'That was completely unnecessary right Otis? I mean I even went out of my comfort zone, went to his house, just to be shot down by him completely? He called me a friend… A friend! Otis! Unbelievable.' My best friend ranted as we walked side by side around the mall.

'Then tell me why we are here again Eric.' I sighed as he repeated his story on his fight with Adam for the fourth time today. It hasn't even been two hours.

'To buy him his birthday present.' Eric replied sassily.

'I thought you guys were fighting?'

'Yes but this is just in case he apologizes.' Eric emphasized as he picked up a sweater. 'What do you think about this my best friend?'

I rolled my eyes. Eric never changes but his cheerfulness and always being high on energy was just one of the many reasons why he was my best friend.

'Oh yeah, how are things between you and Ruby?' Eric asked with an evil grin

'We're good?' I replied, avoiding his eye contact.

'Something's fishy.' Eric continued to pry as he made his way to the cashier for payment of the sweater.

I sighed. 'This stays between you and me Eric but Maeve kind of confessed to me?'

Eric stopped in his tracks and turned around with his jaw dropping.

'WHATTTTTTT'

Everyone turned to our direction and all eyes were on the loud teenager. Eric didn't seem to care as he jumped in front of me and excitedly yelled, 'Oh boy! You have some explaining to do. Don't bother hiding details, I want to know EVERYTHING. Tell me everything!'

'Yes yes I will but let's get out of here first, please?' I pleaded as we both looked around and were returned with glares and stares from shoppers all around. Eric still seemed unapologetic and stood there looking proudly. I started bowing and apologising on his behalf while dragging him away.

We went to a café nearby and I only told him the confession after he promised that he will not overreact and yell at the top of his lungs again

'That's probably about it.' I finished, waiting for a prompt reaction from my best friend but he was silent which made me nervous. Did I miss out on anything? Did I do something wrong? Pretty sure I used the right words and vocabulary. Not that my vocabulary is the best but I tried to story tell to the best of my abilities.

'Then what are you going to do now?' Eric finally broke the silence. 'Do you like Maeve?'

'I don't know.' I admitted. 'She was my first love. There's just something about it that makes me still attracted to her you know.'

'She turned you down Otis.' Eric reminded. 'And now she is coming down to you just because her Mr Wheelchair wasn't the ideal boyfriend she thought him out to be.'

'That's harsh to be calling him that.'

'Yes I know, I'm sorry. But do you get my point?'

I gave a slow and slight nod. 'I don't know Eric. I'm confused, puzzled, bewildered and…'

'Stop flexing your vocabulary. I get it.' Eric stopped but suddenly changed the conversation.

'Ruby.'

'What about her?' I asked, taking a sip of my latte.

'How do you feel about her then? You guys are the talk of our school now you know.'

'Wait what? Really? When?' I asked frantically.

'Oh I don't know? Let's see. Ruby is the most popular girl in school and you are… not so popular and dresses lamely and her talking to you is definitely the most normal thing ever.' Eric answered sarcastically.

'Ruby… She's nice. She has this mask that she puts on at school which pushes people away. The more you know about her, the more lovable she is.' I replied sincerely. My mind suddenly drifted off and memories of Ruby flooded in. I remembered the first time when we met and it didn't start off well as she always viewed me as the loser in school. After that, it was that one night stand we had, followed by a series of events where I started helping out to take care of her father, our first 'date' watching the musical, her smile at the school carnival when I won her the rabbit toy she wanted, her excitement when talking about Marvel and also showing her vulnerable side when Esfhan appeared and confiding in me and revealing her dark past. I am determined to protect her. I want to ensure that no harm comes into her way. She started out as an eyecandy that I never thought we would interact. She was way above my league and a waste for her to be talking to me. After getting to know her better, we became better friends, at least close enough for us to be sharing our deepest fears and secrets. So what do I really think of her? Friends? Or is it… something more? Can I really bear to see her being protected by other guys? Can I trust other guys to take care of her and make her happy? I can right? My heart throbbed when I thought of that. The feelings that I have tried to run away from has never left. It was always here, waiting for me to embrace it.

