Love Before Graduation

By the time I reached the café, Suhina was already there, waiting.

I was out of breath, slowing down with my hands on my knees, trying to breathe properly.

Damn... why did I run so fast?

My legs were shaking, my chest was hurting, and for a second, everything went kind of blurry.

I couldn't hear the cars or the people or even the food smell from the street — everything just faded for a bit while I tried to catch my breath.

"Sorry... I'm a little late," I said, still breathing hard as I finally looked up.

Suhina turned her head, her gaze unreadable at first. But then... something changed.

Her eyes looked down at me, slowly and carefully. Her lips curveped - not in a smile, but in the vague sense of amusement.

I straightened up, confused. "What? Is there a problem?"

A little she tilted her head slightly and looked at me as if I was somehow special.

"You look... different."

Different?

For a second I felt a small burst of pride in my chest.

Maybe I looked good? Maybe she was amazed at how well I 'd dressed today?

I laughed, stroking my fingers over my pendant. "Ahh... yeah I tried something new. "

But the moment didn't last.

Her lips slid apart and I knew it was coming before she even spoke.

"Why so much makeup? You look like a clown."

My confidence wavered.

'I did very little... just put on some lipstick ', I dawdled, tone lowered. Pretty certain.

She scoffed, arms crossing over her chest. "Oh, it shows."

A quick laugh. A flick of her hand and then the last blow —

" Seriously it 's ridiculous how hard you work. Do you really think this makes you look pretty? "

Something in me cracked.

I forced a small smile, but inside, my stomach twisted.

Why does she always do this?

She was my friend—my best friend.

So why did her words always feel like little darts with a fine aim?

I laughed it off, as if her words didn't bother me at all. But they did. Every. Single. Time.

As I was about to respond a loud rev of an engine deflated the cord.

"Oye, I'm here!"

I turned to see Nami tripping on her bike with a playful grin on her face. She had been flipping her hair way too much., like she had just arrived in a movie scene.

" Are you two finished with your beauty pageant? Hurry up. We 've got things to do. "

I did n't say anything. Just got on the bike behind her with my heart still full of unspoken feelings.

Suhina went behind me and as we sailed it was windy and blowing against my face – but not to wash away the weight that was still hanging on.

We fetched our way through the quiet streets and away from any chance of passing into the police.

I stared intently ahead, holding loosely my hands from Nami's waist.

I wanted to believe Suhina didn't mean it.

That maybe I was just being too sensitive.

But deep down, I knew.

This wasn't the first time.

And it wouldn't be the last.