Fergus

The evening park was bathed in golden 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, her arms wrapped around his neck. 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. And he said it back!"

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

"Yes," he smiled apologetically, 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.

— Maybe later? We need to... talk.

“Of course,” you nodded, stepping back. “Talk. See you later.”

You turned and walked away, feeling something inside you that you had been saving for many years break with a crunch.