Estimated Reading Time: 18 Minutes

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The Clone

Inside the car, Savanna jiggled the door handle in frustration, but it wouldn't budge. Her eyes darted toward the driver's seat, and Nate caught the shift in her expression.

Oh no, you don't.

He quickly crawled over, planting himself firmly in the driver's seat.

"Get off of my boyfriend's seat!" she demanded, her voice sharp and commanding.

"No," Nate replied, his tone steady but defiant.

"I said, GET OFF OF HIS SEAT!" she screamed, her frustration boiling over. She lunged at him, slapping wildly, her hands landing heavy against his arms and chest. Nate instinctively raised his forearm to shield himself, but her attacks grew more frantic.

When she started clawing and scratching, her nails raking at his skin, Nate had enough. With a deep breath, he tapped into his psychic abilities, and a soft, invisible energy radiated from him.

Savanna froze mid-swing, her body going rigid. Her eyes widened in shock and rage as she realized she couldn't move. "What the hell did you just do to me?!" she spat, her voice trembling with fury.

Nate exhaled slowly, his arm still up defensively. "You psycho bitch. Shut up and stay put."

Meanwhile with Trey…

Trey sat on the hood of his car, scrolling through Nate's phone with a furrowed brow. The first thing he came across were texts from Kimberly, Nate's ex-boss. The messages were unsettling—it was clear she had been preying on him, her words manipulative and overly familiar.

Trey's finger swiped down to a conversation with someone named Electra. They'd talked about the party, and the messages revealed a raw, panicked Nate. It was clear he'd been spiraling, replaying the night and desperately seeking clarity.

Then Trey stumbled upon the thread with Boris, Nate's new boss. Nate had opened up to Boris about the entire situation, even seeking advice. It wasn't the kind of thing someone would do if they were hiding something.

Piece by piece, the puzzle came together. Trey could see it now—Nate was genuinely terrified of losing him. Every message carried that same energy: fear, desperation, and an undeniable loyalty.

Trey's heart softened as he realized the depth of Nate's care. Sure, his friend could be clingy at times, but it wasn't a bad thing. No one had ever cared for him like this before, and in that moment, Trey knew Nate wasn't the problem. He slid his phone into his pocket.

Trey switched to Savanna's phone, his movements deliberate. At first glance, everything seemed innocent. Her messages were filled with chatter about makeup, clothes, and drama shows with her friends. He almost stopped there, but a nagging thought pulled him back—Snapchat.

He tapped the app icon, the familiar yellow ghost appearing on the screen. Navigating to her conversations, he clicked on the most recent one.

Because it was Snapchat, the messages had already disappeared, leaving Trey with little to go on. But a thought struck him—what if he pretended to be her? Just for a moment.

[- Jasmine

Snapchat

Savanna: hey girlie have i told u about that cute boy i met at the partyy

Jasmine: you mean the cute asian one

Savanna: yas girl! that one

Jasmine: shiiit did you get a pic of him yet

Jasmine: i wanna see

Savanna: nope. i will later.

Jasmine: did u ask him out yet

Savanna: no im scared what if my bf finds out

Jasmine: biiitch please he didnt know about mike

…

Who the fuck is Mike?!

Trey's grip on the phone tightened as the name leaped off the screen. A thread of anger coiled in his chest, growing taut with every passing second. His jaw clenched as he reread the messages, his stomach churning.

This wasn't just about Nate anymore. It was obvious—Savanna had done this before. Jasmine's casual replies painted a picture Trey hadn't wanted to see, confirming his worst fears. She had talked about other guys, and now it was clear she had cheated on him before.

[- Jasmine

Snapchat

Savanna: true

Jasmine: u should totes ask him out

Savanna: idk hes my bf's bff

Jasmine: who cares

Jasmine: hes hot right

Jasmine: u said he was the hottest guy youve seen in onett so far. dont let this chance get away

Savanna: :)

Jasmine: wats dat smile 4

Jasmine: omg did u text him

Jasmine: wat did he say

Savanna: he says were both busted

Jasmine: what

Savanna: this isnt savanna

Jasmine: girl wtf u on rn

Jasmine: u good?

Savanna: this her bf trey. i took her phone to see if she was cheatin looks like i was right

Jasmine: WHAT

Savanna: thx for confirming everything jasmine

Savanna: i hope to never see u or my now ex gf ever again

Jasmine: girl? R u ok? this isnt a funny joke

Jasmine: savanna? hello? Why arent u replying?

…

Trey stormed over to the passenger side of the car, his jaw tight and his eyes blazing with fury. Without a word, he unlocked the door with his key and flung it open. Savanna's startled expression barely registered before Trey grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the car with a firm, unrelenting grip.

