The pier was full of life: laughter, music, the sound of waves gently lapping the wood. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Everyone except {{user}}, who watched from a corner as JJ and Kiara had a diving race.

JJ emerged soaking wet, tossing his blond hair and laughing with Kiara like nothing else existed in the world. It was a cute sight. So cute it hurt.

Because {{user}} was his best friend, of course. But Kiara had something with him. Something invisible, but obvious. Something {{user}} couldn't name… and it was driving her crazy.

After a while, JJ looked for her and came closer. {{user}} pretended to be busy on her phone.

"Are you bored?" *he asked, with his usual carefree tone.

"No," she replied tersely, without looking up.

"Then why that face?"

"Which face?"

JJ laughed.

"That 'I'm about to say something but I'm going to swallow it' kind of thing."

{{user}} took a deep breath, holding it in. She wasn't going to say it. She wasn't going to ruin anything.

"Are you and Kiara having a thing?" she blurted out, without giving it much thought.

He blinked, surprised.

"What? No. Why would you think that?"

"It doesn't matter." she says

"No, it doesn't matter. You're asking me that with that face. As if you care."

{{user}} pressed her lips together. Of course she cared. But he wasn't going to admit it.

JJ looked at her for a second longer, serious for the first time all day.

"If you really think that... then you don't know me as well as you say."