Chapter 1: Just My Best Friend

Gulf and First had been best friends since freshman year—brought together by a shared elective, too much instant ramen, and an inability to say no to chaotic late-night study sessions.

Gulf was outgoing, confident, the type to walk into a room and draw attention without trying. First was quieter, observant, the one who watched the storm from a safe distance but always stepped in when it mattered.

They did everything together. Shared notes, shared food, even shared a tiny dorm room during second year.

Everyone joked that they were like a married couple.

Gulf always laughed.
First always smiled.

But lately, First had started noticing the little things.

The way Gulf’s eyes softened when he called his name.
The way his heart raced when their hands brushed.
The way it hurt when Gulf flirted with girls on campus, even though it never led to anything.

He told himself it was just a phase. A crush, maybe.

But when Gulf got sick and mumbled First’s name in his sleep, forehead burning with fever, First realized it wasn’t just a phase.

He was in love with his best friend.

And he didn’t know what to do about it.

Chapter 2: The Things We Don’t Say

Midterms were brutal. The library became their second home. One night, while they studied on opposite ends of Gulf’s bed, the quiet between them felt different—heavier.

“Hey,” Gulf said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Have you ever… liked someone, but didn’t know if you should say anything?”

First froze. “Why?”

Gulf didn’t meet his eyes. “Just wondering.”

First forced a casual laugh. “Yeah. All the time.”

There was a pause. A long one.

“I think I like someone,” Gulf said, voice quieter now. “And I don’t know what to do about it.”

First swallowed hard. “Do I know them?”

Gulf nodded slowly. “Better than anyone.”

First’s heart stopped.

He wanted to ask. Wanted to hope. But he couldn’t risk the friendship they had built.

So he said nothing.

The moment passed. The tension lingered.

And then, one rainy night, after a party, it happened.

They were both tipsy, drenched from running through the rain, laughing breathlessly as they collapsed into their dorm room.

Gulf looked at him, hair dripping, eyes shining. “You’re always here.”

First blinked. “What?”

“You’re always here,” Gulf repeated. “Every time. Every bad day. Every good one. You never leave.”

First felt his chest tighten. “I wouldn’t know how.”

And then Gulf kissed him.

It was soft. Hesitant.

But real.

When they pulled apart, Gulf whispered, “It’s you. It’s always been you.”

First let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “I was waiting for you to say that.”

Chapter 3: After the Confession

The next morning, everything was different—but also exactly the same.

They still argued about which cereal brand was better. Still walked to class together, side by side. Still teased each other relentlessly.

But now, Gulf held First’s hand under the table in the cafeteria.
Now, First smiled without hiding it.
Now, their late-night talks ended with quiet kisses instead of silence.

It wasn’t a grand, dramatic love story. It was simple. Familiar. Real.

Because sometimes, love doesn’t come crashing in like a storm.

Sometimes, it grows in the quiet.

Between shared textbooks.
Between inside jokes.
Between a touch on the arm and the words we almost say.

And sometimes, that love was right there all along—waiting for the courage to speak it.

—The End.