When we became best friends

Chapter 2

It was a beautiful morning, the scent of lavenders hung in the air, sweet and fresh, while jasmine foamed spectrally over the walls of his house and birds twittered and flew high up in the sky. Everything was as it should be. Then why was he feeling so unsettled? Joshua had once prided himself on being a single guy, determined to be independent and intent on having a bright future- being a bachelor...... until the day it all changed. Was it her smile? Just the way she laughed? Or was it even the way she clumsily trips over objects, claiming later to have not seen them before even though he knew she did? He smiled as he thought of her and very nearly bumped into a tree trunk on the way. Now, look what you nearly did! You nearly became like Willow herself, not looking where you're going! Joshua scolded himself, and the trunk was in plain sight..... he added soberly.

Scratching his head in confusion, he went to sit down on a bench in the garden of his house, realizing that ever since he had discovered the fact that he had feelings for Willow, he couldn't stop thinking about her. She was always in his mind, every single day, every hour, every minute and every second, filling his thoughts and actions in every way possible- or more accurately, in ways he never thought was possible and he longed to know more about her, what was her favourite food, movies, what she likes and what she dislikes. But how? He knew someone who currently likes her, and he clenched his fist as he thought of Zack, the player. Willow deserved someone better. Someone who would treasure her for who she was, who would treat her with the respect she deserves, someone like..... no, he wouldn't go that far. He stopped himself before he did, he couldn't let himself hope, couldn't even let himself even think of going there. He reminded himself that he was just friends with her, albeit good friends and that was as it should be, lest he ruin the friendship by confessing to her.

From his house came his sister Esther's shout to come in for lunch and he sighed, he'd better go in or he'd risk her endless nagging. Frowning, he thought of Zack and how he had come to realize that Zack was having a crush on Willow. Zack had wanted to learn English from him and that was when it had hit Joshua, the fact that Zack wanted to learn English was something new, and there could only be one reason why, if he had interpreted Zack's behaviour around Willow correctly. The moment he had realized what was happening, he rejected Zack's plea to teach him how to communicate in English properly and instead gave him a suggestion to read English subtitles whenever he watches television, one of Zack's favourite past times. No surprise there, thought Joshua scornfully. "JOSHUA! YOU BETTER COME IN BEFORE THE FOOD GETS COLD!" his sister shouted, impatience ringing in her every word. Joshua rolled his eyes, he'd better get going before she screamed the house down.

*****

Willow stared at her twin in horror and disgust, "EWWW NO! I positively AM SURE that I do not, I repeat, I DO NOT like him!" Willow was still reeling from what Raina had asked her earlier, about whether she was feeling any romantic notion towards Zack and she glared at Raina as she spat the words out. Willow could see Raina narrowing her eyes, could feel her twin's suspicions being satisfied- but not quite. "But I'm pretty sure he does feel something for you," Raina finished, levelling Willow with a serious gaze. Willow let out an exasperated sigh, feeling that she could literally reach out and slap Raina on the face twice to wake her up from this wild idea of hers.

Raina shrugged, "It's true, open your eyes and you will see what you missed." "You'd better stop it Raina, this is not funny. In fact, it is outrageously crazy! He's just a friend, how many times do I have to tell you that?" Willow protested, her fists clenching and unclenching whilst trying to keep her temper in check. Raina gave her an irritating sort of grin that gave Willow a sign that Raina had won this round, "Keep telling yourself that deary, and we both shall soon know that I am right." With that, Raina turned and went out of the room, leaving Willow staring at her phone, which she had just turned off when Raina had entered the room.

Willow heard her phone ringing a notification and saw Zack's name appear on the screen. She pushed the phone away from her, disgusted with Raina's ideas. I don't like him, he is just my friend. Willow told herself and wholeheartedly agreed with that statement, she wasn't interested in Zack who is weak and though she felt mean for thinking about it, the more she thought about it, the more she believed that Zack is indeed a sissy. But almost as contempt filled her, pity pushed it's way into her heart as she thought about Zack who got bullied at school and is suffering from loneliness at home, and how he always tells her that she was his closest friend. There isn't anything wrong about being his closest friend, is there? Willow swallowed and looked out onto the window, where the evening sky lit up the clouds with brilliant bands of red and tangerine, oh yes there is, a small voice piped up from deep within her. Willow angrily pushed it away.