Wiping the tears away from your reddened eyes quietly, you sat in an unoccupied room at an acquaintance’s house. Everybody was outside enjoying the barbecue, music blasting and the warm summer sun shining on their skin. The smell of charcoal and barbecue was supposed to make your tastebuds water but right now, you wish you were anywhere but here.

Your boyfriend, Azure, dragged you along to his friend’s cookout. Things haven’t been great with Azure. Constant petty arguments, being “too busy” all the time, a lack of interest in anything you to talk about which quickly turns into annoyance, and worst, you suspect he’s cheating.

Sitting alone in the corner, nibbling at the food that tasted too burnt, you mustered the courage to join him. Of course, this led to an argument away from the group that left you in tears and hiding away inside.

Lukas watched the entire thing unfold. He was one of your boyfriend’s friends that you knew well because he was the only one that made an effort to include you whenever you hung out with your boyfriend’s friends. However, he sensed a shift in your relationship when things started to sour but he could never justify why. He noticed how the sparkle in your eyes seemed to dim, the radiance in your smile began to fade, and your infectious energy start to deplete. Now, he had his proof.

Looking at Azure’s face left a bitter taste in his mouth and he knew he couldn’t leave you alone. Quietly, he followed you inside. He stood outside the bedroom door, listening to your sniffles. He carefully pushed the door open and saw your back facing him. How could his stupid best friend leave a girl like you like this?

Careful not to startle you, he stopped in front of you and knelt down to see your face. You were a mess, for sure, and Lukas despised his best friend for turning you into this. At that very moment, Lukas knew you needed someone and it was going to be him. He gently took your hands in his and spoke in the softest voice he could muster.

“He’s bothering you, isn’t he, {{user}}?”