Unexpected Love

Chapter 2

    The day went by slowly and excruciatingly boring, so I was anxious to get home. The bell finally rang and I grabbed my binder and books as fast as I could. I remembered I had to walk with Cole and while I searched for him through the halls I wondered why he wanted to go over to my house today... He was usually there so I wasn't surprised but it seemed like he had something important to tell me. I saw him leaning by his locker laughing with his friends near the entrance, but when he spotted me he started to look nervous again! Now I was getting worried. What is up with this kid?
   "Ready?" I asked him.
    "Yup, let's go."
    My house was only a few blocks away from the school so we didn't have to walk much. We passed by a park, which was full of little kids playing on the swings and playing soccer. I remember when Cole and I had come here every day when we were little kids. We had such great memories here.
   We got to my house which was surrounded by a white fence with a beautiful garden of roses that my mom had planted. My house is a two story house with a shiny wooden door that has intricate patterns in the wood. It was a beautiful house surrounded by so many dull ones.
   I opened the door and let Cole inside.
   "Make yourself at home," I said. " Do you want anything to drink or eat?"
   Cole followed me into the kitchen but said nothing. So I asked again, "Do you want anything?" When I turned around he was staring at me.
"What?"  I touched my face thinking I had something on it, but he laughed. "What's so funny?"
   I was starting to get mad. "Tell me!" I yelled.
   "You look adorable when you're mad," he said with a smirk on his face.
  "That's not funny," I said poking him in the chest. He grabbed my arm and held it against his chest where I could feel his heart beating. He started getting closer to me and my heart started speeding up. What is he doing? He's making me nervous! The closer he got the more I got butterflies in my stomach. I realized what these feelings meant. In my head I was thinking, I would never think of my best friend as more than... but my heart and stomach said something else. What if? What if I really did like him?
   He was about to lean in closer when I pushed away. I walked to the living room like nothing had happened. Maybe he was just playing around with me like he always did. His actions never made me feel this way though. He followed me into the living room and sat next to me on the long couch. He seemed so close to me. Was it getting hotter in here? Or was it just me?
   "Soooo... Spill. Tell me what you need to tell me," I finally said.
   "Hmmmm... Ok. Sooo I know we've been friends since like forever, and we've been through almost everything together," he paused. Is he going to say what i think he's going to say?
     "So, umm, I really wanted to tell you that in the past couple of months I've been thinking about my feelings..." he says pausing again. "And I really wanted you to know that I like you. But I like you as more than a friend." He said it. Wow. Oh my... What do I say? I was speechless.
   We sat in silence for a couple of minutes and realized he was waiting for an answer. "Oooh, ummm, I don't know what to say," I said, dumbfounded.
     "You don't need to say anything. I just want you to know that I have strong feelings for you that don't just involve friendship, and maybe you'll feel the same towards me."
    It suddenly became awkward and I felt bad that I couldn't say anything. I finally came to my senses and said the only thing that I could at the moment, " Well... thanks for being honest with me and telling me, and I ummm would say the same about you, but I would be lying. To be honest I don't know what I feel... I want to say I like you back but I dont't know if what I'm feeling is the same as what you're feeling. Maybe when more time passes by I can be sure of my feelings, and you'll be the first to know. But at this moment I just keep things how they are."
    He looked down and couldn't seem to look me in the eyes. He took a while to answer and I wondered if I had hurt his feelings. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. "No worries! I understand. Just know that I'll be here for you when you need me like always," he said finally looking up.
   After his big confession we just continued our day like any other day. We made some popcorn to eat while we watched movies, and the next thing I knew I fell asleep. I remembered feeling someone cover me with a warm blanket and felt a kiss on my forehead. It reminded me of when I was little and smiled at the memories that came with it. I also remembered hearing the door opening and people whispering but I was too tired to even care.
***
  The next morning I awoke with a start. I checked what time it was and it said it was 7:15! School started in 15 more minutes! Crap! I needed to get ready pronto. I ran to my room and almost tripped on the stairs going up to my room. My room was full of posters that I was kind of embarrassed ever bringing friends over that didn't include Cole and Jenny.
   I quickly showered, in a record of 7 minutes, got ready and brushed my teeth. I put my favorite combat boots on, grabbed my bag, binder and books, and ran out of the house yelling, "I'm leaving now mom!"
   I didn't wait for an answer and closed the door. Why did I sleep in? Ugh I hate mornings!
   At school I met up with Jenny at the front of school and noticed Cole was right next to her chatting away about who knows what. I noticed he looked cuter today, with a leather jacket, brand new jeans, and even brand new shoes! Who is he trying to impress!? I wondered. Then I remembered everything from last night. He's trying to impress ME. How could I have forgotten.
  I wonder if he told Jenny already. I hope not or she'll make a big deal about it. I got closer to them and I noticed Jenny was unusually happy today. Please tell me she didn't know!!
   "Oh my cupcakes!" Jenny exclaimed with her usual weird sayings.
   "We got invited to a huge party! " She handed me a fancy looking envelope with my name and Jenny's written neatly in cursive on the front.
    "Isn't this the address of that new mansion they built uptown that everyone has been talking about?" I asked recognizing the address.
    "Yes! And we HAVE to go! I don't care what excuses you have or make up, we're going. Period." Jenny and her persuasion. Ugh she'll never leave me alone if I don't agree. I mean, I haven't gone to a big party for a while so what could be the problem.
    "Ok. We're going," I agreed. Jenny grabbed my hands and we started jumping up and down with excitment. I was actually looking forward to this party. I needed a little stress reliever from tests and school.