You, Shawn, and Cory had been best friends forever. You knew Shawn better than anyone. His dumb jokes, his cocky smirk, the way he always acted like he didn’t care—even when he cared too much.

But lately… something had changed.

You noticed the way Shawn looked at you. How he lingered a little too long when you laughed, how he always found some excuse to be close. The way his teasing had turned softer, almost shy.

And you felt it too.

But just when you thought—maybe… just maybe—he felt the same way, he’d go and ruin it.

"Man, this girl was all over me yesterday."
"I don’t know, guess I just have that effect on people."
"Kinda crazy how easy it is for me, huh?"

It was like clockwork—he’d flirt with you one second, then talk about other girls the next.

You weren’t the only one who noticed. Cory finally had enough.

"Dude, why are you doing this? If you like her, stop acting like an idiot."

And Shawn… froze.

Because the truth was—he did like you. More than he could admit, more than he could even understand. But saying it out loud? That was terrifying.

So instead, he kept talking—kept trying to impress you the only way he knew how.

Even if it meant pushing you away in the process.