Love Is In The Rain

2 "Best friends"

Lila Morgan walked through the university campus, her auburn hair catching the morning sun. She waved at nearly everyone she passed, her bright smile illuminating her face. Inside, however, she felt a pang of longing. Despite the endless string of crushes she entertained, none seemed to fill the void she kept hidden beneath her cheerful façade.

Every day brought a new infatuation – the barista at the campus coffee shop, the TA in her history class, even the new guy in her literature seminar. Each crush made her heart flutter momentarily, but none lasted long enough to mean anything. It was a pattern she couldn't break, no matter how hard she tried.

Her best friend, Ethan Bennett, was different. They had met during their freshman orientation, and his sarcastic humor and keen intellect had instantly intrigued her. Over time, Ethan became her confidant, the one person who saw through her sunny exterior to the vulnerabilities she kept hidden. His group of friends had a reputation for their antics in the hostel, but Lila saw the softer side of Ethan – the one who cared deeply about the people close to him.

Ethan was brilliant, often skipping classes because he found them redundant. He spent his free time on the cricket field or devising new pranks with his friends. Despite his laid-back approach to academics, he never missed an opportunity to help Lila with her studies, their study sessions often filled with laughter and inside jokes.

One afternoon, as they sat under their favorite tree on campus, Lila found herself stealing glances at Ethan. His brown hair fell over his forehead as he read, a small smile playing on his lips. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a pang of jealousy when a group of girls nearby giggled and waved at him.

"Ethan," she said suddenly, surprising herself with the urgency in her voice.

He looked up, his blue eyes meeting hers. "Yeah?"

"Why don't you ever date anyone?"

Ethan chuckled, closing his book. "Not interested, I guess. Plus, I have my hands full with cricket and keeping my friends out of trouble."

Lila laughed, but her mind raced. She had never considered the possibility that Ethan might be more than just her friend. The idea both thrilled and terrified her.