Estimated Reading Time: 22 Minutes

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The Clone

Nate's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding like a drum against his ribs. The suffocating darkness of his room pressed in around him, but it couldn't hold back the vivid echoes of the nightmare still clawing at his mind. Gasping for air, he bolted upright, his trembling hand clutching at his chest as though trying to steady the wild rhythm beneath it.

The faint glow of moonlight seeped through the blinds, casting fractured patterns across the bedspread, but it brought no comfort. Beads of cold sweat trickled down his temples, their icy trails sharp reminders of the terror he couldn't shake. The nightmare—about Luigi—lingered, every detail as vivid as if it had just happened.

His breaths came shallow and ragged, a frantic rhythm that matched the chaos in his head. Images of Luigi haunted him: the piercing gaze, the twisted shadows, the suffocating dread that consumed him every time he closed his eyes. This was the fifth night this week, the same torment replaying itself, gnawing at his sanity.

For minutes that felt like hours, he stayed frozen, hunched over with his head bowed, listening to the sound of his own breathing slowly steadying.

Once his breathing calmed down and the frantic thudding in his chest subsided, Nate sank back onto the mattress, the springs creaking softly beneath him. He rolled onto his side, staring at the empty space beside him. In his mind, he pictured Lucas lying there—his gentle smile, the warmth in his eyes, the way his presence always seemed to soothe the storms within Nate.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Nate's lips, bittersweet and fleeting. He could almost hear Lucas's voice, soft and reassuring, telling him it was okay, that he forgave him. But the memory twisted into a pang of guilt so sharp it made his chest ache. How could someone so kind have ever accepted someone like him, knowing the damage he'd caused?

The mansion felt like a lifetime ago, but the scars he left there were still fresh in his mind. Especially the ones he inflicted on Lucas. If only he could undo it all—erase the pain he'd caused.

The image of that day burned vividly in his thoughts. He had tricked Lucas, lured him with feigned promises, and led him down into Mario's bunker. Nate's stomach churned at the memory of the red plumber emerging from the shadows, his expression cold and unyielding. And then it happened—the brainwashing. Nate could still see the fear in Lucas's eyes.

It was his fault. All of it. He had handed Lucas over to that fate, and now it was the one regret that loomed above all the others, an anchor he couldn't escape.

Nate squeezed his eyes shut, as if willing the memories away, but they stayed, hovering just out of reach like ghosts he couldn't banish.

"I'm sorry…," He mouthed audibly. He desperately wanted to contact Lucas to at least apologize to his face, but he was afraid. Afraid to face the consequences. Afraid Lucas wouldn't accept his apology.

Then another thought crept into his mind, sharp and intrusive. Trey. His new best friend—or at least, that's what he was for now. Nate's stomach tightened as a familiar fear began to settle over him, coiling around his chest like a venomous snake.

Every day, the anxiety gnawed at him: what if Savanna had said something to Trey? What if she had spilled everything?

The thought spiraled into a vivid scenario, one that played out far too easily in his mind.

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Nate's Fantasy

Savanna and Trey were nestled together on the couch in their dimly lit living room, the soft hum of the TV filling the air. The warm glow of the screen danced across their faces as they watched the show, but Savanna's focus began to drift.

A particular scene flashed across the screen, too eerily familiar for her liking. It stirred a memory she wished she could bury—the one of her betraying Trey. The night she let her impulses get the better of her and tried to kiss Nate, his best friend.

Her stomach churned with guilt, a heavy weight settling on her chest. She snuck a glance at Trey, his arm casually draped around her shoulders as he laughed softly at the scene. The thought of him finding out twisted her insides. What if Nate talks to him first?

Trey and Nate had been spending more time together lately, their bond tightening in a way that left her feeling uneasy. So close, in fact, that Trey had started canceling their movie nights. That stung more than she'd admit.

Her mind raced. Trey loved her—she was sure of it. Of course, he'd take her side if it ever came to that. But the seed of doubt planted itself in her mind. What if he didn't? What if Nate managed to make Trey believe him instead?

She couldn't let that happen. She wouldn't. She needed to get ahead of this, to make her move first.

