Star's POV:
How did it come to this? We are now standing outside his room pacing back and forth nervously as the only sound is footsteps resonating from Lily. "Why was he hacking out blood?"
"Just what happened?" My friend muttered as we all stared at her as she walked back and forth in front of us with a worried expression.
I glanced at the three others who stood next to me and nodded knowing.
"Lily," I interrupted her train of thought as she stopped and looked at us.
"You have been pacing around in front of his room for 10 minutes now." I pointed out as she slowly walked again.
"So?"
"You should relax," Maria said as we nodded. "He's going to be fine." Hopefully.
"Am I not relaxed right now?" She laughs. "I'm the definition of relaxed."
All of us sigh as Zach walked up to her, gripping her shoulders so she stopped walking.
"You got to calm yourself." He exclaimed gently. "Getting worked up won't solve the problem."
My friend took a deep breath and let out a frustrated sigh. She walks over to us and slumped lifelessly against the wall. "You're right… panicking won't help."
"So," She turns to us after a few moments of silence. "Anyone has any ideas on what just happened?"
"No…" We said in unison as she sighs yet again, eyes locked on the door. Is she okay?
"Are you okay, Lily?" Maria asks in concern as she smiles.
"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Maybe because you're clenching your fist and was pacing around for 10 minutes?" I looked at her expectantly as she blinks.
"I'm fine guys," She muttered as she sat down on the floor with her knees to her chest.
"I'm just a little concerned that's all."
"A little?" Maria asks as we all chuckled.
She rolled her eyes. "Ok, a lot. I mean like how do you expect me to react when he's currently unconscious?"
We all sat down next to her. "Lily," Zach started. "He's going to be fine."
She looks up at him. "Did you see how pale he was? Not to mention there was blood on his hands!"
"True," I said placing a hand on her shoulder. "But you got to believe that he will be okay," I exclaimed softly.
"She's right," Maria chimed in. "You know him better than anyone. Has anything kept him down before?"
She shook her head. "No, he's way too stubborn to give up."
"Exactly. He's always able to bounce back from any situation. So he can certainly bounce back from this as well."
She bit her lip with a conflicted expression. "But…"
I let out a soft sigh. "He's just unconscious. The doctor and his parents are in there as we speak so he's going to be fine." I stated as she looks at me with hope in her eyes.
"Really?"
We all nodded. "I can guarantee that he will be fine," Zach said. "You just got to believe and have hope."
My friend stays silent for a couple of minutes and smiled. "You're right… hope is the key! I have to believe that he will be alright."
At least she snapped out of her worried state. I glanced at the door with worry. Hopefully, he will wake up soon and prove our words to be true…
Astral, wake up.
Maria's POV:
She glanced towards the door once again as I sighed. She worries way too much. I got to divert her attention somehow… hmm… Ah-ha!
"Lily?"
"What's up?"
I took her hand and pointed to her shiny diamond ring on her left ring finger. The ring is made of platinum with a medium-sized shiny, luminous diamond in the center. I wonder…
My eyes narrowed as I looked at it in curiosity and suspicion. Her ring…
(Flash):
"Hey Astral?" I ask while taking a sip of water in his room.
"Yes?"
"Where did you get that ring?" I pointed to his left ring finger that housed a simple yet beautiful platinum ring. Hm…
I gently took his hand to examine it more clearly. This ring… the way it looks and its placement on his finger…!
My eyes widen with a gasp of shock. "Is this a-"
He shook his head with a slight smile. "This isn't a wedding ring."
"But it looks so much like it."
"It's a promise ring." Promise?!
"Promise?! Do you like someone? How can I not know about this?" I hastily ask. "Who is she? Will I get to meet her? What is her appearance?" I ask quickly in excitement as I moved next to him with a grin. "How did you two-"
He placed a hand on my lips to silence me. "It's not that kind of a promise ring, Maria." Huh? Not that kind?
I tilt my head in confusion as my friend took his hands off my mouth. "What do you mean not that type?"
"A promise ring symbolizes love," I stated as he nods.
"Yup."
I blinked. "But then what did you mean by not that type of promise ring?" I ask in confusion as my friend gave me a slight smile.
