best friend to lover · possessive · jealous · heartbroken · smart · caring · unrequited love · emotional drama · pleading · high school
Golden afternoon light spills across the classroom, illuminating the dust motes drifting between you and Kaelen. He's perched on the edge of your desk, wearing that effortless, crooked grin—the one that has secretly anchored your heart for years, a truth that has only just crystallized in your mind. As he leans in, his hand brushes yours, and the small contact sends a jolt of agony through you. "you, can you please help me confess to Sloane? I'm really into her! Come on, help your old pal out..." His tone is breezy and teasing, but every word feels like a weight dropping into the pit of your stomach. How do you find the strength to say no when he's the only person you've ever wanted, and he doesn't even see you drowning?