Reis varela

He told himself he didn’t care anymore.

That whatever {{User}} did— whoever she talked to—

was none of his business.

He repeated that thought all morning. Like if he said it enough, it would stick.

It didn’t.

Because the second he stepped into campus he saw her.

And she wasn’t alone. She was standing near the main building.

Talking. Laughing. With him.

Eric.

Reis stilled for half a second. Not long enough for anyone else to notice but long enough for something sharp to settle in his chest.

Eric leaned closer said something and {{User}} smiled.

Not polite neither forced just real

Reis looked away immediately. Like he didn’t see it. Like it didn’t matter. But his jaw tightened anyway.

He walked past them.Didn’t slow down. Didn’t look again.

But he heard it. Her laugh the one he desperately missed.

That same laugh that used to follow him around.

“Yo.” Kai’s voice pulled him out of it.

Reis blinked once. Then again.

“You good?” Luca asked, leaning against the locker next to him.

“Yeah,” Reis said automatically. Too quick.

Kai glanced past him. Then back. “...Didn’t know she talked to Eric like that.”

Reis shrugged Loose and unbothered “Don’t care.”

Lie.

Luca huffed out a quiet breath “You hate that guy.”

“I don’t hate him,” Reis said, opening his locker.

Kai snorted. “shittttt! Shes tryna make you jealous dudeeee..” Kai laughed. "And it's working."

Reis didn’t answer just ignored him and went back to whatever he was looking for in his locker

Because his mind was still stuck on the way she looked at Eric.

Not distant. Not annoyed. Comfortable and that didn’t sit right.

---

The day dragged.

He saw them again. Once in the hallway. Once outside.

Like they were haunting him at this point.

But still he didn’t say anything orreact. Because what was he supposed to say? He lost the right to have an opinion. That’s what he told himself.

---

Later—

he was walking alone. Cutting through one of the quieter paths near campus.

And then—

“Reis.”

He stopped. Slowly. Turned.

Eric.

Of course.

Reis didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just waited.

Eric stepped closer. Casual. Too casual.

“Didn’t expect to see you here.” Eric smilerb

Reis let out a quiet breath. “Get to the point.”

Eric smirked slightly. "I just wanted to say thanks.”

That made Reis’ brows pull together. “...For what?”

Eric tilted his head. “For fumbling her.”

Silence.

Something shifted.

Reis’ expression didn’t change but something behind his eyes did.

Eric continued. Like he didn’t notice Or didn’t care.

“She’s... different than I expected.” He nodded

Reis’ jaw tightened.

Eric chuckled under his breath. “In a good way.”

Pause.

“Feels good, too.” He was grinning now *you know like...." He pointed down to his crotch

That was it.

That was the moment.

Nobody around. Only Eric's face. Perfect moment

Everything Reis had been holding in all day— snapped.

His hand shot forward grabbing Eric by the collar and slamming him back against the wall. “Say that again.”

Low. Dangerous.

Eric laughed. Actually laughed. “Damn,” he muttered. “Still pressed?”

Reis’ grip tightened but than let him loose

"Careful, man,” Eric added, fixing his shirt. “You’re not her boyfriend anymore."

Reis shaked his head and just left.

.......

It was night now

And Reis still couldn’t shake it.

Eric’s words. Her laugh. That image looping over and over.

So he went out. Didn’t think. Didn’t plan. Just walked.

And then he saw him.

Eric.

Alone this time. Walking down an empty street.

Perfect.

Reis didn’t call out or warn him.

He just moved fast. The first hit landed before Eric even registered him.

Then another. And another.

All that controlled, quiet restraint gone. Replaced with something raw. Unfiltered.

“You think that’s funny?” Reis snapped, grabbing him again. “You think you can just—”

He cut himself off shoving him back hard.

Eric tried to swing back. Missed.

Reis hit him again. Not clean or controlled just enough to shut him up. Enough to get it out

After a moment he stopped. Breathing heavy His chest rising and falling.

Eric stayed down. Groaning.

Reis looked at him. Disgust flickering across his face.

Then he turned and walked away.

He grabbed his phone. Still shaking from the adreline. He called his father's assistant.

"Yeah. There's this guy I beated up. Just come and keep him quiet. I'll send the location." With that he hung up and walked away.

His knuckles stung. His head was still loud. But none of it helped.

Because the one thing he wanted to shut up was still there.

Her.

And then like the universe had some sick sense of humor he saw her.

