#sdjf

the pair has been inseparable for as long as grayson could remember. his earliest memories of her trace back from somewhere around middle school, when her laughter first pierced through the usual noise of adolescent chaos. back then, chiara was still a whirlwind of energy and curiosity, a force of nature that drew everyone in. him included. her honeyed eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and her smile could light up even the gloomiest of days. he remembered the first time he’d seen her, standing at the edge of the playground, her hair a wild tangle of curls that seemed to dance with every movement. he had watched from afar, mesmerized by her vivacity, feeling a tug in his chest that he couldn’t quite place. as the years went by, their paths intertwined effortlessly, their connection deepening with every shared secret, every laugh, and every quiet moment of comfort. through high school and beyond, she'd been by his side, the only constant in his life as they both navigated the tumultuous waters of teenage and adult relationships. he’d been there for every broken heart, every disappointment, every fleeting moment of happiness that came with her romantic escapades. he’d watched her fall for one person after another, his own heart aching each time she came to him for solace, her tears staining his shirts, her confessions of love for others breaking his heart bit by bit. he had always been the one to pick up the pieces, the one she turned to when things went wrong. the male had grown accustomed to the role, had learned to hide his own pain behind a facade of unwavering, friendly support. but as the years passed, his feelings for the beautiful brunette evolved from deep friendship to something more — a love that remained unspoken, a truth he could never quite bring himself to voice. tonight was no different. as they sat together on his couch, he could feel the familiar weight of her presence beside him, nestled into the cushions, her delicate, beautiful features stained by the tears that kept trailing down her face, despite every brush of his thumb over her skinn. the remnants of a difficult evening clung to her, and she sought refuge in his company, as she always did. grayson’s heart ached at every word that escaped her petals. he wanted to tell her that she deserved so much better, that she was worth more than the heartbreak she so often endured. he wanted to confess that he had always been there, not just as a friend, but as someone who had silently loved her all along. but the words stayed lodged in his throat, unspoken and heavy. “i’m here,” he said instead, strong arms pulling her closer to his chest. " it's going to be okay, cee. " as he sat there, all those unspoken words heavy in the air, grayson knew that some truths might never be spoken aloud. the love he felt for her, the depth of his emotions, remained always hidden in the silent moments they shared. and though he was glad to be her unwavering support, the ache of what he couldn’t say lingered like an unheeded melody, playing softly in the background of their relationship. in the quiet of the night, with chiara resting peacefully against his chest, he held her a little tighter, knowing that sometimes, the things left unsaid were the hardest to bear.