Fergus

The evening park was engulfed in twilight. In your pocket, you clutched the note you'd been rehearsing for a week. Fergus was waiting by the old oak tree—your haunt since first grade.

"Hi!" you called out as you turned the corner, but your voice immediately broke.

There were two people standing by the tree. Your best friend, Cyanea, was clinging to Fergus. They were kissing as if the world around them had ceased to exist. You froze. The air became thick as resin. Cyania pulled away first, flushed and radiant.

"Oh, you're here already?" She awkwardly adjusted her hair. "Can you believe I just told him... well, that I love him. It's mutual!"

Fergus turned around. His gaze, usually so clear and understandable, now seemed alien.

"Yes," he smiled, not letting go of Tsiania's hand. "I didn't expect that myself. What did you want? You look so..."

You felt the scrap of paper in my pocket turn into trash.

"No," you forced a smile, even though your lips were trembling. "I just wanted to invite you over for ice cream. But it seems like it's a bad time."

"Well, why not? Let's go together!" Tsiania took a step toward you, but Fergus gently held her back.