"Hey y/n, wait for me!" Joe waved to you as he walked in your direction. He seemed like he was his usual cheery self, but something was off. His eyes were so dull, lifeless even. He always seemed to come to talk to you after school. You always hung out, though he usually came to your house.

"Hey, Joe! I thought you were going out with Ryoko." Huh, I guess you were a little jealous of her. Whatever, it's not like you liked him romantically or anything. Eh, it's not worth being even just a little sad about that anyway, you were best buds! ...right?

"Hah, yeah she dumped me last night." His voice cracked a little, the pain in his voice was clear. Was that what he wanted you to think? No! It's not a good time to think like that. I mean your best friend was on the brink of tears in front of you. Dammit, y/n don't be selfish!

In a quick second, you ran up to him and hugged him, you weren't planning on letting go anytime soon. He might be taller/shorter than you but no matter what happened next, time felt like it had stopped, he cried into your shoulder. You've never seen him cry like this before. Sure, it might have been a little awkward but all you wanted was to comfort him. Nothing else mattered then.

"...it'll be okay Joe." You tried to speak in a soft voice while caressing his shoulder, hoping you were doing something right. Joe looked at you, his eyes looked less dull than before. He wiped his tear-filled eyes with his sleeve, making them redder.

"Thanks y/n, I really don't know what I'd do without you here."

Joe's POV

Wow, I don't even need to be comforted right now but in her arms, I feel like everything in the world could just melt away. I'm just such a piece of garbage for everything I've done to deceive her. Even if she decides to look me in the eyes and accept my love ill still feel so empty inside. Heh, It seems like I'm never satisfied with anything. Being rejected by her also seems fun. I mean it's not like I'll kidnap her or something illegal. Just knowing my life is pointless, that sounds incredible.

y/n's POV

Dammit, he still looks sad. I mean I didn't think he would feel even a little bit happier after a hug but he did so that's good. Hm, I've got it we can have a sleepover, I guess we're a bit old for that but hey, it's what best friends do, right?

"Hey, I have to go to the convenience store wanna come with me? We can go to my house after!"

"Sorry, I don't have much money at the moment." He belts out looking down at the ground in embarrassment. "But I'd love to come over, sounds fun!"

I'm not even sure if that excitement is fake or not, but I'm really happy that he'd even spend just a night with me!

"Don't worry about that, I was planning on paying for you anyway!" He looked kind of shocked that you said that.

"Really? Thank you y/n! I dunno how I'll pay you back but I'll figure it out"

"No, you don't have to do that. Anyway, you're always doing stuff for me." He had a shocked look on his face, it's like nobody's ever done something like this for him."Well..? Let's get going."

Joe nodded and smiled at you, you both started walking to the closest 7-11. As you kept walking you both spoke less, I'm not so sure what was so exciting about something as regular as a sleepover, but you both seemed hyped up for it.

When we got there we both got snacks, you got f/s and didn't pay much attention to what Joe grabbed. I mean, if anything got too expensive you could just take some money from your college funds, whatever. Honestly, you'd do anything to make him happy right now.

"Joe let's get some blankets! I mean it's a sleepover isn't it!"

He quietly nodded in your direction and grabbed one he liked. "Yeah!"

"Y/N, HEY LET'S GET SNACKS!!" Joe yelled to me, why is he being so loud. Hah, I'll return the favor. Take that Joe.

"OKAY DUMBASS, LET'S ALSO GET MEGAPHONES WE CLEARLY NEED THOSE." I kinda regret yelling at him but whatever. We just laughed it off. I swear, he is the only person who yells inside a 7-7-11. Well, I guess I'll get f/s since we're here.

"Aren't we gonna look stupid with this much stuff? Especially on the train."

"Well, I'm already used to looking stupid! Just brush it off y/n, I'm sure other people don't care." After saying that he looked at me and playfully punched me in the shoulder. What a cheerful look on his face, I hope it stays like this.

Wow, okay I've never done this before. I just paid. I didn't look at the price or anything. Ahaha, guess I'll just hope it wasn't too much.

"Thank you!" We both said that simultaneously. We grabbed our bags and left. I handed Joe the receipt begrudgingly.

"Joe, can you tell me how much we spent? I don't wanna even take a look."

"Oh, okay y/n!" He looked down "We only spent 39.96 somehow. I thought this would cost at least 50, Nice! " I smiled back at him with relief.

Joe's POV

Why is she spending so much on me, is it out of pity? or is it out of friendship? Hah, maybe she could even love someone like me back. She always tells me not to degrade myself but I don't know how to stop. I'll try to do that. I could lie and say 'I only want her to be happy all I want is to be with her forever, no matter what it takes.

y/n's POV

While walking to the train station I spoke up. "Hey, do you have any other clothes to wear tonight, or should we go to a clothes shop?"

"No, you've already done enough for me today. I haven't even thanked you yet y/n." He quickly pulled you into a hug.

Joe put his arms around your trembling body, It was so cold out, damned skirts. But here it was so warm, in his arms. You've never wanted to stay somewhere so much before. Wait, wasn't he the one who needed comfort? He loudly whispered into your ear.

"Thank you, y/n."

"Yeah! anytime Joe."

We both walked to the train and went in, it looked cramped.

When we went on the train there were so many people on it.

"Ah- sorry." I tumbled into his chest. He looked like he was blushing? No, he couldn't be. He decided to hold me.

"It's okay y/n, don't get lost, alright?"

I nodded.

Feeling my fingertips slightly touch his chest was so embarrassing. God, this feels like a cheesy fanfic situation.

y/n, it's just like you're hugging him so stop getting so flustered!

He held me close to him, we both seemed to be nervous, but we're just friends he couldn't like me... right? No, anyone would blush in a situation like this!

Jou's POV

Haha wow, she looks really cute like this. She's such a mess. I love it. I might confess to her tonight. No, she won't like you. Ugh, it just sounds so difficult. I'll just hide my true feelings about her. All of this thinking is making my head hurt. I'll make her mine, no matter what.

I held her, I don't care if she thinks I'm insane or anything. She's so warm. I wonder if this is out of pity, or maybe she actually likes me. I love getting my hopes up, there are so many possibilities. Haha, the idea of being abandoned by my love, why do I love it?

Maybe one day I'll snap out of this, who knows? Maybe we'll even buy matching clothes, that'd be so cute! The train started slowing down so I let go of y/n.

"Looks like this is our stop, Joe." As she said that I looked over toward the stores.

"Let's go then!"

That sincerity in her voice. I can't get over it. It makes her so much more beautiful in a way. I mean I love everything about her, her eyes are so beautiful. Wow, I need to stop being obsessive, it's an issue. Hey, at least she isn't in a relationship. Fuck, I'm drooling a little. Maybe I'm lying. I could just want someone easy to manipulate. Why do I have to choose someone so irresistible? The bags are clamming up in my disgusting sweaty hands. Wait, why are we going to the clothing store with 7-11 bags. Oh my god, this is embarrassing. She seems happy though so the positives outweigh the negatives I guess.

Oh wait, I didn't expect to find something I like here. Would she let me buy both of these sweaters? Oh well, I'll come back later and follow her around for now.