Just Friends

Chapter 9

N i n e

"Never ignore your real feelings."

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My eyes scanned the diner I just walked into. My eyes stopped on Liz who sat at the back of the restaurant. I really hoped Cole wasn't going to be here as well. Let's just say I was trying to avoid him for a while. Until I completely knew my decision on who I was choosing. Unfortunately Liz invited me out here today and I couldn't say no, knowing her she'd probably kill me. I walked over to her table and she waved gesturing to me walk faster.

"So, why'd you invite me out to this...place?" I asked her as I sat down.

"It's important Ariana. I guess."

"What could possibly be important on a Sunday afternoon?" I asked her shaking my head. I sighed, but stayed put and listened to what she had to say anyway.

"Justin Bieber is what is important. Did you tell him?"

When she asked me that, I instantly knew what she was talking about. Did I tell Justin I love him. I'm never telling him. But, really this was not what I wanted to talk about. Justin really puts me in a bad mood, even if I love him. My life was messy at the moment and I didn't want to make it any worse.
So I did what I knew best. I acted.

"What? What do I need to tell Justin?" I asked pulling my best confused look, and she raised her eyebrows at me.

"You know?" She replied leaning in closer and whispering. "That you love him?"

"No." I said, sighing and giving up. There was really no use trying to hide it from Liz.

"You were meant to last night!" She cried out, getting us some looks from other people.

I don't know why she wants me to tell him,. Does she not know that Justin doesn't want a relationship, does she not know that Justin just want a no-strings-attached relationship.

"Liz, I told you that I am not telling him because it'll ruin our friendship. He even said last night that we're 'good friends' and he doesn't want Cole to ruin that. And then there's Cole, if he finds out that I love Justin - he won't want to be my friend anymore. I just don't know what I'm going to do. I just know I can't choose Cole when I love Justin."

"You'll know what you have to do soon." She said, her head rested on her palm as she looked at me with concern.

I nodded my head but then frowned when I noticed Liz's eyes glance to the side of the room. Why was she looking over there with such a worried look? I didn't want to turn my head but I did and I almost wanted to run when I saw Cole walk through the door.
He looked lost but started walking when his eyes met mine.

"Hey!" He said standing in front of our table.

"Hey." Liz mumbled and I just smiled. I don't know exactly why Liz automatically looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here, though I just smiled at her in amusement.

"Uh, Ariana, can we talk and walk?" He asked. That's what made my smile drop.

"Oh, do go ahead Ariana. I was just leaving." Liz said as she shot me an evil smile and I shot her an angry look.
She couldn't leave me with Cole. What do I say? What do I do?

"Uh, sure." I said getting up as I continued to glare at Liz.

He started walking and I followed. When we got outside we walked side by side. It was silent though it was comfortable. My eyes scanned him and he had a certain glow to him. That was the Cole I loved. Lately he looked tired and stressed. Now, his blue eyes shone and his smile stood out. I had missed my best friend.
My best friend.
He was always that. Sure, I was attracted to him. Though, I never imagined dating him.

"Here. The park." He said as he led me into a small grass area with a pond in the middle.

"It's really cute here." I said to him as I looked at the pond, plants growing from it and animals swimming around.

We sat at a chair and Cole let out a sigh. That made me nervous. He was going to talk to me about, him, me, us.

"How are you?"

"I'm really - stuck." I said and let out a small laugh.

"Don't stress about it, Ariana. I know it's strange for you. Your best friend just told you he liked you. Take all the time you want." He said and his eyes slowly met mine.

"Thanks." I said quietly but shot him a small smile, even though inside of my knew what I really wanted.

"I know that you think if you choose Justin, I won't be your friend. I would be. I'm still your best friend. It's just, you deserve much more."

Justin didn't treat me badly, in fact he made me feel alive. I couldn't help but feel that Cole thought Justin treated me horribly. He probably thinks Justin uses me for sex, but that wasn't it. Justin treated me with so much respect, he would always care for me, cheer me up when I was sad and him just kissing me softly before he left to class made me smile.

"Justin doesn't treat me badly. He treats me great, better than great and more than what I could ask for." I breathed out.

"I know. He's not a bad guy, I guess, he just takes you for granted." Cole said as he put his hand on mine. "Which is something I wouldn't do."

As much as I wanted to say that wasn't true, I couldn't because Cole was right.

"I know." I whispered.

"I have to go, but text me later." Cole said as he kissed my cheek. "I think Liz is waiting for you as well."

Liz stood there with her arms crossed and a smirk at her face. Cole gave her a small wave and left. I got up slowly and we walked over to her care.

"So tell me the details!" She asked as we sat in the car. I know I would normally tell her this stuff, but this Justin and Cole thing was really making my mood drop by the second.

Before I could answer, a text spread across my phone.

can you come over?
Justin. 5:00pm

"He just said that he wanted me to take my time when choosing." I said to Liz as I started to text back.

yea, i can. why?
Ariana. 5:01pm

"Anything else?" Liz asked, she almost sounded disappointed. She probably thought something really big happened.

"Yeah. He said he'd still be my friend even if I chose Justin." I said giving her a small smile.

Liz started the car dropping our conversation which I was a bit happy about. I guess I didn't like talking about this certain topic because all it did was remind me of how in love I was with Justin and how much Cole was my best friend.

we both know ;)
Justin. 5:03pm

Yes. I do know. He wanted sex and I wasn't complaining. I turned my phone to an angle to make sure Liz couldn't see.

fine, ill be there in 10
Ariana. 5:05pm

dont sound so disappointed. we both know how your really feeling right now.
Justin. 5:08pm

just filling my babe's needs
Ariana. 5:12:pm

and yours
Justin. 5:14pm

Liz drove past a house not far off Justin's. I motioned her to stop and she gave me a confused look since it wasn't my house.

"Justin invited me over." I said clearing the air and she nodded with a big smile, pushing me out the door.

"Make sure you tell him!" She called out as I got out of the car.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the drive." I said to her before I made my way to his door, my stomach fluttering.

Though I had a bad feeling about it.

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HI GUYS!
So hopefully this is a good chapter for you all!
Thank you so much for the reads. It makes me feel so good about this story.
What do you thinks going to happen?
:)
Love youssssssss! x0x0