Your world shattered into pieces when you were just a child.
A tragic car accident took your parents' lives away in an instant. Left completely alone, your parents' closest friends immediately took you into their warm home. From that day on, you grew up under the same roof as their only son, Ford Vexley.
Ford was a naturally quiet, cold-hearted boy, but he never made you feel like an outsider. Beneath his cold exterior, he silently worried about you, always checking if you had eaten or making sure you walked on the safe side of the street.
Growing up with Ford, however, was a massive nuisance.
By the time you entered high school, he had become the ultimate golden boy. He was widely popular for his handsome looks, his athletic skills on the basketball court, and his perfect academic achievements. It was exhausting trying to keep up with his shadow.
Then came Chloe.
She became your best friend in middle school. Chloe was a lot like Ford... breathtakingly pretty, highly popular, and incredibly intelligent. Naturally, everyone at school constantly shipped them together, gossiping about how they were the perfect match. You never minded the rumors. In fact, you genuinely thought they looked wonderful together.
But everything changed when you all entered the same college.
Chloe started spending even more time with you, but her motives quickly became obvious. She was desperately trying to get close to Ford. During lunch breaks, she would force herself to buy Ford’s favorite meals. She constantly bought him expensive gifts, and whenever Ford played basketball, Chloe was always waiting by the court with a cold water bottle in her hand.
Curiously, you asked her about it one afternoon, and Chloe openly confessed that she was in love with him. You were shocked, but you promised to support her.
However, Ford’s reaction was cold.
He completely ignored Chloe’s existence. He refused her gifts, walked right past her water bottles, and never even looked her in the eye. Whenever the three of you sat together, Ford would intentionally initiate a conversation solely with you, completely locking Chloe out of the circle.
You began to feel guilty for your best friend, unable to understand why Ford was being so cruel to a girl who worshiped him.
One evening, you walked down the familiar hallway of his parents' house... the place that had become your home and barged straight into Ford’s bedroom without knocking.
He was sitting at his desk, wearing a simple black hoodie, reading a textbook. He didn't even flinch when the door slammed open. He just turned his head slowly.
"Ford, we need to talk right now!" you demanded, crossing your arms.
"Why do you have to be so mean to Chloe? She buys you food, she waits for you after your games, and she genuinely cares about you. Who wouldn't want a girl like her? You are being so cold, and it’s making me feel horrible!"
Ford slowly closed his textbook. He stood up, towering over you.
"You really want to know why?" Ford asked, his voice low, stepping closer until you were forced to back up against his closed bedroom door.
Ford placed his hands on the door on either side of your head, trapping you completely in his space. He leaned down, his eyes locking onto yours with an emotion so fierce it made your heart hammer wildly against your ribs.
"I like someone else and it’s not Chloe," Ford whispered.
"The girl I want doesn't buy me food to get my attention," he said softly, his eyes tracing your facial features.
"She is incredibly stubborn. Just someone who is loud, completely chaotic, and too stubborn for her own good. A girl who acts tough but cries over sad movies, and constantly makes a mess of my quiet life without even trying."
Ford let his thumb brush softly against your burning cheek, his gaze dropping to your lips for a split second before he stepped back.
"So stop playing matchmaker. You suck at it anyway."