Chapter 1

It all started here

“Hey! You’re here!”

“Don't you know I've been waiting here for a while? I hate you! Don't repeat this if I don't really leave you.” Eyebrows get lowered and pulled closer together. Lips were curled inwards making me look irritated with him.

“I'm sorry. I don't want you to wait that long.” He said with regret and his eyes were pleading.

Here we go. Those eyes, the eyes I can’t resist. Why are you looking to me like that? Stop! I am melting. These are the words running through my head every time he looks at me that way.

“Leigh? You okay?”

I stopped fantasizing in his eyes and I came back to sanity.

“You know that I can’t stay mad at you the whole day right? That is why you’re making this puppy eyes again. You know I am hooked with that. Let’s go!” I said.

Walk away from him as he follows. I heard his footsteps, continuing to follow me.

“So that means... I am forgiven for being late?” he said in a sweetest way.

He walked towards me and the cupid’s arrow pierced the heart of my heaving chest. I know that there’s something weird about how I look at him but I’m doing my best to stop it. He then looked at me and smiled as if he knew I would forgive him.

“What else I can do Luke?” I rolled my eye, pretending that I’m annoyed. “By the way, any plans for today?”

“I want to go to the library to finish my work. You? Have you finished your homework? If not we can go together. Then we can roam around and I'll treat because I'm late. Whatever you want I will give. I’m really sorry. I was late because I was about to take the bus when I saw an old woman crossing but she was alone and she seem to be so that scared. I immediately approached and helped her cross. When we crossed the pedestrian lane, I talked to her about where she was going. She said she was on her way home and needed to take a bus. I stopped the next bus and helped her on the ride. When the bus left, I hurried to get on it. I had to wait for another bus to stop.” He explained what happened. He doesn't seem to be reassured until he sees that the old woman is well helped.

His heart was so full of pity. Maybe this is what I liked most about him. No wonder he was helpful. He was newborn baby when his parents left him with his grandmother because his parents worked abroad. He was almost there as a young man. He witnessed the aging of his grandmother and grandfather. He was much loved there. When he was 7 years old his parents took him and settled in our area in the St. Perry Subdivision.

I remember the first day they moved to our place, I was walking out of the subdivision and he was about to enter when we suddenly bumped with each other. The first time I looked at him, I was really hit by a dart, dart of cupid. Since then, we have always met and become friends. My parents and his parents always go on vacation to faraway places. That's why I fell in love with him so much. And when we stepped into college we enrolled at the same time. We decided to study at J. Hopkins University. A famous school here near our place. I took a course of Arts in Music. I really love music. I love to play guitar and piano because it is my only hobby, while he took a Culinary Arts course. He is very good at cooking. Almost all simple foods become special when he makes them. Even best friends have different goals in life but we only agree on one thing every day and that is to be able to finish college at the same time. What a friendship goal right?

I touched his face and stared.

"It's okay Luke. I'm not angry. You're very kind and I'm very proud of you. No matter what you do, nothing will change the fact that we are friends. I'll still be here to wait even if I catch up with you all day. Can I make a request?” I said smiling.

"Of course! What does my bestfriend want?" He put his hand on my shoulder while walking slowly. Smiling and waiting for me to say something.

"Can you cook me Kare-Kare? My taste buds are already looking for it." I said with a plea.

"Why not? It's an honor to cook for my only friend. Besides, I haven't cooked for you in a long time. I know you'll miss that." He said with joy.

See? He only thinks of me as a friend. A special friend he can approach anytime. Why is it were friends? It is not right to love you more than being a friend. I was suddenly saddened by what he said, but it's okay, at least I'm special to him, right? If only I could hide him to others. I just want him to be mine. But it is not possible. I felt regret.

“Thank you Luke for making me special even if it’s just for friends.” (I hope we can be more that friends) I whispered.

“What’s that Leigh?” He seems to overhear what I just whispered.

