Is Love Real?

Why? (friendzones)

The fear of being loved is the only armor worth putting on.
The snow was cruel. Wind knocking restlessly on the doors and windows. A snow storm was in the making. But Melia wasn’t scared or anything, she was too focused on her loud music going through her ears. And also because she was stalking her crush and before you say it’s creepy, think about how we all once did it. Melia joyfully jumped on her bed as she scrolls through her phone. She bobbed her head to the rhythm and sometimes singing the lyrics of the songs that she was already very familiar with. “Melia!! Dinner!!” her mother’s voice went through the walls. “Ok!!” she answered back and turning off her music; she didn’t want to waste electricity or more so make the house black out.

“Why isn’t it snow day yet???” Shanna whined as she leans next to Melia’s locker. “Because it isn’t” Melia giggled. “What homework do we have today?” Shanna asks as Melia closed her padlock. “Not telling you the answer Shan” Melia smirks as she knew that her friend is always asking that question every time there was an important assignment. But honestly, none of them were important to Shanna. “Aww c’mon don’t be mean” Shanna pleads then bumped into someone as she wasn’t wearing her glasses today. Why was she so clumsy?

Melia’s instincts came forward and helped her but then felt a pair of other hands helping her friends as well. “Sorry” the person said and when they were able to make Shanna stand up, Melia realizes it was Nick. “Oh Melia, Shanna long time no see huh?” Nick smiles when they’re vision sighted each other. “Oh nick! How’s your class?” Melia asks. “Meh, I got lucky I was in the same class with Barron but you know nothing beats last year’s class right?” He winks and puts his hands into his pockets. “Oh you can say that again” Shanna beats into the conversation. The school bell rang. “Oh well see you girls later” Nick bids “Wait Nick! How is it going with Lucia?” Melia asks hoping for the best. “Oh we broke up bye!” Nick quickly answers while trailing off to his friend Barron.

Melia felt her whole body melt after his silk-like voice went into her ears. “Ey, lover girl let’s try to be in school for today, there’s history test” Shanna reminded and made Melia shook her head vigorously “Yeah you’re right” she flushes.

The snow was tiring. Every mound of snow was pilling up in the school yard. And then some volunteers (poor souls picked by the teachers) would have to clean it up. But when she knew who else is going to suffer with her, she felt somehow thankful? Nick was picked; well at least he wouldn’t need to worry about the other girls chasing him around after school because of the break up between him and Lucia.  Melia didn’t just like him because of his popularity or looks; no unlike the other girls who did she liked him because of his hands. Which was weird to anyone really, but she liked them because they were always warm, helpful, flushed. Those hands helped her through a lot in this school, and the person who owns them did so much more. His smile, eyes and even his broad shoulder make her tremble if she thought about it too long. Melia sighs and groans loudly in her head; couldn’t you just stop thinking about him for one minute?!

“How you putting up there?” pants Nick as he finished a quarter of a mound. “Ugh worse than you” Melia whined and made him chuckle. “Here” he says and helped her with his own shovel. “I just can’t understand why they didn’t do this their selves” grumbled Melia as she dug into another ton of snow. “Probably nosy teachers and parents” jokes Nick making Melia giggle again.

2 hours went by. They were finally done. They huffed and panted on the bleachers. They’re backs leaning onto each other. At least they could skip their electives. “Cold?” he asks and Melia nods. He puts his arm around her as Melia gladly nuzzles into his chest. His hands were so warm. “We should go back in, we don’t want to be-“ he was cut when Melia expectantly kissed on their cold lips, creating friction with every tilt of her head. It was everything she imagined, warm, luscious, smooth. Indescribable. She pulls back putting a stretched grin on her face. Nick gave her tired eyes and a small smile. He kisses her forehead and cups her cheeks. “Melia, you have a beautiful body, such colorful eyes and a strong body” Nick whispers while Melia was burning up over every compliment. “I like Shanna” Nick whimpers lowly and instantly hugged her. “I’m sorry” he cries. “I still want you to be part of my life, please don’t hate me, please!” he begs

Why?

Why shouldn’t she hate him? Why shouldn’t she just leave this school and leave her best friend in the world too?

One year after her best friend and her ex crush dated. One year after her heart broke and after she tried to commit suicide when her grandma died the day after she faced the ugly truth. They felt happy. But Melia looked happy. Feelings and looks weren’t the same. Snow trickled from the sky. Melia stared at the window pane; her tears start to flow when she could feel her cuts start to burn into her skin. She hated snow.