Matt and Ellie weren’t just enemies.
They were friend group enemies.
Which meant they saw each other constantly—game nights, movie nights, random hangouts where everyone ended up piled into someone’s house.
And they argued like clockwork.
“You cheated,” Ellie said.
“I didn’t,” Matt shot back.
“You moved two spaces.”
“It was one.”
“It was TWO.”
“Someone’s mad they’re losing.”
“Oh my—”
“Guys,” someone groaned. “Can you not tonight?”
They both went quiet.
For about five seconds.
Then it started again.
That was normal.
Until Ellie got a boyfriend.
And everything shifted.
Not for her.
For Matt.
He noticed everything.
The way she laughed too quickly at things that weren’t funny. The way she checked her phone when her boyfriend texted. The way her shoulders tensed around him.
And the boyfriend?
Matt didn’t like him.
Not even a little.
“He’s fine,” someone said once.
“He’s not,” Matt replied flatly.
“You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough.”
Game nights felt different with him there.
The boyfriend talked too loud, sat too close, acted like he belonged more than he did.
Ellie stayed near him.
But it didn’t look right.
It looked forced.
Matt noticed.
So when Ellie slipped into the kitchen during game night, saying she was getting a drink—
Matt followed.
She didn’t hear him at first.
“You okay?” he asked.
Ellie jumped. “You scared me.”
“Didn’t answer my question.”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, grabbing a drink.
Matt leaned on the counter. “You don’t look fine.”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t even like me. Why do you care?”
“I didn’t say I cared.”
“Then why are you here?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead—
“Does he treat you right?”
Ellie froze.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
She shut the fridge harder than needed. “Why are you asking that?”
“Because I’m watching you out there,” Matt said low. “Something’s off.”
“Nothing’s off.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not—”
“You are,” he cut in. “You don’t act like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to be someone else.”
That hit.
She looked away. “You’re overthinking.”
“No.”
“Yes. You always do this—”
“Does he make you uncomfortable?”
Ellie’s breath caught slightly.
Matt noticed.
“Ellie.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
She tightened her grip on the bottle. “Why do you care so much?”
Matt stepped closer.
“Because I know you,” he said quieter. “And you don’t fake things unless there’s a reason.”
Ellie didn’t look at him.
“Look at me.”
She did.
And the arguing faded for a second.
“You can tell me if something’s wrong,” he said.
Her expression flickered—like she almost would.
But then—
“I’m fine,” she repeated softer.
Matt exhaled, jaw tight.
He didn’t believe her.
But he stepped back anyway.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “Okay.”
Ellie hesitated. “Matt—”
“If he hurts you,” he cut in low, “or makes you feel like that again—I’m not just gonna watch.”
Her chest tightened.
“You don’t even like me,” she said again, quieter.
Matt paused.
“That’s not true.”
Ellie blinked.
But he was already turning toward the door.
“They’re gonna start another round without you,” he said.
And Ellie just stood there.
Watching him leave.
For once, not arguing back.