Friend of Mine

The cover photo was made my Zaina, an awesone classmate. xD 

This story is dedicated to my bros, Angem, Tricia, Zaina, Paula, Socxy, Hannah, Maby and all. ..xD The bros who heard this story first. 

They said it wasn't enough to include those who heard it first so I'm saying hi to Cherly, Calline, Cla-cla, Rebecca, Shaira-chan and Xy. Are you happy now?? :)) 

If the school year will end and he won’t need me anymore. . . .  Will he still talk to me?

I know he can’t end it and, I know he won’t. Why? Because unlike others, I know his secret. Eddie swore me personally to secrecy.

He can’t have everyone blab around the name of his crush, now can he? I just wondered why, of all the 7 Billion people living in this planet, was I the one whom he entrusted with it? I liked him too but my duty as his best friend supersedes my feelings for him. That secret was my personal trump card, I can use it to my advantage but I wanted to see him happy, even if it was not with me.

Regrettably, there’s one minute detail Eddie, or Eddison, forgot to analyze when he made the decision to tell me: I am the worst secret-keeper in the history of mankind. Talk about making a sound decision.

I already told two other people and much more if I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut. This is going to be troublesome.

One very busy day when our class was engrossed in finishing requirements and practically everybody in the class considers speaking sentences with 10 words or more, a luxury, he brought up a subject far-off from the matters we have at hand.

“She looks sad. Do you think she’s all right?” he asked me.

You never ask me if I feel okay.

But of course, that’s not what I said.

“Ask her. Talk to her.” I said hastily hoping to mask the disappointment and sadness implied in my voice.

“I like her so much and I hope she likes me too.”He told me gloomily.

I like YOU so much and I hoped you like me too.

“Who’s to say that she doesn’t? Maybe, at this exact moment, she’s thinking of you and wondering if you like her too?” I muttered as I pantomimed with my hands.

You don’t know how hard it is to say that to someone you like.

I flashed a smile he was glad to return. Who wouldn’t be happy to hear simple words of encouragement?

“Thanks.”, he said.

“Leah, you really ARE my best friend.” He added a few moments later while beaming slightly at me.

Why, on earth, does he have to acknowledge me in a way which could twist my insides into pretzels and make me temporarily lose a grip on my sanity?

I punched him on the arm, not enough to hurt him but just enough to let him know I don’t believe a single word he just said OPENLY.

“Don’t you dare forget it.” I smirked and then we resumed our usual work.

Junior Life wasn’t designed for the concept known as “forever” so I try to make every moment with him count especially the last day of classes where I plan to confess. 

A week before, he approached me in the corridors:

“Hey, what do you think? Should I confess to You-know-who when school ends?” he asked me, the one whom he trusts to make his decisions for him.

I stared at him dumbfounded.

Really? That was my plan for you.

“Do it now Eddie, why wait until the end of classes?” I hope I can still talk convincingly.

“End my misery.”I muttered under my breath.

“Sorry, didn’t catch that last part.” He implored moving a step closer to me to better understand what I was saying.

“I said ‘you’ll be sorry’.”

“Oh, I see. . . . so how’s your crush? That, dude from another section?”

One can actually feel the “awkwardness” so he decided to change the subject.

Truth be told, I don’t have a crush in another class. I just described himself to him and lied that he was in another section.

“He’s fine, still alive. “ I joked around.

“You know, you’ve never described him so much for me. Like, what’s his name?”.

That question left me baffled but I have the perfect scapegoat:

“Can’t tell you. I’ll just describe him. For me,” I looked him straight in the eyes.

“He is the smartest, funniest and kindest guy I’ve ever met.”

“Did I not hear the word ‘handsome’?” he asked quizzically.

“Looks don’t matter to me.”

He nodded, impressed and at the same time convinced of my sincerity. Yes, me being sincere with him is unheard of, if not downright impossible.

“That boy you truly like is very lucky to have you.”

“Yeah.” The only word I manage to reply.

Now if he only knew I was talking about him.

Tears were tempting to surface when he hadn’t realized it’s been him all along.

“Hey, are you all right?” he asked with the slightest tinge of concern.

Finally, you care.

“We’ve worked so hard so that you’ll get the girl you want. I just hope it pays off.”

Get a grip on yourself.

“That guy you like,-”, he started.

“What about him?”

“Tell him, you like him. How would he know?”

“He likes somebody else. “ I said and then he glanced at me.

 “All right tell me who that guy is. I am going to teach him a very important lesson.” He said as he made cracking noises with his knuckles.

I smiled before replying, “Honestly, you can’t beat yourself to death.”

His face registered different kinds of emotions: first shock, then disbelief and then finally, guilt.

“Why didn’t you tell me? You said he was from another section.”

He asked apparently taken aback by what I have said.

“I lied and I planned to tell you but that was before you told me you like somebody else.”

“How did you . . . .  manage?” He directed his glimpse to the floor, unable to meet my eyes.

“Well, I managed,” I said while making quotation marks with my fingers.

 “Because I like you.”

He can’t seem to find words to say so I continued.

“Every time you talk to me about her, you break my heart into pieces.”

He started, again, to glance at me with a puzzled look on his face.

“And I still liked you with all the little pieces.”