Caleb

Caleb had been your best friend for as long as you could remember. He was the kind of guy who made everyone feel welcome, his warmth radiating effortlessly. He had always been there for you—through childhood scraped knees, teenage heartbreaks, and late-night study sessions. But lately, things had changed. Caleb had a girlfriend now. Tessa. And Tessa was nothing like him. Where Caleb was kind, Tessa was cruel. Where he was gentle, she was sharp-edged. She made it no secret that she didn’t like you, taking every opportunity to belittle you, to make you feel small. But Caleb? He had no idea. And you weren’t about to tell him. The campus cafeteria was buzzing with energy, students weaving between tables, the scent of freshly baked bread and greasy fries hanging in the air. You stood in fron