It's all just friendship.

One day to go for Valentine’s day, and I can see the happiness radiating out of Azael. That night in my dorm two weeks ago was simply a friendly gesture, something out of the courtesy of being best friends for years. And my stupid self weaved it into some fanatical love story of my own theory.

He never talked about that, and even just brushed away my thank you along with it.

“Hazel, are you done with the banners?” Every year, our college celebrates Valentine’s day with way too much of fervour. Like the prom dances in high school, we have this Valentine fest in our campus, and being one of the members of the cultural team I have to help in setting all the decorations up.

"Yeah, almost done.” I stick some more false flowers at the corners and it looked good. Ayesha took it from me, and began to hung it on the entrance gate. The entire campus is vibrating with the essence of love already in air. Guys have got out of their way to ask girls to be their dates, and after declining Arthur’s offer two weeks ago, I got no more.

My eyes fell on the unfamiliar body, draped in a black leather jacket. He is looking hot in that, and even I can’t deny that how good he pulls both the ways. I look beside him to find Skylar sticking with him, his arm going around the back of her, which made me feel more bitter than I prepared myself for.

Uhh! I hate myself so much now.

I slipped out of their radar before they can find me. After we were done for his last shopping, last weekend I have tried to distance myself a little by little from them. I know I can't bury my feelings overnight and instead of running with them like crazy I should try and get over him.

I didn't even ask him if she said yes or not. It's tonight at 12 when he gonna ask her. Tonight we have the beginning of the fest. There will be party, dance and at midnight a call out or more like asking out the girl beside you to be your Valentine for the entire next day.

It is a sweet gesture and none of the girls can stop gushing about it. Claire, standing beside me with the group kept on chattering how she have to for waxing today itself, while Jennie talked about her nails still left to be done.

Wherever you go, you have the same discussions going on. Celeste said if we don’t get ourselves a date tonight, then we gonna accompany each other. If being true, I was so happy to hear that, at least I won't have to come alone. However strong I act, it's awkward.

"With whom are you going?” I looked at Violet as she pulled the straps of her bag higher up on her shoulder. I shrugged.

“I’m thinking to not have any date tonight. Celeste and I agreed to come together.” She grins at me, her tongue ring rolling out, licking her lips.

“Oh that's a shame, when I know how beautiful you girls gonna look.” I laughed at her harmless flirting. Any girl can be a gay for her, she has such a bad girl aura around her which is so charming. But sadly, Violet is already taken.

“And how does that even matter when Sophia is all you gonna look at.” She smiled, her lips twitching into a grin and I know I caught the nape of it. Sophia is a cute and softie girl and their story began when Violet beaten some guys trying to get into Sophia’s pants.

Before we can converse some more, I heard Azael calling for me. Violet bided me a goodbye and went away, when I turned around and looked at him.

"Nervous?” I smile at him, covering up my sour mood. I cant let him know and ruin his happiness and preparation of so many dates. We even picked out gifts like books, jewelry, even games like Jumanji, Monopoly, Scrabble and even puzzles. I don’t think Skylar gonna like any of that but Azael said I can pick it as my wish also.

"Yeah. I have so many things in stake for it.” I almost laughed at him. He doesn't even know, I have my love in stake for this. I brushed some imaginary dust from his jacket and looked at his eyes. The lens made him look like someone else and not my Azael, the one with big beautiful pools of earthly beauty.

"You gonna pull it through. I told you however we insult each other, you're a gem Azael and no girl will ever deny you.” He smirked.

“You really boasted my ego.” I playful glared at him, hitting his arm.

"You shouldn't be too happy. You are still shitty in courting girls you know that right.”

•••••••

Celeste does a last stroke to her winged liner, smudging the ends of her lids with the black eye shadow. "Red is definitely your color.” I hooted at her, receiving a playful glare from her.

“And what about the deep blue shade lying on your eyelids bitch, I love colorful eyeliners …” she sighs, turning around in her swiveling chair.

Celeste, if you put her in a box, is a simply gorgeous girl. With curly dark hair, big beautiful green eyes and a flawless bronze skin. Dressed in a tight red floor length dress, with a slit on her right thigh, she can put anyone below her. And I can't even believe that this best friend of mine has turned down all the dates she has been asked out today.

“Why did you do that sly act that night? Hmm? Setting up that movie date with Arthur.” She laughs, grabbing her phone from the bed.

"He has been wishing go out with you for so long, and I know even you have missed this entire date thing and pampering yourself with all Azael.” I threw the tissue I had in my hand, while he laughs more.

"Lemme set your hair, but you needed to move on, Haze. I don't want you to be sad and hung up on him.” I sighed, nodding while she began to do my hair. She does some loose curls to my platinum blonde locks, resting them down over my shoulder.

I looked back at myself through the mirror and have to say, Celeste did some amazing work. The Blue A-line satin long, sleeveless dress, with lace up at the back, fitted my form perfectly. My face isn't caked up with too much of make up, just some light shade of blush, highlighter, my eyes adorned with a light tone eyeshadow paired with my blue liner.

“You’re looking so gorgeous. I bet, all the guys gonna salivate in the party.” I laughed at her, shaking my head.

“Stop buttering me up. I haven't forgiven you for the Arthur thing.” She giggles but didn't say anything, and did the last final touch up to her hair.

We reached the fest almost ten minutes late, but Celeste said it's just some fashionable late that was needed. I can never understand this girl. We crossed the front gate, and walked through the left wing before reaching the gymnasium where the main thing will be going on.

I am nervous, and there is no denying in there. Celeste grabbed herself a red wine, definitely without having the age but she says and I quote, 'who cares’. I grabbed myself some sprite and settled on a high stool near the bar. The soft music is playing on, and I can see all the couples gathering inside.

My eyes moved to Noah, our quarterback and what surprised me is, he isn't with a date and more surprising, which isn't too surprising also, he can't leave his eyes from Celeste. Uh uh, definitely a story. He comes towards us after a while, in the black suit he is looking handsome but I can't appreciate it much when my eyes are looking for someone. He ask to steal her for a while and me obviously with a smirk made her go with him, without failing to receive a glare from her.

And then I see the couple entering the room. Azael in a beige-coloured suit which fitted him so good, and the black shirt underneath just added more to his sex appeal. Beside him stood Skylar in a light pink floor length dress with a sweetheart neckline, looking gorgeous.

They looked perfect, and that pinched my heart like thousands of pins being driven into.

•••••