Chapter 17 - Well…We Can Still Be Besties

There are moments in life when you realize, too late, that you were never meant to win.

For once, I thought tonight would be different. The universe would not greet me with disaster. There would be no public humiliation, no sudden betrayal.

But no. Fate is cruel.

Because tonight, just when I think I might finally have a normal, decent moment—

Devin ruins everything.

I see her first.

By the drink fridge. Hot. Confident. Walking toward me.

Time slows. The stars align. Maybe—just maybe—this is my moment.

Luis notices first. "Ohhh, Pierre, someone's actually interested in you?"

Catherine, unimpressed, sips her tea. "Miracles happen, I guess."

I ignore them. I have a mission. I straighten up, smirk—ready to actually have a normal interaction for once.

And then.

Devin strikes.

Before I can even say one word, he throws an arm around my shoulders, smiling at the girl like he's about to ruin my entire life.

"Oh, sorry, babe. He's taken."

The world shatters.

I freeze. "I'M WHAT?!"

The girl blinks. "Wait… you two are…?"

Devin nods way too seriously. "Yeah, we've been together for a while now. It's serious."

Luis lets out an unholy wheeze.

Catherine gasps so dramatically it could win an Oscar. "WAIT. You guys are DATING?!"

I whip my head toward her. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

She clutches her chest like she's in a soap opera. "I can't believe you never told me! I thought we were friends!"

Luis is holding onto the counter for dear life.

The hot girl looks genuinely apologetic. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to intrude—"

Devin, shaking his head sadly: "It's okay. He's just so handsome. I get it."

I am about to commit an actual crime.

And then.

The final, devastating blow.

The girl smiles at me sweetly. "Well… we can still be besties!"

The walls close in.

I feel my soul physically leave my body.

Luis collapses behind the register. Catherine wipes away a fake tear. "Wow. That was heartbreaking to watch."

The girl waves at me one last time and disappears into the night.

I just stand there. Staring into the abyss.

Luis, weakly, from the floor: "Man… that was art."

I turn to Devin, shaking with rage. "I AM GOING TO KILL YOU."

Devin claps me on the back. "Relax, bro. You got a new bestie out of it."