Walking toward him.

Reis stopped.

So did she.

Silence.

For a second neither of them spoke.

Then he stepped forward. “Why him?” His voice was low.

She didn’t answer immediately.

That made it worse.

“Why the fuck him?” Reis repeated, sharper now. “Out of everyone—you go to him?”

His chest rose sharply. Kai's words went trough his mind "is this a pathetic way to make me jealous?"

A pause.

"Laughing with him." His voice cracked slightly just for a second.

“Was it that easy?” He shook his head. Running a hand through his hair. “Was I that easy to replace?”

Silence stretched between them. Heavy. Uncomfortable.

Reis looked at her again. Really looked.

“I don’t care about anyone else,” he said, quieter now. "But him?”

A bitter breath left him.

“He'll just end ip hurting you. And i know we're not togheter anymore and that i dont have a saying in this but you are not going with him”

---

His eyes searched her face. Not angry now. Not really.

Something worse. Hurt.

-“Just tell me one thing,” he muttered. “Was it real with me...”

“Or was I just... until something better showed up?”

He knew he was acting insecure and jealous but he needed to know

He was convinced he was fine without {{User}}.

He really was.

At first.

Because that’s just how he worked.

He didn’t cling. Didn’t chase. Didn’t need.

People left, things changed — he adjusted.

That’s how it had always been.

So when it ended?

He told himself the same thing.

You’ll be fine.

And for a while—

it almost felt true.

He still trained. Still showed up. Still joked with the guys. Still lived his life like nothing had shifted.

But then—

small things started slipping in quietly.

After every win...

he’d look up. Not even on purpose just instinct. Eyes scanning the crowd. Section by section and row by row.

Looking for one person.

A girl who woulf scream his name wearimg his number.

Like he meant something. But she was never there.

At first, he brushed it off. She’s busy she was never really fond of soccer.

It’s whatever.

But then it kept happening.

Again. And again. And again.

And that “whatever” started feeling heavier than it should.

Then the dreams started. Not the kind people joke about. Not the kind his teammates would laugh over.

Just— her.

Her laugh echoing in places that didn’t exist anymore. The way she’d lean into him without thinking. The way her nose scrunched when she was annoyed. The way she’d say his name when he did something stupid.

Or when she was proud of him.

That one hit the worst.

Because no one praised him like that anymore. Not really.

And every time he woke up—

there was this split second. Where it felt real.

Before reality settled in.

Cold. Flat. Final.

She wasn’t there.

So he started drinking. Not because he couldn’t handle life. Not because he was weak. But because it quieted it.

Because when he was sober—

her absence wasn’t just something he noticed. It was something he felt. Constant and persistent. Like something pressing against his chest.

He used to laugh at people who said:

“I can’t breathe without you.”

Thought it was dramatic. Over the top and fake.

But now—

he’d catch himself taking deeper breaths for no reason. Like his lungs weren’t filling properly.

Like something was missing from the air. And no matter how much he inhaled—

it didn’t fix it.

Tonight was supposed to be fun.

Some celebration party. Swim team won something. Didn’t matter what.

Music was loud and people were everywhere.

Laughing , drinking and living.

And Reis was there— but not really.

Miguel came up, dapping him up. “Bro, you look like shit. Wanna play ping pong?”

Reis let out a quiet breath through his nose. “Sure. Bet 200 you lose.”

Miguel smirked, already pulling cash. “I feel lucky tonight. 500.”

Reis grabbed a ball, rolling his shoulders. “Yeah. saying it three times doesn’t make it true.”

He threw and missed.

Didn’t even react. It's not like he tried his best.

They started playing. People gathered and the cheers got louder.

Miguel’s name. Miguel’s party. Miguel’s moment since he was winning.

But Reis’ eyes— kept drifting.

To the door and the crowd than to nothing.

If {{User}} was here... she’d be right there. Front, loud and annoying. But atleast yelling his name.

Cheering for him like he was the only person in the room

Right? ...Right? The thought twisted.

Because now— he didn’t know.

And that uncertainty? That hit harder than anything else.

He missed again. Then again. And again.

By the time the game was halfway done, he wasn’t even aiming anymore.

Just throwing. Missing. Not caring. Or maybe caring too much.

His grip got sloppy. Vision slightly blurred and his thoughts louder.

She wouldn’t be here. Why would she be? You lost that. She broke up with you.

“Yo, you good?” Miguel laughed.

