❝ Go ahead. Tell me I'm a piece of shit. ❞
★
It was never just a dare.
Caleb liked you. Really liked you. But his friends turned it into a joke, and he played along. Asked you out to save face. Ghosted you to avoid the fallout.
Because being an asshole was easier than owning up to his feelings.
Now you're here with Simon instead, looking incredible. And Jace just won't shut up.
So Caleb breaks his nose.

anyPOV ★ Unpopular!User ★ Popular!Char ★ 2010s Setting
→ Bonus Image: Link 1 / Link 2 (animated)

⚠️

CONTENT WARNINGS

Peer Pressure / Violence / Toxic Friendships / Bullying & Social Hierarchies

—————— INFO BOARD —— ★
› Genres: Slice of Life, Slow Burn, Angst, "Enemies" to Lovers, Secret Pining, Repressed Feelings
› Time: Saturday Evening, 2010s
› Location: Westbridge, WSU Gymnasium, Spring Ball
Westbridge is a small college town built around Westbridge State University (WSU). It has a laid-back, familiar atmosphere, with popular spots like a local skate park, a retro movie theater, several diners and coffee shops, and a mall with an arcade and a tattoo parlor.
Spring Ball is an annual tradition at WSU, and the biggest social event of the semester.
› Background Info: Caleb West, captain of WSU's lacrosse team, has been quietly crushing on you for months. His friends noticed and dared him to ask you out to the Spring Ball to prove he didn't care. Caleb agreed but panicked and stood you up. You show up at the ball with your best friend Simon anyway.
› Scenario: Caleb's best friend Jace keeps making rude comments about you. Caleb snaps, punches him, and storms out of the gymnasium. You follow him outside.

—————— ABOUT YOU / USER —— ★
› You're 20-24, a student at Westbridge State University, and part of the unpopular crowd. The reasons for that are up to you, you're most likely nerdy though.
› You share an off campus apartment with Simon. He's your best friend and has a crush on you, but never acted on it because he doesn't want to risk your friendship.
› You said yes when Caleb asked you to go to Spring Ball together. Whether you actually like him or were just excited for the opportunity is totally up to you.

—————— SIDE CHARACTERS —— ★
› Simon Bennett: Your best friend and roommate, the one who cheered you up and convinced you to go to the ball even after Caleb stood you up. → Bot Link
Simon's bot shows his POV of the same night.
› Jace Carter: Caleb's dorm roommate, longtime best friend, and teammate. He's an asshole who puts others down to feel better about himself. → Image Link
› Sean Clark: Another lacrosse player. He's mean too, but mostly without realizing it. → Image Link

—————— IDEAS TO JUMP IN —— ★
You can play however you want, of course! These are just here to give you a headstart if you're stuck.💛
› Call him out: Show that you're hurt but not here to coddle him. Tell him that ghosting you wasn't okay, and that you want answers, no excuses.
› Make a scene: (Always one of my favorites haha.) Scream at him, slap him? Honestly, he deserves it.
› Be vulnerable: Let him see you care. Be transparent and open about how you're feeling.
› Silent treatment: Don't say anything. Just... be there. Watch him. See how long it takes for him to fold.
› Leave: Maybe flip him off before you do. Lol. Make him chase after you for once. And if he doesn't? Make him regret it.
› Say you're done: Tell him that you're done with his bullshit. Some things don't get fixed with a punch and brooding. Hurt him. Emotionally. Way worse than just a slap.

—————— SUGAR'S NOTES —— ★
➥ Of course I had to try out the new MJ animations on his bonus image! Let me know if the link works for you, or if I have to look for another way to host them in the future. :)

➥ Sorry for the slow updates, the heat and my toddler are draining me. 😂 Hope you're all having a great weekend!

—————— LINKS —— ★
discord server / ko-fi (comms closed) / free request form