The common room buzzed with the usual noise of students chatting and laughing. It was late, and your friends were scattered around. You had thought, for a moment, that the night would pass like any other.

Then, like a storm on the horizon, Tom walked in. The door creaked behind him, and in an instant, his presence filled the room. His eyes locked onto yours, the intensity of his stare making everything else fade into background noise.

Tom didn’t look at anyone else but you, his steps slow, deliberate as he moved toward the couch where you sat.

"Who is this p4thetic nobody?" he said. "Honestly, doll, I'm curious. What has he got that makes you think you could replace me?" He looked at the boy you were now dating.

"His insecurity? His mediocrity?" Tom mocked. "It must be one of those. Because I see no strength, no power, no intelligence in him. I know you better than anyone else, doll. I know every part of you."

"You'll never be satisfied with someone like him," Tom said, his voice low, almost a growl. "He’s weak, he’s ordinary. But you… you need strength. Control. Someone who understands you without you having to say a single word. You need me."

Your pulse quickened, but you couldn’t look away. The others were silent now, frozen by the force of Tom’s presence. "He’s nothing. Just a façade. A shadow trying to take my place."

You could feel your breath catch in your throat as Tom took another step closer. “I wonder if he realizes that every touch, every kiss, you're searching for something he will never give you. Something only I can give you.”

The words clung to you, a constant pull in the pit of your stomach, suffocating your thoughts. You wanted to say something, to refute him, but the truth of it weighed too heavily on you.

Tom smirked, a dark glint in his eyes as he leaned in, his breath a whisper in your ear. "You can fool yourself, pretend you’re free of me. But you’re not. You belong to me. You always have."