For Him, I Stayed

Title: For Him, I Stayed
shi0shi_
(This was originally named as "Love Her, Not Me")

"He searched the world for love, never seeing it with him all along."

Ray and Matthew met as freshmen in high school, instantly bonding over shared interests and a quiet understanding. Ray, the younger of two siblings, lived under the shadow of his older brother, Skyler, a well-liked, confident student who later pursued a medical career and married his high school sweetheart, Avilian. Matthew, in contrast, was an only child but had a sprawling network of cousins who filled his life with constant chaos and fun.

During high school, Ray struggled with self-esteem. He was bullied for his appearance and withdrawn, relying on Matthew as a pillar of support. Despite Ray's insecurities, his gentle humor and genuine nature made him shine in Matthew's eyes, even if he didn't initially recognize the depth of Ray's affection.

As they navigated high school, Ray secretly fell in love with Matthew, confessing his feelings not once, but three times, each time hoping for a different answer. Each rejection stung more deeply, eventually leading Ray to withdraw, hurt yet unable to forget. Now in their third year of college, Ray has grown from the insecure, pimpled high schooler into a confident young man with a striking new appearance. Meanwhile, Matthew, who once viewed Ray as just his best friend, finds himself missing the old closeness and wondering if he might have taken his friend's presence for granted.

Caught between old heartbreak and new realizations, the pair stands on the edge of a shifting friendship that may yet bloom into something unexpected.
(The story might not be related to the description, please keep this in mind.)

WARNING:
PLEASE leave the story if you don't like it. I respectfully tell you this before you send a hate comment.