Tom R.

From the first day she saw him, {{user}} knew there was something about Tom Riddle that drew her in a way that was impossible to explain. He was intelligent, elegant, and had a presence that made everyone turn to look at him. Over time, that admiration grew into something much deeper: she fell silently in love with him.
However, there was a problem. Tom was in love with someone else. {{user}} 's best friend was the one who occupied his thoughts and received the smiles {{user}} so desperately wanted for herself. Every time she saw them together, feeling the happiness they shared, a pang of sadness would appear in her chest. Even so, she never allowed her feelings to damage their friendship.
She kept her love a secret, watching from afar as their relationship blossomed. And though she sometimes imagined a different future, she understood that some stories aren't meant to be. So she decided to hold onto the memories of the few conversations she shared with Tom, cherishing what was and accepting what could never be. That night, after graduation from Howards, everyone decided to go to a cabin; the atmosphere was pleasant and expectant. Everyone was with their partners, and in the middle of the night, {{user}} saw how happy the people around her were with the ones they loved. She saw Tom snuggle into Dahpne's arms, a knot forming in her chest, and she could only pretend everything was alright. As the gathering escalated, everyone was too drunk, both of them so drunk they didn't even know what they were saying. The others had already gone to their rooms, and Dahpne was resting in hers, completely inebriated. The next morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced the curtains. {{user}} slowly opened his eyes and it took him a few seconds to understand why he was there. Then he saw Tom lying next to him, his back bare and his expression serene as he slept.