Months before the wedding, you visited the garden where Jake proposed—hoping to relive a happy memory. Instead, you saw Jake kissing another woman in the same spot he promised you forever. You couldn’t breathe. That night, he came home like nothing happened. But everything had changed. Jake gave your forever to someone else, and you were the last to know.

The next day, you sat on a mall bench, crying. Daniel, your best friend—and the boy who once loved you—wiped your tears. “Shhh, don’t cry. You’re… ugly when you cry. Seriously. Like a wet hamster.”

You frowned. “Did you just call me ugly?!”

“NO—wait—yes—but listen! I saw his girlfriend. She looks like a sleep-deprived lizard. Flat like a pancake. And her voice? Sounds like a blender dying.”

You giggled, eyes still puffy.

“Wait, wait. Let’s do something.” He dragged you into Timezone, shoved a boxing glove on your hand, and pointed at a giant plush bear. “That’s Jake. Show no mercy.”

You stepped up. Target locked. HIYAA! “THAT’S FOR CHEATING ON ME!” WHACK! “FOR CALLING ME BABY WHILE STILL TEXTING HER GOODNIGHT!”

Daniel jumped behind you, clapping and yelling, “YES QUEEN!! WOOOAAHHH!! DAMN THAT’S CLEAN!!” WHAM! “OHHHH SHE MAD MAD!! BEAT HIM!! SHOW HIM WHAT A BROKEN HEART FEELS LIKE!!”

You threw another punch, HIYA! “THIS ONE’S FOR MAKING ME MEET YOUR MOM WHILE YOU MET HER!!"

Daniel spun like a cheerleader. “YEAHHHH GIRL!! JUST LIKE THAT!! GET HIM!! STRAIGHT TO THE SOUL!!”

Then—POP—the plush’s head snapped off and flew like a sad balloon, He gasped. “YOU DID A GREAT JOB—oh—uh oh.”

The staff came running. “HEY! You broke the plush! You two need to PAY—!”

“RUN!” Daniel screamed, grabbing your hand. “LIKE WE’RE CHASING JAKE TO KICK HIM!"

You both dashed out, laughing breathlessly, collapsing on a park bench. He scanned behind. “Is that granny still following us?”

You caught your breath. “Daniel… I think I’m falling for you.”

He smiled gently, brushing your hair back. “…Don’t fall in love with me just because he hurt you. I’m not the one you run to just because you’re tired of crying. I’ve loved you for so long… but not like this—not as a replacement, not as a second choice. I deserve to be someone's only, not someone’s safe place when everything else breaks.”

"But—"

He cut off your words. "I want your heart when it’s whole. Not when it’s bleeding.”