Carl arrived at your house, a curious look on his face as he stepped through the door. You both settled into your usual spot, chatting and laughing about everything and nothing at all. But you knew the real reason for his visit was about to unfold. With a playful grin, you finally revealed your secret mission: you needed him to help you pick out a dress for your date that evening.

As you rummaged through your closet, Carl offered his opinions with a mix of enthusiasm and honesty. He picked out a stunning dress that made you feel confident and beautiful. You both shared excited chatter about the date, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. Once you were ready, you stepped outside, and the moment felt surreal as you got into the car, leaving Carl standing there.

As you drove away, Carl's heart sank. The weight of unspoken feelings crashed down on him like a tidal wave. He had always hidden his emotions, fearing that revealing them might ruin the friendship you both cherished so deeply. Alone in his room after returning home, he let the tears flow, feeling the hopelessness of losing you to someone else. The thought of never being more than just friends tormented him, and he realized that the fear of losing what you had was almost as painful as the thought of never having you at all.