The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Leaping Forward

Marco sneaked a look at Ari who was seated on the the mat next to him and his friends. She was with his sister and her friends looking totally undisturbed.

She was nodding her head at what Anna was saying, laughing along with with rest of girls, as if what happened an hour ago didn't bother her.

If she's not bothered, why should he be?

Marco groaned silently as he absentmindedly pulled off some grass off the park's lawn.

" The city gardener would be very upset if he sees you right now, man, " Raphael said in amusement as he stared at the spot Marco had uprooted.

Marco blinked and stared at what he did. He muttered sonething unintelligible and rested his arm on one elevated knee.

" What's up with you and Ari? " Raphael looked at him quizzically.

Marco stared at him wondering if he saw them earlier. But they couldn't possibly have because by the time they arrived, Ari and he were awkwardly avoiding each other's gazes as they deposited the bears inside his car.

" Nothing, " he said quickly and stared out the bay area.

They were all sprawled on the park's green lawn waiting for the fireworks to start.

But the fireworks has already started within him. Marco grimaced.

When they shared that kiss earlier, he swore he heard fireworks going off his head and he couldn't understand why he was feeling that way.

He couldn't even believe he kissed Ari. He always thought she was one of the boys. Like A girl he never thought he'd ever be attracted to romantically because it just felt insane to like his best friend. He always thought their relationship was platonic.

But that dance, where she wore that stunning yellow ball gown, started the change in him. For the first time, he saw her the way most guys see her, beautiful and attractive. It didn't help that guys started making a play for her, he suddenly grew protective and admittedly possessively.

Last year's Winter Dance was an eye opener. He realized just how strong his feelings for her  were the minute that he held her in his arms and danced. Deep down, he knew he was starting to develop feelings for Ari but he chose  not to acknowledge it because he didn't know how to handle it or how she'd react to it.

And when he finally mustered the courage to tell her, she turned him down not because she didn't like him. But because she did and risking their friendship wasn't a step that she was willing to take.

And that was okay. Because he wasn't willing to risk their friendship either. And because he was content to learn that she liked him too.

Without really talking about it, they seemed to have a mutual understanding of what they feel for each other and a silent promise to not risk their friendship over their emotions.

But the kiss happened.

Instintively, Marco turned to look at Ari's direction. He found her staring at him with an unreadable expression on her face. She quickly looked away and joined the ongoing conversation around her.

The fireworks began at that monent and Marco reluctantly turned his attention to the spectacle before him. He noticed everyone took out their mobile phones to take photos or videos of the show. Everyone except him and Ari.

The show went on for five minutes and as the sky continued to burst into different colors, a movement in his peripheral view caught his attention.