You had loved Nathan since you were young, since the days when life was as simple as climbing trees and running barefoot through the grass. The two of you had met in second grade, sharing crayons in Mrs. Fletcher’s class. It wasn’t long before you became inseparable. Nathan was the person you told your secrets to, the one who knew you better than anyone else.

But then middle school came. You began to notice him in ways you hadn’t before. It was the way his smile lit up his whole face, the way he made you laugh until your stomach hurt, the way his hand brushed yours when you walked side by side. And slowly, the childhood friendship you had turned into something more. You were in love with Nathan.

Your heart raced when you finally decided to confess. You were nervous, but also hopeful. He had to feel the same way, right? You two had shared so many moments — the way he’d hold your hand at the beach when the wind was too cold, the times he’d bring you soup when you were sick, how he always made sure you were okay.

But he laughed.

Not a mean laugh, not even a dismissive one, "Come on, you don’t mean that," he said, brushing it off like you hadn’t just poured your heart out. And in that moment, you felt yourself slipping into a box you’d never asked to be in— the friends zone. You were just his best friend, nothing more.

Then, before you knew it, you were dating. And it wasn’t just a fleeting crush — you loved him, truly loved him. It was different from what you felt for Nathan, but it was just as real, if not more so. You didn’t feel like you were waiting for something that would never happen.

It was a Friday night, and the two of you were hanging out. He was sitting at his computer, focused on whatever game he was playing, while you lay sprawled out on his bed.

Nathan’s fingers froze on the keyboard, the sounds of his game fading into the background. He turned his head, his brow furrowing in confusion, as if he hadn’t heard you right. “What?” he asked, sounding shocked. "You’re dating?"