Jennie had always been a shy, reserved girl, and her best friend, Vanessa, was everything she wasn't. Outgoing, bold, and unafraid of what anyone thought, Vanessa had always been the one to lead their friendship, pushing Jennie out of her comfort zone. But when it came to her personal life, Jennie kept things close to her chest. And one thing she’d kept hidden for a while now was Sam.

They met during an early morning class in a small coffee shop near their respective colleges. He was a transfer student, just another face in the sea of strangers. But something about him caught Jennie’s eye. He wasn’t like the others. He was soft-spoken, with an easy smile that made her feel like the only one in the room. Their first conversation was simple, about the weather and the coffee, but as the days went on, they began to spend more time together. It started casually—just sitting together at the library, talking after class. But soon, they were sneaking moments in between their busy schedules. They were quiet about it, afraid that someone might catch on. Especially Vanessa.

Vanessa had always been the center of attention, never one to shy away from drama. And Jennie feared that if she told Vanessa about Sam, everything would change. She didn’t want to lose her best friend, but she also didn’t want to lie. And so, Jennie kept her secret.

Everything seemed perfect. Sam was everything Jennie had ever dreamed of—a gentle, understanding presence in her life, making her feel safe and cared for. But as their secret relationship continued to grow, Jennie began to feel the weight of it. There was always the fear that one day, someone would find out, that Vanessa would sense the change in her behavior and question her. But Sam reassured her. It’s our secret, Jennie. No one has to know.

And then, the big event came. The annual festival in their city—concerts, food trucks, and performances galore. It was the biggest event of the year, and everyone from the city would be there. Jennie and Sam had made plans to attend, just the two of them. She’d imagined it for weeks: walking through the crowds hand in hand, their secret safe between them, enjoying the night without anyone else knowing.

But then Vanessa called.

"Hey, are you going to the event tonight?" Vanessa’s voice crackled over the phone, sounding distant. "All my friends bailed on me, and I don’t want to go alone. Can I come with you?"

Jennie’s stomach twisted. She had planned this night for just her and Sam, but the idea of Vanessa being alone at the event made her feel guilty. She was her best friend, after all. The thought of Vanessa wandering the crowded streets without someone by her side felt wrong.

Jennie hesitated for a moment. What do I do? she thought. She didn’t want to betray Sam, and she certainly didn’t want to share him with Vanessa, but she also didn’t want to hurt her best friend.

"Okay," Jennie said reluctantly. "You can come with us, but just… just don’t make it awkward, okay?"

Vanessa was quick to respond. "Oh, thank you! I’ll be there at 7. See you at the metro station!"

Jennie’s heart sank. She hadn’t planned on this. She hadn’t planned on Vanessa being there, and now, she was faced with the dilemma of keeping her secret or letting it all spill out. She quickly texted Sam.

Vanessa is coming with us to the event. Is that okay?

Sam’s reply came almost immediately. It’s fine. We’ll make it work. But just so you know, I’m not good at pretending.

Jennie sighed, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. She knew Sam wasn’t one to hide things, and the idea of having to act like everything was normal in front of Vanessa made her uncomfortable. Still, she couldn’t back out now. It was already set.

Later that evening, Jennie, Sam, and Vanessa met at the metro station. The train station was buzzing with excitement as people filled the platform, talking animatedly about the event and what they hoped to see. Jennie couldn’t help but feel out of place as she stood between the two of them, knowing that both of them were key players in the story of her life, but neither knew the full truth.

Vanessa, ever the lively one, was already chatting about the festival’s lineup and what food she wanted to try. Jennie was quiet, her hand nervously gripping the strap of her purse. Sam stood next to her, his body close enough to offer comfort but far enough to maintain the illusion that they were just friends—at least, in front of Vanessa.

Vanessa laughed, pulling Jennie out of her thoughts. "You guys are so serious. Lighten up! This is going to be the best night ever!"

Jennie gave a weak smile, trying to keep her nerves in check. She could tell Sam was struggling with the situation too. He glanced at her, and their eyes met for a fleeting second—just a moment, but enough to make Jennie’s heart race.

The train arrived with a loud screech, and the three of them boarded. The seats were crowded, so they stood by the doors, the noise of the station and the chatter of the crowd filling the air. Jennie couldn’t help but feel the weight of the secret between her and Sam. It hung there, thick and suffocating, as Vanessa continued to talk about everything under the sun.

The train ride to the event felt endless, every stop dragging on longer than it should have. Jennie stole occasional glances at Sam, who seemed just as distant as she felt. Vanessa was too wrapped up in her excitement to notice the tension that simmered between them.

As they reached the event, the excitement of the crowd escalated. People were already gathered, enjoying the music and food, and Jennie could sense that the night was about to take a turn. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Sam and Vanessa’s proximity to each other made her uncomfortable, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

The metro ride was longer than Jennie anticipated, the rhythmic clatter of the train tracks doing little to ease the tension knotting her stomach. She was surrounded by the hum of excited chatter, but inside, all she could focus on was the space between her and Sam. The secret between them felt heavier than ever. With Vanessa’s bubbly presence filling the air, Jennie tried her best to stay focused on the night ahead, but her thoughts kept circling back to what would happen if the truth slipped out.

