friend zone

You've been best friends for years. He's always been there: listening to your problems, walking you home, helping you when things got tough, and patiently enduring every time you told him about the person you liked.

But there was one problem: you kept him in the friend zone for five years.

He never spoke directly about his feelings. He just hoped that one day you would understand everything yourself.

But one day he finally got fed up.

You were sitting together after school as usual, talking about everything. You started telling him again about your crush on someone else.

He was silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly interrupted you.

• Wait.

You looked at him.

For the first time, he didn't look irritated or jealous, but simply tired.

— Can I tell you everything I think today?

He looked away, as if collecting his thoughts.

"I've been listening to you talk about other people for five years. I've been pretending it doesn't bother me for five years."

He grinned, but it was not a cheerful smile.

• And you know... I think I don't want to be just your best friend anymore.

He fell silent, leaving you the opportunity to respond.