Author Note: Please enjoy this story. It is about Ken and Candy. HEHEHEHEHE

I scratched my brown hair roughly and scanned around the clothes shop. My eyes skimmed through a set of hanged blouses and shirts. I checked the price tag for the tight jeans in a corner and grabbed whatever I thought was cute. I laid them out in front of me, trying to match them with other accessories and pieces of clothing that would make a cute outfit. Like I anticipated, I was completely hopeless with fashion. The outfit I put together was nowhere near cute. It looked more like a clown costume rather than something you would wear to confess to someone on Valentine's Day. I slapped my head in despair.

"Ken, stop nibbling on your chocolate chip cookie and help me out right here." I groaned at the boy sitting on a chair, his hand holding a packet of cookies.

Ken shrugged and pushed his humongous round glasses in. He wiped the crumbs from his mouth with the back of his hand and rubbed his forehead, "Candy, why don't you just wear what you usually wear and confess to Nathaniel like that? It's a lot better to be you."

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "I want to look cute in front of him when I give him the chocolates tomorrow."

He shook his head hopelessly. "When girls are in love, they sure are concerned about everything, especially with their looks."

"It's not like we can help it. We must look perfect in front of the person we love." I filled my mouth with air and puffed my cheeks. "Anyway, please help me," I clasped my hands together and pleaded him. "You've read a lot of manga right? You must know what type of clothes boys like. I can't seem to find a pretty outfit."

He set down the packet of cookies beside him. "Well I have... but that doesn't guarantee that I'm professional in designing and clothes matching." He hopped out of the chair and headed to the shelf that contained the hanged shirts. "You need something appealing right?"

I nodded. He grinned and pulled one out something– it was a short crossed blue top. "What about this one? It's sure attractive!" He smiled innocently.

I wacked him with the cookies, he winced in pain and rubbed his head, his lips pouting. "What was that for?"

"Seriously, this is way to revealing. Look at it." I took the top from Ken's hands and pointed at it. "It barely covers my chest and it completely exposes my belly button. It's completely indecent. There is no way Nathaniel will find that appealing." I placed it back where it belonged and he stopped pouting.

"Oh right, Candy. I was only playing around. No need to get angry." He waved his hand in the air and advanced to the corner with the hanged dresses. His fingers trailed through the set of dresses. His eyes narrowed and thought hard about the costumes. He stopped in his steps when he came across a brown one. "I think this will suit you just fine." He grabbed it and held it out in front of me.

I examined it. It was a simple dress. A chocolate brown ribbon curved around just below the chest area. The ends of the dress were cropped short in a zigzag shape. Tiny little patterns were sewed onto it. It was plain yet cute. I liked it.

"This is pretty good, but is that all?"

He shook his head. "It's best to wear a jacket and some other clothing with that dress. The news said that it will be quite cold tomorrow." He walked to the area where the jackets lay. He shuffled through the heap of jackets and finally selected a brown leathered one. "This goes well with it…and this as well…" He placed a pair of socks in my hands and strolled to the shoe racks. "This silver boots looks quite good as well." He nodded in satisfaction as he studied it.

I grabbed the boots into my hands. "What else?"

He gazed at the pile of clothes and boots in my hands, and then he shook his head. "No, I think that should do it."

"What about accessories like necklaces and earrings?"

He wrinkled his nose. "I don't think it suits you very well. Since you're a tomboy, wearing a dress is already a little strange."

"Strange, what do you mean by strange?" My eyes squinted at him. He shrugged.

"Well… it doesn't exactly fit your character…"

I pouted and slightly bobbed my head down. A sigh escaped my lips. "I know... I always wear jeans and hoodies. It's weird to see me in a dress right?"

Sensing my depression, he tried to change the subject. "Anyway, try them on before you buy them. It'll be a waste of money if it doesn't suit or fit you."

"Ok," I hurried to the changing room. He sat down in his chair once more and continued nibbling on his chocolate chip cookie.

"Show me when you're done." He called out while his mouth was still full.

