Romantic Notebook | Anthology & Collection

Best friendzone by @gildedwolves

Winner of YARomance prompt from Panhellenic Games: Pythian Games.

Best friendzone by gildedwolves

*

"A CREAMED LATTE FOR TAN-VEE?"

"It's 'Tun-vi' actually, but thanks!"

I grab my cup and turn away from the barista before he can see my scowl. My name isn't that hard to pronounce, yet Americans find a way to make it sound weird.

Bells chime as I open the door of the cafe to leave. I immediately feel the absence of cool air from the air-con as I step out of the cafe and fall into steps towards Noah's house.

Noah, Eric's friend and fellow band member, lived a few streets away. I would usually catch a bus but today I need the time to contemplate my words to Eric.

"I need to break up with him," I whisper softly to myself.

Eric Liu hasn't been anything less than a blessing to me. Six months ago, when I was new to Liberty, I had been practically invisible. The students didn't find me much interesting other than my notes. I was . . . lonely. But Eric noticed me. He sat next to me in History and asked me to hang out after school. "We Asians stick together" was what he had said.

Since then, Eric and I have become inseparable. Silent giggles in History, sharing food in lunch breaks, cute dates after school. We were having the time of our lives together.

I love Eric, he is my best friend, the one person with whom I can share my ugliest secret but he still will love me just the same. Which is why I have to do it.

Chill evening wind flows through the street, blowing dust and autumn leaves. I sip on my coffee, sighing as the warm liquid slides down my lips. I still haven't gotten used to the Boston cold, and sometimes find myself shivering at any time.

As I am walking, I run my eyes through the shops around—bakeries and meat shops and nurseries and bookstores. With a gentle smile, I take in the children grinning with cupcakes in their hands, women carrying groceries while laughing with their friends, couples holding each other's hands and sharing soft kisses on the sidewalk.

A shop of musical instruments passes my way. I glimpse at the interior, thinking of getting a souvenir for Eric as an apology, and gasp in awe.

A gilded harp gloriously sits amongst other instruments. Setting sunlight falls on the instrument, casting a golden halo around it. I resist the urge to run my fingers through the delicate strings. Instead I turn my gaze to the note beside it.

This harp was formed from the winds of Aeolus, the guardian of the winds. Playing this harp can help you express your deepest feelings to the recipient through music and winds.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I jump from the sudden voice behind me. An elderly woman with kind eyes smiles at me apologetically. "Sorry for scaring you. I'm Martha, the owner."

I nod my head and say, "is it true? The harp really helps with confessions? It can't be real, right?"

"It's real enough if you make it to be. I haven't tried it myself but I trust in it nonetheless. You can go ahead and test it for yourself." She gestures at the harp. There is a mischievous glint in her eyes, as if challenging me to question her faith.

"That's very kind of you but I can't-"

She laughs. "Don't be modest, darling. You can play the instrument if you want. Quench your cynicism. I can't even play the damned thing."