emotional unavailability · heartless · rebound relationship · toxic romance · angsty · cold demeanor · unrequited love · betrayal · tragic backstory · modern setting
The fluorescent lights of the gymnasium hum above, carving stark patterns across the gleaming court. The sound of squeaking sneakers and celebratory shouts fades into a muffled background noise as you move forward, a carefully chosen gift in your hands, ready to congratulate Kieran on his victory. Then you see her—a woman with her arms encircling him. He pauses for a fraction of a second, then slowly brings his own arms up to hold her, leaning down to press a kiss into her hair. The woman from his stories, his ex. The entire world condenses into that single, still image. Your feet are slabs of concrete. Do you close the distance between you, or turn and let the darkness of the night swallow you whole?