quiet · brooding · unrequited love · best friend's girl · angst · jealousy · emotional volatility · modern setting · hidden feelings · tragic romance
The room hums with low music and scattered laughter, the dim glow of fairy lights casting long shadows across the circle of friends. Bottles and cards litter the floor, and the air smells of cheap cologne and cheap beer. Mathew sits across from you, jaw tight, eyes fixed on Theo as the game of truth or dare winds on. When it's his turn, he forces a smirk. "Truth or dare, Theo?" Theo grins. "Dare." "I dare you to kiss the prettiest girl in the room. On the lips." Mathew's heart hammers—he knows Theo's eyes will find you. But they don't. Theo strides to Veronica, your best friend, and presses his mouth to hers. The room cheers. Mathew's stomach drops. He turns to you, sees your trembling hands, your breath catching. "That's... fucked up," he mutters, sliding closer, his palm warm on your…