I love her. I really do.

Ever since the day I met her, I've felt so strongly about her.

I know we're just supposed to be best friends, but I love her even more than just her friend.

I want to be with her every second of the day, I want to kiss her and hold her.

I love her so much.

I love my best friend Ruby Kurosawa.

It's the first day of highschool! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. But I'm also scared, too. What if we're not in the same class? What if she's sick and won't come?

My heart began to beat faster. Even just thinking about her made me go crazy.

I picked up my school bag lying up against my mirror. I took a look at myself.

"Wow…" I thought. "I really am a highschooler now, huh?"

I admired myself in the mirror, looking at my new school uniform made me smile.

"I look so cute!" I thought. "I wonder what Ruby looks like in her uniform.."

My face suddenly turned red at the thought. I held my warm face in my hands, feeling embarrassed.

"Ah.." I mumble quietly to myself. "I shouldn't think of those things.."

"Think of what?" My mother appeared at my door. I made a loud screeching sound at her sudden presence.

"Maru, darling, you're going to be late." She said smiling, ignoring my sudden screech.

"What?! Oh gosh, I've gotta go! Ruby is wating!" I said panicking as I sprinted out of my house.

"Bye, sweetie! Have a good day!" I heard my mother shout in the distance.

Panting, I finally made it to the school gates.

"I'm- here-" I said through pants. "Huh?"

Looking around, nobody was here.

"What?! Oh geez," I thought. "Ruby is gonna be so upset."

I got worried. Ruby gets scared very easily, and if there was nobody here to greet her and guide her around, who knows what could happen. The worries filled my head as I frantically ran inside the school gates. I then stopped for a second, looked up and saw the cherry blossom trees all around me. I watched as the petals fell softly to the ground. It was so beautiful. The thousands of petals coated the ground and made it look as if I were standing on a soft, pink cloud.

Suddenly, in the distance I could see a figure standing there with their back towards me. Looking closer, I could see it was Ruby.

I wanted to go and run to her, and hug her and apologise but I just stood there for a moment, admiring her.

She looked so beautiful. Her red hair flowed in the wind amongst the falling cherry blossoms. I was right. She looked so cute in her uniform..

"Maru?!" She yelled loudly, looking at me. She had tears in her eyes, and she was shaking. And for a moment, I just stood there. Looking at her. She was the most beautiful thing my eyes had ever seen. I couldn't pull my eyes away.

"Maru!" She yelled, running towards me.

"Ruby.." I replied quietly.

She ran into me, hugging me instantally. She sobbed softly as she spoke.

"Maru, I was so worried!" She cried. "Please don't do this to me again.. I can understand if you're late but please, I was so worried.."

I got lost in her words. Her voice was so cute, so soft..

"Maru?" She sniffled, looking up at me.

I blushed immediately, looking away when I saw her face. I know I see her every day but just seeing her now made me feel different. I looked back and let out a giggle.

"Ruby," I said smiling. I picked off a cherry blossom that was sitting on her nose.

Ruby blushed and immediately pulled away from my hug.

"Hey, t-this is serious Maru! We're late for the opening ceremony! Come on!" She said pulling on my arm.

"Ah, right. Sorry," I said apologetically.

I don't know if it meant anything, but right then and there she grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me along as she ran.

I looked down and saw my hand in hers. I couldn't control my blush. It felt like the temperature in my face went up as every second went by.

Her hand felt so nice in mine. So soft, so small, so..

"Maru?" Ruby said in a concerned tone. "We're here, c'mon, let's go inside before anyone notices."

"Right! Right. Sorry again," I said, trying to avoid eye contact.

"I must have zoned out.." I thought. "We're already here?"

She held onto my hand tighter as we quietly snuck into the entrance ceremony. We found a spot at the back and sat down.

But for some reason, Ruby didn't let go of my hand. I wanted to say something but I really didn't want her to let go. So I just sat there, trying my best to stare ahead and listen to the ceremony. Hardly even 5 minutes in Ruby fell asleep. I could hear her snoring softly next to me. As I turned to look at her, she fell onto my shoulder.

I sat there, stiff. I didn't move a muscle. My face felt so hot that I could barely stand it, but I didn't want to move. I didn't want her to let go of my hand, or wake up.

I found myself putting my head onto hers. I knew it was risky, but I couldn't help myself.

"Hn..h.." I heard Ruby mumble. "Maru.."

Maru?! Is she saying my name? No.. surely I misheard.

But still.. It made me smile. As I sat there, my warm face against her head, and our hands intertwined, I found myself falling asleep.