Erik and I had been friends since being in our sixth year. Now we were both Juniors in our public high school in here in east England, and we really had stayed close since then. Though it was a little different now, because this difference was going on in my head only. He didn't know it, but he was really toying with my emotions.

Yeah, we had been friends for years, but these past few months I've just seen him... Differently. His stunning hazel eyes, his curly blond hair that never laid down properly, and the smile that made my cheeks heat up every time he flashed his teeth. I knew it wasn't just another hormone burst that Mum says happens to girls my age, this felt... Real. Stronger even. I don't know how to describe it. I just feel carefree and content around him.

Anyway, we were walking out of school on a sunny friday to "our grass patch" on the lawn.

Erik looked a tad on-edge today. Maybe the test we had in Mathematics didn't go so well for him? Or maybe he was having family trouble? I didn't know, but I was worried, Erik wasn't usually like this.

I lightly touched his arm, causing him to jump a little and my cheeks to flush. "S-sorry, I didn't mean- are you... Okay?" I asked in a rather awkward manner.

He let out a small laugh. "Yeah, just uh, got a little on my mind Cind." I loved how he shortened my name. In my opinion, Cindy just sounded like a name for a dog. (Or a tortoise perhaps?) We both sat down on the patch of fresh sod that we had nicknamed "our grass patch" after sitting here a few times for our "study not-dates" as we called them. (I myself would've preferred to leave out the "not".)

"You could um, tell me what's on your mind, my Mum is a therapist, I know a trick or two to help ease the pressure on the brain." I suggested, laying down on the soft grass, ignoring the dirt that was getting in my hair.

Erik sighed and laid down next to me. "There's this girl-" he started, saying that phrase that I had hoped that he would never bring up around me. "And I really, REALLY, like her... But I don't know if she sees me like that. More than a friend, ya know?"

I nodded slowly. I was crying a little on the inside. I really, REALLY, liked him, and he liked another girl. I must've been having a hard time keeping a strait face to mask my emotional pain, because I noticed him turn his head to look at me.

"Cind... You... Alright?" I rolled my head to the side to avoid eye contact.

"Yes." I mumbled. He sat up and looked down at me.

"Cind, what's the matter? Something's up with you. I hate seeing you like this." I sighed as he helped me sit up.

"I don't know, I just, I- ugh." I finished the statement with a groan and buried my head in my hands. Erik raised an eyebrow.

"Cind..." He wasn't going to let this go was he? "Be honest and tell me what's going on. You know I don't judge." I couldn't help it, I looked into his hazel eyes and go lost in his caring gaze for a moment before nearly shouting:

"I LIKE YOU OKAY! You know I've dated around and had a few boyfriends, but then I met you and you're different." He opened his mouth to speak, but I wasn't done yet.

"And we've been friends for a while and now it's going to be weird because you like another girl and I probably look like a huge-" Before I could finish my rant, he cupped his hand behind his head, pressed his lips against mine, and kissed me.

My eyes widened, before I slowly closed them and started kissing him back. It only lasted for a few moments before we each backed away, both blushing a deep shade of scarlet.

"I-I-I- Erik?" Was all I managed to say. He scratched the back of his neck and looked me in the eyes.

"The girl I was talking about was YOU Cindy." Did he just use my real name?

"You're my best friend, and I didn't want to creep you out, so I just kept my feelings to myself. Though I feel like I should've told you sooner..."

I giggled.

"Yes, that would've been a bit easier."