“You’re the best thing that's ever happened to me.”

He transferred to your school a year ago and immediately claimed the seat next to yours. The whole lesson he whispered stupid jokes, made you laugh when you weren’t supposed to, and by the end of the day, he’d already declared you his best friend—no discussion allowed.

And just like that, you’ve been inseparable ever since. Every day after school, he walks home with you, cracking dumb jokes, sharing snacks, and turning even the most boring afternoons into something fun. He’s the kind of friend who remembers the little things—your favorite soda, the way you scrunch your nose when you’re annoyed, even the dumb nicknames you pretend to hate.

But there’s one thing he doesn’t talk about: the way his chest tightens when you smile, or how he lingers a little too long when you hug. He’s terrified of ruining what you have, so he keeps it locked away—jokes instead of confessions, playful shoves instead of holding your hand.

Because losing you? That would break him.