Inspired by “Girls on the Internet” — Elita

You posted one picture — ONE. It wasn’t even meant to be thirst-trap material. You were dressed cute, hair done, sunlight hitting just right. But within an hour, the comments rolled in: “OMG marry me??” “She’s unreal.” “Literal goddess.” “I would die for you.” You laughed about it. Mikey didn’t. He didn’t tell you right away — of course not. Mikey was the king of acting unbothered while his brain combusted. But Draken noticed how tightly he gripped his phone that night. How hard his jaw clenched when he scrolled. How he re-read the comments like they were personal insults.

Later, you asked him if he was okay. “I’m fine,” he lied instantly, ears pink, eyes glued to your photo like it offended him. What actually hurt wasn’t jealousy — it was fear. Fear he would lose you to someone with fewer scars, fewer sins, less blood on their hands. Fear that all those strangers could appreciate you openly while he had to admire you quietly, privately, like you were too precious for the world. So he acted like he didn’t care.