gamelog/app/Http/Controllers/FollowController.php

<?php

namespace App\Http\Controllers;

use App\Models\User;
use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
use Illuminate\Support\Str;

class FollowController extends Controller
{
    public function store(User $user): JsonResponse
    {
        $me = auth()->user();

        if ($me->id === $user->id) {
            return response()->json(['error' => 'Cannot follow yourself'], 422);
        }

        if (!$me->following()->where('following_id', $user->id)->exists()) {
            $me->following()->attach($user->id);

            $user->notifications()->create([
                'id'         => Str::uuid(),
                'type'       => 'new_follower',
                'data'       => json_encode([
                    'follower_id'       => $me->id,
                    'follower_slug' => $me->slug,
                    'follower_name'     => $me->name,
                ]),
                'created_at' => now(),
            ]);
        }

        return response()->json([
            'following' => true,
            'count'     => $user->followers()->count(),
        ]);
    }

    public function destroy(User $user): JsonResponse
    {
        auth()->user()->following()->detach($user->id);

        return response()->json([
            'following' => false,
            'count'     => $user->followers()->count(),
        ]);
    }
}