Savanna: "Ow! Babe!"

Trey: "Don't call me that."

Savanna: "Babe, what-

Trey: "DON'T CALL ME THAT! I know what you fuckin' did!"

Savanna: "What? What did I do?"

Trey: "Mike, huh? My friend? Are you fuckin' serious?!"

Savanna: "I didn't fuck Mike."

Trey thrust Savanna's phone back into her hands, his movements sharp and aggressive. His finger jabbed at the screen, the damning messages between her and Jasmine glaring back at her.

"You wanna explain this?" he said, his voice low and dripping with restrained anger.

Savanna's eyes darted to the phone, her face draining of color. "I… that's not what it looks like," she stammered, her hands trembling as she clutched the device.

Trey scoffed, crossing his arms. "Not what it looks like? Mike is my friend! I guess was my friend now. How many lies have you told me, Savanna?" His voice rose, no longer able to contain the fury bubbling over.

Savanna: "I—Trey, listen, I—"

Trey: "And now you tryin' to fuck my best friend Nate?"

Savanna: "I didn't! H-he…"

Trey: "He what? Decided to be a true friend and tell me the truth rather than that piece of shit Mike who turned his back on me?!"

Savanna: "Mike and I didn't do anything. I promise."

Trey: "Then why did Jasmine mention his name?"

Savanna: "Jasmine is stupid. She doesn't know what she's talkin' about!"

Trey: "I think you're the stupid one. You didn't think this through."

Savanna: "Babe, please. It's not what it looks like."

"Save it," he snapped, cutting her off. "I've seen enough. Don't insult me with more excuses."

Savanna's lips moved, but no sound came out as the weight of her actions settled between them. Trey shook his head, his gaze hard and unyielding. "We're done. Take your phone and leave."

Savanna: "Are you kicking me out? You can't. I'm a part of the lease too!"

Trey: "Nah. I'm kickin' myself out."

Savanna: "What? But rent is too expensive!"

Trey: "I like how that's the first thing you're worried about. Was I just money to you?"

Savanna: "No! Of course not, babe! I love you."

Trey: "Nah, stop with the bullshit. I'm over this shit! I'm breakin' the lease."

Savanna: "Babe, please don't do this!"

Trey: "We're fuckin' done."

Savanna: "Where're you gonna go?"

Trey: "Who cares."

Nate scrambled into the passenger seat, his nerves on edge. When Trey reached the driver's side and yanked the door open, Nate flinched at the sound of it slamming shut.

The car shook slightly as Trey gripped the wheel, his knuckles turning white. Outside, Savanna's voice rose in a high-pitched scream, her tears streaming as she stomped her feet in frustration.

"TREY! You can't just leave me here!" she shouted, pounding on the hood of the car. Her cries grew louder, but Trey didn't so much as glance her way.

With a quick turn of the key, the engine roared to life. Trey's jaw tightened as he threw the car into reverse. The tires screeched, kicking up bits of gravel as the car lurched backward, then sped off into the night.

Nate's hand tightened around the edge of his seat as the car roared down the road. His heart was thudding in his chest, the tension so thick he could barely breathe. "Are you-

"Don't fuckin' talk to me right now!" Trey screamed, his anger unmistakable, and Nate flinched, instinctively snapping his mouth shut. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, staring out the window, his thoughts racing, but he knew better than to say anything more.

They drove in tense, suffocating silence all the way to Nate's place, the quiet broken only by the occasional hum of the car's engine.

The car finally pulled into Nate's driveway, but neither of them made a move to get out. The engine ticked as it cooled, but the silence that enveloped them felt much heavier than the sound of the idling car.

Trey's head slumped forward onto the steering wheel, his body rigid with frustration, exhaustion, and the weight of everything that had just happened. Nate sat still beside him, his fingers drumming anxiously against his thigh.

Nate's mind raced—he wanted to respect Trey's space, to just leave him alone to process everything, but curiosity gnawed at him. What had really gone down between Trey and Savanna? Why had it escalated this far?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Nate spoke, his voice soft and cautious. "Trey... what happened back there?" He winced at the question, but his need for answers overpowered his hesitation.

Trey didn't immediately respond. For a long moment, he just stayed there, his face buried in the wheel. But then, slowly, he lifted his head and turned to look at Nate, his eyes dark, clouded with emotions Nate couldn't quite decipher.

"You really wanna know?" Trey asked, his voice barely above a whisper, raw and hoarse.

Nate: "Yes."

Trey: "I found out from one of her friends that she's been cheatin' on me."

Nate: "What?"

Trey: "You weren't the only one she went after."

