she was probably doing a big mistake. she will probably regret this. when she called him if he could meet her at the park, her voice was out of sorts. instead of being normal and cool as always, it came out as slightly panicking. which wasn’t her intention at all. but apparently it did the trick because he arrived in a record time. she heard her name being called, immediately turned the way the voice was coming from and saw him walking towards her. ‘’hi,’’ she greeted, big smile plastered on her face. as always. it was hiding the nerves. they were friends. and going to such a dance together might make a big statement. or perhaps she was just overthinking everything? she stood up when he was close enough, her arms going up for a hug. ‘’oh, nothing is wrong. I’m sorry if I sounded a little off… see, I have to ask you something and it’s making me a tad nervous. because I don’t really know how you’ll react…’’ she started explaining right away barely catching her breath. damn, when she got nervous there was no stopping the gibberish. ‘’no, no. I’m fine,’’ she quickly wanted to appease him. no one hurt her. her hands went up to his wrists as he held her chin still: ‘’it's just that... the valentine’s ball is next week.’’

it was sort of adorable. how he got this worked up and this worried over basically nothing. she could just imagine what an amazing boyfriend he was too all of his previous girlfriends. why would anyone want to let go of him? she was ever able to be still for more than a few moments but his touch always managed to calm her down. right now too. ‘’I’m sorry if I worried you. it really is nothing…’’ an apologetic smile floated on her lips. she was always on cloud nine when he was near. a few pretty words from him and she was already high above the ground. the landing was always harsh though, but she just never learned. she scrambled up and ran right back to him the first chance he gave her. pathetic, she really was pathetic. ‘’please, hear me out,’’ she was quick to interrupt him. those words, ‘my love’. as much as it brought all the butterflies in her belly alive, it was always a stab right into her heart. she wasn’t his love. not really. ‘’I know you said you met someone and how you really like her. and I’m not sure how that is working out and whether she already asked you or you made any plans with her,’’ she fumbled with words, having difficulties to concentrate with him so close: ‘’are you going to the ball with her or are you maybe still free to… you know, go with me?’’ there it was. out in the open. she felt like cinderella. a silly peasant girl shooting for the stars.

would it be wrong if she pinched his cheek but not explain what called for such a gesture? a sweetheart. she was a sweetheart. of course, a sweetheart that was perfect for long lonely nights. perfect to fool around underneath the cotton sheets in the mornings. what about the rest? the dinners. the lunches. walking down the hallway hand in hand. sitting in his lap on a bench. the look in his eyes didn’t escape her. it settled there the moment she mentioned the other girl. she recognized the look, she has seen it too many times. and always expected it to be the last one – this girl will stick around. she will tear up the circle they had. ‘’oh. oh-kay. I’m sure you will figure something out. how to appease her. make her… come closer to you. you can be quite charming,’’ she chuckled through the last words, even if every single one hurt just a little. then she gave him a light punch into the shoulder: ‘’well, you’re a dork too.’’ she listened through his words, at first not knowing where he was going with it – will he accept even if it wasn’t in his plans? ‘’you don’t have to go just because you feel obliged, because I asked you. if you’d rather stay at home or go somewhere else, I’ll figure something out. ask someone else, it isn’t a big deal,’’ she mastered the art of keeping her tone light. she was giving him options. never did she want to lock him on her. never. ‘’pff, why would I want you to kiss me? bleh,’’ she played around but her lips were already on his, curved into a smile but quickly melted down. her knees got week, her hands clung to his shoulders and she ended all the talk about kissing. a little less conversation, a little more action, isn’t that how it goes?

‘’no, I was lying. you suck,’’ she quickly changed her previous words, mostly because he was now starting to mock her. and if she would repeat them again… well, no doubt he’d get some sort of a satisfaction out of it. the smile never wavered, it was made of steel when it came to such situations. she had three years of practice all after all. three years of talking about his ex-girlfriends, current girlfriends, future girlfriends. never did it occur to him the smile was as fake as donatella versaci. ‘’of course it’s not a problem. sooner or later she will come running right in your arms,’’ she laughed. was she supposed to be proud of the acting skills she perfect next to him? was she? ‘’it’s not important. but it might be fun. really - I can go with someone else if you don’t feel like going,’’ she shrugged and just for once it would be nice to see him show some flickers of jealousy. but it never happened. not even once. her eyes then fluttered shut as she reached to him to kiss his lips and melted into his embrace when his arms held tight on to her. such a slow kiss. pure torture. her lips spread back into a smile when he pulled back: ‘’because you talk too much.’’ few inches between them she gazed at him, her fingers playing with soft curls of his hair on the back of his nape. ‘’hm,’’ she gently bit down on her lower lip: ‘’you are so…’’ oh, she never finished the sentence, she took over the control again. kissed him again. it was always her turn.

‘’I think you got spoiled at some point in the last three years,’’ she responded, because there was no chance she will repeat it. it was simply a matter of teasing him. he was charming and he knew it. he had those pretty boyish looks, a sincere smile and he had the ability to make you feel all warm inside. and each time you thought of him, you couldn’t help but smile, because he really knew how to make someone’s day. well, maybe it was just her. maybe those charms only worked on her… but who was she kidding? ‘’different is good. different is… well, you know. outside of a routine. it’s good,’’ she nodded along with every word like a damn plastic chihuahua on the cockpit of a car. she was his routine, wasn’t she? ‘’you jealous? that’s never going to happen, trust me, I know. I’m just saying I don’t want you to feel pressured to go with me. in any case someone will be there with me. I asked you first, but… really. it’s not a problem if you have plans,’’ she stepped up on her toes a little and pressed a quick kiss on his forehead. simple. friends-like simple.
‘’you’re impossible,’’ she finished the previous sentence after he pulled away after the second kiss. ‘’well, let them stare?’’ she laughed, no one was watching anyhow. ‘’buuut, unfortunately you’re right. I’ll make a step back and you do it as well. no inappropriate touching in public. or kissing. we don’t want your princess to think you’re a little slut,’’ she made a big gesture by making a large step backwards and letting go of his hands. there, distance. just like he wanted it. it will do them both some good.

note, zaključiva, yes? :3

she didn’t even bother replying. he knew the answer already. she was always willing to reach for the stars and above, all for him. whenever he needed anything, she was always right there. in a way maybe he considered her a best friend. someone who never judges, someone who stands by your side and takes care of you. lends you a shoulder to lean upon in time of need. it made sense. it was mutual. ‘’likewise, aiden,’’ she replied with a smile. what would she do without him? probably finally get herself a steady boyfriend. instead of finding something wrong with each or letting them use her. she just let them. practically voluntarily.

and then he was on his knees and she had no idea what the hell this adorable idiot was doing now. ‘’aiden, get back up,’’ she quickly muttered and wanted to simply pull him to stand, but he was holding her hand and talking in overly dramatic voice. ‘’of course I’ll go, duh,’’ there was a small frown on her face. yes, she asked him already. she only needed a confirmation from him and perhaps a little more excitement. ‘’we will go. and well. it will be fun, I promise,’’ she stated when he stood again. ‘’so… I should probably go, I have class soon. do I get a kiss-to-go or are people still watching?’’ she smiled with just a little hint of mischief.