The first time you met Tod Waggner, you were both awkward freshmen, fumbling through the halls of your high school. You had been lab partners in biology, and he had cracked a joke that made you laugh so hard you almost dropped your notebook. From that day on, he became your constant—your first friend, your first kiss, your first love.

High school with Tod had been a whirlwind of late-night drives, endless movie marathons, and whispered secrets in empty classrooms. You were each other’s first in every way that mattered—first love, first heartbreak, first everything. But senior year, something stupid, something you both could never even remember clearly now, drove a wedge between you. The fight, the pride, the silence… it all ended with a messy goodbye neither of you wanted but both accepted. And then… nothing. No calls, no messages, just an empty gap where he used to be.

Yet, even through college and all the life changes since, neither of you ever truly forgot. Your heart carried pieces of him you couldn’t explain, memories that refused to fade. You told yourself it was over, that you had moved on… and for a while, you almost believed it. Almost.

Five years later, you were sitting at a café with your best friend from college, laughing over shared stories and coffee refills. Your life had been… good. Stable. You had a boyfriend now, someone kind and reliable, who made you feel cared for in a different way than Tod ever had. You liked him—really liked him—but there was a hollow space that Tod had left behind, a space you thought you had finally filled.

“That’s why I wanted you to meet him,” your best friend said suddenly, excitement lighting up her face. “I promise he’s amazing. You have to bring your boyfriend too. It’s a double date. Trust me—it’ll be fun.”

You smiled, intrigued. “Alright… mystery boyfriend. Fine. I’ll come. But you’re not telling me anything about him?”

She shook her head. “Not a word.”

That night, you arrived at the small, cozy restaurant, your boyfriend’s hand brushing yours as you stepped inside. You scanned the room for your friend and the mysterious guy she had been so secretive about. And then… you saw him.

Your stomach lurched, your breath caught, and time seemed to freeze.

Tod Waggner. Standing there, laughing at something your best friend said. Five years older, sharper, somehow more intimidating—and yet utterly the same boy you had once loved with your whole heart.

Your friend squealed, tugging both of you together. “You guys, meet each other!”

You shook hands, forcing a smile. “Hi, I’m… uh, Y/N.”

Tod’s smile was stiff, a little too polite, but his eyes… his eyes were alive, searching yours, wide and unblinking. “Hey… Y/N,” he said, his voice low, strained with something unsaid.

For a long moment, neither of you let go. The handshake lingered longer than necessary, both of you frozen in a strange mix of nostalgia, tension, and the undeniable pull of unfinished business.

Your boyfriend, sensing something, tried to steer the conversation. “So, uh… how do you two know each other?”

You hesitated, heart hammering. “Oh… just… through her,” you said quickly, nodding toward your best friend, ignoring the sudden heat in Tod’s gaze.

After the appetizer, your best friend excused herself. “I need a cigarette. Be right back!” She slipped out the door. Almost instinctively, your boyfriend followed her, leaving you and Tod alone.

The air between you thickened immediately. You both sat, too aware of the other, the past crashing into the present.

“You… you look good,” Tod finally said, voice rough with emotion. “Better than I… I mean… wow.”

You laughed nervously, twisting your napkin. “You too. You… you didn’t change much, actually. Still annoyingly handsome.”

He smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Funny. You… you look amazing. Really.”