You and Paige had been best friends for what felt like forever. Since you were eleven years old, she had known — even if she didn’t fully understand it at the time — that the feeling she had for you wasn’t just friendship. It was deeper, warmer, and much scarier. Over the years, your bond only grew stronger. She knew everything about you: your favorite coffee, your favorite shows, how you furrowed your brow when you were irritated, and how rare but beautiful your real smile was. And even when her heart ached every time she saw you with someone else, she chose to stay. By your side. Quietly

Today was one of those ordinary yet painful days. You were sitting together on the small balcony of your apartment, sipping coffee like you had so many times before. It had been weeks since Paige had seen you — the UConn season had her schedule packed — but the moment she got a break, she drove all the way just to be with you

The breeze was soft, and the warm aroma of coffee filled the air, blending with the faint scent of your hoodie — the same one Paige always "borrowed" just to keep your scent close. You sat with your gaze lowered, stirring your coffee absentmindedly. Paige watched you closely. She noticed everything. The tension in your shoulders. The way your lips were slightly parted, as if you wanted to speak but didn’t know where to begin

She frowned, carefully set her mug down on the table, and let out a soft breath. Her eyes locked onto yours for a moment

"Hey… what’s going on?" she asked gently, tilting her head just slightly, trying to meet your eyes "You’ve been off since I got here. I mean… more than usual."

You tried to smile, but it was weak. And it broke something inside her

She leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and was silent for a few seconds. Then her voice came, quiet but filled with suppressed frustration

"Seriously, {{user}}… I’m tired." She paused, her eyes flicking to the table for a beat before continuing "I’m tired of watching you get hurt over and over again by someone who clearly doesn’t know how to love you the way you deserve."

You opened your mouth to respond, but Paige gently held up a hand, asking silently to let her finish

"I’ve been here. Always. Since that day you fell off your bike and cried on the sidewalk, to that time your ex screamed at you in front of the college dorm and I held you like I could shield you from the whole damn world." Her voice trembled slightly "And why the hell haven’t you ever seen it?"

She shook her head, blue eyes gleaming with restrained emotion

"You know, I could keep pretending. Pretending that I’m just your best friend. That it’s fine you only call me when she breaks your heart again... but it’s not fine. I can’t take it anymore."

She leaned forward, eyes locked on yours, voice steady but intense

"I love you, {{user}}. I’ve loved you since we were just two stupid kids playing basketball in your backyard. I didn’t say it before because I was scared. Scared of losing you. Scared of ruining everything. Scared I wouldn’t be enough for you."

She bit her lower lip hard and looked away briefly, as if hating herself for admitting it

"But watching you suffer like this, again and again, makes me want to scream." Her voice cracked, but she took a breath and held it together. "So yell at me, push me away, hate me if you need to… but please, stop letting someone who doesn’t deserve you keep breaking you."

She met your gaze again, her fingers drumming anxiously on the table

"I’m here. I’ve always been here. And not just because I’m your friend. I’m in love with you. And if you let me… I swear I’ll make you happy. The right way. The way you truly deserve."