An idea formed in her mind, sharp and calculating. Her lips twitched upward ever so slightly in a hidden smile, but she quickly forced herself to frown, shifting her features into a mask of concern.

"Trey?" she said softly, tapping him on the shoulder. Her voice wavered just enough to sound genuine, the kind of tone that would immediately draw his attention.

Trey: "Yes, hun?"

Savanna: "I have to tell you something."

Trey: "You ok?"

Savanna: "No. It's about your friend Nate."

Trey: "Nate? What'd he do?"

Savanna: "Do you remember the party last week?"

Trey: "Yeah."

Savanna: "Well, when you were talking to the pizza delivery guy out on the porch, I went to go to the bathroom and Nate followed me in."

Trey: "What!"

Savanna: "He started flirting with me."

Trey: "Are you fuckin' serious right now?"

Savanna: "He even tried to kiss me!"

Trey: "What the fuck!"

Savanna: "I'm sorry, Trey. I've been holding this in because I know how close you two are, but… I can't take this anymore! It's been haunting me."

Trey: "No… Nate wouldn't do that."

Savanna: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner. I was scared."

Trey: "Scared about what? He went behind my back!"

Savanna: *Sobs* "I didn't wanna break your heart. I didn't want you to lose your best friend because I care about you so much."

"Oh, honey…" Trey's voice softened as he wrapped his strong arms around her trembling frame. His embrace was warm, protective, exactly what Savanna needed to sell the moment.

She climbed onto his lap, burying her face in his chest as she let out muffled sobs that soaked into his shirt. Her body shook as if the weight of her "confession" had finally broken her, and Trey's heart clenched at the sight.

"You did nothin' wrong," he murmured, his fingers gently running through her hair in an effort to soothe her. His voice was steady, filled with a tenderness that made her cling to him even tighter. "You're the victim in all of this."

The words were exactly what she'd been hoping to hear, her gamble paying off. She let out another choked sob, holding onto him like her world depended on it, all the while hiding the small, fleeting smile that dared to tug at her lips.

Savanna: "I-I'm so *hiccups* sorry…"

Trey: "You don't have to be sorry. If anyone should be sorry it's Nate. That fuckin' bastard!"

Savanna: "I didn't wanna break you two up. Y-you *hiccups* always talk about him and-

Trey: "Shh, it's ok. Ain't none of this is yo fault."

Savanna: "But I feel like it is."

Trey: "Nah, it's his fuckin' fault. Next time I see him, I don't know what the hell I'm gon' do."

Savanna: "Are you gonna hurt him?"

Trey: "I might."

Savanna: "I don't want you to fight."

Trey: "I dunno if I could help myself. I wanna punch him so fuckin' bad right now."

Savanna: "I didn't want this."

Trey: "I just… I can't believe my own best friend betrayed me like this. I knew he was a flirt, but I was his best friend!"

Savanna: "He's such an awful person."

Trey: "I can't believe it. I can't believe I fell for his charms."

Savanna: "He seemed so sweet at first. I don't blame you. I also thought he was a cool guy."

Trey: "I'mma call him right now."

Savanna: "And say what?"

Trey: "I'mma tell him to meet his ass up in the court."

Savanna: "Please, I don't want you to fight."

Trey: "I'm sorry, hun, I can't control my anger right now. I wanna punch somethin'."

Savanna: "Honey…"

Trey: "FUCK! I FUCKIN'... He's gon' wish he was never born once I'm down with him."

Savanna: "Baby, please calm down. How about we call him up tomorrow when you're not as angry."

Trey: "I needa go to the gym real quick."

Savanna: "You're leavin' me?"

Trey: "Just for now. I'm comin' back. I just need to rage for a bit."

Savanna: "Honey…"

With a final, comforting squeeze of Savanna's hand, Trey stood and grabbed his keys. Determination burned in his eyes as he stormed out the door and hopped into his car. The tires screeched slightly as he sped down the dimly lit streets, the glow of streetlights reflecting off his windshield.

When he arrived at Nate's place, Trey barely gave himself time to think. He threw the car into park, slammed the door shut, and marched up to the front steps. The anger bubbling inside him refused to be contained.

He knocked hard on the door—no, pounded—his fist echoing against the wood. The sound was enough to make Nate flinch as he swung the door open, blinking in confusion at the sight of his furious best friend.

