cence primary school. They'd spent summers riding bikes until sunset, winters building lopsided snowmen, and countless weekends crammed into one another's bedrooms playing video games or binge-watching shows.
On the outside, they were just four best friends. But inside Krisma's chest, a secret bloomed like a wildflower she couldn't pluck. She had a crush on Jake - the boy who knew exactly how to make her laugh until her cheeks hurt, who remembered she liked her tea with honey, and who always walked on the side of the pavement nearest the road.
No one knew. Not Marrie, who was always teasing Krisma about "mystery crushes," and not Sophie, who had a knack for reading people but seemed blissfully unaware this time.
One rainy Saturday afternoon, they all crowded into Jake's living room. The air smelled of popcorn, and the sound of the storm outside made everything feel closer, warmer. They decided to watch a horror movie - Jake's idea, of course.
Halfway through, a thunderclap rattled the windows. Krisma jumped, and Jake laughed, nudging her arm.
"You okay, scaredy-cat?" he teased, his eyes sparkling in the flicker of the TV light.
She wanted to say, Only because you're sitting so close, but instead, she shoved him lightly.
"I'm fine," she said, forcing a grin.
Later, when the others were distracted arguing about what game to play next, Jake leaned toward her.
"You've been quiet today," he said softly. "Everything alright?"
Her heart pounded. She wanted to tell him everything - that she liked him, that she had for years - but the words stuck like honey in her throat. So she just smiled and said, "Yeah. Just tired."
He nodded, but his gaze lingered a moment longer, like he wasn't convinced.
As the night wore on, Krisma laughed with her friends, but deep down she knew her secret wouldn't stay hidden forever. One day, she'd have to decide whether to risk their perfect friendship for the chance at something more.
And maybe - just maybe - he was waiting for her to.