If he didn't know any better, Shawn Hunter would tell Cory Matthews how he felt.
If he didn't know any better, he would say that Cory felt the same way.
The signs were subtle in a passing glance, but if you lived them every day, you could tell.
It was in the way Cory walked when he was next to Shawn.
He'd stare at his feet, and Shawn knew he was concentrating on making sure their steps matched.
It was how when they ate out together, Cory would always lean forward a little bit, as if to minimize the duo's distance from each other.
It was how he always asked if Shawn was okay,
And he always listened intently if he wasn't.
It was how when Cory hugged Shawn, he always lingered in the embrace a moment or two longer than the norm allowed.
And how even when he pulled away, he'd leave a hand on his shoulder,
and how he would look at him so intensely in that moment.
But Shawn Hunter knew better.
He knew that Cory Matthews, while wanting to stand out, would never dare to be abnormal.
He knew that if he confessed to Cory what was in his heart,
Cory would deny returning the feelings.
He knew that Cory and Topanga would get married,
and have 2.5 kids,
and forget their childhood with him.
Shawn would just have to enjoy the time he was given with Cory,
And remember
to try
not
to
yearn
for
more.
After all, he knew better.