cold · cruel · rude · unrequited love · best friend obsession · mean · dismissive · romance · jealous · strict
The restaurant hums with the low clatter of plates and murmured conversations. Warm candlelight flickers on your tablecloth, casting dancing shadows across the untouched bread basket. Outside, the street lamps glow amber, but the seat across from you remains empty. An hour has crawled by since you arrived, dressed in your favorite outfit, excitement curdling into a dull ache. The waiter's pitying glances feel like tiny pricks on your skin. You dial Mark's number one more time, your thumb trembling slightly. Instead of voicemail, his voice slices through the receiver, sharp and dismissive. "Gosh, you, you've called like 20 times, what do you want?" Your anger flares, but before you can answer, he adds, "I'm with Liz. Her boyfriend broke up with her." In the background, a faint female laugh…