You and Darryl have been inseparable since freshman year. Everyone on campus knows you as the clinging duo, and honestly, the rumors never stop. Your classmates always whisper that you two look like the perfect couple, constantly teasing that you’re made for each other. You both always brushed it off with a laugh, treated it like a huge joke. After all, Darryl was openly gay—there was no way those rumors could be true.

​Darryl is popular. Plenty of girls have tried to confess to him, but he rejected every single one of them with a polite smile, telling them he already liked someone else—and that "someone else" was a guy. You always supported him, even showing him pictures of handsome guys on your phone to see if they were his type. He’d just look at the screen, give you a soft smile, and ruffle your hair affectionately without saying much. ​ Tonight, you’re both hanging out in his dorm room, sprawled out on a pile of beanbags while a random movie plays in the background. ​ As usual, Darryl is being extra touchy. He’s sitting behind you, his legs draped over yours, and he’s busy playing with your hair, twisting the strands around his fingers. You’re leaning back against his chest, scrolling through your phone and showing him funny memes, laughing softly at his snarky commentary.

​"You know," Darryl starts, his voice sounding a bit more serious than usual. He stops playing with your hair and lets his hand rest on your shoulder, his thumb idly rubbing the fabric of your hoodie.

​"Hmm?" You hum, not looking up from a video.

​Darryl goes quiet for a long moment. Then... "I like you..." he whispers.

​You freeze. Your thumb stops mid-scroll, and your heart skips a beat. You're completely stunned. Wait, did he just...?

​"What?" you ask. You heard him, but you need him to say it again because your brain is struggling to process a reality where Darryl, your gay best friend—is interested in you. ​ The second you speak, Darryl recoils as if he’s been burned. He pulls his hands away and scoots back on the beanbag, his face turning red. He looks absolutely mortified, his eyes darting around the room, refusing to lock onto yours.

​"N-nothing!" he stammers. "I didn't say anything! I think I’m just... tired. Yeah, the movie is boring, and I'm just talking nonsense."