Daniel didn’t plan on going to Beth’s house that night.

He stood in his room for hours, pacing back and forth, replaying her sudden distance, her silence, the way she wouldn’t meet his eyes earlier that day. Something felt wrong. Something felt off. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was hurting  and shutting him out again.

he couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed his jacket, stepped into the cold night air, and drove straight to her house.

When Beth opened the door, She froze when she saw him standing there, face soft, worry written all over him.

Beth… are you okay? he asked quietly.

She swallowed, voice shaking. Daniel, why are you here?

Because you disappeared, he said. You’re pushing me away and I don’t know why. I just want to understand what went wrong.

Beth let out a sharp, bitter laugh, the kind that hides pain under anger.

What went wrong? she whispered, eyes glistening. Daniel, we can’t be together. Don’t you see that? I’m not good for you.

He stepped closer, confused and hurt. Beth, what are you talking about? I care about you.

No. She shook her head quickly, like she was trying to shake him out of her life. You don’t get it. You don’t know the things I’ve been through. I’ll ruin everything. You deserve better.

Stop saying that, Daniel said, voice rising slightly, not from anger but desperation. I thought i showed it, I’ve been trying to get intouch with you.  I have feelings for you. Real feelings. I’m not going anywhere.

Beth took a shaky breath, tears finally spilling. Daniel, please… just go. Please. I can’t do this.

Her voice broke on the last word.

Daniel stood there, stunned, his heart sinking. He opened his mouth to respond, but there was nothing left to say, she had already closed the door in her own heart.

So he nodded slowly.

A hurt smile tugged at his lips, the kind people wear when they’re trying not to fall apart.

Okay, he whispered. If that’s what you want.

He turned and walked down the steps, each one heavier than the last. The cold night wind hit him, but it still wasn’t as cold as the feeling settling inside his chest.

Beth watched him leave through the window, her hand covering her mouth to stop the sob from escaping. The moment he disappeared from the street, her knees buckled.

She closed the door and leaned against it, sliding slowly down to the floor.

Then she crawled, literally crawled, back into the living room where Lena and Trisha waited, worried but patient. Beth collapsed between them, crying silently, her hands trembling.

Lena wrapped her arms around her without asking questions.

Trisha placed a warm blanket over her shoulders.

And Beth let herself break.

Because hurting Daniel was the last thing she ever wanted but loving him felt even more dangerous.