Vanessa had been her best friend for years, and Jennie couldn’t remember a time when they hadn’t been inseparable. But tonight, something felt off. It was like Vanessa was a stranger in her own skin—almost too eager, too wrapped up in the idea of the event. Jennie couldn’t ignore how close Sam and Vanessa were standing, their easy smiles and shared glances making her feel like an outsider.

As the train lurched toward its next stop, Jennie couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at her. She kept glancing at Sam, hoping for some kind of reassurance. But he was quiet—too quiet—and his body language felt distant. Jennie’s hand tightened around her phone, the screen glowing in her palm.

Vanessa, ever the social butterfly, was laughing and chatting about the festival's lineup, completely unaware of Jennie's inner turmoil. Jennie’s heart sank as she realized something—Sam and Vanessa were acting too comfortable around each other. Too familiar.

It was like they shared a connection she didn’t know about.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in Jennie’s mind. She needed to know. She needed to understand if there was something more between Sam and Vanessa, something that had been hidden from her. She glanced at Sam again, then typed a quick message to him on her phone.

Are you and Vanessa really just friends?

She hit send, her heart hammering in her chest as she waited for his reply. She stared at the screen, waiting for the dots to appear, to let her know that Sam was typing. But after a few moments, the dots never came. Jennie’s stomach churned with anxiety, and she glanced up to see Sam and Vanessa talking animatedly—laughing together, sharing an inside joke.

And then the worst happened.

Sam’s phone buzzed, and he casually picked it up. Jennie watched in horror as he read the message, his face stiffening for a second before he shoved the phone back in his pocket.

Vanessa, still oblivious to Jennie’s growing discomfort, nudged Sam with a playful grin. "Come on, let's go grab a bite before the concert starts. You can’t be starving already!"

Jennie’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t responded. He hadn’t even acknowledged her question.

The train jolted to a stop, and the three of them stood up to exit, but Jennie hesitated. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was slipping out of her hands. Sam and Vanessa seemed to share this strange, almost too intimate vibe tonight, and she didn’t know how to handle it.

As they stepped onto the platform, Jennie tried to push the thoughts from her mind. She was determined not to let the night be ruined by her doubts. But as they walked toward the event grounds, a small voice inside her urged her to test them. To see how far things had gone without her knowing.

Without saying anything to either of them, Jennie quickly pulled out her phone and sent another text to Sam.

You can go with her if you want. I won’t mind. I know you two are close.

It was a simple message, almost casual, but it carried the weight of her suspicion. If Sam cared about her, he wouldn’t want to leave her alone. If there was nothing between him and Vanessa, he would reassure her, tell her she was being silly.

Jennie tucked her phone away and forced herself to smile as they approached the entrance to the event. The lights were brighter now, the sounds of the crowd louder, and for a moment, Jennie allowed herself to get caught up in the excitement. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something that would change everything.

They walked together toward the concert, the music in the distance creating a buzz of energy. But when they reached the gates, Jennie slowed down, glancing at her phone once more.

Sam was standing a little ahead of her now, talking with Vanessa, his back turned. Jennie waited, holding her breath as she watched them.

And then it happened.

She saw Sam glance at his phone, read her message, and immediately, his expression shifted. He turned to Vanessa and nodded, before taking a step toward the exit.

“I’ll be right back, Jen,” he called over his shoulder. “I need to grab something from the car.”

Jennie blinked, her heart sinking. He wasn’t coming back. He had just used her as an excuse to get away from her.

Vanessa didn’t even notice. She was already pulling Jennie into the crowd, excited about the festivities ahead, oblivious to the tension hanging between Jennie and Sam.

Jennie tried to keep her composure as she walked beside her best friend. She swallowed hard, trying to push away the sinking feeling in her chest. But deep down, she knew that something had changed. Something was broken.

And when Sam didn’t return after several minutes, Jennie’s heart shattered. She could feel it—he had chosen the moment to slip away, and he had done it under the guise of a casual excuse. But she wasn’t stupid. She knew the truth. He’d left her for Vanessa.

The festival grounds were alive with energy—vibrant lights, music, and the sounds of laughter all around. But for Jennie, everything felt distant, like she was watching life unfold through a foggy glass. Vanessa, bubbling with excitement, was chatting non-stop about the event, her enthusiasm infectious to everyone but Jennie. Sam walked beside them, but his body language was distant—his usual warmth replaced by an unfamiliar chill.

Jennie tried to push away the unease that had been gnawing at her ever since the metro station. She had seen the look on Sam's face when he read her text. He hadn’t even bothered to explain himself or reassure her. That silence had said everything. But she had no choice but to play along. After all, Vanessa was her best friend, and she didn’t want to ruin the night for her.

