Young Forever

Chapter 16

Aaliyah and Angela remained best friends from that day. Though they were in different classes, they were always seen together. They were inseparable, as if they were a couple.

As for Aaliyah's popular girl status, she wasn't as popular now, but she liked it that way. Now people approach her, and her friend group has grown. Her new friends showed genuine interest in her novels, as well as Angela's video games. Many students still looked up to her. Teachers, too, loved her, much to Monica's chagrin. She did everything she could to ruin Aaliyah's reputation - spread baseless rumors, try to accuse her of cheating - but they were all in vain. Eventually, she had to accept that Aaliyah wouldn't be bothered by her constant attempts to ruin her reputation. No matter what, she had her little group of friends with her.

The first of her friends was Valentina Lopez. She was a Dominican girl whose parents had recently migrated to the US. She had dark hair, curly hair and had dark skin, much like Aaliyah's. She was a bit shy, but when you befriended her, she could talk about her interests for hours. She loved anime and video games. She reminded Angela a bit of herself.

The second of them was Hanh Le. She had black hair, pale skin, and wore glasses. She was an average student, but she was fun to be around. She had a love for the ocean and dreamed of being a marine biologist one day.

The four of them got along well. They'd go on outings together and have lots of fun. Valentina, and Hanh caught on to Aaliyah and Angela's crushes on each other pretty quickly and they'd often tease them about it.

One day, when they couldn't take it anymore, they came up with a plan to get them together.

"Let's go to the amusement park over the weekend! Valentina said. "Our exams are over so we deserve to relax."

The others agreed. They were, after all, exhausted after their exams.

The day soon arrived. The four girls met up at the amusement park. They went on different rides and had fun. Occasionally, they'd hint at Angela and Aaliyah's crushes.

"Have you guys ever been on that ferris wheel?" Valentina asked. "Sharing a cart with the person you love sure would be romantic."

"Oh yeah, I've been there once. With Angela" said Aaliyah.

"You HAVE?" asked Hanh.

"Yeah. It was pretty great" said Angela.

Valentina and Hanh exchanged looks. They'd even been on a ferris wheel ride together. How could they be so oblivious to each other's crushes? Looks like they'd have to try another plan.

After having some cotton candy, they came across a Tunnel of Love ride.

"Wow, this is new," said Aaliyah. "It wasn't there when Angela and I came here."

"Hey hey, I have an idea" said Hanh. "What if the four of us went on that ride?"

"What? Don't be silly, Hanh. This ride is for couples" said Angela.

"Well the rules don't say you can't get in if you're not a couple. Lets just see what its about" said Hanh.

"Yeah. And besides, after the roller coaster, don't you thinks its time for a calmer ride?" asked Valentina.

"Well, alright. It wouldn't hurt I guess" said Aaliyah.

So they got in line for the tunnel of love ride. Angela and Aaliyah got in a swan boat first.

"Have fun you two!" Hanh said.

"Wait, aren't you two going?" asked Angela.

But before her question could be answered, the boat started moving.

"Those two, I swear," said Aaliyah. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think they were planning something."

"Who knows? Maybe they are planning something" said Angela. "Did you see the looks on their faces the whole day?"

"Yeah I'll say. How mischevious of them. But hey, at least we're having fun, right?" said Aaliyah.

"Yeah" said Angela.

The boat entered a tunnel with pink and white lights everywhere. Hearts were strung throughout the tunnel. There were statues of cupids holding notes with cheesy messages. Angela and Aaliyah looked away from each other and blushed.

"So, um, now that I think about it, I have something I've wanted to tell you for a while" said Angela.

"I have something I wanna tell you too" said Aaliyah.

"Okay go ahead and tell me" said Angela.

"Oh, no, you can go ahead"

"Oh, its totally fine."

"Shall we settle this with rock paper scissors? Whoever loses has to say what they want to say first" asked Aaliyah.

"Alright, fine."

The two played one round of rock paper scissors. Aaliyah won the round.

"Guess I have to say it first" said Angela.

She took a deep breath.

"Aaliyah..... I...... like..... you....."

"What? I couldn't hear you clearly" said Aaliyah.

"I said I like..... you. I always thought you were so cool and always wanted to be friends with you. And getting to know you, I realized you're cooler than I thought. You're smart, creative, passionate, kind.... and you're beautiful too. I..... have a bit of a crush on you."

Angela's face was red by the time she was done.

"Aww Angela, that's so sweet" said Aaliyah. "I actually feel the same way."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I always thought you were mysterious and wanted to get to know you. And now that I know you, I'm so glad I became your friend. You're an amazing person, you're supportive, passionate about what you do, encouraging.... meeting you made me realize a few things about myself. I am so glad I didn't listen to Monica and cut ties with you."

"Aww, Aali."

The two gazed at each other's eyes.

By the time the boat came out of the tunnel, they were holding hands, smiling at each other, and blushing.

"How was the ride you guys?" asked Valentina.

"It was... simply amazing" said Aaliyah. "I'm glad you sent us off there."

Valentina and Hanh noticed they were holding hands.

"I guess our mission was a success" said Hanh.

"Mission? What are you talking about?" asked Angela.

"So you did send us there on purpose" said Aaliyah.

"I knew from the beginning you were planning something" said Angela.

"Come on girls, we did it for your own good" said Valentina.

"Oh we're gonna get you for that, Val" said Aaliyah.

They chased each other around for a while.

From the sky, Rosalia was watching them.

"It looks like they've finally met Valentina and Hanh" she said. "Seems like everything's going well here."