Nate: "Who else?"

Trey: "My friend Mike."

Nate: "Mike? You never told me about him."

Trey: "That's cuz we slowly drifted apart. We still talk sometimes on the phone, or hang out every once in a while, but he got his own shit. Our work schedules don't match."

Nate: "So, wait, she slept with Mike? When?"

Trey: "I dunno when. But I do know it happened. I can't believe my own friend did that shit to me! FUCK!"

Nate: "I'm so sorry…"

Trey: "Nate, you're the only one I can trust right now."

Nate: "!"

Trey: "I just… I dunno. You're the only one that's ever told me about your problems and shit. You're the only one that's ever been real to me."

Nate: "Wow, Trey, that—means a lot to me."

Trey: "I'm so fuckin' mad right now! But I also feel like cryin'."

Nate's hand rested gently on Trey's shoulder, a quiet gesture of reassurance. "It's okay. You can cry. I'm here," he said softly, the words simple but filled with the kind of understanding that could only come from someone who truly cared.

Trey stiffened for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. "Nah, that shit ain't manly," he muttered, his voice tight with pride, as if trying to convince himself.

Nate shrugged, offering a small, knowing smile. "I cry all the time," he chuckled lightly, his tone warm, trying to ease some of the tension between them.

Trey let out a weak chuckle in return, a sound that was half laugh and half sob. Slowly, the dam he had been holding back broke, and tears began to spill from his eyes. He wasn't wailing or shouting, just silently sobbing, his chest trembling with each breath.

Nate didn't hesitate. He slid a hand to the middle of Trey's back, lightly patting it in slow, rhythmic motions. He didn't say anything more—sometimes, words weren't needed. Trey's sobs were quiet but deep, and Nate stayed there, his presence a quiet comfort, offering the only thing he could in that moment: his unwavering support.

Trey: "Thanks, bro."

Nate: "Of course."

Trey: "I'm sorry I doubted you. But you understand, right?" *Sniffs*

Nate: "I get it."

Trey: "Shit… what am I gonna do now? I can't go back to that place. I don't wanna see that bitch."

Nate: "You can stay at my place until you figure things out."

Trey: "Nah, I can't do that to you. I don't wanna be a burden."

Nate: "Trey… C'mon. You're my best friend. I'm not gonna let you be homeless."

Trey: "You sure?"

Nate: "Yeah."

Nate gently pulled Trey into a hug, his arms wrapping around him securely. Trey stiffened for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. He'd never had a friend hug him like this before—never had a moment where the embrace felt so genuine, so real. His other friends, they'd never been like this. A slap on the back or a quick dap was the closest to any kind of affection they ever shared. But this... this was different.

Trey hesitated, but slowly, the walls he'd built up around himself began to soften. He let out a shaky breath, his arms finally moving to wrap around Nate, returning the hug.

"Alright, let's go," Nate said, fumbling with the door handle. "Uh…" They shared an awkward glance before bursting out in laughter. "Oops, child lock, haha!" Trey said, unlocking it, both of them laughing even harder now.

The sound of their laughter filled the air as they entered the house, the warmth of the indoors a welcome contrast to the coolness outside. Trey didn't hesitate—he claimed the couch immediately, flopping down with a content sigh. Nate, though clearly excited by the idea of having his best friend stay over, darted upstairs to grab a sleeping bag from his closet.

He laid it carefully on the floor, making sure it was close enough to the couch that they could still talk and hang out easily. He looked over at Trey, who had already stretched out and was getting comfortable, eyes half-closed.

Trey: "You ain't gonna sleep in your room?"

Nate: "Nah, I wanna be here with you."

Trey: "Did you want the couch?"

Nate: "Don't worry, I'm comfy."

Trey: "You sure? You're basically sleepin' on the cold hard floor."

Nate: "I'm good."

Trey: "Haha! If you say so."

The conversation flowed easily as the two chatted about anything but Savanna. Nate could tell Trey was carefully avoiding the topic, not wanting to revisit the raw emotions from earlier. He respected that. Trey's voice was steady, and his usual confidence was slowly coming back as they discussed basketball, their favorite teams, and even joked about some ridiculous plays they'd seen. It felt almost like old times—before all the drama, when things were simpler.

Nate found himself laughing more than he had in a while. It was nice to have his best friend here, to just talk and be themselves without the weight of everything hanging over them.

As the night grew later, the words became fewer and the silence between them comfortable. Trey shifted on the couch, his body settling deeper into the cushions as exhaustion started to settle in.

Soon enough, the only sound in the room was the soft rustling of blankets and the occasional shift of position as both of them succumbed to sleep, the weight of the day lifting off their shoulders for the time being.