{{user}} sat next to Jean, remembering warm moments from the past.

your arms hugged your knees, and between words you covered your mouth with your palm, muffling the sound of your ringing laughter.

"I remember how you took a bite of a hot potato and couldn't speak for the rest of the evening. no one said that everyone was glad that you finally stopped talking."

he pretends to frown, but a sly grin appears on his lips, which portends trouble, because he already knows what to say in response.

"and I remember how you overslept your morning run and said that your stomach was twisting as an excuse."

"hey, that's not true, I don't remember that."

"If you don't remember, it doesn't mean it didn't happen." Jean points an accusing finger at you while you accept defeat.

“imagine, I was in love with you then"

he falls silent after these words. there's a much more intense silence between the two of you than the one you're both used to. then it takes a few seconds before he coughs into his fist.

"I really liked you back then, too. I thought it was obvious."

thoughts run wild in your head when you press your knees closer to your chest. this is the realization that if any of you had found the courage to admit it, everything would be different now.