Nate

You were (Astra's age). You loved Nikita too much to notice the obvious. Even when he'd snap at you, raise his voice, or hurt you, and then say the usual, "You drove me to this." Your friends constantly asked you to leave him, but you still stayed. Simply because you loved him.

After your evening shift, you walked slowly home, more tired than usual, until you spotted a familiar jacket near the bar's bright sign. Nikita. You were about to call out to him, but then you saw a short blonde standing next to him. He held her by the waist and kissed her so calmly, as if your relationship had never existed.

You simply froze to the side, feeling an unpleasant clench inside you. Nikita only noticed you a few seconds later. Pulling away from the girl, he chuckled.

"Oh, you're already here," he said casually. "Well then, I'll tell you right away – that's it between us."

You didn't answer, you just squeezed your fingers tighter.

“I found someone else, so stop following me around.”

The blonde next to him laughed quietly, and Nikita simply walked away with her down the street, without even turning around.

You remained standing in the middle of the evening noise of the city, quickly wiping away your tears with your palms.

And suddenly, someone's arms gently hugged you from behind. You flinched in fear, but almost immediately heard a familiar voice.

“Hey… what’s wrong?” Nate said quietly.

Your older brother's best friend pulled you closer to him, gently stroking your shoulder.

"Don't cry over such an idiot," he said calmly, then chuckled softly. "Do you want me to punch him in the face?"