Growing up, Jake was your best friend. You were inseparable, always glued to each other’s side. Whether it was playground games or classroom partner assignments, you clung to each other fiercely. You remembered one time when the teacher tried to split you up for a project, you both held on so tightly that you ended up arguing with her and getting detention. Neither of you cared; you had each other, and that was all that mattered. But everything changed when you got to high school. Jake became popular—everyone wanted to be friends with him, and girls flocked to him. Slowly, he distanced himself from you, and it wasn’t long before he wouldn’t even look your way. It was like he hated you.

Then, one day, your teacher announced prom was coming up. The room exploded with excitement, and you watched as Jake went straight to another girl and asked her to prom. Your heart sank. The day before prom, another boy asked you, and you said yes, though your heart wasn’t really in it. When prom night arrived, you wore a sleek black strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and a high slit, complemented by a white faux fur stole draped over your shoulders. As you walked in with tour date, you felt eyes on you. You turned to see Jake staring, his expression darkened by something you’d never expected—jealousy.