you can't make things up

You never realized who you were to each other.

Zach came into your life completely by accident. At first, you just texted, exchanged silly jokes, sent each other songs, and would talk until four in the morning. He knew more about you than some people you'd known for years.

But you never had anything.

At least officially.

He'd text you in the middle of the night, ask how your day was, remember some little detail you'd mentioned a few weeks ago. Sometimes he'd look at you as if he wanted to say something, but he'd always change the subject.

And then he could disappear for several days, answer dryly and behave as if there was nothing special between you.

You tried to convince yourself that it was all a coincidence. That he was just like that with everyone. That you were reading too much into ordinary messages and glances.

But every time you were alone, it all started again.

One evening, you met on the roof of a high-rise building. It was cold, the city was slowly falling asleep, and music was playing softly on Zach's phone.

"Have you ever thought that we could be together?" he asked unexpectedly.

You turned to him, but Zach continued to look at the city.

• Never mind. You'll probably get it all wrong again.

And for the first time in a long time, you wanted to hear from him not another joke, but an honest answer.

Because how much longer can you invent feelings for two?