Waiting Game

Surprise, Surprise

Noah's POV

As the phone call ended, my home screen came into view causing me to smile instantly. The picture was taken the morning on the day of my flight to Hawaii..

Ro and our other two best friends, Drew and Erica, had driven me to the airport. I saved Ro's hug for last, I mean I had to save the best for last, right? Anyway, while Drew and Erica had their backs turned to us, complaining about how cold it was and how crowded the airport was despite it being rather early, I gave Ro one last hug for the road and I leaned in to give her a brief kiss on the forehead. "I'll be back before you know it," I assured her. I thought that I had enough time for privacy, especially for the last few seconds of that moment, but I was wrong.

Erica had turned around just in time to snap a picture, I know this because she had sent me the picture just before I boarded the plane.

Erica: I turned around just in time, why don't you just get together already?

Me: Can't you just let a girl and a guy be really close friends?

Erica: Yes, but I see you two every day and close is an understatement.

Me: Shut up Erica, you kill me.

Erica: You love me Noah! Just enjoy your trip, okay?

Me: Watch over Ro for me?

Erica: Like always, but that girl can handle herself.

Me: I know, but still. I'm just naturally protective over her.

Erica: Alright Romeo, I'll protect Juliet with my life!

I rolled my eyes and shut off my phone. She and Drew repeatedly insisted that we should be together.. I don't really disagree or agree. But Ro isn't really one to date, despite even her parents' permission or encouragement.

It's not that she's ugly or antisocial, no way, Ro is far from that. She's gorgeous, definitely a crowd favorite on our school's dance team and such a people person as our student body president.. but when she isn't performing or leading, she just stays calm and conserved. She tends to shy away from dating.

If you tell her that she has to organize a rally and speak or perform at it, she's all in, but one mention of dating or anything closely related and she changes subject or excuses herself from the conversation. She had one bad experience with an idiot during freshman year homecoming and now she's put herself in a safety zone where she only befriends or rejects other guys.

I'm just glad she keeps me around.

Many guys have tried to get her to open up and give them a serious chance, but she just asks if they can stay friends or says that she isn't the girl for them. I've always loved that about her, she isn't bitter from the experience, she just wants to wait for a better person as well as a better time. Although she doesn't say that out loud, I know this because I'm her best guy friend and I've learned a thing or two within our ten years of friendship.

People think that just because a guy and girl are close, they're dating, but we're just best friends and I'd give anything to protect that.

~❁~

Just as I settle in the window seat for the flight, my favorite place to be on an, I felt a hand land lightly on my shoulder, "You and your girlfriend are very cute, young man." I turned to see a middle-aged woman sitting to the left of me, smiling.

"Wh-" she pointed to my left hand where my phone displayed the picture of Ro and I, "Oh, thank you.. but she's not my girlfriend ma'am, just my best friend."