The girl next door

(2)

After school, I walked to Arabella's house. We talked for a while before we reached her house. "As you can see from before, Mark is just a big air head who knows nothing." Arabella told me. She's been trying to make me feel better since lunch.

That's what I love about her.

"I guess you're right." I said. "He was held back for a few years."

"See? He's nothing but a big air head."

We walked in the house and sat down on the couch. "Anyway," Arabella said. "Tell me something. Siblings?"

I shook my head. "Only child." I told her. "Me too!" she said. "I've always wanted to have a younger brother or sister. Mostly a sister. Boys are too much."

I nodded my head in agreement. "So," she said. "You and Sebastian seem close. Are you a thing or something?"

"No. I'm not interested in him."

"Are you interested in any guy?"

I shook my head again. It's something I like to do.

Not a guy.

"No one?" she asked. "No one." I said. "There has to be someone!" she said.

I was silent. "Well, maybe one person."

She sat up instantly. "Who is it? I have to know!" she said. "I'm not saying." I said. "Please?" she asked. "No."

"Fine."

I wanted to tell he so badly. But I couldn't. She might not like me back. I'll be embarrassed. If she found out I liked her, I don't know what I would do.

"Just one hint?" she asked.

I sighed. "Fine. Just one hint. No more."

I took a deep breath.

"It's...a girl."

She was silent. "Please tell me!!"

"No!"

She crossed her arms and stuck out her bottom lip. "That doesn't work on me." I told her. She stayed like that for a few minutes, and eventually gave up. "I'll be guessing." she said. "And I'll keep saying no."

"Until I guess right."

"I'll still say no."

She groaned. "Sometimes I wonder how you and Sebastian are friends."

"He doesn't pry for information." I told her.

I felt in my pocket for what I've wanted to give to her. But I don't know when.

"What's that?" she asked. She pointed to the piece of paper that's sticking out of my pocket. I took it out. "It's nothing." I told her. "It's just homew-"

She took it out of my hand before I got a chance to finish my sentence.

She opened it and read it out loud. "To the person I love the most. Is this for your crush?"

I tried taking it from her, but she kept reading.

"To the person I love the most. I never believed in love at first sight. Until I met her. She was new. She was shy. She was beautiful. She was you. When I first saw you, I knew it was love at first sight. I just figured it out. I love you, Arabella."

She stopped reading after her name. I instantly turned red. "I-I have to go."

Before she could say anything, I ran out of her house.

***

I didn't sleep last night. I didn't answer her calls. I didn't want to go to school that day. I wanted to stay home and avoid Arabella as much as possible.

I walked to school without her. I couldn't stand being around her after what happened.

When I arrived at school, I immediately looked for Sebastian. I found him walking inside. I sprinted over to him faster than I ever did before. "Sebastian!" I said. "Is everything alright Paige?" he asked me. I shook my head. "No. Nothing is okay!" I said. I told him about what happened the day before. When I finished, he looked shocked. "I don't know what to do!" I said. "It said her name! She defiantly knows it's-"

"Paige?" Sebastian said. "Yeah?" I said. He looked past me a little. Arabella was walking over to me. "Paige?" she asked. "Can we talk?"