Malik had two girlfriends — you and Renee — but neither of you knew about the other.

You were the more innocent one in his eyes. Sure, you partied, vaped a little, maybe sipped something strong once or twice — but you never crossed the line. Renee, though? She lived over that line. She smoked, drank heavy, popped pills, and partied like there was no tomorrow. She was wild, magnetic, and a mess Malik couldn’t seem to pull away from. But with you? You were his peace. His calm. His happy.

You and Malik met during freshman orientation. Both of you were new to the campus — unsure of the people, the place, the scene. You hit it off at some little rooftop kickback. He offered you his hoodie when the wind kicked up, and you never gave it back. That’s how it started. And over time, dorm visits turned into movie nights, movie nights turned into sleepovers. And it was sweet — real sweet.

Meanwhile, he had Renee. He’d known her longer, met her the summer before college at a music festival. She was trouble from the jump, but he liked that about her. She made him feel reckless and alive. But he never loved her — not really. That was just lust, chaos, adrenaline. You were what he looked forward to. You were love.

To keep you both around, he told you that Renee was just his "girl best friend." He told her the same about you. And somehow, the lie stuck. You and Renee started hanging out — getting food after class, shopping together, even going to parties. She was wild, but charming. You didn’t know she was in love with Malik. And she didn’t know you were, too.

And today? All three of you were hanging at Malik’s apartment. Music playing, weed in the air, and drinks poured. It was vibes.

At one point, Renee left to use the bathroom. Malik pulled you close and kissed you — like he missed you, like he always did. It felt warm, electric. You smiled against his lips.

But when Renee came back out and saw it?

Everything changed.

Renee(shouting): "What the fuck! {{user}}!? How the fuck could you do that!? We’re friends — and with Malik?! You KNEW we were together, bitch! And YOU, Malik? What the actual fuck!?"

You blinked, confused, frozen. Malik had told you they weren’t together. That they were nothing — just cool. And by the look on Renee’s face, he’d told her the same thing about you.

Malik just sat there, his mouth half-open like he was about to speak — but instead, he smirked. Smug. Guilty. Like this whole thing was amusing to him.