The Boy Next Door

The one

The rain pounded down relentlessly as Seth stood there, stunned by Lisa's words.

"We're breaking up," Lisa repeated, her voice barely audible over the sound of the rain.

Seth reached out to grasp her arms, but she pushed him away, the weight of her decision heavy in her eyes.

Kat's excitement filled the hallway as she emerged from the music room, her face illuminated with joy.

"Sorry for making you guys wait!" Kat exclaimed, her voice bubbling with happiness.

Nathan's eyes sparkled with admiration as he gazed at her. "No, it's fine," he assured her, his voice filled with warmth. "You look so happy. How's the result?" he asked, his heart brimming with anticipation.

Kat couldn't contain her excitement any longer. "Guess what? I GOT 1ST PLACE, WOOO!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing down the hallway.

Dave joined in the celebration, offering his congratulations with a smile. "Congrats," he said, his words filled with genuine happiness for her.

But amidst the joyous atmosphere, Dave's gaze suddenly shifted, his eyes locking onto Seth's figure as he entered the hallway with a somber expression. Concern flickered in Dave's eyes as he watched his friend, wondering what could have brought about such sadness in Seth's usually cheerful demeanor.

"Seth?!" Dave's voice cut through the tension, his expression a mixture of shock and concern.

Seth turned to face his friend, the reality of Lisa's words sinking in. "Me and Lisa broke up," he said, his voice hollow with disbelief.

Dave's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're joking, right?"

But Seth shook his head, his heart heavy with regret. "I was so stupid," he muttered. "I'm probably a total loser to her. She deserves someone better than me."

Nathan, ever the supportive friend, stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Seth's shoulder. "Hey! Don't blame yourself," he urged, his voice filled with empathy.

Despite Nathan's words of comfort, Seth couldn't shake off the guilt that gnawed at him. He turned away, his steps heavy with remorse, and walked off into the distance, his figure swallowed by the gloomy ambiance of the hallway.

As Seth departed, Kat's mind raced with thoughts. Was this truly the end, or was there still a glimmer of hope?

Driven by an urgency to find out, Kat dashed out of the school building, paying no heed to the rain pouring down around her.

Meanwhile, Nathan watched Kat's departure with a mix of concern and admiration. "Hey!! It's raining out there!!... Don't you want an umbrella?!" he called out, his voice tinged with worry.

Dave, standing beside Nathan, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "How come she isn't an athlete yet-" he mused, shaking his head in amusement.

Nathan shot Dave a playful glance before turning his attention back to Kat's disappearing figure. "I mean, as a football player I still couldn't catch her," he remarked with a hint of admiration in his voice.

However, as Dave and Nathan exchanged banter, their conversation took a more serious turn.

"Welp, both of them break up already. You might get a chance~" Nathan teased, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Dave's expression shifted, his brow furrowing in concern. "Do you think I'm that cruel to backstab my best friend?!" he retorted, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Nathan quickly backtracked, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I was just joking!" he reassured, his tone softer now.

Dave sighed, shaking his head. "This isn't the right time to be joking," he remarked solemnly, his thoughts lingering on the turmoil unfolding between Seth and Lisa.