She likes a boy (English)

Tangled emotions

The Luau—one of the summer festivals where the valley gathers at the beach to enjoy soup made with ingredients from everyone. The sun hung high, the heat perfect for my new sundress that I bought online last month. I glanced at myself in the mirror. As always, I looked gorgeous.

Maybe today I could finally catch her attention with how great I looked.

A knock interrupted my thoughts, and I rolled my eyes with a huff. Of course, I couldn't even have peace in my own room.

"Haley, are you ready? We need to go!" Emily's voice came from the other side of the door. Always so punctual.

"I'm coming! Stop being so annoying" I called back, keeping the last part to myself to avoid an early-morning lecture. I grabbed a white sun hat to match my dress and headed out.

"Finally! I thought you'd never be ready," she teased, glancing at my outfit. "Dressing cute for someone? Let me guess—Alex?"

I shot her an annoyed look, brushing past her toward the door. "Don't joke about that. I'd rather hang out at the fisherman's cabin than date Alex. You know we're just friends."

Emily followed, carrying the basket with our ingredients for the soup. The empty town square signaled everyone had already made their way to the beach.

"I know, I know" she laughed. "But still, you didn't deny that you dressed for someone~"

I huffed, turning my head away from her. Why did she have to be so nosy? Sure, maybe I did dress for someone, but it wasn't her business.

"Mind your own business, Emily" I muttered, hoping to end the conversation.

"Aww, come on! I just want to know if my little sister's finally in love with someone."

I rolled my eyes again, refusing to engage. After a few more prodding comments, she gave up with a huff, and we continued walking. The beach came into view after a few more minutes.

I scanned the crowd, searching for something—or rather, someone. It didn't take long to spot her. She was with those two redheads as always. My mood soured when I noticed that annoying writer boy with his arm around her shoulder.

Why was he always so close to her? They spent so much time together, it was starting to get on my nerves. Were they into each other or something?

My eyes moved from them to the bouquet of sunflowers she was holding. They looked so beautiful, both looking perfect—the sunflowers, I mean. The sunflowers looked perfect.

"Earth to Haley, are you still there?" Emily's voice broke through my thoughts. I hadn't even realized I'd been staring for so long.

"What? I was just thinking" I said, dismissing the awkward moment.

"Yeah, sure" Emily replied, a smirk on her face. "I was saying your cute best friend is coming this way with a pretty bouquet in hand." She motioned toward Alex, who was indeed heading our way.

I looked in the direction she mentioned and, sure enough, Alex was walking toward me, a broad smile on his face and a bouquet of yellow roses in his hand. I forced a smile and waved as he approached.

"Hey, girls!" he said, his usual upbeat tone making it clear he was in a great mood. "I got these for you,haley" He extended the flowers toward me, looking a little too eager for my taste.

I stared at the bouquet, but my eyes drifted back toward the sunflowers across the beach. I wanted those. The ones she was holding. There was something about the bright yellow petals that made them seem so perfect in her hands.

"Uh, thanks, Alex" I said, taking the roses reluctantly. "They're... nice." I tried to sound appreciative, but even I could hear the lack of enthusiasm in my voice.