Out of the Woods

The silence between them grew heavy.
He kept his head down, his eyes glued to the twigs by his feet. "I was in love with you, back then. I probably still am, in all honesty."
Phoenix kept his eyes on their old treehouse and said, "I know."
Ralph's eyes shot up to look at the man next to him, "Y-what?! You knew this whole time?" He shook his head in disbelief, "I don't get it. Why don't you hate me?"
Phoenix turned his head, his brown eyes connected with Ralph's in an earnest stare. "Honestly? I could never hate you. You were the only person I've ever considered a friend."