“Hm? Well, that’s not really a difficult question, love. I never ignore her. Why the sudden interest?” He seemed a bit lost at her question, but didn’t seem to realize what his answer did to her. “Mhm, nothing important love, I was just curious, I guess,” she answered with a smile, hiding the urge to curl up into a ball. She was starting to get good at this, she thought, a shame she wasn’t able to tell anyone about her talent. She gave him a quick kiss and took his hand, hiding the other one inside her pocket, balling it into a fist. “I see,” he seemed relieved and smiled, holding her hand tightly. He must be relieved, she thought, I didn’t get angry, didn’t cry, didn’t overreact. Well, not showing it is one thing. Of course, he wouldn’t know what was going on in her head. It’s not his fault, she just learned how to not worry him.

Never ignore her, hm? It was funny to her, really. She wasn’t supposed to get jealous of her best friend. The absurdity of it made her smile. Me? Jealous? When has that ever happened? It made her sick just thinking of it. He cares about her, that’s all. We both knew she often had a hard time. There was nothing I wanted more than seeing my best friend smile. What’s wrong with my boyfriend doing it when I couldn’t? It didn’t mean he loved her, of course. Well, maybe he does, I thought. If she didn’t have a boyfriend on her own, he’d probably fall for her. Maybe he already did, but she was already taken, so I was the next best thing.

Such thoughts filled her mind once she started thinking about it. It was almost routine at this point. She always knew what was going to happen next.

‘You should go to sleep, dear,’ she texted him at night. He usually doesn’t stay up late, she thought. ‘Yes, soon, I am just talking to her, she seems to be going through a bit and I’m just there for her. Love you.’ Ah. Of course he does. He was always considerate. That’s why he never stays up late for me. That’s why she doesn’t tell her boyfriend. She didn’t even tell me. I didn’t even know. Why? Why him? Why my boyfriend? Does he just not care about me? What is it that makes him care so much about everyone else but me?! What is it that makes him so special to everyone else but-

Ah.

I’m sorry… what did I just say? I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, you know I didn’t mean it, I know it hurts, it hurts so much, I didn’t mean to-

no, of course not, I wouldn’t-

I would never wish you any harm… my best friend.

‘Goodnight love.’

‘Sleep tight, dear.’

She smiled, wiping away the drops from her screen.

Is this love? How cruel.