14 DAYS OF VALENTINE'S

I never realized the vast difference between a good friend a best friend. That was until I met this two, she devils. Good friends support you, respect your decisions, and don't push you. Best friends? They're a whole different story—more like a chaotic force from a past life. Sure, they're there for you and support you, but boundaries? They twist and bend you, reshaping you without asking. Often times the results are amazing and sometimes, worse. Well at least at the end of the day they are there with you, no?

I mean, take an example now. They were there for me. Both of them on my side as they pushed me out the door with grins on their faces, while I wanted to disappear. It was like being marched to my doom, a prisoner being led to my cell, or worse, straight to the executioner.

This is the paradox of my friendship with Lizzy and Carrie. They're my rock when times get tough, yet somehow, they also have a talent for throwing me into the most awkward situations imaginable.

Like that time, they dared me to flirt with their boyfriends, just to "test their loyalty." Which was utter madness. And now? Now, I was about to waltz into the backyard of the most attractive guy in town, armed with a plate of cupcakes and absolutely zero composure.

All because of a dare.

Nope. I dug my heels into the ground. There was no way I was ready for this. "I'm going back," I declared, yanking my arm free just when we reached his yard. Spinning around, I took one step ready to flee this test when a deep, smooth voice sliced through the afternoon, knocking air from my lungs spoke, stopping me on tracks.

"May I help you?" That was his question, and oh, my gracious, wasn't that voice to die for. I always have a thing for voice, especially deep voices.

Why? Why did everything about him have to be so unfairly attractive. His gaze, his physique, and now his voice?

It felt almost illegal.

Carrie, quick on her feet as always, seized the moment—and me—whipping me around to face the new neighbor as her grin widened practically blinding. Meanwhile, I was still busy trying to remember how breathing worked.

"Hello, handsome!" she Carre almost giggled, her flirtatious tone unmistakable which made me slightly annoyed. Did she have to flirt with my man too?

I almost slapped myself at those ridiculous thoughts. When became my man?

"Um, we noticed you're new around here and thought we'd extend a warm welcome," Carrie said, flashing him a dazzling smile. "Welcome to the neighborhood! I'm Carrie." She offered her hand, which he accepted with a firm, steady shake.

"And I'm Lizzy. Welcome!" Lizzy chimed in, her grin wide as she followed suit.

And then he looked at me. Slowly—so slowly—it felt like the world held its breath. I couldn't breathe, couldn't move. I was one shaky step away from collapsing, dizzy from the way his eyes found mine. Was this normal? I thought things like this only happened on Tv and books.

"And you are...?" he asked trailing off as he took me in.

Oh no.

It was one thing to admire him from a distance, where I could sigh dreamily in peace: but standing this close, under the full intensity of his gaze? It was a whole different battlefield.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he waited for my answer but before I could find my wits and answer him, his gaze slowly swept over me, lingering just long enough to make my heart trip over itself over and over again. Just enough to let me know he was starring.

Up close, his stare was... a lot. His dark eyes—practically onyx with built-in X-ray vision—scanned me again, taking their sweet time before flicking back to my face, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Good morning," he greeted, voice as rich and smooth as melted chocolate, the smirk still very much in play.

Morning? My brain stalled for a moment, wondering why he was - my eyes widened as wide as they could when realization hit me like a smack on the head.

I had just rolled out of bed!

I hadn't even washed my face!

I hadn't brushed my teeth!

My hair was a bird's nest!

I was still on my pajamas!

Oh, someone shoot me!

Oh goodness. Just picture the walking disaster I must have been especially when this was my crush for goodness sake! The urge to sink into the floor was overwhelming. I couldn't believe this was happening to me.

Before I could even attempt to salvage my dignity, Carrie, ever the chaotic savior, swooped in.

"Um, this is our friend. You can call her Mresh," she declared, her voice all too casual, and all I wanted to do is punch her square on the face.

Beauty? Was she serious? Did she see just chaotic I was?

"And she's single," Lizzy piped up, her voice dripping with unhelpful enthusiasm.

I wanted to evaporate. Immediately.

"Did I mention kind? She even brought you cupcakes she made herself," Carrie added, because apparently, mortification loves company.

See what I mean about them throwing me into awkward situations?

I wanted to stop them. Salvage the situation, but the thought of opening my mouth and unleashing the horror of my morning breath kept me firmly silent. Instead, I settled for a tight-lipped, panic-induced smile.

Desperate for an escape, I did the only thing I could; I shoved the plate of cupcakes into his hands like a clumsy sacrifice.

"I appreciate this... Beauty," the handsome hunk spoke, his voice teasing.

And just like that, my heart skipped a beat. How could it not? Even if him calling me 'beauty' was meant as satire, considering the state I was, it still had my insides fuzzing.

Carrie and Lizzy nudged my sides with matching grins, and despite my best efforts, an involuntary giggle escaped me.

"I'm Nick," he finally introduced himself.

Of course, his name had to be something annoyingly perfect like Nick. With his deep-set eyes, chiseled jawline, and that warm, dimpled smile, he looked like he had just stepped out of a rom com where I, unfortunately, was playing the bumbling comic relief.

But it was not the time to dwell on his objectively unfair level of attractiveness. Summoning every ounce of dignity I had left (which wasn't much), I plastered on a polite smile, bowed slightly at him which I did not understand why I did that. Maybe I'd watched to many Kdramas. Nevertheless, I grabbed my two traitorous best friends by the arms and made a hasty retreat back to the safety of my home, eyes closed, cringing and getting goosebumps every time I think back at my state. I did not look back and I hoped to never bump into him again.

At least now I had an entry for my diary.

February 1

Dear Diary,

Today, I met my crush in the most embarrassing way possible.

How about that, huh?