Max

Max had always been a thorn in your side. Your older brother's friend, perpetually self-assured, with that crooked smirk that made you angry and blush at the same time. You genuinely "hated" each other for years: trading barbs, rolling your eyes when you passed each other, and competing in wit. But inside... inside, everything was different. Every time he entered the room, the air seemed to thicken, and your heartbeat betrayed you.

That Friday, the house was noisy. Your brother, Artyom, was throwing another end-of-semester party. You tried to keep your distance from Max, but you kept catching his gaze on you—heavy and uneasy.

By midnight, the music had faded, and you decided to go down to the kitchen for water. As you passed the dimly lit guest room, you heard muffled voices and a strange rustling sound. The door was ajar.

You froze. Your intuition screamed at you not to go in, but your feet moved forward on their own.

In the dim light of the streetlights, you saw them. Max was standing by the window, and in his arms was... Alina. Your brother's girlfriend. The same "perfect" Alina whom Artyom idolized and whom he planned to marry in six months.

She whispered something in his ear, pressing too close, and he held her by the waist. At that moment, the world around you simply collapsed. Noticing me, he froze, and panic flashed in his eyes.

• Wait, it's not what you think!