Before today, you and him had a long, ugly history.

You weren’t rivals born from misunderstanding. You were sworn enemies by choice.

Ever since school, he made it his life’s mission to annoy you. He would shove you in crowded corridors and act like it was an accident. He mocked your handwriting, the way you talked when you were angry. If there was a chance to embarrass you in front of others, he took it like a sport.

And you? You never stayed quiet.

You glued his chair once. Hid his bag before class. Switched his phone language to something unreadable. Once, you even replaced his ringtone with the most embarrassing song you could find. The look on his face that day was priceless.

Teachers sighed whenever they heard your names together. Friends placed bets on who would snap first.

You two were enemies down to the backbone.

So when you found out today was his birthday, the last place you wanted to be was his party.

Yet here you were.

Not because you wanted to be. But because your friend dragged you along, promising free food and cake. And honestly? Cake was neutral territory.

The party was… annoyingly normal.

Music played softly. Laughter filled the hall. The food was good. Too good. His family was polite. Too polite. Everything felt suspiciously peaceful.

He looked irritatingly good too.

When it was time to cut the cake, everyone gathered around him. His family cheered. Someone sprayed party foam. Poppers went off. He cut the cake with a grin that screamed I know I’m loved.

Traditionally, the first piece should have gone to his parents.

Instead, he turned.

Straight toward you.

You stiffened.

He stopped right in front of you, holding a neat bite of cake. The room went quiet. Your friends froze. Someone gasped softly.

He tilted his head, smirk playing on his lips.

"Open your mouth, idiot."