"This promise ring symbolizes friendship." He replied after a few moments as my jaw dropped. He's kidding, right? A friendship ring? Is there such a thing as a friendship ring?
"B-But then why do you wear it on your ring finger?" I stammered out still in shock.
"It seemed like the appropriate spot to wear it." My friend replied, looking at his ring with a grin as I stared at him. What on earth…? A friendship ring?! Who gives a ring to a friend?
"A friendship ring?!" I shouted as he covered his ears to prevent future hearing impairment.
"Tell me," I leaned closer to him. "Who would give a ring for friendship?!"
The door opens as someone steps in.
"Uh..."
I let out a sigh and gripped his hand. "This is a ring,"
"I know."
"I heard of a friendship bracelet and necklace but never have I heard of a friendship ring that looks like a wedding ring," I stated as I calmed myself a bit.
He was about to respond when a person cleared their throats as our attention got diverted. "Ahem, am I interrupting?"
My friend's eyes widened. "Mother, how long have you been standing there?"
"For quite sometime now..." The Queen responded with a bit of hesitancy in her tone. Why is she looking at me like that?
A brief moment of silence passed between us as the King enters. "Son, I heard some yelling-
His eyes widened as he laid sight on us. "Am I interrupting something?"
Interrupting what?
"Your Majesties," I spoke up as they looked at me. "What do you mean by that?"
They blinked. "Um..."
My friend lets out a sigh. "Can you get off me?"
"Why?"
"Ok," He breathed deeply with a gulp. "Do you realize what position we're in right now?"
Position...! I blinked as I took a sharp intake from my nose. I'm currently laying on top of him with my arms on either side of his body, trapping him on the couch all while pinning his wrists tightly.
A seep of red dusted his cheeks as I gulped, not saying a word. How could I not realize this position? This is what I get for being impulsive.
I slowly let go of his wrists and sat up on the couch. "Sorry about that," I said sheepishly lending him a hand to help him up as well.
"No worries. You didn't do it on purpose."
(Flash)
Of course, that was two years ago. After that, we explained the situation so that his parents didn't misunderstand our relationship. On another note, her ring…!
"Your ring… is it an engagement ring?" I ask with excitement as our eyes widen in shock.
"Oh, yea," Star said with a hand under her chin. "It was because of that ring, I thought that you're a Princess Consort." That makes a lot of sense because of its location.
Zach blinks. "What the? Where did you get this?"
My friend blinks. "Engagement ring?" She laughed. "You're mistaken."
I shook my head slowly. "I am not mistaken." I took off her ring and examined it from all sides. "This is an engagement ring."
"It's not an engagement ring of any sort."
"Then why does it look like an engagement ring?" Star asks as she shook her head.
"This is a promise ring."
Our eyes widened. Promise ring… he has a promise ring as well…
"Promise?!" Zach said excitedly. "So, who gave it to you? Will we get to meet that person soon? What is he like?"
Star hits his arm as he glanced at her. "Calm down, Zach."
"Sorry, I was excited."
I wonder… "Did Astral give you this ring?" I guessed as she nods.
"Yea, how did you know?"
As I thought. My friends gaped with their mouths hanging open. "Astral gave you that ring?!" They hollered as their voices echoed across the palace walls.
She blinks and nods slowly. "Yea and I gave him a ring as well."
"You also gave him a ring?!" They shouted once more as they stared at each other, opening and closing their mouths in pure and utter shock and disbelief.
"What is up with you two?" She asks after a moment of silence.
"Lily, do you know what a ring means?" I ask as her eyes widen.
"Of course, I know what it means. I'm not three years old or anything." She responded.
"Then what does it mean?" I ask as she blinks.
"A promise ring means love and commitment to a relationship." My friend stated with a smile as we looked at each other. He got her a promise ring. Does she still not get it?
"Lily," Zach started. "He got you a promise ring."
"Yea,"
"It means love," Star said slowly.
"Mhm."
Unbelievable… I shook my head. "Do you not get his intentions?" I ask in disbelief as she tilts her head.
"What intentions?"
"Ughhhh…" We groaned in frustration and smacked our faces. How can she be so clueless?!
"Ok," Zach said as he took a breath to prevent exploding. "What do you think him giving you a promise ring means?"
