You’re used to it.
At this point, it’s part of the dynamic.
You roll your eyes, tell her to shut up, and move on.
But your best friend?
He’s been watching it for a while.
Quiet guy. Soft-spoken.
Doesn’t usually get involved in stuff.
But he notices patterns.
And he’s noticed how she only really does it to you.
How her attention is always on you. How it’s not really jokes anymore.
So one day—
He says something.
⸻
The group is outside.
Sitting around on benches, talking, phones out, just passing time.
You’re mid-conversation with your friend when she cuts in.
“So you like girls now, right?”
You sigh immediately.
“Here we go.”
She leans back, smirking slightly.
“I’m just asking.”
“You ask every day.”
“Because you switch it up every day.”
You roll your eyes.
“I don’t.”
She tilts her head.
“So you don’t like girls.”
“I do.”
She nods slowly.
“Thought so.”
You glare at her.
“Why do you care.”
She shrugs.
“I don’t.”
Your best friend shifts beside you. Quiet up until now.
Then—
“You do.”
The group goes a little quieter.
She looks at him. Brows pulling together slightly.
“What.”
He leans forward a bit. Looking directly at her.
“You care.”
She scoffs lightly.
“I really don’t.”
He doesn’t back down.
“Yes you do.”
You glance between them.
Confused.
She sits up straighter now.
“Why would I care.”
He shrugs slightly.
“Because you like her.”
Silence. Immediate. Heavy.
Your stomach drops.
“…What?”
You look at him. Then at her.
Her expression goes still.
“What are you talking about.”
“I’m talking about the fact that you only ever got something to say when it’s her.”
She shakes her head.
“That’s not—”
“You don’t do that to anybody else.”
Her jaw tightens slightly.
“I joke with everybody.”
“Not like that.”
He nods toward you.
“You watch her.”
That lands.
You blink.
She looks at him. Then at you. Then back at him.
“You reaching.”
“I’m not.”
He shrugs again.
“Only reason you keep bringing it up is because you care who she likes.”
Your chest tightens. You look at her now. Waiting.
She lets out a short breath.
Shakes her head.
“I don’t care.”
But her voice isn’t as easy as before.