The digital clock on Ren's screen flickered softly 10:43 PM. He hadn't realized how long they'd been texting. Their conversations had become a nightly ritual, like brushing teeth or closing windows before bed. But tonight felt different. There was a certain softness in Tulip's tone, a deliberate playfulness hiding behind every emoji, every slightly-too-long pause before hitting send.
Ren wasn't sure when exactly it happened. Maybe it was the night she stayed up with him during his breakdown over exams, or the time she sent a voice note of her laughing at his pun genuine, unfiltered, warm. Somewhere between the chess matches and anime recommendations, she had crept in.
And Tulip? She had planned tonight.
Not with flashcards or scripts, but with her heart tucked behind sarcasm and mischief. Her confession wouldn't be obvious not again. That first time she told him she liked him, he ghosted her. She had unsent the message, chalked it up to recklessness. But Ren had replied later, as if nothing happened.
Tonight, she wanted to try again. But smarter.
"If we were characters in a story," Tulip typed, "what do you think we'd be?"
Ren responded, fingers hesitating before pressing send. "Hmm... partners in crime? Maybe chaotic good and confused neutral?"
Tulip laughed, her fingers flying. "Lol I was thinking more like... main leads. You know, tension, banter, a hint of suppressed feelings 😏"
"That sounds oddly specific," Ren replied.
"I read too much," she deflected.
"Or you're trying to say something?" he prodded.
"Maybe I am," Tulip typed, her pulse racing. "Maybe I have a crush on my best friend who doesn't even realize how amazing he is."
Pause.
Ren read the message again. And again.
He typed slowly: "Maybe that best friend does realize it. And maybe he likes her too. Like, *likes her* likes her."
Tulip stared at the screen. Her breath caught in her throat.
Then she sent: "HAHA you're such a clown 🤡"
Followed quickly by: "Imagine actually meaning that 😭😭😭"
Ren paused.
Then answered: "...Yeah. Imagine."
And just like that, the moment slipped.
Neither corrected the course.
Neither admitted it was real.
Tulip felt her heart sink, but she smiled at the screen anyway.
Ren leaned back, eyes on the ceiling, silently kicking himself for not speaking louder.
They were both in love. But not *together.*
---
The night ended like all others with a goodnight text and unsent feelings.
Tulip: *Goodnight, Ren 🌙*
Ren: *Goodnight, Tulip 🌸*
Outside, the moon hung low, almost sympathetic.
The story had shifted, even if the characters pretended it hadn't.
*And tomorrow? They'd chat again. Flirty. Friendly. Not quite lovers. Not quite strangers.*