“Nothing Luke!” I avert my gaze. I almost got caught. “Let’s go to the library so we can finish our homework early.”

And we walked to the library. When we arrived we went straight to the chair to unload our belongings. He sat on the far right. He pulled out his notebook and ballpen and began to read. I stood up and was told I would get a book to read. He nodded.

While walking and looking for a book to read I saw his face from afar. He is very handsome. His lips were red and his smile reached to the sky. He likes to wear a Gray T-Shirt and black jeans paired with black sneakers. His hair is black and slightly curled. He does not apply gel or wax. His eyes are brown and he has thick eyebrows accompanied by long eyelashes. It's really not boring to look at. Maybe every woman can like him. If you look at him, he looks like a smart man. He reads seriously. I leaned against the wall and gasped as I wished he was all mine. I was still staring at him when suddenly a woman approached him. A very white and tall with long black hair woman. I can't see her face. I moved a little closer to hear their conversation.

“You seem to be alone.” The woman said in front of him while holding his waist. She flirts in front of Luke. She leaned over Luke in the chair.

“It's you, Cara.” Luke said in shock. “What are you doing here?”

“I was really looking for you to thank you for sending Kare-Kare home. My mommy liked it. You are really good at cooking.” She said as she twisted her hair with her finger.

“Really? Good and you liked what I cooked. That's really for you Cara. I'm happy that you both like it.” His smile reached the sky as he said this to Cara. There seems to be no tomorrow the way he smiles. His cheek is red. Maybe he's thrilled.

I admit that I was suddenly jealous of that woman. She has all the qualities of a woman that a man can like. Maybe he's Luke's type. Luke looks strange. His eyes were so happy. I'm disgusted because I see him trembling. And because of being curious about the woman's face I approached them and they both looked surprise as I walked towards them.

“Hey Leigh, this is Cara.” He even stuttered and told me.

I looked at her from head to toe. She seems to be perfect. She got eyes like a doll. Her lips were small and glossy pink. Her hair was black and long. She has this looks that I will never have.

“Hi Cara! Nice meeting you.” I held out my hand and we both shake our hands.

“Hi Leigh, Luke tell me so much about you. Nice meeting Luke’s best friend.” She stared at me as if laughing at the way I looked. Is something wrong? I'm a little lost.

“I'm leaving Luke. I really just came by to say thank you personally.” She stood up and left the chair.

As Cara walked away Luke couldn't take his eyes off her.

Am I hearing right? He cooked Kare-Kare for Cara? I was suddenly sad. I thought that recipe was for me. Why do I feel this way? This is superficial. Now I know that there is a woman in Luke's life besides us and his mother.

I sat down next to Luke after Cara left. Strangely, we were both quiet. Excessive silence breaks. He averted his gaze from me. I stare at him. But he can't look at me. Maybe he's shy because I'm his bestfriend but I don't know that he likes anyone else. I should be the first one he tells. My heart is crushed. It looks like its being torn apart. Not because he didn't say why but because I found out that he wanted someone else and it wasn't me.

“Ahem!” Cleared throat.

“Who is she in your life Luke? I want to know if you're my friend.” I question him with mixed pain in feeling. It was as if something was pinching my heart.

“I know you're surprised Leigh. She is Cara. I really like her. But I don't know how to woo her. I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away.” I could see his eyes begging as he spoke to me.

“I know you like her. It's obvious. The way you look at her is strange. It's like you saw a goddess.”

“I need your help Leigh. I hope you can help me. Can you do me a favor?”

I'm nervous about what he can say. Don't tell me you're going to date her. I can hear my heartbeat. Fast and strong. Maybe because I'm nervous.

“I want to start dating Cara. Can you help me? I want to know how I can make him answer yes.” He was looking at me because he seemed determined to do what he was going to do.

“Me? How can I answer your question, you know that since then I haven't had a relationship, right? You're really funny!”

I frowned. Why you are asking me that, I said in my mind.