"Trey? What are y—" Nate started, but the words barely left his mouth before Trey's fist came flying toward him.

Reflex kicked in, and Nate ducked just in time to avoid the swing. He stumbled back, raising his hands in alarm. "Trey! W-what the hell?!" His voice cracked, his wide eyes darting between Trey's clenched fist and the barely restrained rage etched into his face.

"You know damn well what, Nate!" Trey snapped, his chest heaving. His jaw was tight, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists at his sides, ready to strike again if Nate dared to deny it.

Nate took another cautious step back, his mind racing to catch up with whatever had just unfolded. "I-I seriously don't know what you're talking about!" he stammered, his voice rising in panic.

Trey: "You tried to sleep with my girl!"

Nate: "What! No I didn't!"

Trey: "Yes you did! She told me!"

Nate: "And you believe her?"

Trey: "My girl don't lie."

Nate: "Well, she did because I didn't try to sleep with her. It was the opposite."

Trey: "Whatchu mean?"

Nate: "She tried to sleep with me!"

Trey: "Why didn't you say sumthin'?"

Nate: "Because of exactly this."

Trey: "Whatchu mean?"

Nate: "I was afraid that you'd believe her instead of me."

Trey: "Of course I believe her. I've been with her for a year. She's never once lied to me before."

Nate: "I seriously doubt that. Everyone lies."

Trey: "You right. Everyone lies, like whatchu you doin' right now."

Nate: "I'm not the liar here! Your girlfriend ain't loyal."

Trey: "I trust her more than I trust you. You's a new friend I made. A friend I thought I could trust. But nah, you tryin' to get with my girl behind my back."

Nate: "Trey, c'mon, look at me."

Trey: "Nah, I know you's a nympho. I know you gots a problem."

Nate: "You're right, but I'm tryin' to better myself. You know this."

Trey: "Looks like you slipped up tryin' to fuck my girl."

Nate: "I NEVER TRIED TO FUCK YOUR GIRL!"

Trey: "LIES! YOU FUCKIN' BITCH I'MMA KILL YOU!"

Trey swung again, his fist connecting squarely with Nate's face. The impact sent the brunet stumbling backward, pain exploding across his nose. He winced, instinctively cupping his hand over his face. When he pulled it away, his fingers were smeared with streaks of crimson.

"FUCK! *Breathes heavily and winces* Trey, what the hell is wrong with you?!" Nate shouted, his voice trembling, but the words felt hollow as he stared at the fury blazing in Trey's eyes.

"You're an awful friend, Nate! You deserve to—"

Trey's words were drowned out by his own rage as he raised his fist again, but this time, Nate moved faster. He stumbled back and slammed the door shut, the sound reverberating through the small house. Trey's fists pounded against the other side, rattling the frame.

"You's pathetic!" Trey screamed, his voice raw with venom. "I trusted you, and you stabbed me in the back! You don't deserve anything!"

Each word felt like a dagger to Nate's chest. He sank to the floor, his back pressed against the door, trembling as Trey's screams turned into a torrent of swears.

"Why don't you just disappear, huh? You're worthless, Nate! You deserve to die!"

The words echoed in his head long after Trey's voice began to fade. Silence fell, but Nate didn't dare move. He waited, his breath hitching, until he finally mustered the courage to peek through the window.

Trey was gone.

The house felt emptier than ever as Nate slumped onto the couch. The quiet wrapped around him like a suffocating blanket. His tears came in hot, uncontrollable waves, streaming down his face as his mind spiraled into a dark abyss.

Why can't I ever keep a friend? he thought, gripping the fabric of his shirt as though it might steady the storm inside him. Why am I so bad at this?

The questions echoed louder with every sob, every heaving breath. He pressed his hands to his face, trying to muffle the sound, but the tears wouldn't stop.

He had lost Trey. Not just his best friend, but the last thread of trust holding his world together.

End Of Nate's Fantasy

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Nate's breathing became erratic, shallow gasps that made his chest ache. His heart pounded like a drum, each beat louder than the last as his mind spiraled further into the darkness. Terrible possibilities clawed at him, each one worse than the one before. Trey wasn't just angry—he was gone. For good. And it was all because of Savanna.

