Short Love Stories

Only Best Friends

The sound of laughter filled the air as I sat in a circle with my best friends. We were hanging out at the park, sitting on the grass, just talking and enjoying each other's company.
"-and that's how that happened," Charlotte finished her story as the laughter died down.
"Hey, it's getting dark out. Want to look at the stars?" Grant asked the group. We all agreed and we laid down side by side next to each other. There were five people in our little friend group. Charlotte, Danny, Grant, Rhys (pronounced Reese), and me. We all grew up together since we've all lived on the same street ever since we were three. We're 16 now and we're still best friends 😁. I'm close to all of them, but I'm closest with Rhys. We spent the most time together and he's just so easy to talk to. Both of us have told each other our crushes, any problems we have, and just everything in general.
But there's one crush I haven't told him about yet. Him....... I had a crush on my best friend. It hurts to know he's only my best friend, but I'm still grateful I have him in my life.
I peer to my left. Rhys was right next to me. It was like he could feel my gaze cause he turned his head and stared right into my eyes.
I quickly turned my head away to face the sky again. I could almost feel myself blushing. I heard him chuckle and I could see him still staring at me from the corner of my eye.
On the other side of me was Charlotte. I could hear her whisper something to Danny and Grant. The three of them got up from the grass and walked over to a nearby bench. But not before I caught Danny turning around and winking at Rhys.
I gave a questioning look at Rhys. He just smiled at me and propped himself up with his elbows.
"So..... I need to tell you something," he whispered softly to me. He glanced over and grinned. I swear, this boy.
"Um...... I need to tell you something, too," I replied.
"You can go first," he politely said, being the charming gentleman he is.
"No, no. You can go first," I said quickly.
"Well, I can show you what I want you to know," he said shyly, blushing.
"Um.....sure," I said blushing, too. He got even closer, leaning over me. It felt like I couldn't breathe. He leaned down, his breath on my left cheek.
"I really really like you," he whispered. By now, my whole body felt like jelly. And before I knew it, his lips were on mine. I couldn't believe it.
At first, I was too shocked to even kiss back, but after a couple seconds, I kissed back, tasting his raspberry lips. The kiss deepened as I pulled him closer to me. He got completely on top of me and pushed his tongue into my mouth. I was in heaven. After a few minutes, he pulled away, panting.
"That was incredible," he said. I was still trying to catch my breath.
"I really like you, too," I said, smiling. He smiled widely, placing his lips on mine again. But we quickly pulled away as we heard people cheering and whistling. It was, of course, Charlotte, Danny, and Grant.
"Did she say yes?" Grant asked, eagerly, to Rhys.
"Say yes to what?" I wondered out loud.
"Um.... will you be my girlfriend?" he asked nervously. I gave him a short kiss and replied, "Yes! Of course."
He smiled widely, giving me a huge hug.
It felt great being able to call him my boyfriend finally, but he'll always be my best friend, forever and always in my heart.