I let out a long sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair. Come on, Laurence... You can do this. Besides, if he rejects you it's not like you're gonna see him anytime soon. You live in a completely different continent. It'll be fine.

I brought my thumbs to the keyboard and began to type, choosing my words very, very carefully.

Chat between you and: GayrothIsMyName

You: Hey Gar! There's something I want to tell you. Do you have some time to talk?

There was no response for awhile, and my anxiety was only growing more and more each second. Suddenly, my computer chimed.

GayrothIsMyName: Of course! What is it you need to tell me?

I took a deep breath in and out before placing my hands back on the keyboard. I typed slower this time, being careful not to make any spelling mistakes. This needed to be the perfect confession... I wasn't gonna let auto-correct screw it up.

You: I know this is probably going to be really, really awkward for you, but it's something I've wanted to get off my chest for a long time... Although I haven't met you in real life, you've changed my life in so many positive ways. Before I started talking to you, my life was a wreck. Everyone at my school teased me for being an orphan, and sometimes I was physically hurt by a certain kid. My home life wasn't so great, either... Talking to you has made me so much happier... You're the most understanding person I know. You're sweet, you're funny, you're always there for me to talk to... I feel like you genuinely listen to me. I guess what I'm saying is... I really, really like you, Garroth...

Sent

I let out a long breath and sunk into my seat. I tugged at my hair, and my heart was pounding out of my chest as I waited in anticipation for his answer. Would he say he liked me back or just flat out reject me..? Would he leave me on read and never reply? Oh my Irene, I just ruined our entire relationship didn't I..?

After what felt like years of waiting, my computer let out a familiar chime. I snapped my eyes to the computer screen and began to read over the message he had sent me.

GayrothIsMyName: It's not awkward at all, Laurence. In fact I really like you too... It's just... I got out of a breakup very recently, and I don't think I'm quite ready to get in a relationship yet... I need a bit of time to heal first, you know..? I think we should stay for a bit. When I'm ready I'll tell you... I'm sorry.

I smiled and began to type back.

You: I completely understand! You don't have to worry! I'll be here waiting for you. Just, tell me when you're okay with it. I'd really like to give us a try. :)

You: Hey, Garroth! Been awhile since we've talked. You up for a game of Mario Kart?

GayrothIsMyName: I'm sorry Laur, but I can't at the moment. I'm kind of going through things right now...

You: Oh, okay. You wanna talk about it?

GayrothIsMyName: It's just... Recently I've been feeling things towards a close friend of mine. I'm sorry about this, but I think my feelings towards them are more serious than the ones towards you... I'm so sorry, Laurence. I still need more time to think about it.

You: It's totally fine! I'm sure this person you speak of is amazing 😉

Once I sent the message I bit my bottom lip and slammed the laptop shut. My heart sank and hot tears stung at the corners of my eyes.

GayrothIsMyName: Hey Laur! You uo for that game of Mario Kart right about now? I could use the company :p

You: Sure! Let me log in and we can play a few rounds

I lied awake, staring up at the ceiling with my mind filled with nothing but thoughts of Garroth... He has told me he liked someone else, and he said they were more serious feelings... He had fallen for another person, and that person wasn't me... It would never be me.

I respected his choice to remain friends, of course. I respect all of his decisions. But it hurt that he didn't see me as any more than a friend. He probably just said he liked me so I didn't feel bad... I wanted to be with him... I wanted him... I needed him... But I didn't have him...

GayrothIsMyName: Hey... Sorry I haven't said anything in awhile... I got with the person I told you about. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I knew you liked me and I didn't want to hurt your feelings... We were together for about five months... I really loved him... So much... I thought he felt the same, but he went and cheated on me...

You: Garroth... I'm so sorry. He doesn't deserve you. He treated the most perfect person in the world like dirt. You deserve more. If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you.

GayrothIsMyName: Thanks... Wanna play Mario Kart?

You: I'd love to!

I laughed into the microphone after Garroth let out a loud screech. I had just hit him with a red shell in Mario Kart, earning me the win. I pumped my fist in the air and cheered at my victory.

"Laurence! That's not fair!" Garroth whined. I giggled and adjusted the way I was sitting so I was more comfortable.

"It was too fair! Besides, you shoved me off the edge earlier!" I said back. Garroth let out a long sigh, and things were quiet for a few seconds.

"I... I had a great time. Thanks for agreeing to play for a bit," he said. My cheeks flushed and a large grin formed on my lips.

"Of course. Anything to get your mind off of that stupid son of a-"

"Laurence, profanity," he warned.