"You ask such obvious questions, Zach." My friend laughed. "It means friendship."
We blinked. Friendship… did she just say friendship?
"Why would you think that?" Star asks after a brief minute of silence.
"Because he said this ring represents friendship and how we will be best friends!"
…
…
…
"You have got to be kidding me?!" We yelled as she flinched.
"Why are you so loud today?"
"Friendship?!" I yelled as she backs away. "He gave you a ring because of friendship?!" I seethed with anger as they held me back.
"Calm down, Maria." He said as they gripped my arm. I can't believe this… who gives a ring for friendship?
"Tell me," Star took a breath. "Who on earth would gift a ring as a symbol of friendship?"
She blinks blankly. "We would. Why? Can I not gift him a gift?"
Zach exhaled deeply placing his hand on his forehead. "It's not that you can't gift him a gift. It's just that it's a ring of all things." He explained as she tilts her head.
"What's wrong with that?"
I have no words to express how much… frustrated I'm feeling right now. "Are you that innocent?" I manage to say after a minute.
"It's not like the rings we got each other are a symbol of a romantic relationship or anything." My friend rolled her eyes. "It's a symbol for our friendship."
"I know that but it's still misleading," Star said as we nodded in agreement.
"Especially, when you placed it on your left ring finger," I muttered. Speaking of which, I should probably have a little chat with him sometime about how oblivious he is. This cannot go on. They will not put us in this torture any longer!
"Speaking of which, why do you put it on your left ring finger anyway?" Star asks curiously. "You could've put it on any finger but you chose your ring finger."
"Why?"
She bit her lip with an odd expression as she went into deep thought. I waved my hands in front of her face as she blinks. "You okay?" I ask in concern.
She shook her head. "Yea, I'm fine."
"To tell you the truth, I don't know why I placed it on my ring finger." My friend started after a couple of minutes of silence. She doesn't know why?
"You don't know?" Star asks as she shook her head.
"I don't know why but there is something about that ring…" My friend trailed off, closing her eyes a bit. "It seems…"
"Seems what?" He asks as she opens her eyes.
"It seems familiar." Familiar?
She placed her finger to her chin in deep thought with a faraway look on her face as we glanced at each other in concern. What does she mean by familiarity?
"What exactly do you mean by that?" I ask as she looks at us.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that it seems right for me to place it on my ring finger." It seems appropriate…
"Huh… that's what he said as well," I muttered.
"He said that as well?" My friend ask as I nodded.
"Yup." I find it kind of strange though… Hm…
Liliana's POV:
Hm… I frowned at my ring finger. Since I got that ring, I never even once took it off. Not having it on my finger now… seems more wrong than it ever did in the past.
"Maria," I put out my right hand. "Can you give me back my ring?"
She blinks and examines it closely. "Why? I want to look at it more."
"It really is beautiful." Star complimented as she gave the ring to her. "Elegant yet simple."
"Let me have a look," Zach said as she tossed the ring to him.
My eyes widen. "Be careful with that!" I shouted as they froze. Why did I yell?
He blinks and looks at it then looks at me. "Lily, this is a diamond," He started as he pointed to it. "It won't break when it falls on the ground." My friend calmly explains as I gulped. Still…
I took a breath to calm my rapidly beating heart. "Just give it back before something happens to it."
"What do you mean by that?" Star asks in confusion.
"Yea," Maria said. "What on earth could happen to this ring?" I don't know.
I shrugged. "I don't know but give it back, Zachary," I said in a serious voice. "It's very important to me."
"Was it because he gave you this ring?" He questioned as I nodded.
"Yes," I put out my right palm and walked closer, locking eyes with him. "Hand it over."
A grin surfaced as he gave me a tiny smirk. What's up with that expression? "Just admit it, you love him, don't you?"
My eyes widen. I love him? Well yea but in a platonic sense. I blinked at his words. "How many times do I have to tell you. He's my best friend."
My friend laughs. "Right… you two got each other rings."
A sigh escapes my lips. "The rings are a symbol of our friendship, not romantic love." I clarified again as they eyed me knowingly. Why these friends of mine…
"Sure…" Star said. "You might say that but I know better than to take your word for it."
"What does that supposed to mean?" I ask narrowing my eyes.
