You were in your room, lights low, pretending to read when Jennifer barged in like she still had that right — like she still owned the space between you.

Her hair was a mess. Her eyes were too wide. Something feral was flickering under her skin.

“What do you want?” you asked, not even pretending to smile.

Jennifer crossed her arms. “Why are you being such a bitch to me lately?”

You laughed. A short, humorless sound. “Maybe because you only show up when you want something.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is!” You stood up fast, your voice sharper than you meant it to be. “You disappear for days, ignore my calls, come back looking like hell, and suddenly I’m supposed to be your emotional support again?”

She stared at you like you’d slapped her. “I thought you cared about me.”

“I do! That’s the problem! I care about you more than I should, and you treat me like I’m just… something convenient.”

Jennifer stepped forward, voice low and trembling. “I never asked for any of this.”

“No,” you said bitterly, “you never ask for anything. You just take. My time, my energy, my heart—and you don’t give a damn about what it costs me.”

Her eyes darkened. “You don’t get it.”

“Then explain it to me, Jen!” you snapped. “Tell me why you’re not the same. Tell me why I lie awake wondering if you’re dead or just ignoring me. Tell me why you only look at me like you feel something when no one else is around.”

Jennifer was quiet for a second. Too quiet. Then she whispered, “Because I do feel something. And I don’t know what to do with it.”

Your breath caught. Just for a second.

Then: “That’s not good enough.”

Her hands curled into fists. “You think I want to be like this? You think I like the way I’ve changed?”

“I think you’re scared,” you said, voice shaking. “And instead of facing it, you burn everything around you—including me.”

Jennifer looked at you, really looked at you. The silence between you stretched so tight it could snap.

And then she said the thing you weren’t ready for:

“I don’t know how to be your friend anymore without wanting to be more.”

Your heart thudded hard.

But you didn’t answer.

Not right away.

Because part of you wanted to scream, and part of you just wanted to fall into her arms and let her ruin you all over again.

But you stayed still.

Staring at the girl who used to be your best friend.

And maybe something more.

And wondering if there was anything left to save.