“I know Leigh. All right, let’s put it in this way, you're the one I'm dating. How can I make you answer yes to me?” He stared at me with mixed wonder what I would answer.

I saw that he was serious about his question so I thought of something good to say.

“If it were me, I wouldn't look at the things you can give. Chocolates, flowers and jewelry will not be the basis if I answer you yes. I will look at the effort you make for me. When I see that you are sincere and serious with me, why not? If someone truly loves whatever you have they will accept you wholeheartedly. That's all for me.” I said.

He was surprised when I said that. He couldn't believe I could answer anything. Honestly, I thought I was the one he was going to court so I answered that from the bottom of my broken heart.

“Okay all right. Thanks for your advice. That was a huge help. I want to be special in what I do. Can you help me fix the place? I want to be romantic here. Please? He said pleadingly.

What else? Can I refuse? Just look at me and you can make me answer a yes. Even if I don't want to, I can't do anything. I don't want to be a villain to you two. Furthermore, I am your best friend and I should be the first to help you.

He was impatient with my answer so he knelt in front of me. Embarrassingly, the people in the library were staring at us.

“What are you? Stand there. You look like a fool! Yes, that's fine. I will help as long as you just stand there.” I reached out my hand and helped him stand on his knees.

He stood up and hugged me tightly. He was so happy. How can I reject him, I can’t say no to him. I will do everything with just one request. I don't want to hurt him. It doesn't matter if I was hurt, I can't handle it if he was the one to hurt. Just don't let him go away from me.

“Thank you so much Leigh! Promise I will give back everything you have helped me with. I am so happy that you have been my bestfriend to help ever.” He said, it was mixed with emotion. I feel like he is so grateful to me. He hugged me even tighter.

“You don't have to reciprocate everything I've helped you, As long as you're there I'm happy.” There is a pain in my heart as I say that. It hurts me that the time is approaching when I will have someone to share his attention with. I’m very mean, yes. I just want him to be with me. I just want to make him happy.

We both walked home. Since we were done with our work we thought we would go home and rest. Our school is very close to our respective homes. Maybe about 1km like that.

The sunset was so beautiful. By the way, it's already night. The surroundings are also getting cold. I could hear the wind blowing in the weeds around. I can hear the birds chirping.

I broke the silence between the two of us and asked Luke.

“What if Cara doesn't agree? What will you do?” Asked him with mixed astonishment while looking up at the sky.

We continued to walk slowly. He suddenly bowed and spoke.

“Actually Leigh. I have not yet prepared what I will do in case she does not agree. But I can assure you only one thing. I won't change and life will just go on right?” He looked at me and smiled.

“Remember Luke, I am always here. I’ll be there even if you don’t need me. Okay?”

We both stared at each other for a second. I saw his sincere eyes talking to mine. I fall again.

When I asked him what he would do if Cara didn't agree, I saw the sadness in his eyes. Maybe he was hurt by my question. I don't intend to ask that for nothing. I just want him to be ready for what might happen.

We have also arrived at our respective homes. He will go home first because their house is in the front while I am in the next five houses. When I entered the door, I immediately went to my room upstairs, put down my belongings, changed my clothes and lay down on the bed.

This is what I miss at home my soft and fragrant bed. It's nice to see the black and white cushion. From here at the top a small window can be seen in the corner of my room. When you open it you will see the sky. I sat by the window and opened it. Saw the stars shining. It's fun to watch.

Mommy called me from downstairs “Leigh come down here and eat. Your favorite food is already on the dining table. Your daddy is also here to join us for dinner.”

I replied and said "All right mommy. I had dinner with Luke earlier." (Even if it's not true) He forgot that we talk about eating out after we did assignments. He was so happy that maybe he forgot. I lost my appetite.

“Okay then. If you're hungry I put something on the table. Just eat it.” My mom replied.

“Okay mommy. Daddy, eat well. Be full. Thanks”.