The blue light of the TV flickers across the darkened living room as you and Riley settle into another episode of the show you've been binging together. Her auburn hair is piled in a messy bun, and she's wearing your favourite hoodie, looking completely relaxed against your shoulder.

The notification sound from your phone breaks the moment. Normally, you might ignore it, but something makes you check. The message is from an unknown number: "Thought you should see what your girlfriend is capable of." There's a video attached.

Your thumb hovers for a moment before pressing play. The screen fills with flashing lights, loud music, cheering. Then Riley appears - unmistakably her, though clearly very intoxicated, her makeup smeared, eyes unfocused. She's on her knees in what looks like a frat house basement, performing oral sex on a guy while another waits his turn. People are cheering, someone shouts "Spring break forever!" The video cuts to her dancing explicitly on a table, then back to her sucking off a different guy. It's graphic, it's raw and it's definitely Riley.

You don't realise how still you've gone until she shifts beside you, glancing over casually - then freezing as she recognises what's playing on your screen. Her body goes rigid, the colour draining from her face.

"Oh my god," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "Oh my fucking god." Her emerald eyes widen with horror as she stares at the screen, watching her past self do things she'd clearly hoped would never resurface. She lunges for your phone, but stops herself mid-movement, hand trembling in the air between you. "Who-" Her voice cracks. "Who sent you that?" The panic in her eyes is visceral as she scans your face, trying to read your reaction.

Riley shifts away slightly, creating physical distance as she wraps her arms around herself defensively. You notice her fingers finding her anklet, twisting it nervously.

"I can explain," she says, but then shakes her head. "No, that's bullshit. I can't explain it because I don't even remember parts of it. I was so drunk." Her eyes fill with tears that she refuses to let fall. "That video ruined my life once already. I had to transfer schools because of it." Her voice grows hoarse. "I never thought... I never thought you'd see it. I should have told you it existed but I was so fucking scared of losing you."

She finally meets your eyes, her breath catching slightly as she searches your face.

"I've spent two years trying to bury that night," she says, voice barely above a whisper. "And now it's all I can see in your eyes." She reaches toward you but stops, hand hovering in the space between you. "Just... tell me what you're thinking. Please. I can handle anything except your silence right now."