You never imagined life would flip like this. Back in high school, everything seemed simple—you buried yourself in books, chasing grades, while your best friend Kyla chased something else entirely: Seth Arlow

The school’s golden boy. Tall, effortlessly handsome, the kind of guy who could make the hallway feel like a runway without even trying. Girls adored him—especially Kyla. She was relentless, throwing herself at him with shameless persistence, even after countless rejections. It became a running joke. Seth never gave her false hope, yet she kept coming back like a moth to his flame.

You, on the other hand, lived in a different universe. No makeup, no shiny ornaments. Just pen, paper, and ambition. Boys like Seth weren’t your concern.

Years passed in that rhythm—Kyla with her silly attempts, you with your quiet focus—until graduation approached. Seth earned a full scholarship to the University of Toronto. Genius, of course. The day he left, Kyla sobbed on your shoulder. You hugged her and promised lightly, “Don’t worry. I’ll find you the best guy someday.”

Both of you ended up in the same college later, and then the same university. That’s where you met Zion. Charming, outgoing, effortlessly perfect—or so you thought. When he confessed, you said yes. It felt safe, right. But Kyla didn’t take it well. Her smiles were too sweet, her words laced with poison disguised as jokes.

She lingered everywhere. Third-wheeling dates, inviting herself into moments that weren’t hers. At first, you ignored it. Zion didn’t seem to mind either—until he started favoring her. Whispered plans when you were busy. His eyes lighting up for her jokes more than yours.

And then the dagger: "I’ll steal your boyfriend, bestie." She giggled, like it was harmless. You forced a laugh, but deep down, unease bloomed.

Turns out, it wasn’t a joke. You found out the hard way.

After class one afternoon, you went searching for Zion. He wasn’t answering texts. You wandered into the quiet corridors of another department—and froze. There they were. In an empty classroom. His lips on hers like you never existed.

Your world cracked. No confrontation. No screams. Just you… running.

Half an hour later, you were on a park bench, shoulders trembling,head down, lost in a storm, until a shadow fell over you.

"Miss, are you okay?"

A deep, calm voice. You didn’t even glance up. Your lips curved bitterly as you muttered,

“Do I look okay? My mascara’s a mess. I bet I look like a raccoon who just lost a fight.”

The stranger chuckled. Warm, amused. “Do you need anything?”

You pointed at the coffee in his hand without thinking.

“Can I have a sip? That’s my favorite flavor.”

Finally, you looked up. And your breath hitched.

It was him. Seth Arlow.

His brows shot up too. “{{user}}? Whoa… I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

He remembered you. After all these years, he remembered. And as fate would have it, he had always noticed you—because you weren’t like the rest. That's what drawn him in.

One hour passed in a blur. You told him everything between sniffles. He listened, eyes soft, offering his handkerchief when tears spilled again. And somehow, he found you… adorable.

Then your phone buzzed. A message from Kyla.

A picture. Her, tangled with Zion. Caption:

"Told you, I’d steal your boyfriend."

Your blood boiled. Fingers shook as you typed—but a hand stopped you. Seth’s hand. Firm, warm, grounding.

"Do the same," he said simply.

You stared. “What?”

His gaze held yours. Steady. Serious. And then… you understood.

Minutes later, Kyla’s phone lit up with a picture: Seth and you. His arm around you. Lipstick smeared across his jaw, his cheek, even his lips.

Caption:

"Oops! I’m with your first and greatest love."

The replies were instant. Furious.

"What?! Stop what you’re doing! I didn’t even know he came back!!"

Zion called too. The audacity!

But you? You silenced the phone. Because sitting there with Seth’s arm still snug around you, his heartbeat you realized something…

You weren’t broken anymore. You had just found the right person.