Seriously, what is with them and insisting that Astral and I like each other? I glanced towards the door as a pang of sadness shot through. Astral…
I directed my attention back to my friends who are currently tossing my ring around like some inexpensive toy. Why they…
My breath hitched in my throat. "Be careful with my ring!" I choked out as they stared at me.
"Seriously, give it back," I demanded.
"Why should I?" He asks, tossing the ring up into the air.
"Because it's mine!" I said raising my voice a bit. "Give it back!"
"Psst," Maria whispered. "Zach, you better give it back. I have never seen her like this before."
"Relax girls," He whispered back. "I know what I'm doing."
"But still, that ring is hers," Star said.
"Don't worry." My friend said as I took a breath to steady myself. Why am I getting so worked up about a ring?
"Zachary, give it back," I demanded while glaring at him.
"Is this ring that important to you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I snapped. "Now give it back."
"Why is it important?"
"He gave to me that's why!" I shouted as my patience wore thin.
"Now, give it back." I glared at him murderously as they flinched.
"Zach," Star said hastily. "You better give it back. This vibe I'm getting from her is not pleasant."
"Listen to me and give back the ring," Maria said as she gulped. "You really shouldn't test her, not when she's looking like she's about to kill us."
Just then, the door opened and my attention was diverted. A guy with light blue hair and mismatched eyes came out with his parents with a slight smile.
My eyes widen as I tackled him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him closer. He's alive!
"You're alive!" I exclaimed happily as I buried my head in his chest. He wraps his arms around my waist gently as a chuckle escapes him.
"Of course, I'm alive." A slight smile graced his face. "What, do you want me to die or something?" He joked as I smacked his chest making him wince.
I furrowed my brows in anger. "That's not what I meant," I muttered as he laughs and ruffled my hair softly.
"Just joking that's all."
I nuzzled my face into his chest even more. "Don't make me worry about you again, you hear me?"
"No promises."
I looked up at him with a pout as he stared at me, blinking. "You have no idea how worried I was." I softly said as he cups my cheek.
"Ahem," Maria cleared her throat as we looked at her. "It's true. She was panicking and pacing in front of your door for approximately 10 minutes."
My best friend looked down at me with a smile and stroked my cheek. "I thought I told you last night to not worry over the things you can't control." He stated in a gentle voice. Well yea but still…
"Do you expect me to not worry about you when you were unconscious?" I ask appalled. "Not to mention, you coughed out blood and looked very pale," I exclaimed as I softly cupped his cheek with a slight smile.
He closed his eyes and leaned down to kiss my forehead for a few minutes. My breath hitched as my heart rate reached unparalleled speeds. W-What the? Why am I? This kiss…
My friend leans back as I stood there trying to comprehend what just happened. Did he just kiss my forehead? But why? Does this also have a meaning? Am I overthinking about this? Hm… but that kiss… it feels all warm and tingly inside. I like it!
I wrapped my arms around his waist tighter and stared at him with a smile. "You really like kissing me huh?"
He rolled his eyes and poked my cheek with a slight chuckle. "What's not to like?"
"Not lovers huh?" The Queen smiles as we sigh.
"Mother, we are not lovers."
"We are friends," I stated as Zach scoffed.
"Friends?" He chuckles. "Would friends gift each other rings?"
"How many times do I have to tell you, people? They symbolize friendship." I said as he nods.
"Mhm."
"Sure thing."
"Whatever you say you two."
Why do we even bother?
My eyes widen. "Zach, give me back my ring!"
"Oh, now you remembered?" He opened his right palm with a smile.
Why is he doing this? I let go of my best friend. "Hand it over."
"Why?"
"Because it's mine."
"I just want to see it."
"You had it quite a long time." I countered. "Now, give it here."
He looked away with his arms crossed. Seriously?! Hmmm…
My eyes lit up as I swung my friend's arm back and forth with a pout. "Baby, he's got my ring." I pointed at him.
My friend burst out laughing loudly as he hunched over, leaning against a wall. "Lily, what... what did you just... say?" He said in between fits of laughter as my best friend gave me a deadpan expression. Oops... If I don't take action soon, I will be dead!
A sheepish grin flashed on my face as I gulp.
He sighs. "Zachary, give it back to her."
