Pencil never really liked boys.

  Her friends teased that she was stuck in her cootie phase. Her parents said she'd have to grow up eventually. And Pencil never cared to fit in with her female peers when they gushed over their crushes, but she sometimes wondered if there was something wrong with her.

  "Hey Pence-Pence, I think he likes you," Match whispered, poking and pointing at a boy, who immediately averted his gaze.

  "Who, Pen? Ew. No way."

  "Oh, come on, he's kinda cute. You should totally talk to him!"

  "Ehhhh....I don't really like him, though."

  "C'mon Pence-Pence, please? At least ask him what Eraser thinks of me? Eraser's cute."

  "Okay, I'll do it for you," Pencil agreed half-heartedly. She liked Eraser less than Pen, but she couldn't say no to her bestie.

  As she grew older, her feelings didn't change. She seemed to be the only one in her friend group without a crush on some hot celebrity or the 'boy next door'.

  Match was the opposite. She'd fawn over movie stars, singers, models, and her long-standing crush, Eraser. As good BFFs do, Pencil would listen as Match talked and talked, but there was always this feeling of discomfort in her stomach.

  Maybe it was because she didn't like boys. Pencil'd much rather talk about something else.

  "You should've seen Eraser today! He was like, stuffing his face which is totally, like, gross. I think it's because of like, that Blocky guy. He's like, such a jerk to everyone and a bad influence."

  "Guys are just like that: they're gross."

  "Okay well like, not always! Eraser would totally treat me like a queen. And Pen is like, nice. He still like, has a crush on you, you know."

  Pencil grimaced and stopped drawing. "I know. It's kinda creepy."

  "No Pence-Pence, it's cute! I wish I had someone who's liked me since they were little. It's so like, romantic! You really should like, give him a chance."

  "He's not my type."

  Match rolled her eyes. "Every guy is like, not your type. You have to like, like someone!"

  "Sorry Match, I just don't. Always been like that."

  "But Pence-Penceeeeee," Match whined, "you're gonna be like, all alone! And it's gonna be like, so sad!"

  "I won't be alone, I have you! We're BFFs, aren't we?" Pencil looked up at Match, a tinge of anxiousness hanging on her question.

  "Well like, yeah, obvs! Don't worry Pence-Pence, you can like, live with me so you won't be like, alone." Match grinned down at Pencil.

  Pencil committed it to memory: Match's perfect smile and shining eyes, the gentle lean of her body and her graceful crossed legs. She abandoned her old drawing and sketched Match instead, and the dark lines permanently etched into the paper.

  "Omg, that's so like, good! You're such a great artist, Pence-Pence."

  Pencil beamed. "Hah, thanks Match."

  This was what she preferred. Just her and Match, hanging out. She'd never feel lonely as long as Match was there, even if she was a bit boy crazy. They were BFFs, and nothing would ever change that.

  So it scared Pencil when Match started to have other priorities. They started hanging out less and less. Pencil saw Match with Eraser more often, obviously trying to get his attention.

  It worked. Match skipped up to Pencil one day and announced she and Eraser were officially dating.

  Pencil tried to be happy for her. She really did.

  But she just felt dread. It was that same discomfort she felt whenever Match would talk about boys, but increased tenfold. In that instant, a gaping hole separated the two of them, and Match was happy being on the other side. They had a special connection. They were BFFs, and Pencil thought that meant they'd be together forever. She couldn't imagine anyone else in that special spot in her heart.

  And just like that, their friendship was in jeopardy.

  Pencil plastered on a smile and said congratulations. It was the least she could do. But a true BFF would be genuinely happy. A true BFF wouldn't be so jealous.

  "Congrats, Match. Just don't forget about me, y'know?"

  "Of course not, we're like, BFFs! But like, give me and Eraser time to like, be together too."

  "Right. Of course."

  Match didn't keep that promise. Days would go by and they wouldn't talk at all. Pencil hated Eraser for taking her away. She'd get mad at Match too, but it wouldn't be for long. She just couldn't.

  Despite having other friends, Pencil only had one BFF. There was only one Match. She felt isolated. Abandoned. With any other person, Pencil would confront them and give them a piece of her mind, but she couldn't risk losing Match. Besides, she looked happy. Pencil didn't want to take that away from her.

  She thought she might understand better if she gave boys a chance. Maybe this was completely normal.

  "Hey, Pen."

  "Huh- Oh! What's up?"

  "You've had a crush on me since...since we were kids, right?"

  "Uh-" Pen went a bit red. "I mean, yeah? Kinda..."

