Since the day they became friends, Ginny knew she liked Blake. Ginny had been sitting alone on the playground in elementary school, on the verge of tears, when this boy with bright blue eyes and messy black hair walked up and sat down. They had been close ever since, and Ginny eventually realized that the feelings she had for Hazel weren’t platonic.

But she knew Blake could never see her that way. He was way out of Ginny’s league. Ginny sighed every time she saw her own reflection in a mirror; her acne, her frizzy hair, her chubby legs. She knew Blake would never like someone like her.

Still, she had to do something. These feelings were eating her up inside, and the thought of keeping it all bottled up was almost worse than Blake turning her down. At least, that’s what she told herself.

So when they were cuddling—platonically, of course—while watching a movie in Ginny’s room, like they often did, Ginny paused the TV.

“Blake?” She said, her voice barely above a whisper, her hands trembling as she held the remote.

“Yeah?”

“I need to tell you something.”

Blake turned to her. “What’s up?”

“I…”

“Hey, are you okay?” Blake asked, noticing that Ginny looked upset, which concerned him.

Ginny nodded. “I—I wanted you to know… that I… um…” she took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight. “I like you.”

When Blake was silent, Ginny cautiously opened one eye. Blake was staring at her, his dark brows furrowed.

“You do?”

“Yes,” Ginny said. “I just… I thought you should know.” His silence was scaring her. Just when she started to believe he wasn’t going to say anything at all, he grabbed her hand.

“Ginny,” he whispered, looking up at her. His eyes, usually playful, now had hints of sadness in them. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry. I don’t… feel the same.”

Ginny closed her eyes again. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry for—“

“Ginny.”

She looked up at him. “What?”

“You know you’re amazing, right? You’re the best friend in the whole wide world and I’ll be your wingman til I die, and I want you to know how much you mean to me. Just… not in that way.”

Ginny bit her lip.

“I’m sorry,” Blake repeated.

“It’s okay.” She mustered a small smile.

At least he knew, she told herself. At least she could finally be honest. The two hugged.