John had lived next door to Tom for as long as he could remember. They had been through their ups and downs, but through it all, John knew in the depths of his heart that he had fallen deeply in love with Tom. Each day, his heartache grew, and yet, he was too afraid to admit his feelings. Fear clutched at his throat whenever he contemplated sharing his true emotions with Tom.

Days turned into months, and months into years, and still, John's feelings for Tom remained hidden away, locked tight within his heart. He feared the pain of rejection and the possible ruin it might bring to their friendship. So, he settled for the everyday conversations, the laughter, and the shared moments that were filled with unspoken words of affection.

But as time flowed on, John's emotions grew stronger, eclipsing his fear of rejection. The weight of his unrequited love pressed upon him, a constant reminder of what he could never have. He grew...