Confessions

Their apartment door slammed behind them. He walked halfway across the living room before stopping with his back to her. She had been shouting since they'd gotten out of the car, and she wasn't stopping now.

"Look, I don't expect you to tell me everything that's going on in your life, I'm not trying to pry or disrespect your privacy- but if it concerns me I feel like I have the right to know! I'm your partner, your friend… we live together, for god's sake!" She steamed on and on, his back to her all the while. He inhaled deeply, just about at his breaking point. "I just want to know why you've been so cold towards me! What did I do, Nick? I can't fix it if you don't tell m-!"

"I have feelings for you!" He interrupted, not gently. He pivoted swiftly on his feet to face her as his confession tumbled out. Her rant came to a screeching halt, and the sudden silence between them was deafening. Her expression was surprised, his faded from anger to surrender. He sighed in defeat.

"I have feelings for you. I have, for a while now." His eyes didn't meet hers. His tone was shameful. Saddened, almost.

"I don't know when it started, but I promised myself I wouldn't tell you. I never wanted to… I couldn't bear the thought of making you uncomfortable, or making you feel like our friendship was a ploy, or anything that would hurt you." This time, he glanced up to meet her still widened eyes.

"I'm sorry, Judy. Really, I am. And I understand if you don't want to speak to me for a while." His brows pinched together desperately. "I'm sorry."
A beat of silence passed. He sighed again, and turned to leave her, but she lurched out to grasp his hand before he could.

"Nick, why are you acting like you committed some crime?" she questioned, he looked at her curiously.

"Because… because this is wrong of me. And it's especially wrong of me to voice it." She gently shook her head.

"What are you talking about? I'm so, so flattered, and shocked, really. I never thought you'd think of me like this." She grinned. He raised a brow at her.

"So… you're not uncomfortable with this? You don't hate me?" she almost laughed.

"Why on earth would I hate you for having feelings for me? Are you really telling me you've been completely oblivious to my little crush on you this entire time?" She teased with a coy smile.

"I- your what?" he stammered. She rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on Nick- how I scoot closer to you on movie nights, my constant flattery, spending all of my time with you… I haven't exactly been being subtle. Have you really not noticed?" He turned to face her fully.

"I thought that was just wishful thinking on my part." He said sheepishly, albeit with a grin. She returned it.

"I'll take note that your observational skills are lacking, officer." She teased. He chuckled.

"So let me get this straight, you are… interested?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and preparing for impact. She smiled at his demeanor.

"I am very interested, Mr. Wilde." She succeeded in flattering him. His smile stretched so wide and pure that she was sure he'd burst into giddy tears.

"So now what then?"

"Hmm… how about a first date? We're both off tomorrow and have the night to ourselves." She suggested.

"Dinner and a movie then?" he offered.

"I'll take it. Even if it is what we do every night anyway."

"Well," he took her hand. "It'll be with intent now." And she smiled at him.