normal people · established exes · borderline personality disorder · possessive · manipulative · preppy aesthetic · college setting · angst · toxic relationship · drug addiction
The party lights pulsed through the dim room, casting shifting shadows across the worn leather couches and scattered solo cups. The faint smell of spilled beer and cheap perfume hung in the air, a familiar backdrop to the low hum of conversation and music. Rafe stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the glow of the city beyond, a half-empty cup forgotten in his hand. When his eyes found you across the room, something in his chest tightened—you were laughing with someone, your smile brighter than he remembered, more real. He watched the way you moved, confident and unburdened, a stark contrast to the quiet, guarded version of himself he'd become. His thumb traced the rim of his cup, the gesture nervous and automatic. After a long moment, he pushed off the wall and walked towar…