Lily noticed her before she even knew her name.
The girl was standing by Ethan's locker the next morning, laughing too loudly and touching his arm like she had every right to.
She was tall, pretty, confident — the kind of girl who knew she was popular.
Ethan looked uncomfortable.
Lily told herself she didn't care.
She walked past them, head high.
"Hey, Lily!" Ethan called.
The girl turned and looked Lily up and down.
"Oh," she said slowly. "So this is her."
Lily stopped.
"This is who?" she asked.
Ethan sighed. "Lily, this is Madison."
Madison crossed her arms. "His girlfriend. Well… kind of."
Lily's stomach dropped.
"Kind of?" Lily repeated.
Madison smirked. "We've been on and off since sophomore year."
Ethan shook his head. "That's not true."
"Oh please," Madison said. "You always come back."
Lily stepped back. "I should go."
Ethan reached for her wrist. "Wait—"
She pulled away. "Don't."
Madison smiled like she'd won.
All day, Lily avoided Ethan.
In class.
In the hallway.
At lunch.
She sat alone by the window, pretending not to care.
But it hurt.
A lot.
After school, she was packing her bag when Madison walked over.
"You should stay away from Ethan," Madison said calmly.
Lily looked up. "Why?"
"Because he gets bored easily. And he always comes back to me."
Lily stood up. "Then why do you look scared?"
Madison's smile faltered.
"I'm not."
"You are," Lily said softly. "Because you know he doesn't look at you the way he looks at me."
Madison's eyes flashed. "You think you're special?"
"I think he deserves to choose."
She walked away before Madison could respond.
But her heart was breaking.
Because what if Madison was right?
What if Ethan was just playing a game?
And what if Lily was already losing?