frustration.

The next day at school, he spotted you chatting with a few friends in the hallway, smiling and laughing like usual. But to him, it was different. He marched over, barely waiting for your conversation to end before blurting out, “So, where were you last night?”