  Pencil took a steadying breath. "Well...yes. Let's go out. ...Yeah."

  Pen blinked once. Twice.

  "...are you sure? You don't really sound like-"

  "Seriously, Pen? Yes, I'm sure," Pencil barked. She couldn't give herself the chance to back out.

  "Okay! Okay, uh. Sure! Yeah. Cool."

  Pen patted his knees.

  "You wanna...sit next to me? We can draw together...or something."

  Long silences. Weird hand-holding sessions. Accidental eye contact. Pencil could tell Pen was trying his best, and he was a genuinely good guy. But there was no appeal in the relationship; it just made Pencil miss Match more. They were so close, it was as if they could read each other's minds. She and Pen however, were on completely different wavelengths. The only times when it wasn't awkward for the both of them was when they forgot they were supposed to be dating.

  But, the relationship did help Pencil realize something. Pen approached her about a month later, a little bashful.

  "Hey...Pencil."

  "Yeah?"

  "So...I've been doing some thinking. And I know we're not like- no offense- but we're not really uh..." Pen rolled his fingers, "the best couple."

  "No kidding," Pencil said flatly.

  "Okay! Okay cool, you feel the same way. I was just thinking it'd be best if we, y'know...broke up...?"

  Pencil sighed with relief. "Oh, thank god. Yeah, I don't actually like you like that."

  "Kinda got that feeling, yeah." Pen sat down, a respectful distance away from Pencil. "It's okay, though. I kinda lied too; I stopped having a crush on you a few years ago."

  Pencil stared at him. "Really?"

  "Yeah. I think it was more like...I dunno. Maybe it was 'cause we're a pen and pencil, I thought we were meant to be together?" Pen laughed awkwardly. "It's kinda stupid. But like, one day I just stopped having feelings for you. It was kinda weird."

  He took a steadying breath. "And, uh...I started having feelings for guys. Yeah. I'm gay. Thought you should know."

  "Oh. Yeah, that's cool. Good for you."

  Pen relaxed. "Phew! That was good to get off my chest. Thanks." He looked at Pencil curiously. "So then, why'd you want to date me if you didn't even like me?"

  "Oh, that, yeah. You know how Match is dating Eraser, right?"

  "Yeah?"

  "So...I don't really like guys. Never had a crush on one before. But Match is the complete opposite, and I thought if I tried it, maybe I'd change my mind? Obviously it didn't work."

  "Same here, actually. I thought getting with you would make me not like guys anymore. But honestly, I think that's more set in stone now. All this time, I was thinking 'man, I wish I could be with Eraser instead'."

  "Eraser, huh?" Pencil smirked.

  "WELL-" Pen strained, red in the face. "I mean- yeah. But like, he's dating someone else- what's more, your best friend- so like-! What can I do, y'know?"

  "Honestly, that's fine. I don't think they're good for each other, anyway."

  "For real? I thought you'd be on Match's side."

  "I am. She's miles above Eraser's league."

  "Rude." But Pen was smiling. "Thanks for being so chill about this, by the way. We can still be friends if you want."

  "Yeah, sure. You're one of the better guys I know."

  "I'll take that as a compliment."

  A lot of what Pen said resonated with Pencil. She was reminded of the times Match would come to her complaining about something Eraser did. Without fail, Pencil would think 'I'd treat her better than that'. That feeling grew stronger while she was with Pen.

  She passed it off as a platonic thought, but now she was reconsidering. Maybe the reason she never liked guys was because she liked girls. It did cross her mind a few times, but hearing that Pen went through a similar experience strengthened the possibility.

  And it made sense. It made complete sense. Her friendship with Match was always more special than her other friendships. Pencil always chalked it down to because they're BFFs, but that special connection was something more, now. Pencil was sure of it.

  Match and Eraser broke up a few days later. Pen gathered his nerve to confess and Eraser accepted.

  Pencil was more concerned with Match. The latter lay slumped against Pencil's shoulder as she lamented.

  "The thing is, Pence-Pence...I don't think it was even like, gonna work out. I thought it would be great, but it, like, wasn't."

  "That's what happens sometimes, Match. Sorry about that."

  "At least I can count on you, Pence-Pence. You've always been there for me."

  Pencil's heart swelled hearing that, but she had to focus on being a good BFF first and foremost. Their special connection meant they'd lend their hearts to each other, even after rough times. And reinforced with Pencil's love, she wanted to be sure she and Match could endure it all. This certainly wasn't the first, nor the last time their relationship would be strained.

  Whether Match ever returned her feelings or not, Pencil would always be her BFF. And nothing would ever change that.