Old Wounds And New Ones

The afternoon sun was soft, painting the streets with lazy gold as Conner leaned against the bleachers at practice. Alyah stood near him, tracing the toe of her sneaker across a chalk line on the concrete. Her eyes flicked up, catching his gaze.

"So... you've been talking about Skie and Dylan a lot lately," she said, voice light but edged with something curious. "Think maybe it's time I met them properly?"

Conner blinked. "You've met them. Sort of."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Not like that. I want to be part of your world, Conner. Not just the Eastlake girlfriend who hears names and never sees faces."

He hesitated. The idea of Alyah with Skie and Dylan felt like a clash of timelines. Still, he nodded. "Alright. We're hanging out at this diner later. Think you're up for it?"

"Perfect." She slipped her hand into his and kissed him on the cheek. "Can't wait."

The Diner

It was their old spot. Not fancy, just a corner booth at a local diner with cracked vinyl seats and milkshakes that always came half-melted. Skie and Dylan arrived first, sliding into their usual seats with a small air of nervous anticipation. The group chat revival had felt hopeful. This outing felt like something more.

But neither of them expected what came next.

The bell above the door jingled. Conner walked in, hand-in-hand with Alyah.

Skie's entire body stilled, her fingers tightening around her glass of water. Dylan glanced sideways, eyebrows raising. He hadn't expected her.

"Hey, guys," Conner said, trying too hard to sound casual. "You remember Alyah."

Alyah gave a wide, bright smile as she slid in next to Conner, so close their shoulders touched.

The girl had no enlightening on personal space, for Conner's personal space was now her personal space.

"Hey! I've heard so much about you both," she chirped.

"Same," Skie said, forcing a polite smile. Her voice cracked on the word.

Conner looked between them, then changed the subject fast, pretending not to notice how Skie couldn't quite meet his eyes.

He knew the had history before and it wasn't pretty. 

They were barely halfway through milkshakes and awkward laughter when it happened.

The bell jingled again.

It was like heaven kept sending down uninvited guest.

Aaron.

And Ruby.

Dylan almost dropped his spoon and nearly choked on his milkshake.

Conner waved them over. "Yo, guys! Sit with us!"

Skie's jaw clenched.

Dylan stared, frozen, as Ruby and Aaron walked over. Ruby looked flawless, like she always did, hair shining under the diner lights. Aaron wore that dumb hoodie Dylan always used to like on him.

And then, Ruby touched Aaron's chest, giggling at something he whispered. They stood side by side as they greeted the group.

Sat.

Next to Dylan.

"Hey," Aaron said, trying to smile at him.

Dylan gave a jerky nod. "Hey."

Ruby slid in beside Aaron. Her hand rested on his arm. Her head tilted toward his shoulder. Casual. Intimate.

Dylan didn't breathe.

Skie watched him from across the table, as both heart twisted in shared pain.

The table tried to carry on. Conner cracked some joke about gym class. Alyah laughed a little too loud. Ruby giggled, reaching for Aaron's hand under the table. Dylan caught the movement.

Everything in him collapsed.

He stood up abruptly.

The chair scraped.

Everyone paused.

"Dylan?" Skie asked gently.

He didn't answer. Just walked out.

Skie rose slightly from her seat too, torn.

Conner followed her out as they watched.

She tried walking fast but Conner caught he anyways.

"Why did you invite her?" she asked, voice sharp but low.

Conner blinked. "What? Because she's my girlfriend. And I would love if my friends and my girlfriend got along."

Skie stared at him like she was seeing someone else. "No! I get that she's all over you and I can get past you liking her. But no. Have you forgotten what she did to me? "

Outside, Dylan leaned against the side of the building, fists clenched. Tears burned behind his eyes, but he didn't let them fall.

He had nothing left to say. And somehow, that hurt the most.

Back inside, Aaron turned toward the door, halfway rising.

But Ruby pulled him back down, whispering in his ear.

He didn't go after Dylan.

And that was the worst part.