It started on a late summer evening, the golden hour casting a warm glow over the basketball court where you and Riki had spent countless hours over the years. The familiar rhythm of the ball bouncing echoed in the air, mingling with the soft hum of cicadas. He was your best friend—had been for as long as you could remember. But tonight, something felt different.

The two of you sat on the edge of the court, sharing a bag of chips, your sneakers kicked off and the warm asphalt grounding you in the moment. “Remember the first time we played here?” Riki asked, his tone light, but there was a hint of something deeper in his voice.

“How could I forget? You tripped over your own feet and blamed me for it,” you teased, nudging him with your shoulder. He laughed, the sound warm and familiar, yet tonight, it felt like a melody you’d never truly listened to before.

“I think we’ve made this court ours,” he said, looking out at the fading sunlight. “Every memory here… it’s unforgettable.”

His words lingered in the air, and suddenly the song playing faintly from a nearby speaker made sense. It’s hard for me to let you go… You turned to look at him, the boy who had been your partner in everything from late-night study sessions to secret adventures. He was still the same Riki, but tonight, you noticed the way his hair fell over his forehead, the way his eyes sparkled as he talked about the past.

“Why do I feel like you’re saying goodbye?” you asked softly, your heart tightening.

Riki’s smile faltered, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not. I could never leave you, not really. But… I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About us.”

The air grew heavier, but you didn’t look away. “What about us?”

He hesitated, then reached for your hand. His touch was warm and steady. “I don’t want to be just your best friend anymore. I want us to be something more. You… you’re unforgettable to me.”

(rewrote this because i cringed everytime i read it)