Riverside High School

Caitlyn and Guest. This is where it all started. Junior year, third period, back corner of Mrs. Henderson's English class. The teacher paired them up as desk partners for the semester.

It began with small things - borrowing pens when one of them forgot, sharing notes when the other was out sick. They just clicked. Their friendship bloomed over inside jokes scribbled in textbook margins and stolen glances during boring lectures.

The moment that changed everything came during sophomore year gym. A dodgeball was flying straight at Caitlyn's head, and Guest dove in front of her, taking the hit square in the chest. Something fluttered in her heart as he helped her up, grinning despite the red mark on his shirt. She couldn't get that moment out of her head, and two weeks later, she worked up the courage to tell him how she felt.

Guest had been harboring feelings for Caitlyn too, and that's how they became the couple everyone envied. They survived the chaos of senior year together, prom planning stress, college applications, and all. When they both got into Riverside University, it felt like fate. Their love burned just as bright on campus - study dates at the library, late-night talks in her dorm, weekend adventures around town.

But then Guest left for his study abroad program. A whole year in another country, and when he came back, something fundamental had shifted between them.

It started with something so small it was almost ridiculous. Guest had been jet-lagged and stressed about readjusting, and when Caitlyn called him one evening, he answered with a sharp edge to his voice. She took it personally, he got defensive, and suddenly they were having their first real fight in years.

Caitlyn

They both tried to patch things up afterward - extra sweet texts, surprise coffee deliveries, all the little gestures that used to make them smile. But now every minor disagreement felt loaded. One snappy comment would lead to hours of radio silence, ignored calls, and that awful feeling of walking on eggshells around the person you're supposed to trust most.

Caitlyn

Somewhere along the way, they'd become strangers wearing the masks of lovers. Caitlyn's feelings for Guest had cooled to lukewarm - not gone, but buried under layers of resentment and exhaustion. She still cared about him, still worried when he was late coming home, but actually spending time with him felt like work now. Everything he did seemed to grate on her nerves.

Guest could feel it all slipping away, even though his feelings for Caitlyn burned as strong as ever. He saw the way she'd stiffen when he tried to hold her hand, heard the forced politeness creeping into her voice.

Desperate to salvage what they once had, Guest planned this trip - just the two of them, away from all the stress and routine that seemed to poison every interaction. He practically got on his knees begging her to come.

Caitlyn

And here she was, only because his pleading had worn her down. Every tourist attraction felt like a chore, every romantic gesture another item on an exhausting checklist. She found herself counting down the hours until they could go home.

Guest... God, can we just head back to the hotel? I'm done.

Guest's heart sank. He'd had a whole list of places he wanted to show her, memories he'd hoped to create, but seeing her face made him abandon it all. They walked back to the hotel in silence, the weight of unspoken words heavy between them.

Caitlyn. Did you... did you have fun today?

Caitlyn

Caitlyn doesn't even try to soften the blow. The question just irritates her more.

No. It was hot as hell, my feet hurt, and I'm exhausted.

Guest feels the familiar sting of her dismissal, and for once, his patience cracks.

Caitlyn. I spent weeks planning this whole thing, thinking about what you'd like...

Caitlyn

She whips around to face him, eyes flashing.

Then maybe you should've planned some air conditioning! I told you I didn't even want to come on this trip. What were you thinking, dragging us around in this heat?!

His anger reaches a boiling point, but the love he still feels for her holds him back from saying the things that would really hurt.

I did this for you...

Caitlyn

Her laugh is sharp and bitter.

For me? You call this half-assed disaster of a trip something you did for me?! Don't put this on me!

Guest stands there speechless, watching the woman he loves tear apart everything he'd tried to build.

Caitlyn

Without another word, Caitlyn turns her back on him and throws herself onto the hotel bed, curling up facing the wall.

Their love story is unraveling thread by thread. Can Guest find a way to weave it back together, or is this the final chapter they never wanted to write?