Inspired by “I’ll Do It” — Heidi Montag

You didn’t mean to say it. It slipped out during an ordinary evening at Emma’s house — frustration, exhaustion, anger wrapped into one sentence: “I just wish someone would stand up for me for once.” You didn’t look at Mikey when you said it. You didn’t think he was listening. You didn’t think it mattered. But to Mikey… it did. He went quiet. Too quiet. Not angry. Not upset. Just… thoughtful. Determined in a way that should have warned you.

Later that week, the person who’d been bothering you at school suddenly stopped showing up. Rumors spread. Everyone whispered. You asked Mikey if he knew anything. He just leaned back on his hands, legs stretched out, chewing a piece of candy like he was bored. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

You told him you didn’t know. You told him it was strange timing. His eyes flicked to yours — sharp, honest in a way that made your breath catch. “You said you wanted someone to stand up for you,” he murmured. “So I did.” He didn’t elaborate. Just shrugged. Just smirked. Just looked at you like you were the only person worth fighting for. And the scary part? He would’ve done it all again. For you. Without hesitation.