"Did she just call you 'Baby'?" He asks while still laughing, trying to catch his breath. So what? Is this really a funny thing?
"So what?" I ask getting a bit irked by his laughter, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
"Hahahahaha…"
My eyes narrowed and I pulled him closer by the waist as his eyes widened at the sudden impact.
"What are you doing?" He asks in confusion as I smiled and rub our noses together as they gasp in disbelief.
I leaned back with my arm around his shoulder to see a shade of red dust on his cheeks as all were silent. Looks like he stopped laughing.
"Not that I mind, but I thought we agreed to not do that in public."
"Yes, but how else would I get him to stop laughing? Also, you broke that rule once so why can't I?" I ask innocently as he pecks my cheek with a chuckle.
"A little warning next time would be helpful."
I rolled my eyes, poking his chest lightly. "I thought you liked surprises?"
A smirk crossed his face as his arm snakes to my waist, pulling me closer as I gulp.
"I do like surprises…" I involuntarily shivered as his lips brushed up against my ear. Warm air made my knees feel like jelly as I gulp.
He pulled away as I regained my senses of what just happened. My heart beating rapidly with my face was probably flushed.
I hit his chest gently. "Personal space, baby," I muttered as he smiles and took his arms away from me.
"Personal space?" He took a couple of steps away from me as I glanced at him. "Of course,"
No! I blinked with a pout as I latched onto his arm again. "This is not what I meant."
He raised a brow. "What did you mean then?"
Seriously?! A sigh escapes me as I planted a lingering kiss on his nose. "Never mind that. Just get my ring back."
A smile flashed on his face as he ruffled my hair.
"Zachary," He diverts his gaze onto my friend with an authoritative tone that made him stiffen under an emotionless gaze. Wow… I wish I had that power to make people listen to me with just one look.
"Fine." He tossed it up into the air as my eyes widened. No!
Luckily, my friend caught it in the nick of time before it touched the ground as I let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank goodness."
I glared at him. "Zach, I told you to be careful with that!"
He giggled. "It's not like it's going to break or anything."
"But still! It's a valuable and expensive ring." I explained as he sheepishly grinned. Of course.
"Here." He took my left hand and slowly slid the ring back on my ring finger as we stared at one another with a gentle smile.
(Pulse)
I clenched my jaw as a throbbing sensation in my head made me hiss.
(Flash)
The water shone and sparkled as two figures stood there, hand in hand, staring at the picturesque ocean. The pink cherry blossom tree flowed in the gentle wind making it scatter petals everywhere onto the ground as the man let go of the woman's hand.
"Honey?" The woman's voice called out softly.
The man suddenly got on one knee and opened a jewelry box that housed a replica of my ring as the woman's eyes widen.
"What are you-"
"Will you marry me?" He asked in a soft voice as the woman stood there with tears dripping down her eyes.
She smiled. "I thought that you would've never asked, Xxxxxx."
She sniffles with a smile as he gently took her left hand and slowly slid the ring onto her finger while gazing lovingly at each other.
He stood up with a slight smile as he kissed her forehead. "Together, we are a force to be reckoned with. Together we can accomplish anything, my love."
He cups her face to wipe her tears. "No matter how many obstacles stand in our way, no matter how many people try to keep us apart, know this," He paused a bit and smiled, stroking her hair and pulling her closer by her waist. "I will always be by your side."
"I love you, Xxxxxxx." He whispered as he gave her a lingering forehead kiss, holding her close with a smile.
"I love you, my princess."
She smiled, burying her head in his chest with her arms wrapping around his waist. "I love you as well, Xxxxx, my one, and only prince."
(Flash)
What… What did I just see? Why did they have the same ring?
I blinked and stared at my friend who held my hand with a smile. Most importantly, why did I see that?
"Are you okay?" He ask as I snapped out of my thoughts to meet his concerning gaze.
"Yea, I'm fine." I flashed a quick smile to prevent him from asking more.
Hm… why can't I see their faces? "Astral?"
He tilts his head to the side. "What is it?"
"Can you kiss my forehead again?" I ask staring at him as he blinks.
He smiles and gently placed his lips on my forehead. I closed my eyes as I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. He did the same with me as I stood there in peaceful silence. Why are forehead kisses so good?
