I'M IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND

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🌿 Heidi's POV🌿

The best feeling in the world is knowing that someone out there gat your back, that someone out there would fight for you even when you are not there.

Yeah, for me, that's the best feeling.

And that person to me, is Lucas Rodriguez. He's someone I grew up with, we were practically birthed in the same neighborhood. We've known each other all our lives, and the bond between us was bigger than what most siblings could have.

My bestie. My first love. My everything – well –apart from my father who had taken care of me ever since Mom left. He also means a lot to me.

People would always mistake me for a boy at first sight. Only when they look harder would they realize I was a girl.

And why did I become a tomboy? Because Lucas was like my twin. I learned how to dress like him, learned how to drum like him but never cut my hair which I always plaited into two rough ponytails.

I would say I wasn't a bit attractive, maybe it was my dress sense, my boyish lifestyle.

I've never had a female friend apart from the girl, Aryan who lived next door with her grandmother. We only said hello, chatted about school since we were in the same class.

As an only child, I never knew what it felt like to have a sibling, never knew what it felt like to have a mother's love.

Is it the same as being loved by your father? Well, I don't know...

"Gotcha!" A familiar voice sounded behind me in the almost empty class. Our class was the most beautiful out of the classrooms in Cloverdale High. Well, I know this because I've been to the six senior classrooms.

Maybe it was because we had so much art students. There were four rows and three lines of seats, well arranged with beautiful paintings on the milk colored wall.

I giggled and turned to see Lucas coming with my lunch. "You took so long." I accused.

He turned the seat in front of me, sat on it and put the plastic bag of food on my desk. We weren't in the same class but he found out time every lunch break to bring me my food.

"How about that guy? Your desk mate? Does he still bother you?" Lucas asked as he emptied the plastic bag.

I smiled and nodded. I loved it when he asks about my male troublers. " He's gone out for lunch break."

"Next time he does anything funny, I'm gonna break his neck. He shouldn't try it." Lucas spoke as though my desk mate was there.

I laughed again, and started munching on my doughnut. "Are you coming over tonight? I don't wanna be alone, my dad is going on a business trip today."

Lucas put his hands under his chin, his eyes staring directly straight into mine. "What is in for me?"

"A bowl of milky popcorn, a big cup of ice cream for us, plenty of sodas, homemade pizza." I listed, staring at the ceiling as I counted with my fingers.

Lucas was smiling when I looked at him. "I've known you since we were kids, Heidi. You hardly keep up with your words, hmm."

I laughed. "This time, it's different. I will make the order once I get home, my dad's gonna give me one of his credit card for the weekend while he's away."

"Deal then! But if you go back on your word this time, I'm gonna give you a huge peck on that cute cheek of yours."

I chuckled. "I'd love that. A huge kiss wouldn't be bad too."

Lucas laughed and pulled at one of my rough pigtail. "When did you become so spoilt?"

I rolled my eyes, sipped slowly from my milkshake. The bell rang just then and Lucas got up on his feet. "See you later, miss." He bent, planted a soft Peck on my left cheek before leaving the classroom.

I raised my fingers slowly to my face, to the particular spot where Lucas pecked me and caressed with a smile.

Funny how my heart skips whenever he did that. I didn't know what was happening to me back when, why I used to feel that way.

Students began trooping back into the class for the remaining classes, and all I could think of was how the night was gonna be. It wouldn't be our first time spending the night together, but this time around, feelings has changed. Something else was happening.

I was beginning to notice things I didn't notice when I was ten. I was beginning to notice how cute my best friend was, how manly he appeared, how handsome he's becoming.

A lot of things!

"Tomboy." My desk mate and the class bully, Nate whispered into my ear. Only then did I realize that the teacher was already in the class.

I turned to look at him with a warning look on my face. "Stay away from me." I said the words through clenched teeth.

I couldn't just wait to leave the class, run home and order for my ice cream and popcorn. The night was gonna be different. I could feel it.

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Heidi's POV

Dad was waiting for me in the living room when I got home, I jumped into his arms as usual.

Dad was incredibly so young and handsome, and it wondered me how he has been able to escape the ladies.

Well, that was to my own advantage. I still had my Dad all to myself. The last thing I wanted was a woman who's not Mom to come into our house, and take away my Dad's attention.

"How was school?" He asked, pecking my hair before letting my feet touch the ground.

I dropped my bag on a sofa, nodding. "It was great. Are you still going on that trip Dad?"

Dad nodded. "I was waiting for you. Here's my card. You know my pin, right?"

I nodded. "Dad? Lucas is spending the night here."

Dad stopped, turned and looked at me. "Lucas? Rodriguez's son?"

I rolled my eyes at the unnecessary question. "How many Lucas do you know, dad? I don't even have any other friend apart from him." I replied, sitting down to remove my shoes.

Dad came closer, sat beside me and put a arm around me. "You are a young lady now, Heidi, even though you act and dress the way you do. You think it's appropriate for a guy who's a year older than you, to spend the night with you?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm still a virgin, Dad."

