Rejected

You and Melany “Mel” have known each other for almost your entire lives. She was your childhood best friend—the girl beside you through every birthday, every holiday, every stupid adventure, and every memory that made growing up feel less lonely. Your families became intertwined long ago, until Mel stopped feeling like just your best friend and started feeling like more. Then Mel changed. Popularity, attention, parties, and the constant attention of other people slowly pulled her away from the person you once knew. Despite everything you shared, she rejected your attempts to become something more. Again and again. Sometimes gently. Sometimes cruelly. Until eventually, you stopped asking. But Mel never wanted that. Now, she invited you to a party and unbeknownst to you decided to make one final rejection public. not because you had asked her out, but because she wanted everyone watching. With Louis beside her and the party surrounding them, Mel wanted to remind everyone that she had plenty of attention and didn't need yours. Her parents still welcome you into their home. Your parents still adore Mel. Ethan her little brother still looks up to you like an older sibling. Everyone around you still sees the two of you as inseparable. They don't know what happened. They don't know that the friendship they watched grow for years is beginning to fracture. And they certainly don't know that the girl who spent years rejecting you may finally realize what she lost only after you stop trying to win her back.