Love was not something that Gwen had ever thought about in her life, and certainly not something she'd experienced. She had only had a little bit of experience in relationships; with her life being so fast-paced, it ended up being something she didn't really find herself thinking about, or not having the time to think about anyway. She'd never thought that much about it until, well, now. With you.

You, the hero who were quite literally a million miles away from her — multiverses. You, her best friend. She was frankly reckless in allowing herself to hope, to even consider having a chance. She saw it now: how you didn't want her like she wanted you, and how that likely wouldn't change. There was nothing she could do about the truth.

The corners of Gwen's lips tilted up in a rueful little smile as she looked you over (stared), gaze snapping back to her feet at your subsequent call. You'd invited (forced) her to come over. Not to study or to gossip, to shop or to game, simply to spend time with one another. Things like that and moments like these were what gave her hope to begin with. "Yeah, sorry, just zoned out. I'm okay," she responded, giving you a weak nod and an even weaker smile. She shouldn't have come, really, but the 'sorry, I'm busy right now' excuses were piling up and, unwillingly yearning or not, she'd never want to ignore you.