"I miss my bed so bad.” Azael gives me those stink eyes, which show his disapproval. I can't help it, I hate going out for runs but this guy just loves it way too much.

“Couldn’t you ask Nate to, come with you? Why drag me in this?” He chuckles in his deep voice which makes me sigh internally. If only I didn't love this guy, I would have smashed his head for waking me up so early on a weekend and dragging me for a run.

“Oh shut up, you know he talks too much, way too much about his late-night parties and shenanigans, and I don't have the mood for those this early in the morning.” We took a left turn, and the cold gush of wind of the middle of January hit my face, flying away my already messed up hair.

"Selfish asshole and you thought, Hazel gonna be a good option for this.” He laughs again, our steps going in sync as we rush over the concrete pavements. I won't admit this to him, but the run is really good, it freshens my mind well but if not for my straining muscles and legs, I would have made this my favorite hobby.

"Don't be a witch so early in the morning. Come on,” He gives me a hitch with his shoulder, "You’re my bestie, if not you who gonna help me in my crises.”

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic self and looked at my watch. It's still only seven thirty, more fifteen minutes to go.

“Can't we cut this short by any sake ?”

He shakes his head, before taking my right arm with his and running again, this time at a lesser pace. "I have something important to discuss with you, and I can't make this any late.”

Not gonna lie, my heart beat faster thousands of times per second at his words. A small foolish part of me wonders if he is going to say what I have been wishing to hear for so long.

"What's so important? Come on don't make me wait.” He smirks, pulling my arm closer under his strong muscles.

"Aren't you too excited…” I glared at him, which made him smile wider. "Okay, fine. It's a top secret. And I'm treating you with some coffee, for hearing my tea.”

"Oh yes please and croissants too. Your stories often go longer than needed.” He gave me those disapproving eyes again before I laughed and we made me run to the nearest café.

•••••••••

“So, I like Skylar, and I'm thinking of asking her out.” I almost spill my coffee hearing him. Growing up together, I have never heard Azael talking about a girl, or more like his own willingness to go out with her. It has always been the other way around.

I feel my heart break a little more when I look at his shining eyes, and beautiful smile as if he not just admires her but is in love. I know it's foolish, and I must be happy for my best friend but an admirer in me can't stop herself.

“Skylar as in the new girl in our music band”. We have a music group of our own since the first year of college. It consists of four of us, Azael as the drummer and the writer, Nate as the lead singer, Celeste as a violinist, and me as the guitarist. It isn't a rock band of any kind, something we four made up when we discovered our similar taste in music. But two weeks ago, Azael called out in the group about Skylar joining it. I never knew this to get so far.

“Yeah, I have been crushing on her since the beginning of our second year and thought it's high time I do so.” I take in a sharp breath, nodding my head at him.

“Did you do that?” his ear tips turn pinkish and I can't help myself from smiling at that. Azael is a shy boy, however much he denies. I have known him since those days we met years ago, and he never brought up the train incident. It's more like if I ever brought it up, he would just shy away.

"Yeah, I did.” But then I see the light and happiness in his eyes dimmed a little. That makes my heart clench.

“And?” I raise my eyebrows at him, stopping myself from biting into the delicious croissants.

“She said that even she likes me but …” He looked down, my eyebrows furrowing at that.

“Come on, Az you can share with me anything you know right?” He nods, and after a while, he gives out a deep sigh.

"She said, she likes me more if I get out of myself more. Like she feels I’m too shy for a boy, my glasses are too big on my face and maybe some blue lenses since browns are too basic and I should get myself some bad boy clothes perhaps a leather jacket or something. To say in a bucket, she wants me to change my nerd self to something as she put it, bad boy and dashing.” My eyes almost pop out, when I hear his words.

Is this Skylar psycho or what? How can she not appreciate his cute nerdy looks, those big brown eyes, those glasses adding more to his self, and his already great dressing sense believe me when I say this because it's mostly Azael who chooses clothes for me in the malls. I can't buy fashionable clothes.

It makes my heart hurt when I see his eyes and the untold words that he is ready to change himself for her. Why? Why he has to change? I don't want him to be someone he isn't, to lose himself among all these.

“That’s ok, Az but you don't have to change. Despite however we make fun of each other, you're handsome and good looking and you don't have to get anything done at all. I love your big brown eyes and these glasses and all the clothes you wear. It's what makes you, you.”

He chuckles and I know he still thinks I’m joking with him. "No, Haze you can't understand. I like her, and this Valentine’s I want to ask her out and give her no scope to say no. And even I think a little change is good if she likes me in that.”

I don't know how to explain him anymore. I have seen him at all the worst, his worst days, and vice versa but I can't stop loving him then also, why is he doing this? You don't love someone by their looks.

"But Az-“

"Nothing more. Please Haze I want you to help me and set up this date for me. I know only you can help me with this.” I gulp almost wanting to cry or spill the words but I can't not when I see his eyes and the hope and admiration in them. If not me then someone else.

And that's the day I realized if you truly love someone you just want them to be happy no matter what, or with whoever. It's their happiness that matters the most.

•••••