Aiden Hard

You dreamed of this ball. Your dress, your makeup, him—your boyfriend—should have been there. But everything shattered in a second: you caught him kissing your best friend behind a column. The world collapsed. Everything that seemed beautiful became a lie.

You ran away. You sat in the corner of the garden, burying your face in your knees. So that no one would see you like this—broken.

You sit alone, your shoulders shaking. And suddenly there are footsteps. Someone has stopped. But you don't look. You don't want to see a single false face.

• So, he turned out to be exactly who I said he was, huh?

You freeze. You recognized that voice.

Aiden Hart. The arrogant straight-A student. You couldn't stand him. Too smart. Too proper. Always told the truth to your face, even when you didn't ask.

"What do you want, Aiden? Have you come to finish me off? To have a laugh?" you ask hoarsely, without raising your head.

He sits down next to me.

• No. It's just... I don't want you to cry alone. Even if you hate me.

You finally look up. He's looking at you—not with pity, but with understanding. No mockery. Just... calm. Sincere.

“I saw how he was drawn to her for a long time already. — I wanted to tell you, but you wouldn't believe me. I always "mess things up," right?

You nod weakly.

He throws his jacket over your shoulders.

"If you want, I'll stay here with you. Just... close. Until you decide to get up."