"...huh?" I turn when I hear a familiar noise, one that causes my friend's phone screen to light up with new nonifications.

"Oh, they got a new text," I hum, absentmindedly playing with their hair. It's so soft and fluffy that I always joke about them becoming a hair model. Which, in my defense - they totally could.

The two of us are sprawled out onto their couch together, with their head resting against my stomach. They're fast asleep, burned out from the previous night of aggressively playing video games and drinking.

Last night is hazy, but we spent all night together. We sat, huddled under the same blanket in a dimly lit room, with only the flashing lights from their tv screen illuminating our surroundings.

Their phone chimes again, the pinging noise filling the room and accompanying my friend's light breathing.

Curiously, I reach out and grab their phone, pulling it close to my chest. Unlocking it is easy enough - they told me their password ages ago. It's using it that's difficult, seeing as they're currently sleeping on top of me.

I bring the phone close to my face, before holding it high above my head so that I don't disturb my friend's peaceful slumber.

[ You have (3) new messages. ]

[ (insert brand name) ]

11:09 AM

Hello, Ajax!

This is (insert brand name).

Your order is ready for pickup.

[ Yelena ]

11:10 AM

Hey, dumb[][][]

Where are you?

Don't tell me you're still asleep...

[ Rozalyn ]

11:12 AM

Hey, Ajax?

Did you tell [ REDACTED ] yet?

I don't feel like it'd be healthy for you to keep masking your feelings,

especially because I know you two are so close.

I frown. What was Rozalyn talking about, and why did she mention my name?

I glance at my friend, confused. Did they have something they wanted to tell me?

My brows crease and furrow as I debate whether or not to ask them about this when they wake. I decide against it, for now.

Glancing at my contact, I fight the urge to smile when I see that they have affectionately labled me as "Idiot <3". How charming. I suppose it's only fitting that I have them down as "My Dumb[][][]", then. Great minds think alike, after all.

As I stare at my contact name, I notice that there is a draft below it. A message they didn't get around to sending, I guess.

...unless...?

I hesitate to click on the draft. If it's something they want to tell me, shouldn't I respect their privacy? They'll tell me when they're ready.

...however, the tempation to check anyways quickly wins, pushing my morals to the side.

Idiot <3

(Draft)

Um

[ REDACTED ]

This is really weird, but

No, that's not a good line.

This might be unexpected, but I

No, that's not it either.

I don't know how else to go about this but to tell you this straight.

I think I'm in love with you

I think about you everyday, and wonder what you're doing or if you're thinking about me

I get butterflies when you say my name and I re-read our 2AM messages over and over again the next day

I could spend hours listening to you talk, even if it's about something you hate (namely, your growing pile of math homework) and I get dizzy when I hear you laugh at the most random things

Your stupid jokes - god, your stupid dad jokes - I love them. Even though I poke fun at you for them, because they really are lame, I love them because you're the one saying them

Nopenopenope no this is ridiculous

...wow. That was...interesting.

I blink, unsure what to feel. I feel flattered and touched, but I'm unsure of whether I actually have romantic feelings for them. I mean, I do sometimes feel butterflies dancing in my stomach, but those are normal, right?

...

I stare at them, their face still buried in my waist.

The back of my neck flushes and my cheeks burn as I realize that they might actually hold feelings for me. They care about me - which I already knew - but they care about me so much more than I ever could have imagined.

I quickly exit out of the app and shut their phone off, placing back in its original position.

I look at them again, and the heat returns to my cheeks. I feel my eyes drifting towards their lips, and the butterflies return.

I curse, shaking my head. Why did I have to be so curious? Now I won't be able to look at them without getting flustered. This person, who I've grown so close to, may actually love me.

As I continue to play with their hair, all I can think about is how much closer we might get.