You and Hussain are walking in the park. 

The sound of children yelling and laughing on the playground is loud, but all you can think about is how amazing your best friend is. 

You and Hussain have been inseparable ever since the third grade, when you were being teased about the bands you liked and he stood up for you. He's always stuck by you, through thick and thin, and you can't imagine life without him.

"What?" he smiles down at you.

 You realize that you've been smiling up at him. 

You quickly blush and turn away, mumbling, "Nothing."

"No," he said in a gentle voice. "Something. You've been looking at me like that for the past week. What's up?"

You and him keep walking, but you don't talk for a while. The truth is, you've recently developed feelings for him. Feelings that you just can't get rid of, no matter how hard you try. You want to keep him as your best friend, because life has always been that way. Why change it? And if you and him started becoming more than friends and you broke up...you two might not be close again. And you didn't want to risk that.

After about thirty seconds of you not saying anything, he stops you and kneels down so that you're at eye level. His  brown eyes pores into yours, and you can see every little stubble on his face. "What is it?" He asks softly. 

You take a deep breath. Should you tell him?

"Hussain," you say, uncertainly yet calmly. "I...like you. Like a lot. I know we've been friends for the longest time, and I really don't want to ruin the friendship that we had. But I want something more than that. I can't just pretend that my feelings for you don't exist. And if you don't feel the same way, I understand. But I just can't---"

You can't finish your sentence, because he's leaning in to kiss you. You gladly press your lips against his and wrap your arms around his broad shoulders. After a while, you have to stop because of the smile that curves your lips. 

"I've been waiting since third grade to hear you say that,"he says.