Life began to split in two.
In the daylight, I was Aaron's maybe-girlfriend—walking beside him on campus, studying together in tucked-away library corners, laughing over lattes. He was everything I thought I wanted: gentle, thoughtful, magnetic. I didn't feel lost with him. I felt chosen.
But at night, I came home to Kane.
Or rather, I came home to see just the mere shadow of him.
He barely looked at me anymore. His presence had become like a ghost in our shared apartment. Sometimes I'd hear the front door creak open well past midnight, and I'd listen to his footsteps, slow and tired, shuffle toward his room. No words. No laughter.
It was eating away at me that Kane was so sad because of me.
One evening, I came home after spending hours with Aaron—he had helped me carry a project board, then kissed me under the soft flicker of campus fairy lights. I should've been flying high.
Instead, I walked into silence.
Kane was on the couch, lit only by the bluish hue of the TV. A sitcom played quietly, but he wasn't watching. His expression was hollow.
"You're back late," he said, eyes never leaving the screen.
I kicked off my shoes, heart racing. "I was with...someone" I said nervously cause I didn't want to bring up Aaron when he already was in such a state.
He nodded once, then tossed a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
"That's becoming a thing with Aaron, huh?" he said, seeing through my lie as though I didn't lie at all.
"I-i don't know what it is yet," I admitted. "But… I like him."
Silence.
I sat beside him.
"Kane… I missed you."
"Funny," he muttered, "I'm still here."
"But not you you. You won't talk to me."
"Because I don't know what to say," he snapped suddenly, then sighed, rubbing his face. "You kissed me. Then you ran to him. I just—what do you expect me to do with that?"
I swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Doesn't mean you didn't."
I reached out, just brushing his sleeve. "You're still the most important person in my life. But not like that."
His jaw clenched, and for a long second, I thought he might cry.
But Kane didn't cry. He simply stood up.
"I need some air."
Then he walked out, leaving the door half open.
The next morning, Sammy found me in the campus café, hunched over a lukewarm drink, staring into space.
"Girl, you look like you haven't slept for days," she said, dropping into the seat across from me.
I smiled weakly.
"In trouble already?"
"No. Its just Aaron's all... great. But Kane..."
"Still being a heart broken boy?"
I nodded.
Sammy leaned in, her expression turning soft. "He'll come around. Kane's pride is just louder than his logic. Give him space."
"I don't want to lose him."
"You won't." She gave my hand a squeeze. "But you're allowed to be happy, Lily. Even if it's with someone else."
That night, Aaron called.
"Hey. I know it's late, but... want to come watch the stars with me? I'll bring the snacks."
I smiled, heart aching and full all at once.
"Yes," I whispered. "Please"