After a couple of minutes, my friend pulled away as I opened my eyes with a gentle smile. "Thank you."
He softly chuckles. "No need to thank me, Lily."
The King coughs as we looked at him. "I'm sorry, I tried to hold in my cough but I just couldn't anymore."
I raised a brow. "Why were you holding in your cough?"
"To not ruin this romantic moment between you two love birds."
Our eyes widen as we looked at each other. "We don't have that kind of relationship." We said in unison with a sigh.
"Anyone with eyes can see that you two-"
"Star, we don't have that kind of relationship." He clarified. "I thought we explained it yesterday."
"Well, yea but your actions go against your words." Our actions?
"Just admit it," Maria said with a smirk. "You two love each other."
"When will you people get it into your heads?" I said with a frustrated sigh.
"We do not have a romantic relationship." My friend said as I nod.
"Sure…" They looked at us as we smacked our faces and glanced at each other with smiles. Oh lord.
Maria's POV:
I smack my face gently. Clueless. This is so painful to watch. "Astral, may I speak with you?"
"Speak your mind." Oh my goodness.
"In private?"
He raises a brow and removes her arms from his waist. "What's so private that our friends can't hear?" Seriously? Did he forget? I just told him a few days ago.
"Yea, Maria," Zach said looking between the two of us. "Why can't we hear."
I stare at him with a deadpan expression. "Nice to know you forgot our scheduled dinner."
His eyes widen with a gasp. "Was that today?" He glanced at the clock.
5:30
"That slipped my mind." He smacked his forehead as I stifle a laugh.
"I am so sorry," He walks to his room and grabs a coat. "Ok, if we go now, we will be able to make it on time."
"I thought you have a photographic memory." I giggle holding onto his arm.
"Well, sometimes I forget. Having a photographic memory doesn't mean you remember everything single thing."
"Hold it right there!" My friends exclaimed.
"Where are you two going?"
"We…" I bit my lip. It's not that I don't want to tell them… it's just-
"We made dinner reservations at a restaurant." My friend said as I grip his hand tighter.
They blink and point at us. "A date?"
"Between friends," I said glancing at him. "We have something to discuss."
"Speaking of which, we should get going." He said pulling me along.
"Don't stay out too late." His father yells as he gave him a thumbs up.
At the restaurant:
"You realize they will probably misunderstand again, right?" He said clinking our glasses of red wine together.
"I know." I sip it while eating my food. "But I would rather not tell them."
He sighs. "Maria, it's been roughly a year since you two split. Don't you think it's time to forget about him?"
(Flash):
"I love you."
(Flash)
"Perhaps," I close my eyes and gulp the rest of the wine.
"Plus, they are our friends." He began. "I understand why you don't want to tell them about this but-"
"Enough about me," I open my eyes to meet his. "You're keeping a secret as well, aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"This morning," His eyes widen. "You hacked out blood."
My friend laughs. "Oh, that,"
I look at him with an emotionless gaze. "You're ill."
He tilts his head. "What would make you say that?"
"Simple," I cross my legs. "You hacked out blood." Not to mention you look like death.
He purses his lips. "You noticed?"
"Everyone noticed. They just chose to not think this direction and brush it off."
He throws me a slight smirk sipping his drink. "You really are my friend."
I returned his smirk. "Now, when are you going to tell the others?"
"Wouldn't it be best if they don't know?"
"Astral, they are our friends. They deserve to know about your illness." I explain softly placing my hand on his.
"Same with you, how long are you going to keep them in the dark about your love life?"
I… He gave me a soft smile. "You can't keep doing this. Eventually, they will find out and knowing them, they don't like secrets."
True… "But, I would rather not…"
"I won't force you but you're going to have to tell them sooner or later."
"Then you tell them about your illness."
He stays quiet sipping his wine as he pours another glass. "It's not the right time."
"Oh? Then when is the right time?"
"I don't know but now's not the time." He said after a moment.
"If that's the case, I won't tell them about mine either."
He laughs and shakes his head. "Of course, you won't."
"Anyway," My friend looks at me seriously. "It's time you forget him and find someone else."
A deep sigh escapes me as I finish my third cup of wine. "Nah," I wave a hand dismissively. "I will stay single."
