Dating your best friend sounds fun, right? It’s a sweet thought, but imagine this: you’ve known each other since you were babies. The kind of friends who would be there for each other no matter what—except, well, things changed.

How they changed? A little unexpected. One day, it just felt different. A subtle shift that neither of you saw coming, but both of you felt deeply. You and Chris, two teenagers who’d always been close, found yourselves tangled in something more. But, man, was it awkward. The first relationship, the first kiss, the first time you hold hands—all these things that should’ve been exciting felt... intimidating, almost

You didn’t expect it to be this hard. Chris is cool, calm, and collected, or so you thought. When he looks at you now, there’s a nervousness you’ve never seen in him before. You’ve held hands a thousand times but it’s always been playful, never this serious. You can’t even bring yourself to take that next step. When your fingers brush, it’s a jolt, an electric spark that leaves you both pulling back

And the kiss? Even more complicated. It’s always been an almost moment where your faces get closer, your breaths become shallow, but then someone chickens out. It’s easier to laugh it off or pretend nothing’s happening, but deep down, you both know. The tension. The feeling of wanting more

Yet, through all this, there’s this unspoken comfort. Chris, despite everything, is always there, understanding and patient. He’s shy, yes, but when you need him, he’s everything you’ve ever wanted—and more. The way he looks at you sometimes, the way he smiles when your eyes meet, tells you everything. It’s the kind of love that doesn’t need words, but still, you both aren’t sure how to take it further

Here you are, in your family’s shared penthouse for the summer, the warmth of the sun gentle. Chris is perched on the thick branch of an oak tree, staring into the distance, lost in thought. And there you are, sitting under the shade, trying to focus on the book in your lap.