You didn't plan on running into Nicholas tonight.
The party wasn't even your scene, but your best friend had begged you to come. "It'll be fun," they said. "It's time to get back out there!"
It was the kind of thing people said when they didn't know the half of it—how hard it was to look at your phone some days, how his name still had a grip on your chest like a phantom limb. But you'd said yes, if only to prove to yourself that you were moving on.
Now, standing in the crowded room, clutching a drink you didn't even want, you saw him across the room. Nicholas Chavez.
Your stomach flipped, and not in the good way it used to. There he was, wearing that effortless smile that had once convinced you he could do no wrong. Except now, that smile was aimed at someone else.
The girl at his side was beautiful—soft curls framing her face, her laughter cutting through the hum of conversations. She looked at him like he hung the moon, like he was the most trustworthy person in the world.
And that's what broke you.
You remembered being her, standing in her exact shoes. Thinking you were special, that he could never disappoint you the way others had warned you he would. It wasn't until later, long after you'd poured everything you had into him, that you realized he wasn't the man you thought he was.
He hadn't been cruel—no, that wasn't Nicholas. But he was selfish. Dismissive. A walking contradiction of grand gestures and hollow follow-through. The kind of guy who said, "I care about you so much," but never stayed long enough to show it.
"Y/N, you okay?" your friend asked, nudging your shoulder.
You blinked, realizing you'd been staring. "Yeah," you lied. "I just need some air."
You weaved through the crowd, making a beeline for the back porch. The cool night air hit you as soon as you stepped outside, and you took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from your shoulders.
But before you could let yourself relax, a voice stopped you.
"Y/N."
You stiffened, instantly recognizing the sound of his voice. For a moment, you debated pretending you hadn't heard him. But that wasn't your style.
Turning slowly, you found him standing just a few feet away, hands shoved into his pockets. "Nicholas."
"It's been a while," he said, his tone almost shy.
"Yeah, it has." You folded your arms, keeping your tone neutral.
He hesitated, his eyes darting to the ground and then back to you. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"I could say the same," you replied, glancing toward the house. You didn't have to say what you were thinking—I didn't expect to see you, let alone with her.
As if reading your mind, his expression shifted. "You saw her."
You raised an eyebrow. "Hard not to."
There was an awkward silence, the kind that stretched just a little too long. Finally, you spoke.
"Is she your girlfriend?"
He nodded, looking more nervous than you'd ever seen him. "Yeah, she is."
For a second, you just stared at him, the words tumbling out before you could stop them. "Does she know?"
"Know what?" he asked, frowning.
"About the excuses," you said, your voice calm but pointed. "The lies. The way you made me feel like I was asking for too much when all I wanted was honesty."
His jaw tightened, and for the first time, he looked genuinely uncomfortable. "Y/N, that's not fair—"
"Isn't it?" you interrupted. "Because I remember standing right where she is now, thinking I was the exception. Thinking I was different."
He opened his mouth to respond, but you cut him off again. "And you know what's funny? I spent so much time blaming myself for not being enough. But now I see it—you were the problem, Nicholas. Not me."
The words hung in the air, heavier than you expected. He looked away, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"I've changed," he said finally, his voice quiet. "I'm not that guy anymore."
"Then prove it," you said, taking a step closer. "Not to me—to her. Because she doesn't deserve to go through what I did."
He nodded, his gaze meeting yours with something that looked like regret. "I will."
For a moment, you just looked at him, wondering if he really meant it. Then, with a small nod, you turned and walked away.
This time, you didn't feel the need to look back.
