The night is humid, thick with tension, and the pale moonlight drapes everything in silver. The sound of waves crashing nearby echoes faintly in the background. You stand at the edge of the party, leaning against a worn wooden railing, watching Rafe from a distance.

There he is, leaning against the railing, talking to her. Sofia. She’s all smiles and soft touches on his arm, laughing at something he said. You watch from the shadows, jaw tight.

You shouldn’t care. But you do.

The way he lets her get so close, as if you weren’t right here. As if the nights you spent together meant nothing. You know him better than anyone else.

Your heels crunch softly against the wooden planks as you make your way over once Sofia left his side to grab some drinks.

“When you gonna ditch that stupid, you got?”

The words cut through the noise of the party like a blade.

Rafe doesn’t respond immediately. His stare hardens, unreadable.

"It’s me you should be seein’.”

You take a step back, giving him a small, knowing smile.