What is a best friend? Someone you can tell your secrets to without being afraid? A person who regards you highly, with love? Someone you feel safe with?
"So, what have you been up to with Joel? We could hear you two laughing from his room."
"You could?"
"Was the painting of the tree ornaments so funny, or was it the things you were doing?" Bae giggles softly. "Hmm, you could say both. How about you and David?"
Her eyes light up."We decided to wear matching outfits for the ball tomorrow."
"Wow, you too."Bae looks at me, grinning. "I guess he finally told you about the matching jewelry. Looks like the ball will be filled with couples and matching couple outfits."
"So what did you talk about with Joel? Was it about anything sweet?"
I feel the heat rising in my ears. "Ohh, why are you getting shy? What exactly did you talk about?"
"We talked about this and that. We mostly painted the ornaments and hugged each other… and kissed."
"Alright, you sure had it nice." I jokingly nudge Bae. "Do you and David have any pet names for each other?"
"That was a sudden question. And yes, we do. It's too cringe to say what we call each other. You'll hear it one way or another. What about you and Joel?"
"Nope, none yet."
"What pet name have you thought about then?"
"I don't know." I slightly smile.
"Why are you smiling like that, Adah?"
"Because it's so cringe. Baby." We screech, kicking our feet in bed. "Ugh, don't say it while looking at me."
"How else am I supposed to tell you?"
"Did you talk about anything else?"
"We talked about school and, you know, Luke and Jake." Bae makes a visible disgusted face. "What did he say when you talked about them?"
"That he would protect me and that I could fully rely on him."
"He really does love you. I mean he's been holding in his crush on you for years. Even though we went to the same class, you barely spoke to him."
"I know. You two were friends and so are my parents with his. I just never thought that he would be interested in me."
"Of course. How could he not be? You're so pretty. You are cute, your hair is cute, and you're funny. You are insanely beautiful, you just never notice the eyes admiring you."
"Which eyes have been admiring me?" Bae lightly smiles and sits up.
"Johnny and Theo, for one, were interested in you." I scoff. "Yeah, because of a bet. They made a bet over me."
"No, they did not. Luke and Jake said that to mess with you. They were the ones who made the bet, not Johnny and Theo."
"What?" Bae looks at me, confused. "Did you not know? I supposed you knew, seeing how you always avoided them, not only because of that incident."
"No, Mira told me it was Johnny and Theo who made the bet."
"Wait, what? She did?" I nod.
"She told me she heard them making a bet about me while playing basketball."
"That's weird, because Luke and Jake were the only ones there that day. Or that's what I've heard from Sally."
"I doubt Sally would lie, knowing how much she dislikes being close to other people except us."
"I know, right? That's why I believed Sally when she told me. Oh, and she also told me that she saw a girl sneaking around the gym before then."
"Wait… it can't be."
"Mira!" we say simultaneously.
"Didn't she have a crush on Johnny? You know how she always talks about his wavy black hair and strong arms."
"She did?" I say, bewildered. "I thought that she liked Johnny's older brother."
"What? His older brother?"
"Yes, she told me she liked him."
"This is getting more confusing the more we talk about it," Bae sighs. "It's probably better that we ask them when school starts."
"I'll ask Sally, Mira, Johnny, and Theo. It's better hearing it from all four than keeping misunderstandings. I have quite enough of that."
"What are you thinking, the first day of school?"
"We have a long break for lunch. We can speak to them then. If we keep talking about them now, it'll just turn into gossip."
"Okay, got you. So how do you feel about Joel?"
"How I feel about him?"
"I've never really asked you about it. What do you feel when you are with him? I mean I know you feel safe, but I need to hear more."
"I feel happy, glad, reassured, safe, appreciated, and loved. Looking at him makes me smile."
"The way he grins when he is going to do something mischievous, or how he laughs and his dimples show. His voice calms my mind, his arms are strong, and his touch is warm. And—"
"Adah, I don't need to hear more. It's okay. You're making me feel like a third wheel, even without him here."
"It's good," she says. "I can fully place my trust in him. He can treat my best friend with the utmost respect and love. That's all I need to hear."
"Your one-year anniversary with David is coming up in two days. How do you feel?"
"Happy. Ecstatic… super happy!"
"I never knew I could love someone this much. I find new ways to love him every day and it's already been one year."
"I suppose our boyfriends are the best."
"They are."
"Do you hear them?"
"David, we shouldn't eavesdrop on them. It's impolite."
"Yes, yes I know, Joel. But what are you going to do about Mira, Jake, and Luke?"
"When Adah wants me to do something about them, I will. I'll just watch over her for now and make sure she is safe."
"We better stay close to them then. You know how nasty those guys can get. Bae once told me about Sally's encounter with them." David sighs deeply. "I know. If it was up to me I would happily smash their faces once more with you."
"Bro, do you think Adah knows that we hit them more than once?"
"No, she doesn't know. I haven't found the right timing to tell her. I suppose you haven't told Bae either. I'll tell Adah the day after tomorrow."
"I haven't either, but it'll be worse for us if we don't tell them soon. I don't want her to be angry or mad."
"Same. She's finally breathing again. I don't want her to start worrying."
Words told in secrecy—
never see the daylight.
Daily exchanges.
Happy moments.
Mysterious unfolding—
coming into light.
What's true?
What's false?
Take it head on without fear.
Don't let it cook for long.
Let it out.
He cares and hears—
while watching over me.