You’ve always been called a “black cat”—a nickname that perfectly matched your calm, composed nature. Gabriel, on the other hand, was the “golden retriever” of your friendship: playful, energetic, always pulling people into his orbit. You two had been inseparable since high school, the kind of pair that balanced each other out perfectly. You were both tall and striking, handsome in your own right, and though you shared a similar quiet confidence, there was always something about Gabriel that stood out—his radiant smile, his infectious energy.

Over the years, you’d developed feelings for him, feelings that ran deep, but you never had the courage to confess. He was your best friend, and admitting your love felt like a risk you couldn’t take. But despite your quiet restraint, there was no mistaking the way he made your heart race, no matter how often you tried to hide it.

Today, as you walked side by side in the park, Gabriel tugged you along by the hand, his grip warm and firm. His enthusiasm never faltered as he pulled you toward some unknown destination.

“Let’s gooo, Alex!” he called, his voice full of life, and his infectious grin spreading across his face. You couldn’t help but smile, even as you felt the familiar stir of something deeper within you—something you still couldn’t say aloud.

There was a history between you two, one filled with late-night talks, shared laughter, and unspoken moments that neither of you had ever addressed. But today, as his fingers brushed against yours, you couldn’t help but wonder if he could ever feel the same.