Dad got up with speed and moved away from me, obviously embarrassed. "Why did you suddenly say that, Heidi!"

I shrugged. "Because I know what you're thinking dad. You think we are gonna have sex? Oh come on, we are best friends." I

Dad covered his face, stepping back. "I will go on now. I...can't have that discussion with you. I'm sure you know what's good." He said, hurrying up the stairs.

I chuckled, shaking my head. What a dad I've got for myself.

The next hour saw me in my room, operating on my phone, ordering for my packages. I had a lot of money to spend, so I didn't even bother about prices.

After that, I got into the bathroom, took a cool bath, came out and threw my closet open.

"Goodness." I mumbled under my breath, really disappointed in what my eyes landed on.

I had little or no girly stuffs. This was a night where I needed to look my best, and at least, look like a girl.

I took out the harsh colored pyjamas, threw it on the bed and stared at it for a while. It was looking so manly, but I didn't have any choice.

I dressed up, and managed to comb my hair.

I applied oil spray on my hair, wore it down, used one of dad's expensive perfume.

Few minutes later, Lucas arrived at the house. "Should we stay in the living room or just go to my room?" I asked, desperately waiting for Lucas to notice my hair and my perfume.

Lucas dropped his backpack on a sofa and shrugged, looking at me but there was no slightest admiration in his eyes. "Anywhere is fine. What movie are we seeing?" He asked and walked towards the glass table in the middle of the living room. "Wow! The popcorn is gonna be great."

"Yeah. Lucas?"

"Hmm?"

"You didn't say anything about my hair. I combed." I mumbled and looked at him as he turned to face me.

He laughed out loud, shook his head. "You didn't even do it properly. Don't try to be a girl. Be you, it suits you better."

I scoffed, turned and started climbing the stairs.

"Hey! Don't tell me you are mad right now." Lucas yelled after me.

"Don't come in! Stay outta there!" I yelled, walking into my room. He barged right in when I was trying to close the door.

He laughed heartily, hugging me from behind. "What is wrong with you? Are you seriously mad at me? I've always teased you with you boyishness."

"Well, things have changed, Lucas." I mumbled, turning to look at him. "Things have changed."

Lucas held my hand, looking at my face. "What changed? Are you alright?"

"I am, except that my feelings...are changing." I walked towards my bed and sat down. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Lucas walked towards me, sat down beside me and snapped his fingers in front of me. "You have a crush? You've fallen for someone??"

I turned to look at him, stuttering. "I...I..."

He clapped, jumping to his feet. "Then I think it's the right time for me to tell you about her!"

Everything turned invisible, my heart stopped beating as I stared at Lucas. "Who?" Who's he talking about? It's obviously not me.

"Daniella." Lucas replied, and for a full moment, I couldn't blink.

"Who's Daniella?"

"She is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, and yesterday, she accepted to be my girlfriend!" Lucas replied, smiling so widely.

I stared at him, unable to close my mouth. I was beyond shocked. Did...did...Lucas just said he now has a girlfriend??

"Heidi? Heidi! Hey! Breathe!"

I stood up from my bed, rushed towards the window, trying so hard to fight back tears. "I...think it was a bad idea asking you to spend the night here. I want to be alone."

He stood behind me, and I could imagine the confused look on his face. "Why? Did I say something wrong?"

I sniffed, wiping off the stubborn tear that'd found it's way down my cheek. "I just wanna be alone."

"Okay. I will be downstairs, eating popcorn?"

I heard the door closing few minutes later, and I figured out he left. Lucas did really left me, even when he knew I could have been crying.

I turned slowly away from the window, stared at the closed door and lowered myself to the floor.

No. Have I lost my best friend to a strange? Have I lost my first love to another girl?

My face changed, my knuckles tightened and my fist hit the floor beneath me.

Never! I would never let it happen. That stranger girl has to go!

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💦Heidi's POV💦

I sneaked out of my room half an hour later, went downstairs and met Lucas watching 'Spatacus' while munching on the popcorn.

He turned to look at me, smiled brightly. "Oh! Are you okay now?"

I shook my head, folded my arms as I stared at him. "Can't believe you are here, enjoying yourself while I cried upstairs. Seriously?"

Lucas stared at me and shrugged. "I asked you what was wrong with you, but you said you wanted to be alone, right?"

I rolled my eyes and joined him in the sofa. "Where did you meet her?" I asked after a while. "Your new girlfriend."

"At school. She's the sweetest thing ever." Lucas replied, turning back to look at the TV.

He wasn't even noticing the sadness in my eyes. He changed within the twinkle of an eye, and it hurt badly.

He didn't stop to ask for my opinion like before, he didn't stop to check my countenance.

And there, I knew I'd lost my best friend to someone else.

So, that night turned out to be a total disaster.

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**The Next Day**

"Heidi, meet Daniella. She's my girlfriend." Lucas finally announced it to my face, and my heart momentarily stopped functioning.

For a full moment, I stared at the girl in front of me, wondering what made her look so beautiful.

Okay. Her sense of dressing. The way she combed her long straight hair. The way she smile and the way she stood like a real girl.

