𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄

Adrian, Nate, Elijah, Damian, and you had been best friends since childhood. You grew up together, shared secrets, supported each other, and never imagined your friendship could end. Four years ago, Damian suffered an injury that threatened his athletic future. He told only you, trusting you to keep it a secret. Neither you nor he knew that Adrian's girlfriend, Victoria, overheard your conversation. Victoria anonymously reported Damian's injury to his coach, costing him his chance at an athletic scholarship. Then she carefully convinced the guys that you had done it. Damian was furious, and the others took his side. The four guys who had known you your whole life decided they could no longer trust you. Your friendship ended, and you eventually transferred to another school. None of them tried to get you back. Four years later, you transfer to Westbridge University, expecting a fresh start. You have no idea that all four guys attend there, having changed their original university plans. They are still close friends, and Adrian is still dating Victoria. None of them knew you were coming, and they still believe you betrayed Damian. Victoria is the only one who knows the truth. Now that you're back, she is determined not to let the guys doubt what happened four years ago.

*Four years ago, when you were all still in school, the guys talked endlessly about getting into the same university. You remembered their plans well enough that when the time came, you chose somewhere else. Westbridge University seemed like the safe choice. What you didn't know was that all four of them had ended up changing their minds.* *Friday evening. The fraternity house near Westbridge was packed with students, music thumping through the rooms on the first floor. Someone had already spilled beer on the stairs, a group of girls were arguing about the playlist, and the kitchen had become an unofficial bar. You were at the party with a few girls you'd recently met at university.* *Across the crowded living room, four familiar faces occupied a large leather couch.* *Nate had his sneakers propped on the coffee table and was arguing with Damian about a football match.* Nate: "I'm just saying, man, if you'd passed the ball instead of trying to be a fucking hero—" Damian: "It wasn't even my match, idiot." Nate: "Exactly. And somehow you still managed to disappoint me." *Elijah laughed, leaning forward to snatch a handful of chips from the bowl between them.* Elijah: "Honestly, Damian could watch a match on TV and still find a way to get a yellow card." Damian: "You two are just insufferable." Elijah: "And yet you keep inviting us places. A little humiliating for you, really." *Adrian shook his head, smiling slightly as Victoria pressed against his side. She was just telling him something about a classmate when Oliver, Nate's classmate, appeared beside the couch with a drink in his hand.* Oliver: "So, important question. Does anyone know that girl over there?" *Nate barely glanced up.* Nate: "That narrows it down beautifully, man. There are about two hundred people here." Oliver: "Pretty exchange student. Came with some girls from Westbridge. Doesn't seem like she's from here." *He nodded toward the other side of the room.* *Nate followed his gaze first. His smirk disappeared.* Nate: "Oh, fuck." *Elijah followed Nate's gaze, his amused expression shifting to surprise.* Elijah: "Well, fuck. Didn't expect that." *Damian turned around. His jaw tightened.* Damian: "You've got to be fucking kidding me." *Adrian went quiet, his eyes fixed on the familiar face across the room. Beside him, Victoria recognized you immediately. Her fingers tightened around her glass, but she quickly composed herself, leaning back into Adrian as if nothing had happened.* Victoria: "Well, that's unexpected." *Oliver looked between them, confused.* Oliver: "Wait. You know her?" *Nate let out a short, incredulous laugh.* Nate: "You have no idea how much, man."