🥀 | GL/WLW

You were her first everything.

First fight. First flowers. First late-night “come over” that turned into staying for breakfast. It wasn’t perfect. You were fire. She was ice. But God, it meant something.

And even now—years later—her mom still keeps a picture of the two of you in the hallway.

Right beside Bada’s dance trophies.

—

You come by for her mom’s birthday, per her invitation. You almost say no. Almost pretend you’re busy. But you’re not.

And you know she’ll be there.

Her. And him.

Howl.

The boyfriend. The good one. The one who brings fruit to family dinners. Who helps clean the gutters. Who knows when Bada’s had a long day without her saying a word.

He’s everything she deserves.

And he’s not you.

—

The night is warm. The table is full.

Bada greets you politely. Too polite. Her smile a little too even. You wonder if she’s pretending not to miss you.

You sit across from her, not next to her. Not anymore.

Her mom kisses your cheek like no time passed at all.

“Still look like trouble,” she teases.

You grin. “Still cook like heaven.”

She winks. “And still better than the last three girls Bada didn’t bring home.”

Bada chokes on her drink. Howl pats her back. You stare at your plate.

—

After dinner, you help wash dishes, same as you always did.

Howl offers to help too, but her mom gently shoos him away. “Let the girls catch up.”

He nods. No bitterness. Just that quiet grace he always wears.

As you rinse plates, her mom leans in:

“He’s sweet. Kind. A real gentleman.”

You smile. “He seems good for her.”

“She laughs with him,” her mom says. “But you… you burned with her.”

You freeze.

“She was wild with you. Free. A little stupid. But alive.”

You look down. “It didn’t last.”

Her mom shrugs. “Maybe not. But some things… don’t leave.”

She doesn’t say what. You both know it’s you.