She wasn’t the prettiest girl and she was well aware. She wasn’t the smartest girl and she knew that as well. She didn’t have the best luck and of that, she figured out to a painful degree. She hoped at least she would get the favor of someone she favored. Once, twice, three times she fell in love with the same person. Once, twice, three times, she ignored her feelings to sustain the friendship. For her, it was a never-ending cycle, always asking when the feelings would go away. For her friend, what he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him. Blissfully unaware is perhaps the best thing to be.

One day, she got tired. Going through the same emotions over and over again can take a toll on anyone- no matter how strong or experienced. So, she decided then and there that at least she would get it off her chest. She called up her friend and they settled on a time and place to meet.

When she arrived, her heart was beating wildly in her chest. She thought, not for the first time, this was probably a bad idea. Her friend was sitting at a table in the corner and he waved excitedly at her upon seeing that she arrived. So, she went and sat by him. Seeing how happy and smiley her friend was, she took a deep breath.

She was happy too, of course, happy that he was happy. At the same time, though, her stomach turned and there was a lump in her throat. She started sweating, thinking what she would do next may wipe the smile permanently from her friend’s face. She looked down at the coffee she didn’t remember buying. It was dark and cold. Was this really a good idea? How bad could it be to continue in a one-sided love if it meant she could keep an amazing friendship? She sighed.

By this time, her friend was sat there, just watching the emotions shift on her face. Her pink lips were smiling, straight, and then frowning. Her green eyes were looking at him, then down, then darkened. He saw her sigh while looking warily at the coffee she hadn’t even touched. He wasn’t exactly Einstein, but he could see something was wrong. So, he decided to change the mood. He poked her softly on the cheek and when she looked up, he made a funny face. The corners of her mouth turned up and she looked at him quizzically.

“You okay?” He asked, almost whispering so she wouldn’t be startled. Her face was surprised, then it wasn’t. She smiled, but only slightly and looked back up at him.

“Yeah, I’m just...thinking.” She looked back down again.

“Oh really? About what?” He gave her a slight, reassuring smile, but she wasn’t looking at him anymore.

“You..me...things.” her tone got softer with each word.

“Wow, very descriptive.” His face straightened with his sarcasm. She halfway hit him on the shoulder. He acted like he was going to do the same, but instead of hitting her, he grasped her shoulder. “I can tell that something is up. You might as well tell me now.” She sighed. The jig was up.

“Hey, you know, I think I really like you,” she paused “in a non-friend way...in a-like I wouldn’t mind walking around holding your hand and proclaiming to the world that we’re dating kind of way.” She closed her eyes and waited for his response.

(Good End?)

He looked at her for a good long while. Her face was heated and her eyes were clenched as if she was waiting for some great impact. She began shaking as well. He thought to himself just how adorable and precious this person was. Still, he didn’t have a concrete answer-just a hint of one instead. He got out of his chair and kept watching as her eyes clenched even more. Slowly, he leaned down until they would have been about eye level and he kissed her on the cheek.

Her eyes shot open and her face whipped around so that she could look him in the eyes. She became bright red and cupped her cheek. “Did you just?”

“Yep,” He smiled. “I’m not entirely certain yet, but I think that if we try, I’ll have a more concrete answer.”

She gulped. “More concrete?” Then, imagining what she imagined, her face heated even more. He watched her and in response, his face was painted red as well.

“Hey, I didn’t mean it that way,” he glanced at her again, “I think.”

(Bad End?)

He stared at her and just couldn’t find the right words to speak. This was his best friend and she needed him to answer honestly, but he also didn’t want to hurt her. He cleared his throat. “I love you, Em, but not in that way.” She opened her eyes and accepted her fate. She smiled softly and sadly at him, but her eyes didn’t get teary.

“Yeah, I know.”