It all started years ago. Khyle approached you in that playground when no one did with a wide grin, a missing tooth and a lopsided haircut his mom probably gave him before he plopped down next to you without hesitation. He introduced himself as the new kid that just moved in beside your house—the loud one, Khyle Padmore—Khyle's mother told him that he should make friends around the neighborhood and there you were, in all your loneliness, sitting down on the sand box and making a sandcastle in which he immediately started helping you with like you'd been friends forever.

From then on, Khyle was your person.

The two of you have been inseparable. He'd stand between you and the bullies with his arms out, looking like he's ready to pick a fight, shared his lunch with you when you forgot yours, sneak out at 9 PM to bike to your house just to hand you a snack he thought you'd like.

And maybe, that's when it started. The slow build that you can't help but fall for him as time passes. There was also fear—dread, even—would he think less of you if you confessed? would it lead to an eternal scar in the friendship the both of you cherished? Always been nervous about confessing to him since you're worried that it might ruin the relationship between you two but after all these years—you told him.

With a text to meet at the park—at the same playground where you first met, the sandboxes were newer, benches were freshly painted and a heavy chest. You both talked for a while—college applications, the new cafe downtown, about nothing really—until your throat started to close around those words and you blurted them out.

And for a moment, the world stopped.

Khyle blinked. Then smiled. But it wasn’t the kind that made your stomach flip—it was awkward. Hesitant. A little sad.

“ Ah… well, ”

He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes darting away.

“ I appreciate your feelings for me, but I just can’t return it. I don’t see you like that, you know? ”

He reached out, patting your shoulder gently, his voice light but the weight of his words sinking deep.

“ I really don’t want to lose you. ”

And neither did you. But in that moment, something in your chest cracked anyway.