There were moments when everything felt perfect.
Moments when she sat closer than usual.
Moments when she asked, "Are you okay?" and truly cared about the answer.
Moments when silence between them felt warm instead of awkward.
His heart screamed, Tell her now.
But fear always arrived first.
What if she doesn't feel the same?
What if this changes everything?
What if I lose her forever?
The idea of losing her—even as a presence in his life—terrified him more than rejection itself.
So he stayed quiet.
He smiled when he wanted to confess.
He joked when he wanted to cry.
He waited when he wanted to speak.
And love continued growing silently inside his chest.