Two is better than one

Her charcoal black eyes wandered and sought. She was looking for love in places where love wasn't present. Peers urged her to admit the strong connection she shared with her dearest friend but she denied over and over again. They were just good friends.

His dull livid eyes had no interest in love. He was best without such distractions. He scoffed at those who greatly desired a partner. But he too was urged to confess love he thought he never felt. He too considered them just good friends.

They were together most of their days. Sometimes they would laugh and sing together and other times they did nothing but bask in each others presence. They were comfortable with each other yet they kept so many secrets.

They were friends since the very beginning. They had such a strong bond that they didn't want to risk. They knew each other since the start of their lives. Such a relationship they needed to protect. They thought Eros would invade and destroy their friendship so they proceeded to hide their feelings from one other inside a tiny locked box. And they threw away the key.

She felt like an incomplete puzzle and only one piece was missing. She knew it was love so she searched. She searched far and near but not near enough. She never thought of him anymore than a friend. Until she listened, she listened to the urges of her peers. She listened to her heart. Whenever he was around she felt complete, simply complete.

He always felt empty and he always disregarded it. He felt it was insignificant. But lately some of his good friends were bringing his lifeless expressions into the light. They wanted to help him. They wanted him to smile, they wanted him to love. They looked for him, they searched for him. Then they found her. He only smiled when she was around. They wanted her to be around forever only to make him happy. But none would admit their feelings for each other.

She always looked past him when searching, not as if she didn't like him but thought it would ruin their relationship. If one hint of love leaked out, their entire friendship will turn to ashes, or so they thought. Love was like a rose to her, beautiful but carries difficulties, it carries thorns. Love was like a minefield to him, it was dangerous and destructive, you have to be careful to not go to fast or it'll break apart right in front of you.

They both struggled when it came to expressing their emotions, even to their own family. They lacked the confidence of revealing how they truly feel and often keep it a secret. They can't handle criticism and judgement

They were too stubborn to confess. Too bull-headed, single minded, too obstinate. They were fixed on the fact that they were friends, end of conversation. But soon their feelings for each other will become such a big burden it'll weigh them down. It'll keep them from focusing, keep them from feeling anything else. That love will rule over their hard heads and take over their hearts. Then will they accept and confess. Then will they realize that their peers were right. They were made for each other.

One day, he went over to her house. Not for any specific reason, just to be with her. They laid on her bed in silence, it felt as if all beings on earth hushed for a few moments, expecting. He looked at her quizzically, he wanted to know what she was thinking, even if she wasn't thinking at all.

"Hey." He said blandly.

"Yes?" She asked looking back at him.

"Are you...dating anyone by chance?" He looked at her with hope, for some odd reason he didn't want her to be with anyone else.

"No. I wish I was." She looked into his eyes expecting him to say something.

There was more silence. They laid there as the sun began to set. She was sad, she thought he would say something more. He left. She sat up and wondered, she wondered if she was ever going to find love, she wondered if she even understood what it was supposed to be, she wondered.

It was valentines day now. So many people confessing their love and giving cute gifts to friends. Maybe they would confess their need for each other today, hopefully. She wanted him to. He didn't know what he wanted. Their peers were pushing them to confess, it was the perfect day to after all. They wanted them both to be happy, it was their only desire. She wanted to be happy too. He didn't really care.

Classes were filled with love related activities. It made him uncomfortable. It made her excited. She had fun making cards for all her friends, just to let them know she appreciates them. On the other hand, he had trouble putting his words together. He didn't know what to write onto the cards or say to their faces. He was dumbstruck.

After school she went up to him behind the building and held his hand. They made eye contact for more than a minute before she gathered enough courage to speak.

"I love you." She said it. What she felt. Even though she's been holding it back for so long. She felt embarrassed when she saw how small his pupils shrunk.

"I l-love you too. I think." He said it. Despite how much he avoids things like this. But his love had become too much of a burden to keep sulking around with. He had to let it out sooner or later and this was the perfect time.

She wondered, she was happy that he loved her back but in what way. Even he was questioning what he felt what he said. Was he just responding in pity.

"I think?" She then squeezed his hand tight and pulled him closer and he whispered softly into her ear.

"Will this ruin our friendship?" She let a tear run down her cheek. She was so confused. Did he love her or not? HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW.

"It depends. Do you love me?" She whispered back to him. He was silent for a long time. It made her sad. Really sad. Their friendship was over wasn't it. She'd ruined it just like she feared.

"Yes. Yes I do." He whispered back. He then let go of her hands. Gave her a light kiss on the cheek and left. Without any explanation. He just left. Left her frozen. She was blushing like crazy and just standing there. Not knowing what else to do.

She smiled.