Okay; deep breaths, Paper.

In, and out. In...and out.

This is it. You're going to confess your love for OJ in a few minutes, and all that's on the line is your friendship with your best friend! No pressure! Just control your breathing..and your sweaty palms..and don't go off on tangents or lose your nerve...or have a breakdown right in front of him like you always do..

Oh, who am I kidding? What was I thinking, trying to be brave for once? Why would OJ, the perfect man that he is, accept a confession from someone as wimpy as me? I had no chance!

Augh, why do I let myself dream like this? Now he's going to reject me, things will get awkward, and I won't ever be able to look him in his beautiful eyes ever again!

No! Snap out of it, Paper! I slap myself. Pull it together! OJ's coming through that door whether you like it or not, and you are going to confess your feelings! Be confident! Be aggressive! You can do it!

Gripping the orange blankets, I bounce on the bed to release my nervous energy. Right. You are going to tell OJ you love him. Eyes on the prize. Oh, OJ is definitely a prize. He's so nice, and handsome, and his eyes are so dreamy..

Come on Paper, focus!

The door clicks and creaks open.

"Paper?"

I'm doomed.

"Hi, OJ!" I squeak out. I clear my throat. "Thanks for being here, I know you're always super busy, managing the hotel and whatnot.."

He closes the door behind him softly, and sits beside me, smiling. "No problem, Paper, I'm always happy to talk with you."

I think my heart just skipped a beat. I flush, awkwardly laughing. "So, uh, this is gonna sound weird, but uh..hehe.."

Come on, come on, don't lose it now! Tell him you like him already!

"You okay, Paper?" OJ asks, his face softening in that way that melted my heart, "you're looking really red. You're not sick, are you?"

"No!" I say way too quickly, "no, e-everything's fine! I'm just nervous..because I need to say something really important, but I..you- you know how it is, right?"

OJ just nods slowly. I'm such a nervous wreck right now.

Okay, out with it, Paper! You can do it. Be assertive!

"R-Right, uh..okay! I really..I-I really like you!" I shout, forcing the words from my mouth.

"I..I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," OJ smiles sheepishly. He didn't? I was probably talking too fast..

No, that's okay. Just say it again, no biggie.

"Sorry OJ.. I, er.." I clench my fists, balling the blanket. Just stay calm.. "I-I'm in love! W-With you, OJ!"

His entire face goes red, with an absolutely dumbfounded look plastered all over. The same exact one whenever he finds the hotel a mess, or when one of the contestants does something stupid beyond comprehension. Did I mess everything up?

"Y-You don't have to say yes or anything..! I-I just really felt like I had to get that off my chest, a-and it's okay if you think I'm weird or want to..stop being friends.." I end up muttering near the end.

"Paper." OJ places his hand on mine; warmth shoots up through my arm.

"Y-Yeah..?"

His eyes meet mine, and I find myself staring into a sea of sparkles. His lips curl up, warm and inviting. "I love you, too. And I could never stop being best friends with you."

"Really!?" He loves me!! He said it! "So..you- you wanna date, or-?"

OJ pulls me into a cool, orange-scented hug. Oh, I love the way he smells.

"I'd love to date you, Paper."

I wrap my arms around his glass body, leaning into him.

I think that went as well as it possibly could have.

~☆~

There's no way..he can't..be in love with Paper, right? Right?

I pull myself away from the door, dragging my feet. How could he be in love with someone else when I'm right here? How could OJ betray me like that?

There's no way. OJ'll come to his senses eventually, and he'll see that I'm the one for him..

Tears as salty as me run down my cheeks. I enter mine and Pepper's room, not bothering with the lights and instead curling up on my bed.

I don't know how long I spent crying in the darkness before the door creaked open.

"Salty-Salt?" came Pepper's voice.

"Mm?" I reply through gross sniffles. "I..I don't wanna talk about it..just leave me here, alone.."

Her footsteps get louder. Then her head is resting on my shoulder and her arm is around me in some weird hug.

"You don't need to talk..but I'm always here for you," she whispers.

That made me smile, if only a little bit. I place my hand on hers.

"Thank you."