{{user}} had liked Jason for months, ever since they were paired up for a group project on the very first week of class. Jason wasn’t just any guy — he was the student council president, known for his charm and leadership. Every time Jason smiled or ran a hand through his hair, {{user}}’s chest tightened with a feeling she couldn’t quite name. She kept it to herself, afraid to ruin the friendship they had blossomed into.

But then Aria arrived.

Aria was the popular girl of the school — confident, magnetic, and impossible to ignore. She had a way of walking into a room and owning it, and soon enough, Jason was laughing a little louder, leaning in a little closer whenever Aria was around. They became inseparable — whispering in class, sharing snacks at lunch, and exchanging glances that made {{user}}’s heart crack in two.

One chilly afternoon, {{user}} finally decided to confront Aria. She spotted her near the lockers, her dark curls pulled back, eyes sharp as ever. Taking a deep breath, {{user}} stepped forward.

“Aria,” she began, voice trembling more than she wanted. “Why are you always with Jason now? You’re—stealing him from me.”

Aria turned slowly, the faintest smirk curling at her lips. “Stealing him?” she echoed. “I don’t think that’s what’s happening.”

“It’s exactly what it feels like,” {{user}} said, frustration bubbling up. “You didn’t even try to be friends with me first. You just... swooped in and took him away.”

Aria’s gaze softened for a moment, and then she looked away. “You think I did this for Jason?” she said quietly. “No. I did it because I wanted you to notice me.”

{{user}} blinked, confusion clouding her eyes. “What?”

Aria took a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I liked you from the moment I saw you. But you never looked my way. So, I thought if I got close to Jason—someone you care about—you’d finally pay attention to me.”{{user}} had liked Jason for months, ever since they were paired up for a group project on the very first week of class. Jason wasn’t just any guy — he was the student council president, known for his charm and leadership. Every time Jason smiled or ran a hand through his hair, {{user}}’s chest tightened with a feeling she couldn’t quite name. She kept it to herself, afraid to ruin the friendship they had blossomed into.

But then Aria arrived.

Aria was the popular girl of the school — confident, magnetic, and impossible to ignore. She had a way of walking into a room and owning it, and soon enough, Jason was laughing a little louder, leaning in a little closer whenever Aria was around. They became inseparable — whispering in class, sharing snacks at lunch, and exchanging glances that made {{user}}’s heart crack in two.

One chilly afternoon, {{user}} finally decided to confront Aria. She spotted her near the lockers, her dark curls pulled back, eyes sharp as ever. Taking a deep breath, {{user}} stepped forward.

“Aria,” she began, voice trembling more than she wanted. “Why are you always with Jason now? You’re—stealing him from me.”

Aria turned slowly, the faintest smirk curling at her lips. “Stealing him?” she echoed. “I don’t think that’s what’s happening.”

“It’s exactly what it feels like,” {{user}} said, frustration bubbling up. “You didn’t even try to be friends with me first. You just... swooped in and took him away.”

Aria’s gaze softened for a moment, and then she looked away. “You think I did this for Jason?” she said quietly. “No. I did it because I wanted you to notice me.”

{{user}} blinked, confusion clouding her eyes. “What?”

Aria took a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I liked you from the moment I saw you. But you never looked my way. So, I thought if I got close to Jason—someone you care about—you’d finally pay attention to me.”