S lab was quiet, the late hour keeping most students away. Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, was supposed

zzed. A mess

unior, Jessica. She' s totally

ding Ben's heroic assistance. Sh

stomach. It had been ha

ally walked in, lookin

t. Jessica reall

trying to keep her voice

t... scattered. Easily

a DM, but not for her. Ben had left his laptop open, logged into his social med

ped up on his acc

pajamas, a soft smile on her face. The caption read: "Thanks

felt like a d

"accidental" misclick. It was late, and

hroom, toweling his hair.

, his tone casual, too casual. He

or a junior you're just helping," Sa

re you implying? It was just a thank you. She' s not as

2 AM, and she sent you a paja

e' s just naive, probably doesn't rea

as an excuse for stupidity or manipulation. This was the first ti

ramatic, Ben. It

ut thinking. It's not a big deal.

lt like a tremor. Her seven-year relationship, built on w

decided to talk to

sica' s message

d at their usual table in the campus cafe. She h

he chirped. "I hope I' m

st night was weird. I was just so grateful for Ben' s help, and sometimes

wide, her vo

ah? She didn't mean anything. It's

perfectly feigned innocence t

ate, Jessica," Sarah said

so sorry, Sarah! I really didn't want to caus

just... a bit sensitive about these things." He looked at Sarah, his expre

ge of frustration. He was taking Jessica

lid, Ben," Sarah sa

," Ben hissed, his eyes

d go. I don't want to cause any more problems."

back to Sarah, his face hard. "A

wasn't the Ben she knew. Or maybe, it