I stared at her. Utter perfection. Her hair, the color of… well, just *her*. I'd always liked her, but my best friend Y/N had no clue. She always said I was like her brother, so it wasn’t like she liked me *back*. I wanted to tell her before I left for X-Factor. Before I risked everything. + 

“Liam, are you okay? You zoned out,” Y/N said, and I looked over at her, my heart hammering against my ribs. + 

“I need to tell you something,” I blurted out, and she frowned. God, she looked so beautiful when she frowned. + 

“What is it, Liam?” + 

“I like you. A lot. I didn’t want to let you slip away, not with me trying out for X-Factor this year.” The words tumbled out, a desperate, messy confession. I wanted to run, to disappear before she reacted. I walked away before I could be embarrassed. + 

“I… I um… Liam, I’m sorry, but I don’t *like* you. I love you,” Y/N said, and a stupid grin split my face. I turned back and grabbed her, lifting her off the ground a little. She squealed, her arms wrapping around my neck. + 

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” I asked, setting her down gently. + 

“Never brought it up, I guess.” She shrugged, and we walked back to her house, hand in hand. It felt… right. Like everything was finally falling into place. + 

“Oh, Y/N! I knew it! Yes, hahaha!” Mrs. Y/L/N called out from the porch, her voice full of amusement. + 

“Mrs. Y/L/N, Mr. Y/L/N… may I have permission to be your daughter Y/N’s boyfriend?” I asked, looking at them, trying to keep my voice steady. + 

“Well, I don’t see why not,” Y/D/N said with a wink. + 

Y/N squealed again and hugged me tighter. I spun her around, lifting her off the ground, feeling happier than I had ever felt. Everything was perfect. She was perfect. And she loved me back. + 