He made a promise when they were just kids — a pinky swear beneath a summer sky.

“I’ll always be there for you, Aria. I’ll protect you forever.”

Back then, Aria was just his wild, giggling best friend — the girl with scraped knees and a fearless heart. He never broke a promise. Not to her.

But life pulled her away.

She moved across the country at the start of junior high. They cried that day. Both of them knew something would change, but neither knew how much.

Time passed. High school came. And that’s when he met you.

You were gentle where the world was loud. The kind of calm he didn’t know he needed. You brought him laughter, stability, and a love that made his chest ache in the best way.

He fell hard for you — and you for him.

But then Aria came back.

His childhood best friend. Older now. Beautiful. Confident. With the same fire in her eyes and a knowing smile that reminded him of promises made long ago.

At first, you weren’t worried. He had you now, after all.

But slowly… things began to shift.

He started texting her more. Spending more time with her. Showing up late. Missing dates. Forgetting things.

And when you confronted him, he only said:

“Aria’s been through a lot. I’m just trying to be there for her.”

But you weren’t blind. You saw the way he looked at her when he thought you wouldn’t notice — soft, conflicted, guilty.

And worst of all…

You saw how he didn’t look at you the same anymore.

One night, you stood in the cold, waiting for him again, heart heavy with disappointment. And when he finally arrived, you didn’t cry. You didn’t shout.

“If you still love Aria, just say it.”

He didn’t answer. And the silence hurt more than any words could.