Who wouldn't want this girl to be his girlfriend? She's perfect.

On the other hand, I looked like Lucas himself, with my flat chest, my big t-shirt. My rough pigtails and my faded jean. I was fifteen but still didn't have the curves I could boast of.

My eyes dropped on her lips and the bright red shinny lipstick seemed to beg me to take some for my dry lips...

"Heidi? Heidi!" Lucas's voice cut deep into my thoughts and I was forced to smile.

"Your what?" I couldn't help but stutter.

"I know I should have introduced her to you before now, but it turned out this way. Daniella? Meet my best friend, Heidi." Lucas replied, introduced his supposed girlfriend before I could respond.

"Hi. I've heard so much about you. He didn't exaggerate when he'd told me you were a tomboy." The girl in front of me said, flashing me her fine set of white teeth.

I stared all over her, looking desperately for a fault. Anything at all that would imperfect her. Anything, even if it was just a small scratch.

But no. The girl is perfect.

"Oh. Yeah. Thanks." Came my under breath reply. "Sorry. I have to go now. My dad's gonna be home soon." Having said that, I turned and rushed towards the white house without saying anything else.

I knew I looked suspicious. I knew I messed up. Yes, I made it look so obvious that I didn't like her. What was her name again? Daniella?

How could I like her when she's finally here to break Lucas and I apart?

Heck. We've been friends for as long as I could remember. We were practically given birth to in the same neighborhood. We grew up together, did everything together, and he was the main reason I turned out to be a tomboy, and now, this girl is here to take him from me?

I ran straight into the opposite house, jammed the white door close behind my back.

Breathless from running too fast, I walked past the living room, climbed up the few steps to my room, and to the window.

There. They still stood and now, they were laughing and Lucas was holding her hand.

Actually, it brought tears to my eyes. Lucas didn't run after me like he would have done. He didn't bother to know why I ran off like that.

Am I losing my best friend? I stared angrily at them, my knuckles tight. Whoever that Daniella girl is, she has to go!!

"What are you looking at?" It was dad's voice behind me.

I turned sharply, snapped the drapes of my curtains close. "Nothing. Just...looking at the sun."

"Why do you look so rough, Heidi? My God. Look at your hair." Dad mused and I frowned at him.

"Do I look different from yesterday? I've always looked like this and dad? Could you knock whenever you are coming in here, please?" I asked and dad stared at me as though I was a joke.

He burst into a big laughter, holding his stomach. His handsome face was all wrinkled with the annoying smile. I rested against the wall, folded my arms and stared at him as he laughed.

"What's funny, dad? What?"

"You don't even look like a normal girl!" Dad said amidst laughter.

I rolled my eyes, folded my arms. If there was one thing my father was good at, it was annoying me but I still love him regardless.

Ever since mom left when I was just ten years old, he's been there for me. As a bookshop owner, dad has really done well for himself.

"Well, I came in to tell you I have a dinner date with someone tonight. I won't be back till late midnight." Dad said, adjusting his collar.

That was when I noticed how well dressed he looked. "A date? You've never gone on a date ever since Mom left." I said with a slight frown.

Dad shrugged and smiled. "I finally saw someone who's worth me."

I said nothing but only turned back to look outside the window, a sad look on my face. Lucas and his new girlfriend were no longer standing outside, they were gone.

What was happening to me? The two favorite people In my life are gonna be taken away from me by strange women.

Am I gonna sit down, fold my arms and watch this happen? No! This is the point where you have to make use of your brain, Heidi. Make use of your brain!

"Dearie? You aren't saying anything." Dad called, moving closer to me. "Say something."

"So, what do you want me to say? You are going to bring in a new mom into the house, isn't it?"

Dad laughed behind me, put his arms around my shoulders. "You know nobody can take your mother's place, right? Don't forget about that."

Dad left few minutes later, and I was left alone.

There was a knock on the door as I stood in front of the mirror, trying to arrange my fluffy black hair.

I left my room, walked down to the main door. I opened the door, and there was Lucas, standing outside with his supposed girlfriend.

"You finally came to see me, huh." I mumbled, opening the door wider and ignoring Daniella who was smiling at me.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you so saucy?" Lucas asked and I scoffed.

"That is the first time you would call me that. Is this all because of your new little girlfriend?" I snapped, staring at him.

He frowned at me, his wrist tightening around Daniella's wrist. "I can't believe you just snapped at me. Are you okay?"

"Maybe you could come in and talk, but not with her, okay?" I said, threatening to close the door.

I watched Lucas turn to look at Daniella, told her to wait outside and stepped into the house.

Making a face at Daniella, I slammed the door shut in her face, turned to look at Lucas.

"What is wrong?" he asked, looking confused.

"You really don't know, right? Okay, I will tell you. That girl isn't good for you. She can't be your girlfriend."

Lucas's eyes lightened up with amusement. "What?"

"You heard me." I replied.

"You are crazy. Why would you say that? Daniella is a great kid, she's beautiful."

I was shocked when I heard him say that and at that point, I knew I had to do something. And very fast.