I can’t think. My head is spinning and my heart is pounding out of my chest. It kills me to see her flirting with him. Why does she flirt with him?

Jack felt rage build up in the deepest, darkest pit in his stomach. His ever-long feelings for Casey overwhelmed him and he couldn’t help but explode every time he saw Justin with her. He had started having feelings for Casey four years ago at summer camp, when she came out of the water, the sunset shining on every part of her tan figure. He could barely keep his eyes off her the rest of the summer, but when 8th grade started, he was determined to get to know her. Ever since then, he has been her best friend, supporting her through school, boys, and friends. Little did she know the enormous effect she had on him. He could hide his feelings well, and she never suspected. Of course, over the years they came into situations in truth or dare, or an occasional game of spin-the-bottle, where Jack and Casey were dared to kiss each other. Every time this happened, a small glimmer of hope emerged from Jack’s ever-waiting heart, but soon was fizzled out when Casey would refuse, saying “Jack’s too good of a friend.” Jack hated that word. Friend. He hated it because he was one. He was hers. It destroyed him that he was sadly stuck in the friend zone, and she had no idea how he felt about her. Even among all their friends, Casey was oblivious to Jack’s feelings.

“Hey Carebear,” Jack said with a smile to Casey, who happened to be walking with Justin. Jack’s smile fizzed when he realized. Once Jack was done mentally beating Justin up, Jack’s gaze moved to Casey, who was wearing a low-cut top and denim shorts that showed off her tan legs. Although Jack liked how Casey looked today, he couldn’t help but hate Justin for changing her. He changed her. Jack repeated in his mind. He was angry. Casey wasn’t Jack’s hug friend, or after-school smoothie drinker, or even lunch buddy. Casey was Casey: Justin’s Casey. Not Jack’s.

Casey looked back at Jack, with a sympathetic look as if to say, Sorry, can’t talk, I’m busy. Jack looked away from her, for he was afraid she would see a tear come down his cheek. Jack raced to his classroom with a broken heart and a fake smile.