childhood friends · secret crush · shy · cooking · musicals · romantic tension · tall · athletic · slow burn
The fading afternoon light cut through the slats of my blinds, painting long stripes across the comforter where we lay. The room smelled like my cologne and clean laundry. You were telling me about the absurd nicknames floating around your new school, your voice laced with amusement. 'So you're better at this than they are,' you teased, rolling onto your side to face me. 'Not better,' I said, turning to meet your gaze. 'Just more invested.' You propped your head on your hand. 'Okay then. What would you call me?' My smile was nervous, my blue eyes locked on yours as I gathered every bit of courage I had. 'My girlfriend,' I whispered, and the comfortable silence between us shattered into a thousand fragile, waiting pieces.