Work Text:
Pepper had been waiting her entire life to confess to her best friend, Salt. The two had been BCFFs since they were very little, being inseparable for as long as they can remember. But the feelings Pepper had for Salt…
weren’t what normal best friends feel about each other.
After years of thinking about what she would say, how she would say it, she finally decides to confess to Salt. She shakily picks her phone up, and opens her contact. She read over some of the texts. They showed how they were the perfect fit for each other. How they were always there for each other. How they always made each other laugh. How they would always be together, through thick and thin. And the thought that this could all crumble down tonight destroyed Pepper inside, but she knew she had to take the risk. She nervously began typing.
P: “SALT”
P: “SALTY SALT”
P: “BCFF”
P: “ANSWER PLEASE”
S: “WHAT”
S: “YOU SCARED ME”
P: “COME TO OUR ROOM”
P: “I HAVE TO TELL YOU SMTH”
S: “OK IM OMW”
“Someone help me.” Pepper thought while her heart pounded. She laid down on her bed, anxious out of her mind, trying to process what she was about to do. She had a crush on Salt for years, and the last thing she ever wanted was to lose her childhood best friend. The silence in the room was deafening. Shortly after, the door flew open and Salt ran in.
This was the moment.
“Salt…I have to tell you something.” Pepper slowly said. Salt immediately knew it was serious by her tone of voice. She didn’t know what she would do without her. “What is it? You’re scaring me!”
“I’m so scared…” Pepper whispered. Salt heard it thought and asked, “WHY?” It took a minute before she could respond. “…You promise this won’t ruin our friendship?” Pepper’s voice quivered. “Pepper, we’ve been friends for as long as the both of us can remember. I don’t think anything can ruin our friendship. Now what are you going to tell me?” It’s clear that she was getting scared too. The overpowering heaviness in Pepper’s chest was proving to be too much.
“OKAY…” She tried to prepare herself for what she would say. “I like you, okay?” Pepper started to pour her heart out. “Have you ever noticed why I always got excited around you? Why I noticed even small details about you? Why I’ve been physically drawn to you?” Salt looked surprised, but Pepper continued. “I always thought it was just a best friend thing, and I’m sure you did too, but…even the closest friends don’t do the things we do. You get it, right?” Salt was speechless. “Salt? I’m sorry.” She still said nothing, and with that came the overwhelming thought that Pepper had done something wrong.
“I’m sorry.” Pepper’s heart sank. “Listen…I thought you knew that I love someone else.” She sighed “Pepper, I’ll be real with you. I’ve always loved OJ, and I think he’s the one. I’ve never felt that way about anyone else.” The words echoed in her ears, and what Salt said before getting up and leaving shattered her into a million pieces.
“We’re just best friends, nothing more.”