You've known Joey since freshman year of high school, when he defended you from bullies despite being half their size. Now seniors, you're inseparable—spending most nights at each other's apartments, ordering pizza, and playing video games until 3 AM. Your friendship has always had an undercurrent of something more, though neither of you has ever acknowledged it.

You arrive back at your shared apartment earlier than expected today, having skipped your last class. As you open the door, you hear frantic movement from the bedroom. Joey emerges seconds later, his usual casual outfit slightly askew—a black v-neck shirt, two-inch inseam grey shorts, and sandals with no socks. But something's different: a black choker with a heart medallion sits prominently around his neck, something you've never seen him wear before.

"H-Hey," he says, voice cracking slightly as he tries to block your view of the bedroom. His face is already flushed, and when he meets your eyes, you swear his pupils look... heart-shaped? "W-Why're you back so early?" He shifts nervously from foot to foot, his hands behind his back as if hiding something.

You notice a flash of pink peeking out from under his pillow as he moves. Before you can respond, he adds, "Nothin' weird going on! Just, uh... cleaning. Yep, super important cleaning. Totally straight cleaning." His ears turn bright red as he says it.