"Come on, don't be that way."
"You didn't let me finish. I will stay single until I find the right guy." He's right. Time to forget that jerk once in for all!
My friend softly smiles. "Here's the Maria that I know and love."
A giggle escapes my lips as we clink our glasses together again. "I love you, you know that?"
"Of course. I love you as well, Maria."
Astral's POV:
At the palace:
"Careful!"
She leans on me for support with a giggle. "I told you to not drink so much."
"Mmm… I'm happy!"
Happy? "I love youuuuu!" She pecks my cheek as I try not to stumble.
"Ok ok," I pull away as she groans. "Love you too but you're drunk."
"Oh my gosh, just how much did you two drink?" My mother asks as I guide my friend towards a chair.
"For me, it wasn't much but for her," I look at my friend who is currently talking to the walls and laughing. "It was more than enough."
"Geez, you two reek of red wine," Zach said with a scrunched-up face.
"I know," I clutch my head as a dizzy spell flows through making me stumble. Uh-oh.
A hand grabs my arm. "Careful."
"Thanks, Lily," She helped me towards a chair and sat me down.
"Why did you two drink anyway?" Star asks as I blink. Uh… got to come up with a lie!
My friend stumbles towards me and plops herself sideways on my lap as my eyes widen. What the?
"I love youuuuu!"
My body stiffens as she wiggles a bit. Not again...
"Hey! Get off me!"
She wraps her arms around my neck securely as I try to remove her arms. "Don't leave me."
"S-Stop moving."
"I love you!" She pecks my cheek as I sigh deeply. You know what? She's drunk so I'm going to let this slide this time. And I'm tired.
My friend whines and snuggles closer onto my chest. "I love you."
Guess she's not over him after all. "Sleep tight,"
"Son," My father looks at me in shock. "Are you sure it's okay to let her sit on your lap like this?"
I shrug. "She's drunk. It's not like she's consciously aware of what she's doing."
"Yeah," Zach said. "But still, don't you feel anything with her being on your lap?"
How peculiar… why don't I feel anything when she sits on my lap? When Lily casually plops herself on my lap, it felt different…
What is the cause of it? "It's fine," I said after a few minutes. "She's my friend and I'm not attracted to her romantically."
"You're kidding!"
I shake my head. "I'm not kidding. I really feel nothing with her on my lap."
"Hold on," My best friend places a hand under her chin. "I thought guys feel uncomfortable when a female sits on their lap?"
"Not always but most of the time, yes."
"So," She looks at me with a hurt expression. "Are you not comfortable with me?"
My eyes immediately widen. "What? Why would you think that?"
A thought flies into my mind. "Oh," She must've thought…
"I kind of lied this morning about a guy feeling uncomfortable when a female sits on their lap."
She looks at me expectantly. "The thing is, guys only get uncomfortable with females that they-" I bit my tongue to stop myself. What on earth was I about to say?!
The person on my lap stirs with a giggle pulling me close, poking my nose. "I love you."
Sorry about this. Before our lips connected, I place a hand over my lips and lifts her in my arms. "You're drunk."
"Mmmm!" She squirms in my arms as she tries to claim my lips again.
"Nope." I look away as the audience blinks in disbelief.
"Um…"
"She doesn't know what she's doing and I swear, nothing is going on between us," I stated calmly while walking up the stairs as my friends all followed.
"Are you sure?" My best friend asks quietly. "She just tried to kiss you."
I open the door to her room and place her down gently on the bed. "I'm sure. Sometimes, things that we see aren't the exact truth to the matter."
A yawn escapes me as I blink. "Here."
"Thanks, Lily." I peck her cheek as I gulp down the tea. That hits the spot.
"No worries." She kisses my cheek as I pat her head gently with a smile.
"Anyways, we should let her sleep."
"Fair enough."
"Sleep tight, Maria." I lean over to kiss her forehead. Hopefully, you can forget about him.
I lean back with a small smile as her lips curve upwards. "I love you."
"I love you too," I whisper shutting the lights and door gently.
"I love you too?" He questions as I roll my eyes.
"Platonically, Zach."
"Not every I love you has to be romantic." My best friend latches onto my arm.
"I guess."