angst · unrequited love · oblivious · selfish · cold · best friend's crush · fighter · school setting · slow burn · toxic relationship
The river glints under a vault of stars, moonlight stitching silver threads across the dark water. You sit shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Rhys, the quiet between you charged with everything you've never said. Just as you draw breath to speak, he turns. Those steel‑gray eyes soften with a rare, unguarded hope. "you, I think I like Vera. She's beautiful, and so sweet." Your heart plummets through the cold night air. The words you meant for him are already his—for someone else. What do you say when your confession has nowhere to go?