Jessica's POV
We started talking regularly after that.
At first, it was simple—small conversations, random topics, sometimes about games, sometimes just "how was your day." But slowly… it became a habit.
I started waiting for his texts.
Checking my phone again and again.
Smiling at things that weren't even that funny—just because he said them.
Days passed like this.
And somewhere in between those conversations… my feelings grew stronger than I expected.
Stronger than I could control.
I knew it was too soon.
I knew I probably shouldn't.
But one day… I couldn't hold it in anymore.
I texted him—
"Listen… I have to say something."
My hands were shaking. My heart wouldn't slow down.
He replied,
"Yes, go ahead."
I stared at the screen for a few seconds… then finally typed everything I had been keeping inside.
"I really like you. Actually, when I saw you for the first time, it felt really special… even though I didn't know you properly."
After sending it, I felt like my whole world paused.
Seconds felt like hours.
I kept staring at the chat… waiting.
Then he replied.
"😐 oh, I see. Actually, your cousin is my best friend, so I don't want to ruin my friendship. And we're just talking… can we just be friends instead?"
I read it once.
Then again.
And again.
It felt like something inside me shattered quietly.
Like my heart broke into pieces—but without making any sound.
I didn't know what to say.
I didn't even know what to feel.
Embarrassment rushed over me so fast, I wished I could disappear.
What was I thinking?
How could I confess like this… in just a few days?
I felt stupid.
So stupid.
I closed my phone, but the words stayed in my mind.
"Can we just be friends instead?"
That night… I didn't reply immediately.
Because I didn't know how to act like everything was okay—
When it clearly wasn't
After reading his reply, I took a deep breath and forced myself to act normal.
"Yeah, sure," I texted back. "I just wanted to tell you… because I don't like hiding things."
He replied,
"That's okay, I understand. Actually, I kind of felt it. When you got added to our group chat and after seeing me in coaching, you immediately asked Neim to talk… I guessed something."
I literally slapped my forehead.
How obvious was I?!
"God… how stupid am I?" I whispered to myself.
Why was I acting like this?
I've had relationships before. Even my first love confessed to me. I was never the one chasing.
But this time…
I didn't recognize myself.
Still, I tried to fix it.
"Don't worry about my text," I wrote. "Just forget it. We're friends now."
And somehow… things became normal again.
We started talking like before.
Then playing games together.
Almost every day.
I even introduced him to my gaming friends. We would all play together, laugh, argue over silly things. But what I liked the most—
Was when it was just the two of us.
Duo matches.
Just me and him.
Since our houses weren't that far, there was a place nearby where he and his friends used to hang out. And whenever I passed that area…
I couldn't help it.
I would look.
Just to see him.
Even for a second.
Days passed like that.
Then weeks.
Almost a month.
And just when everything started to feel… comfortable—
He texted me one day.
"Hey… Adrian is not happy that we became friends. He's not talking to me properly. Seems like he's really angry."
My heart sank.
He continued,
"He also said he doesn't want family and friends to get involved."
I stared at the screen, feeling a heaviness I couldn't explain.
Then another message came—
"And… don't give me your full attention. It's not good for you."
That one hurt more than I expected.
I stayed silent for a long time.
Then I made a decision.
Maybe the only one I thought was right.
"Listen," I typed slowly, "I don't want your friendship to be ruined because of me. You guys have been friends for so long. I don't want to come in between."
My hands felt cold.
"Just be happy with your life… and maybe our friendship ends here."
I didn't wait for a reply.
I blocked him on Messenger.
Just like that.
I told myself it wasn't a big deal.
That I was strong.
That I could move on.
It was just a few days… a few memories.
Nothing more.
Right?
Two days passed.
I didn't text him.
Didn't check anything.
Tried my best to forget.
Then suddenly—
A notification popped up.
From Instagram.
I frowned.
Johnathan…?
I opened it.
And my eyes widened.
He texted me.