Chapter 1: How it Started

Lyric is my best friend. If I could even compare her to my sister I would but no, she was so much closer to me than a sister or any family member could ever be.

It first started when my mom died, which was when I was 10. I didn't have a father and I was about to be put in the system but luckily, my older brother Charlie and his wife, Silena decided to adopt me, Nyssa, and Jake.

Mom had left us a lot of money, more money than we thought we had, and so we moved from Houston, Texas to the small town called Belmont, New York.

Now, I was a weird kid, I will willing admit that. I didn't like people much at the time and I figured out a way to keep them away. Start a conversation with "my mom died" you're forever that weird kid who talks about his mother's death too much.

That didn't work with Lyric. And now, I'm really glad it didn't

(flashback)

"HI!" a girl nearly shouted in my face. I peered over my book to see a girl with giant hazel eyes and two lopsided pigtails.

I sighed. I wanted this conversation to end fast so I decided to get right to the point. "My mom died." I said.

The girl's smile didn't falter "Mine too."

Wait, what? This is so not how it's supposed to go.

She plopped down right next to me, under the shady tree I deemed mine in the beginning of the year. "My names Lyric." She held out her hand "Lyric Blowfis"

"I'm Leo."

(flashback end)

But that's not what this story is about. This story is about when friendship turned into liking and when liking turned into love.

I was sitting on the couch with Lyric, snuggled up in her blanket. We were watching food network, because well, Lyric likes it. We sat there for a while longer until we heard the front door open.

"Daddy?" Lyric called. She didn't move from her spot next to me, leaning on my shoulder.

"What if I were a axe murderer?" We heard in Mr. Blowfis' amused voice.

"If you were, you'd be the worst axe murderer ever because you announced your presence."

"I suppose your right." Mr. Blowfis said as he emerged from the stairs. "Oh, hello Leo."

"Heya Paul." I held my hand up as a greeting.

Lyric jumped up into her dad's arms. He groaned but smiled contently. "How was your day?" He asked.

"Long, yours?"

"Longer." He smiled. "I hate parents."

"You are a parent and I really hope you didn't say that during your parent teacher conferences."

I just sat and watched the exchange. Lyric and her dad were pretty close, I mean, I'm close to my brothers and sisters but it's not the same .

"I'm gonna head home, Fish face."

"I'll walk you." she hopped up. "be back in a second old man."

We didn't walk for long since I lived right next door. I sat the on the porch swing and patted the seat next to me. When she sat down, she was silent, something I knew for a fact wasn't normal.

"What's on your mind, Pescado?"

She was silent for a second, contemplating whether or whether not she should tell me. Finally, she sighed.

"Do you... Do you think I'm attractive?"

I turned my head to look at her and saw a deep blush spreading across her cheek. "Why do you ask?" I said, knowing Lyric, there had to be a deeper meaning why.

"I don't feel very pretty but then again, I know I'm not ugly." she shrugged. "God, I don't want to concern you with my girl problems. Forget I asked." She moved to get up but I grabbed her wrist, she turned to face me.

Now, note that I saw Lyric every single day for the past 7 years and this was the first time I ever really looked at her. Her hazel eyes shined in the porch light of my house, her hair in untamable curls around her face. She grew into her head, which when I first met her had been humongous. And that made me think of her body, how she was muscular but lean because of her swimming but she still had curves. She wasn't the prettiest girl in the world but I bet she was pretty close. And after looking at her, there was only one word I can think of.

"...Beautiful." I said.

"hmm?" she hadn't noticed my staring but I really hadn't expected her too. She had ADHD like crazy.

"Your beautiful, Lyric. I hope that's not awkward." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

"No-um, thank you. I needed that." She blushed.

"I'll see you tomorrow." and with that I ducked into my house.

What...

The...

Fuck!

Lyric is my friend, my best friend. I couldn't look at her like I just did! I can't think of her like that. If she was a random girl sure but this is Lyric! This was the girl that beat up guys that bullied me, the girl who I buy chocolate and watch Beaches with when she's on her period. The girl that's tried to hook me up with almost all her friends. I couldn't think of her like that!

But I couldn't stop thinking of her like that. I couldn't stop thinking about how big her eyes were, and how they changed colors and crinkled when she laughs. Or how soft her lips looked and how bad I wanted to kiss those lips.

What is wrong with me?!

"Leo? That you?" I heard the sweet voice of my Sister-in-law in the kitchen. I peered around the corner.

"Hey Silly." I said. She turned and smiled at me. I moved to sit across from Charlie, who was reading a book at the table.

"How was your day?" Charlie asked.

"Um.." I have a crush on the one person I trust in the world and if I go out with her it would be weird because I know so much about her and she knows me. But I can't say that to Charlie. "It was ok."

"Where were you, just now?" Silena asked in her best concerned mother voice.

"With Lyric." I said, I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks. Wait, I never blushed before when I talked about Lyric. What's happening to me?!

"How is Lyric? I feel like you never bring her over here anymore."

"She could come tomorrow if you want. We don't really think about where we go. We just hang anywhere."

"That would be great." She smiled.

"Yea, I love your girlfriend." Charlie added.

I shot up. "She is not my girlfriend!" I practically shouted.

I turned to run upstairs. "Was it something I said?" I heard Charlie say. I heard Silena mutter something like 'Oh, Charlie'

I burst in the room I shared with Jake and groaned as I sat on my bed. Jake looked up from his desk at me. "You ok, dude?"

I groaned again. "I-I think I like Lyric, dude."