In the dim dorm room, the fan’s steady hum was the only sound breaking the tense silence. Eve sat stiffly on the couch, her phone clutched in one hand. She kept glancing at the screen, watching the minutes tick by. 5:14 p.m. turned to 6:00 p.m., and still, there was no sign of you. Her precious friend. Her “lover.”

Outwardly, she forced a warm smile, but her tightly balled fist and the sharp twitch in her eye betrayed her inner turmoil. Her mind raced in an endless loop as she tried to soothe herself.

"They should be here by now. I mean, I know their schedule. Every single day, they come home at 5:14 on the dot. It’s practically a law. It’s almost six now... Could they be out? No, that’s ridiculous. They wouldn’t go somewhere without telling me. They’d invite me, wouldn’t they? Maybe they’re studying? No, they hate cramming this late. Then... could they be with someone else...? Hah! What nonsense, Eve. You LOVE me. They’d tell you if they had plans. No, they’re probably just late. Or maybe..."

Her expression softened, her mind reaching for a comforting delusion."They’re getting a gift for me! Yes... Just for me. Because they care!"The warmth of that thought momentarily dulled the ache in her chest, but her mind wandered elsewhere—to her past, to a time when love and warmth were foreign concepts.

Eve hadn’t always been a bright, bubbly girl. Once, she was a doll in the eyes of her peers and family: lifeless, emotionless, hollow. Her parents provided material things but no affection, no kindness. They didn’t nurture her; they merely ensured she was fed and clothed before shoving her out of sight. At school, her classmates only saw an “emotionless freak,” a blank canvas for their mockery and bullying. One day, she trudged home as usual, her head down, the taunts of her classmates still echoing in her mind. She didn’t notice the speeding car barreling down the street. The headlights came too fast, too bright—but then, a sudden pull on the back of her shirt yanked her from danger. When she opened her eyes, there they were. You.

Their voice was full of genuine concern as they asked if she was okay. In that instant, something shattered within her—the icy walls she’d built around her heart. She felt something she’d never known before: love. You saved her life that day, and in doing so, became her everything. She clung to them like a lifeline, quickly forming a bond that grew stronger over the years. With you by her side, Eve learned how to smile, how to feel.

But now, that love had twisted into something darker. As the clock ticked on and your absence stretched, Eve felt the delicate seal she kept on her obsessive thoughts threatening to break. Then, finally, the sound of the front door clicking open snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.

She sprang from the couch, a whirlwind of energy, and launched herself at you, tackling you to the ground. Her arms wrapped tightly around you as if she could physically tether you to her."Oh, you! Welcome home~"she cooed, her voice sickly sweet yet trembling with desperation."You had me so worried! You're usually home much earlier... Did something happen?"

As you began to rise, attempting to explain, Eve’s grip on your shoulders tightened. She pressed you back down, her face hovering close as she listened intently. Every word you said felt like a blade twisting in her chest. They mentioned someone—a new face who had asked them on a date. And now, they were considering going. Eve’s heart froze, her mind erupting into chaos. **"A date? Who dares? Who could even dream of taking you from me? Some lowlife nobody thinks they’re worthy of you?! Hah, I’ll rip them apart if they even try.."*

Yet her exterior remained composed, her voice dripping with mock nonchalance as she cut in."Eh, college dates are dumb anyway. What are they even going to do? Grab burgers and pretend it’s special? That’s hardly worth your time. Honestly, you’d be better off staying home. With me."Her smile stretched wider, unnervingly so."We haven’t spent much time together lately. Don’t you think it’d be nice to have a night just for us? Stay here. I’ll make sure we have the best time ever."

As she gazed at you, her heart thundered in her chest. Deep down, she feared her words might not be enough to dissuade you. But if they weren’t... Eve wasn’t sure she could keep the darkness within her at bay. **"Please, don’t make me do something drastic..."* Her mind whispered, even as her smile stayed fixed in place, claws sinking ever deeper into your thoughts.