I started grinning uncontrollability and my best friend smiled as well.

'Looks like someone has finally accepted his feelings.' He announced, taking a sip of his coffee as well.

…

'Hey I have an idea. The four of us should go out together tomorrow.' Eric suggested.

Eric and I had just finished shopping for Adam and Eric got a sweater and a sweet smelling body wash that he picked up after our café break. 'Why so suddenly?' I asked, turning around to face him.

'I mean it would be interesting wouldn't it? Adam and I would love to get to know Ruby too. Besides I doubt you have anything to do tomorrow as well.' Eric continued.

'I guess its fine. But what are you planning to do?'

'Oh don't you worry my little Otis. I'll decide on the exciting activities we will be doing.'

Something about the way he said it gave me goosebumps.

'I'll text her about it then I'll let you know again.' I replied to Eric's delight.

…

I switched on my shower head as the warm water gushed onto me. My heart felt free and full of energy. I finally realized my feelings towards Ruby and I was bouncing around in my mind. It felt as if I was undefeatable and that I could do anything that was asked of me. I wanted to confess soon. No, I wanted to confess now. I want her to know how I feel and hopefully she feels the same as well.

Wait, what if she doesn't feel the same? The sudden realization made me shutter and I went from high confidence to a small little puppy again. I got so full of myself that I didn't even thought of how Ruby thinks of me. Sure, she called me a good person but that was about it as well. What am I to her? I wanted to know badly but I was also afraid of knowing the answer. What if it's just another Maeve case all over again? Do I have the courage to face the rejection all over again? I switched off the shower head as I left my shower room in a bathing towel.

I'll take it one step at a time. After all, I have made a resolve to protect her. That resolve is regardless of whether she likes me or not. Right?

My phone buzzed and I picked it up. It was from Ruby.

Belle: Okay. Tomorrow right. Got it.

This was the reply I got when I asked if she wanted to go out with the three of us tomorrow. Happy that she agreed to it, I replied.

Otis: See you!

I turned around to my wardrobe. Time to look for an outfit again.

…

'What is that you are wearing?' Eric asked as I made my way to the meetup point.

Feeling self-conscious about my outfit, I asked, 'Is it bad?'

Eric looked at me funnily. 'It's not but we are going hiking. Your outfit seems a bit inappropriate no?'

'What? You didn't tell me that Eric!' I replied, checking my text to see if Eric did mention about hiking and yes he did. I was wearing a long sleeved checkered shirt as well as long pants. 'Oh man.'

'You are as clumsy as ever Otis.' Eric laughed as Adam and Ruby both made their way to the meetup point as well.

'Nice outfit by the way.' Adam teased as Eric clung onto his arm.

'Can't say I am surprised.' Ruby laughed. 'Only you can get yourself into such situations.'

'Well I'm glad I could be of entertainment value to you guys.' I sarcastically answered before looking at the gay couple. 'I thought you guys were still fighting.'

'We were? Can't remember.' Eric cheekily said.

The four of us then made our way into the hiking trail. It was apparently a 10km walk with beautiful natural scenery and also a natural waterfall which would the highlight of this hiking trail.

'I thought you hate to sweat.' I tried to start a conversation with Ruby.

'Yes I do but I have to exercise once in a while anyways.' Ruby explained.

'Are you feeling better?'

Ruby looked at me and smiled. 'Yes. Thank you for checking in.'

I gave a relieved smile as well when Ruby suddenly stopped me. 'Don't move.'

I froze as I turned to the brunette who was staring down at me as she moved closer to my face. Ruby slowly leaned towards me until her pretty face was about an inch away. I could feel my face reddening and my heart was beating hard and loud as if the whole world could hear it. Ruby moved her hand and swiped my cheeks with her thumb.

'You've got a little dirt there.' Ruby said as she rubbed her hands together.

'Oh…thanks.' I thanked as I still took some time to process what just happened. Ruby seemed to have realized something as well as she turned around red faced and went ahead to talk to Adam.

