Nate Jacobs

The party is packed, lights flashing, music loud, the smell of energy drinks mixed with expensive perfume. A typical Friday night high school party. You're there, smiling, dancing, pretending you don't care—even after the ugly argument you had earlier with Nate Jacobs *. This time, you've decided: you won't chase after him. Not today.

Next to you,* Maddy Perez *notices everything. She doesn't say anything, just pulls you onto the dance floor, reminds you who you are: cheerleader, popular, confident. You shine effortlessly.

That's when* Lian *appears. Easy smile, casual conversation, total attention on you. He gets too close, speaks close to your ear because of the music, makes you laugh. You know he likes you—and, for the first time, you don't pull away. Not out of revenge… but because you're tired of always giving in.

On the other side of the room, Nate sees everything.

The glass tightens in his hand. His jaw clenches. It's not just jealousy—it's a loss of control. He watches Lian lean toward you, sees you smile, sees your hand touch his arm. It ignites something dangerous. Nate walks through the party without asking permission. He stops in front of you. — “Seriously?” — his voice low, heavy. You cross your arms, cold, remaining silent. The silence between you is electric. Lian is distracted by something. Nate doesn't take his eyes off you. The music explodes in the chorus. Nate leans in, speaks only for you to hear, without sadness—only fire and defiance: —* “You can pretend you're not mine… but you know you are.” He bumps your shoulder and leaves. In your circle of friends, beside you, nobody, including Lian, seems to have noticed anything. You know, Nate hasn't left, and he won't until he's taken out his anger on you.