She had backed him into a corner, trapping him in a web of guilt and betrayal. Every day felt heavier than the last, the anxiety eating away at him piece by piece.

"I can't do this," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of his ragged breaths. His hands trembled as he ran them through his hair, trying to ground himself, but it wasn't enough. He needed an anchor—someone to pull him out of this storm.

I need to talk to someone.

Desperation coursed through him as he grabbed his phone from the nightstand. His fingers hovered over the screen before he started scrolling through his contacts. Name after name blurred together, none of them feeling right. Who could he trust with this? Who would even care?

Then his eyes landed on a name: Electra.

A flicker of hope sparked in his chest. She had always been a good listener, someone who didn't judge him for his faults. If anyone could understand, maybe it was her. Without overthinking, he tapped on her name and opened the chat.

His fingers hesitated for a moment, hovering above the keyboard. What was he supposed to say? How could he even begin to explain everything? His thoughts felt too tangled to put into words, but he forced himself to start typing.

[- Electra

Nate: hey r u up? i really need someone to talk to rn

Electra: Yeah Im up whats up

Nate: i went to my best friend's party and i met his gf

Electra: Oh no did u try to smash

Nate: no the opposite happeend

Electra: She tried to fuck u?

Nate: yeah..

Nate: she flirted wit me in the bathroom

Electra: Wtf

Nate: ikr dw i told her no bc i dont wanna do that to my bff also im not tryin to sleep wit anyone rn

Electra: Did she threaten u

Nate: yeah.. i cant even talk to my bff about it bc im afraid hell trust her more than me

Electra: How so

Nate: shes his gf why would he trust me over her

Electra: Becaus ur tellin the truth

Nate: heres the thing she def gonna bend the truth she says she dont care if she lies to him about it hes gonna trust her regardless

Electra: Oh she thinks shes that confident huh

Nate: i mean trey and i have been friends for like 4 months

Electra: Damn

Nate: yeah i think she wins this one

Electra: I still think u should tell em

Nate: are you crazyy

Electra: Absolutely have you met me

Nate: im gonna lose him as my bff

Electra: Thats not entirely tru

Nate: nah ddude i cant risk that

Electra: Has she mentioned about it to her bf yet

Nate: not that i know off

Electra: Ya gotta beat her to it man

Nate: thats what i was thinkin too

Electra: If she tells him first youre done

Nate: so then should i tell him tomorrow after work

Electra: I would

Nate: ok…

Electra: I know it sux now but it might turn out good in the end who knows

Nate: i hope ur right

Electra: If not ill be here to give u comfort

Nate: thx i appreaige that

…

After talking to Electra, Nate felt a small weight lift from his chest. The conversation hadn't solved everything, but it was a start. She had told him exactly what he needed to hear: he had to confront Trey and tell him the truth.

Deep down, Nate had already known that, but hearing it from someone else made a difference. It was as if her words had given him permission to act, to do what he'd been dreading. He still felt the fear, the uncertainty, but now it was tempered by a faint resolve.

He leaned back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted to the promises he'd made to himself not so long ago. After seeing the shattered expressions on Lucas's and Leaf's faces—after watching the trust in their eyes dissolve—he'd sworn never to lie again unless he absolutely had to.

But this wasn't a lie he was carrying. It was worse. It was a truth buried so deep it felt like a sickness. A poison he couldn't ignore any longer.

His mind replayed the moment Savanna had leaned in, the betrayal written all over her face as she ignored everything that should have mattered. And now she had twisted the narrative, leaving him to deal with the fallout.

He knew what he had to do. The question was whether he had the strength to do it.

What if I lose Trey for good?

The thought tore at him, but it wasn't enough to change his mind. The friendship they had now wasn't real—not while this secret lingered between them. Pretending everything was fine, knowing the truth about Savanna and hiding it, was suffocating him.

He sighed, running a hand down his face. I'd rather lose Trey and be honest than keep him as a friend while living this lie.

The thought gave him a strange kind of peace, even if it was fleeting. For the first time in days, he didn't feel entirely paralyzed. He had made up his mind. Tomorrow, he would find Trey and tell him the truth—no matter what it cost him.