'Oooh someone is blushing hard.'

I jumped as I saw Eric smiling slyly. 'Don't be stupid, Eric.'

'Oh? We will see my dear Otis.' Eric teased much to my annoyance.

After about a good two hours of walking, we finally reached the waterfall. It was a sight to behold as water fell and splashed freely.

'Hey Otis. Get us some drinks please from the nearby vending machine.' Eric requested as I agreed and made my way there.

Eric then turned around and approached Ruby who was talking to Adam about the show The Kardashians. 'We need to talk Ruby.'

Ruby looked up and seemed confused. 'Sure. What's going on?'

'I'm going straight to the topic okay. How do you feel about my boy Otis?'

'Eh?'

That question also seemed to have caught Adam's attention as he too looked at Ruby for an answer in anticipation.

'Why are you asking that all of a sudden?' Ruby asked.

'Well, from what I know. You and Otis seemed to share a special relationship and as his best friend. I want to know what you think of him.' Eric explained as he turned stoic.

'Well, he's nice I guess. He helped me out a lot when I was struggling. I guess a constant source of support?'

'That's it?' Adam asked this time.

'Yep, that's it.' Ruby emphasized unfazed.

Eric and Adam looked at each other before Eric dropping another bomb. 'Then do you like him?'

Ruby seemed to be taken aback to that question. She opened her mouth before closing it. She turned away from them. 'I don't like him.'

Eric looked defeated already and Adam had to hold his boyfriend to prevent him from dropping onto the floor in disappointment.

'But.'

'I don't not like him either.'

'Wait what does that mean..?' Eric tried to pry further before I came back and asked. 'What were you guys talking about?'

'Nothing much nothing much.' Eric answered as he took a can of isotonic drink from me and seemed to be smiling to himself.

The four of us took a small break before taking a group picture together with the waterfall and continuing our hike. During the hike, Ruby continued talking to Adam about the Kardashians while Eric and I were taking our time to hike at the back.

'Hey Otis.'

'Hm?' I responded.

'What does this mean to you, this quote 'I don't not like you'.'

I looked at him confused. 'Where did that come from?'

'Just answer it.' Eric rushed.

'Er… I don't know? It means they like you? Wait what is it for anyways?'

Eric chucked and smiled. 'Nothing Otis. Just had a random thought.'

…

After another two hours, we finally finished the hiking trail. My legs were killing me and my outfit didn't exactly made it better. I was soaked in sweat and I just want to go home.

'Well, Adam and I are going to the mall after this. Care to join?' Eric asked.

I shook my head. 'I'm good. I still have unfinished homework. You guys have fun.'

Ruby shook her head too. 'I have to go back to cook dinner for my dad. Maybe next time.'

We went on our separate ways after that. Ruby and I were walking home together. 'Did you have a great time?' I asked.

'Yeah. Thanks for inviting me. I had fun walking and appreciating nature. Never knew Adam watched the Kardashians. He's an interesting one.'

'Right, you'll grow to like him.' I assured, happy that people actually likes Adam for who he is.

Soon, we reached Ruby's house and I waved her goodbye. 'See you in school.'

Ruby smiled slightly and was about to enter her house before turning around and asked 'Hey, did Eric ask you anything weird?'

'Nope not really. Why do you ask?' I shook my head.

Ruby seemed to breathe in relief as she shook her head. 'Nothing Milburn.'

'Oh wait, he asked me something out of the ordinary though. He asked something about I don't not like you? Asking me what does that mean.' I suddenly remembered. 'I mean it kind of means that they like you right?'

Ruby's cheeks started to redden and seemed taken aback. 'I have to go.' Ruby then turned around frantically and went into her house.

'Eh Ruby..?' I said but she was already gone. 'Did I do something wrong?'

I scratched my head in search for an answer but nothing came out.

'Huuhh.' I sighed.

Author's Note: Happy New Year to all you readers out there and as always, thank you for reading this! Have a good one.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Sex Education world, which is trademarked by Laurie Nunn