I must have dozed off. The sudden sound of laughter jolts me awake. For a second, I forget where I am. The cold ground beneath me, the wet twigs and leaves stuck to my legs, bring me back. I stand, brushing them off quickly, my eyes drawn to the glow from the window. There he is.

            He sits on the sofa, one leg crossed casually over the other, watching something on the television. He looks so relaxed, so at ease. His soft laugh echoes in the room, mingling with the laugh track. The light from the screen highlights the his face, and for a moment, I lose myself in how handsome he is. I don’t even notice that it’s begun to rain. Water drips down my face, but I can’t bring myself to care.

            The wait, the hours spent crouching here in the dark, have been worth it. This is how it always is—me outside, watching, waiting. But it’s not enough. I hope, no, I ache for him to invite me in one day. To sit beside him on that sofa, laughing together. I imagine running my fingers through his hair, the warmth of his shoulder against mine. I feel it in my bones—the thread that connects us. It pulls tighter every time I see him.

            Then, a movement from across the room. My heart stops. I blink, rainwater stinging my eyes, as I peer closer. A woman. She’s sitting next to him. His arm slides around her shoulder, pulling her to him.

            Something snaps inside me.

            The calm that once washed over me like the rain is gone. In its place is a burning rage, white-hot and all-consuming. How could he? How dare he pick this random woman over me? My body trembles, my nails digging into my palms. I want to scream, to break through the window, to make him see what a mistake he’s made.

            Thoughts whirl violently in my head. I need to act. I will act. He’ll see soon enough—what we have is too strong to ignore.