I locked the door behind me and undressed myself. I began putting them on. First's the dress, second's the socks, then the boots, and last's the jacket. I brushed my hair quickly with the comb I carry everywhere with me and gave a quick check in the mirror.

It actually did suit me.

The colour of the jacket, dress and socks matched with my emerald eyes. The conspicuous silver boots contrasted well with the clothes and the dress somehow made me skinner. I almost couldn't recognise myself in the mirror. I burst out the door and rushed to Ken. He heard my loud footsteps and turned to my direction. I waved at him and he dropped the cookie in his hands. I grinned at his reaction. He had his mouth wide open, gaping at me.

I skipped and stopped in front of him. "So… how do I look?"

He cleared his throat and clamped his mouth shut. He hastily picked up the dropped cookie, blowing on it industriously. "Y-you look fine. Honestly I would prefer that you wear your hoodie and jeans, but of course you want to look cute."

"Are you sure you mean that I look fine? I think I look awesome, especially after I saw your reaction."

"I-it was just that my cookie somehow slipped out of my hands." A slight flush swept across his cheeks. "I w-was just surprised that I dropped my precious cookie. That was all."

"Are you really telling the truth?" I raised an eyebrow uncertainly. He nodded.

I rolled my eyes. Ken was clearly lying. I knew it. I've known him since I was 5. He has a habit of mumbling when lying. Either way, I chose to not indulge in that topic any further. "Anyway, this is so cool. I love this outfits. Thanks a million Ken! You're my best friend!"

"No problem." He didn't meet look up from his cookie; the flush slowly disappeared, "Any time."

"Maybe I should read manga from now on and get some ideas from there."

"I'll lend you some of them if you actually do." He brushed the tip of the cookie with his hand. "Do you like comedy or fantasy?"

"What about some romance? I do like romance novels."

"Sure, I think I do have a few like vampire knight and Special A."

"Thanks Ken." I clamped my hands onto his and grinned. "Oh and can you stay over at my house tonight?" I pleaded him again. "Please, you've got to help me. I'm hopeless at making chocolate."

There was a moment of silence before he could digest what I just said. He snapped his head up and met my gaze. "Wait, you're inviting me to sleep in the same roof as you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, why are you surprised?"

His lips slightly parted with disbelief. "Hey, I'm a guy. Boys and girls that are not related by blood should not sleep in the safe roof."

I frowned at his words. "We did that before when we were kids. Why can't we do it now?"

Heat crawled to his face. "We're teenagers right now."

Not comprehending the situation, I shrugged, "And so?"

"You're not embarrassed?"

I laughed loudly. "Why would I be embarrassed to sleep in the same room as my best friend?"

A flicker of pain flashed in Ken's eyes. It came and went so quickly that I wondered if it was simply my imagination. He was silent for a moment and stared past me as if he was in his own world then. His eyes were empty and a little lost. I waved my hand in front of him.

"Hello, earth to Ken? Are you there?"

He snapped back to reality and jerked back in his chair. "Y-yeah I'm fine… anyway… why should you be embarrassed?" He mumbled as if he was talking to himself. "We are friends after all… and will be forever right?" A smile curled on his lips. It looked like it was forced – too forced.

"Yeah…" I tilted my head with confusion. "So are you coming tonight?"

"Yeah sure why not," He bit on the cookie he blew on, the smile shattered into a tight line. "Do you have instructions on how to make valentine chocolate?"

"Yep, and I've bought all the ingredients." I smiled, pleased with myself. I glanced down at my watch and both my eyebrows shot up. "Wow, time flies so quickly. I'll pay for the clothes now. Meet me in front of the counter."

Ken nodded and got up slowly. I watched him as he headed towards the counter. When I was about to return to the changing room, he suddenly turned around and called out my name. "Hey Candy…"

"Yes?" I glanced back.

He hesitated for a moment. Hesitation filled his eyes. He considered his words carefully before he spoke again. "Please change back to your other clothes."

"Why?"

"Well…" He scratched his head uncomfortably. "I find that outfit a little disturbing…"

I laughed. "I knew that I looked good in them!"

Author note: Well~ i hoped that you enjoyed this. Plz do R&R and let me know if i should continue this or not.