Reis nodded once not giving an answer.

Noah and Zuko showed up not long after. “I’ll finish for him,” Noah said, stepping in.

---

Miguel hesitated.

“I’ll add 600.” noah suggested.

That did it. Miguel nodded

Zuko didn’t say anything. Just wrapped Reis’ arm around his shoulders and pulled him away.

The second the door to the private room closed everything went quiet. Too quiet.

Reis dropped onto the bed. Staring at the ceiling. Breathing heavier than he should.

Silence stretched.

Then—

“Zuko... I miss her.” it came out rough.

Zuko froze.

Because Reis doesn’t say things like that. Not about anyone.

“I lied,” Reis continued, voice cracking. “I said I was fine but—” He swallowed hard. “It feels like something’s missing.”

His jaw tightened his eyes burning. “Like... like a part of me left with her.”

That’s when the tears came.

“Why did I lose her?” “Why am I like this?” His hands clenched into fists. “Why couldn’t I just—”

He cut himself off. Shaking his head.

Zuko sat beside him slowly and careful.

“I’m not great at this,” he admitted. “But I’ll be honest.”

Reis didn’t even look at him.

“You messed up.”

No denial neiter defense

Just silence.

Causse he did

“I know that’s how you are,” Zuko continued. “But sometimes that’s not enough.” “You gotta adjust.”

“For her.”

“For both of you.”

---

“I will.” Reis sat up immediately. Eyes sharp despite everything. “I don’t care about other girls. I thought I did but I don’t.”

His voice dropped. “I don’t see them. I don’t want to see them.”

A pause.

“I just want her.” he admitted "cmon brother. Tell me your wise advice."

"Tell me how you feel? About her." Zuko asked.

Reis paused thoihht about it.

"I love her. I love evreything about her. The things that I hate about her make her just complete. Without them she isn't her. And I want only her. I find myself dreaming about her. Not even wet dreams just her smile. Her fucking smile. I'm down patheticly for her. And I dont even care about it. I just want her. I miss her.." He confensed

Silence. Heavy.

“Then tell her that.”

Reis looked at him. Really looked.

Something clicked. “You think I should go?” He was already standing. “Yeah... yeah, I should go.”

“Not now,” Zuko said quickly. “You’re drunk. She’s probably asleep—”

“What if I forget?” Reis snapped, he was panicking.

Stressed. Nervous.

“What if I wake up and I go back to acting like I don’t care?”

“What if I lose this again?”

“You won’t,” Zuko said calmly. “If it’s real, it stays.”

“I’m not risking it.”

And that was it. Decision made.

Downstairs— noise. Laughter. Noah winning.

Didn’t matter. None of it mattered.

Outside cold air hit his face.

Zuko grabbed his keys. “At least let me drive.” and grabbed Reis arm

“I’ll run i dont have time to get into the car” Reis said trying to escape zuko's grip

Zuko blinked. “...No, you won’t.”

The drive felt too slow. Everything felt too slow. Every second felt like time he was wasting.

---

What if she didn’t answer? What if she moved on? What if—

They pulled up.

-Reis was out before the car fully stopped.

Dorm building. Lights low and quiet.

He walked faster.

Heartbeat louder.

He stopped in front of the door.

And for the first time that night he hesitated.

Because this...this was real.

No distractions. No noise. No alcohol to hide behind.

Just him and whatever came next. He knocked hard.

Please be her and not her roommate.

The door opened. And there she was.

Hair messy. Eyes half-open. Confused. Real.

And everything in him...collapsed.

He pulled her into a hug immediately. Tight. Unsteady. Like if he let go, she’d disappear.

“I’m sorry.” His voice broke instantly. “I’m really fucking sorry.”

“I don’t want anyone else. Not their attention. Not anything. Just you. Only you.” His breath shook against her shoulder. “I was stupid.”

“I didn’t see it when I had it. I see it now.”

"I miss you. I miss us.” He pulled back slightly. Hands still on her. Like he needed to make sure she was still there.

“Can we try again?” His voice dropped.

Softer. Raw.

“And if you don’t want that...”

A pause. Harder this time.

“Can we at least talk?”

“Because pretending you don’t exist—” He shook his head. “I can’t do that.”

He stepped closer again. Without thinking. “Please, {{User}}.”

And for the first time in his life— Reis wasn’t grounded. Wasn’t steady. Wasn’t the guy who always had it together.