Only One

'Who the fuck is this?' He says in a low voice that only I can hear.
'Leo calm down,' I say to him through gritted teeth.
I turn back to face Alex, his warm hand still gripping mine.
'He's a friend I came here with. I have to go. I'll see you around, okay?' I say trying to force myself to appear calm.
Still looking troubled, Alex nods and releases my hand, watching me get lead out of the room.
Being pulled through the party and out the door, my anger grows.

*****

Ellie's life is a fragile balance of chaos and control. Between restless nights, fractured friendships, and a home that rarely feels like one, she's learned to guard herself. But there's Leo - steadfast, fiercely protective, and about as complicated as the world he's trying to survive. For a while, he's been her constant, the one who makes her feel comfortable even when everything else falls apart.

But secrets run deep, and as Ellie is drawn further into Leo's turbulent life, she begins to realize that love and loyalty might not be enough to shield them from what's coming. Their bond is unshakable-but in a world this unpredictable, some things are beyond even love's reach.

Raw and gripping, Only One explores the tangled threads of friendship, loyalty, and the love we fight to hold onto-even when it hurts.