As they made their way toward the concert area, the crowd thickened. It felt like everyone in the city had come out to enjoy the night, and yet Jennie felt utterly alone. Vanessa had already found a group of people to chat with, leaving Jennie and Sam standing awkwardly on the edge of the crowd.

Sam glanced at Jennie, a weak smile on his lips. “You alright?”

Jennie nodded, though her stomach churned. “Yeah, just… excited for the concert,” she said, her voice betraying her forced enthusiasm.

“Good,” Sam replied. He seemed distracted, looking around at the crowd. “I’ll grab us some drinks, you want anything?”

Jennie wanted to say something—anything—that might bridge the gap that had grown between them. But the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she just shook her head.

“Okay,” Sam said before walking off in the direction of the refreshment stand.

Jennie stood there for a moment, watching him leave, before her gaze fell on Vanessa. She was laughing with a few people from their college, completely immersed in the fun of the evening. Jennie knew that Vanessa hadn’t noticed the tension, or if she did, she was ignoring it.

Jennie pulled her phone out of her pocket, looking at the screen for a few seconds before locking it again. She felt foolish for even caring about what Sam and Vanessa were doing. After all, she had known about their closeness from the beginning, but tonight… tonight something felt different. It was like they were sharing some unspoken bond, and Jennie was being left out.

As the night stretched on, the concert was set to begin, and the crowd surged toward the stage. Jennie followed behind Vanessa and the others, her thoughts drifting as they entered the main area. The energy of the crowd was contagious, but Jennie couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider in her own life.

Just then, Vanessa grabbed her arm. “Jennie, let’s get a spot near the front! It’ll be perfect for pictures,” she said, her eyes wide with excitement.

Jennie forced a smile and followed Vanessa to the front of the crowd, where there was a row of chairs set up for those who wanted to relax during the concert. Vanessa found a pair of chairs close to the stage, and she immediately pulled Jennie to one of them.

“Let’s sit for a while, we’ve been walking for ages,” Vanessa said, plopping down in one of the chairs. Jennie hesitated for a moment but then sat down next to her.

A few moments later, Sam returned with drinks in hand, handing one to Jennie before sitting on the other side of her. He seemed calmer now, but Jennie couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in her chest.

Vanessa, ever the social butterfly, stood up suddenly. “You guys, look at that—there’s a perfect spot on the edge of the stage! It’s calling us!”

Jennie’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t been expecting this, but Vanessa was already dragging Sam with her, excitedly pushing toward the edge. She wanted to protest, wanted to tell them how much it hurt to see them so close, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she followed behind them, like a shadow.

They stopped near a small row of chairs that lined the stage, and Vanessa immediately climbed onto one, pulling Sam with her. “Come on, Jennie! Get up here! This will be hilarious!”

Sam gave Jennie an awkward look but climbed onto the chair next to Vanessa, who was grinning from ear to ear. The two of them stood there, hands on the backs of the chairs, posing in a way that reminded Jennie of a scene from Titanic—the iconic moment with arms spread wide, like they were on top of the world.

Jennie stood frozen, her heart sinking in her chest as she watched them. Their playful interaction was so natural, so carefree. It was as if they shared some secret, some connection that Jennie was not a part of.

And then, as if to make matters worse, Vanessa pulled out her phone. “Okay, time for a picture!” she shouted, her eyes twinkling. “This will be epic.”

Jennie’s breath caught in her throat as she forced a smile, stepping forward to join them. Her hands shook slightly as she reached for her phone. She had to be strong, had to hide what she was really feeling.

Vanessa took a few pictures of Sam and Jennie first, laughing as Sam jokingly posed with a dramatic flair. Then she handed the phone to Sam, who took a few shots of her and Jennie together.

“Perfect! Let’s get one with all of us!” Vanessa said, her voice ringing with excitement.

She handed the phone back to Sam and climbed onto the chair next to him, throwing her arm around his shoulder as they both struck a playful pose. Jennie, standing beside them, could feel her chest tightening as she faked a smile. She stood there for a moment, feeling completely disconnected from the scene in front of her. The warmth that used to fill her whenever she was around Sam had evaporated, leaving only cold emptiness.

Click.

The photo was taken. But something inside Jennie snapped.

Her smile faltered, and before she could control herself, tears welled up in her eyes. She turned away quickly, pressing a hand to her face to hide her emotions. The cool night air didn’t help. The laughter around her seemed distant now—hollow.

She could hear Sam and Vanessa still laughing, still joking around behind her, but she couldn’t bear it anymore. The weight of betrayal was too much to carry. She had tried so hard to be okay with everything, but deep down, she knew that things were never going to be the same.

Jennie didn’t know how long she stood there, her heart breaking with every laugh, with every glance Sam and Vanessa shared. Finally, when the tears became too much to hold in, she turned and slipped quietly into the crowd, out of sight. She needed to escape—to breathe, to collect herself, to somehow find the strength to face the reality that her best friend and her boyfriend were slipping away from her.