“Good morning,” She yawned, stretching her arms up in the sky. As always, she was meticulously neat. He smiled at the familiar and comforting presence she radiates when she is with him. Besides, they don’t call themselves best friends for nothing.
“Yo,” He waved, as he takes a closer look at her, and since she moved next to him, he continued to study her. He sniffed, noticing a difference in her scent.
“You okay?”
He nodded, “Did you change your perfume?”
She laughed, “Yeah. I can’t believe you notice that too.”
“Uh, having you by my side for about seventeen years is enough time to know what you use.”
“Oh really now?”
“Yeah,” He stuck his tongue, “Based on your slightly crumpled polo, it looks like you woke up late and didn’t have enough time to iron it well. And considering you up so late is probably because you’re studying for that Physics finals you were complaining about a week ago.”
“As expected,” She grinned, “I swear, if you weren’t my best friend, I’d consider you a major stalker.”
Both knew each other since they were babies, with the photographic evidence of both of them in the bathtub together. Their parents were high school friends too, so that alone set basis for them to be friends. Best friends, they say, but people always mistaken them as a couple, considering how close and attached both of them are to each other.
“Did you watch…”
“…the basketball game?” She asked, “Yeah I did. Guess what…”
“…yeah, I know, my team won.”
Yes, they continue each other’s sentences.
“Isn’t it cool?” She grinned, “It’s your fault that I’m into this game of guys going after some ball like dogs.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re excused.”
“Whatever.” He huffed, “Aha, now I know why you slept late.”
“Why?”
“You watched the game before you studied for your finals.”
She was silent for awhile, and nodded.
“Let’s hurry, classes is gonna start.”
“I was about to say that,” She stared at her watch, “My finals!”
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“I swear, you two match.” Her friend didn’t fail to vocalize her thoughts, “I mean you two knew each other since you guys are fetuses, now you like whatever he likes, and basically inseparable pair of fools who probably don’t notice that you’re in love.”
“I told you, it’s nothing like that.”
It wasn’t. Isn’t it?
“Oh?” Her friend raised an eyebrow of suspicion.
“Really.”
“I don’t get you two.” Her friend raised her hands up in surrender, “Whatever, but the whole school campus is convinced that you two are really going out.”
“That’s not new.”
“So…what’s stopping you both for being more than friends?”
She smiled sadly back to her friend, a smile that made her friend notice one thing. That smile just told her everything.
She loved him.
The question is, did she even know?
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“You’re seriously not going out with her?” One of the guys of the basketball team asked.
“Yeah, what’s with the silly questions?” He retorted, “Isn’t it obvious?”
“No way.”
Then one of them grinned, “I kind of like her. I mean, she’s like down to earth, smart and likes basketball right? Hey, is it okay for me to have her if you don’t want her?”
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“Hey,” He waved, “How was the final?”
“I think I passed it.” She grinned, “Physics principles affect any action, including movement in the court.”
“Nerd.”
“Jock.”
Both found a comfortable silence between them, and then both of them laughed all of a sudden.
“Hey, I’m warning you in advance,” He spoke up, in a whisper, “Someone in the basketball team likes you.”
“What?”
“No, I’m serious.” He looked at her straight in the eye. She felt the intensity of his gaze paralyze her that moment, as if she was looking at another person, not the person she knew for seventeen years.
“What I’m I supposed to do about it?”
“Well, he’s a player and all. I don’t want you to be hurt.”
“When did you become my father?” She asked.
“Listen.” His voice is almost pleading, “It’s not that…I’m just…”
She felt her throat tighten, her heart beat twice as fast. Was this the moment she’s been waiting for her whole seventeen years? A time when the person she denied her feelings for time and time again for the sake of friendship will finally tell her that…
“…jealous?” She whispered.
To her surprise she found herself in his embrace, her heart almost giving out. She breathed in his scent, so familiar yet so unfamiliar at the same time. Yeah, they embraced each other, as friends, but this time it’s different. She could feel the intensity, the way his muscles tensed, almost as if he was scared.
To lose her.
“Damn yes.”
She stiffened in his reply.
“I’m so damn jealous. And I’d beat the crap out of him if he ever hurts you. And I know he will, because I know him. Your mine I won’t give you to such a person. Because…”
His voice resonated in her ears as she took a deep breath.
“…you’re my best friend.”
It was a bond and a wall that she cannot break.
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