"Heh, whatever..." I mumbled.

"Seriously though... You really are the sweetest guy I know," he said. My heart fluttered and my cheeks only grew a darker shade of red.

"Awe, you don't mean that," I said.

"No, I do. You're genuinely the most amazing guy I've ever met," he replied. He sounded nervous while saying it. I bit my lower lip in thought, considering if I should say it or not.

"Hey, Gar?"

"Yeah?"

"If... If you think all these things about me... Why don't you want to give us a shot..?"

Silence...

Call ended

Garroth hasn't talked to me in weeks... Ever since what I said in the call, he's been ignoring the messages I've sent him.

You: Hey Gar, wanna play Mario Kart?

Two days later

You: It's been a bit :p

You: How have you been?

One week later

You: Hey Gar... Hope you're doing well. It's been awhile since we've talked. Is it what I said during the call..? I'm sorry if it scared you. It was stupid of me to say that. Please message me back so we can talk about it. You're my only friend nowadays..

"Hey, idiot! Nice to see you again," Cadenza said as she ruffled my hair before pulling me into a tight sibling hug. I chuckled and hugged her back.

"Nice to see you too, Cad." She had just returned from London, where she participated in a fashion show (Which she got first place in, by the way). She came up with a new line of clothing that she entered into the contest.

"Oh! I want you to meet a new friend of mine! He was a photographer for the show, and he told about how he was coming to Phoenix Drop to visit an online friend of his. I told him I was coming here too, and we decided to travel together," she said, stepping back. A boy who seemed about my age stood behind her. He had blonde hair and deep ocean blue eyes, which were gorgeous may I add. Not only his eyes were beautiful, but he was handsome as a person. My face flushed and I smiled at him. He returned the look and, oh my Irene, his smile... It was enough to make my heart melt into a puddle. He held his hand out towards me, which I gladly shook.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Garroth," he said. I froze, and my eyes widened. His voice... His name... London... There's no way...

"G-Garroth?" I asked. He nodded, and began to pull his hand away. Before he could, though, I pulled him close to me and wrapped my arms around him. He tensed up, standing in my grasp awkwardly.

"Umm, while this is nice... I'm sorry, do I know you?" He muttered awkwardly. I chuckled and buried my face into his shoulder, which only made him tense up even more.

"Gar, it's me... It's Laurence," I informed him. He audibly gasped, freezing for a moment. Finally, he responded by returning the hug, resting his head in the crook of my neck. This action made my heart flutter.

♡ Time Skip ♡

Garroth and I sat on the couch in my living room, both of us yelling at the other over the game of Mario Kart we were playing. He was winning, and I wasn't gonna let him. The finish line was just ahead, and I had a surprise for him....

He screeched as a red shell hit him, and I pulled in front of him just before he crossed the finish line. I laughed and stood up from my seat, putting the remote down on the table.

"Haha! I beat you again, Gar!" I exclaimed. Garroth gave me a dirty look that would kill me if it could, before crossing his arms over his chest and pouting.

"That wasn't fair, Laurence!" He whined. I giggled and placed my hands on my hips.

"Oh, it was too fair! You're just being a sore loser," I teased. He sighed and his eyes met mine. A small smile appeared on his face and he held his hand out to me.

"Whatever... You win," he said. I grinned and took his hand, shaking it.

Before I could pull away, however, Garroth yanked me forwards so I fell onto the couch with him underneath me. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around me. My heart was pounding and my cheeks had long since turned pink. A large smile spread over my face, and I buried my face into his chest, wanting the moment to last forever. An idea popped into my head.

"Hey, Gar?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you sing for me?"

Silence...

"Sing?"

"Yeah. You used to sing to me over calls all the time. It helped me sleep whenever I had nightmares, remember?"

"W-well, yeah... But I sound worse in person."

"Please?"

He sighed and went silent for a few seconds. I then heard his heartbeat speed up, and his grip around me tightened slightly. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath before beginning.

My heart soared when I felt him begin to play with the ends of my hair, twirling the strangs between his fingers. I opened my mouth to begin singing myself.

Garroth sighed and tugged at my hair lightly. I lifted my head up to make eye contact with him. He gave me a small smile before sitting up, bringing me with him. He pulled me into his lap, placing his hands on the small of my back. I wrapped my legs around his waist a moved closer to him. He gave me a shy smile before pressing his forehead to mine.

"Laurence...?" His voice was soft, and he sounded nervous.

"Yeah, Gar?"

"I think...