June 15, Saturday.
1:50 PM

"Here's your Java creme frappe, ma'am."

"Thank you!"

Just to make sure I wouldn't be late, I left my house at 1 and arrived here 30 minutes ago. And ordered of course, because when I arrived here, still half an hour remained till Ari would arrive.

And as of now, she could arrive at any moment.

I'm not too nervous. I mean, she's my best friend.

Things will work out alright, right?

And a wave of anxiety hit me. Just when I told myself "i'm not too nervous" I mentally facepalmed then took a sip out of my frappe.

I took out my phone to check the time.

1:55

I turned it back off, put it back in my pocket then began nervously tapping my feet on the ground.

"Welcome ma'am!" I heard the lady by the door greet and I felt my stomach churn. Soft and slow steps approached me and I slowly turned my head around.

"You look pale."

I gulped. "H-hey Ari."

"Hey." She took her seat facing in front of me. Unlike her usual bubbly self, Ari was looking very inscrutable. What have I done?

"Ma'am would you like to order?" The waitress from earlier came back over to my table holding a menu. "I'll just have the same as her." Ari tells the waitress. She nods and heads back over to where the drinks were being made and informed the baristas on what Ari's order was.

"So." Ari clears her throat. "You still haven't figured why I'm upset yet?"

"No."

Ari sighs. "Such an intelligent person yet you can't figure out what made your bestfriend upset."

"I don't know if I should feel flattered or insulted."

"Hmmm. Both."

"Now, do you mind telling me what upset you?"

"Demanding."

My eyebrows twitched. I was trying not to get annoyed. "What do you want me to do then? I tried saying sorry! I can't read your mind!"

"Fine. I'll tell you what's upsetting me." She takes a deep breath. "Lydia, it's obvious something has been bothering you lately."

"No... There is nothing, really."

"Stop lying. You can't hide things from you bestfriend. I'm not stupid you know."

"S-sorry." I had nothing else to say. Ari's words were so direct to the point and true that all I could do was feel guilty. "There really are things troubling me."

"See. You keep pushing me away whenever I'm trying to help you. I'm your bestfriend! I want to know if you're ok, or if you need help. You're just... Just so closed off. Sometimes I feel like we aren't even really bestfriends."

Her words stabbed my heart. Yet they were true.

I hide the truth from everyone. Including her.

"I want you to be honest with me for once. And tell me what's bugging you Lydia." She gave me a darkened look and I stayed silent, thinking.

Should I? Should I tell her I'm a gamer? Is it a good idea?

I probably should.

But I'm not ready.

But what if that ruins our friendship?

Maybe I'll just think up of an excuse for now.

"My dad got a one year contract to work in Europe. I won't be able to see him for a whole year." I answered after a minute. That excuse should buy me sometime to think of a better plan.

She might be pissed though once she finds out that I'm lying.

Wait- She'll be pissed for sure! And she'll probably find out that I'm lying within next week, just seeing my dad dropping me off to school in the morning.

"Oh... Lydia... That's hard, I'm sorry. I know how much you love your fa-"

"No. Ari, that's a lie."

I really shouldn't lie. Especially to my bestfriend.

Ari stopped what she was about to say and raised a brow.

"The truth is..." I closed my eyes. "I'm a gamer."

"Ok."

"Huh?" I opened my eyes and blinked. "That's it? Ok?"

"Yeah. Why? How did you think i'd react?"

"I thought you'd call me a nerd or something."

"Well you don't wear huge glasses... And, really Lydia? You've been pushing me away just to hide that?" Ari crosses her arms.

"Here's your order ma'am!' The waitress comes over to us, places Ari's frappe down in front of her then leaves.

"I was afraid of my reputation at school getting ruined alright! Don't tell anyone else, please!"

"Jees Lydia, fine. What games do you play anyway?"

"Playstation games, nintendo games, but I mainly play on my laptop." I smiled, felting my cheeks heat up very slightly. "Divine spring."

"You're blushing..." Ari raises her brow again but this time a small smile formed on her face. "Don't tell me you like someone on Divine spring."

"Err haha..."

"You do!" Ari giggles. "Wait- what's your username on Divine spring anyway?"

"Oh uh... Hehe." My foot began tapping the ground again. I hope she forgets seeing me in the game previously. "W-what an angel."

Ari tilts her head, then her eyes widen after another moment. "Hey! I've seen that username before! You were one of those level 100's that ignored me and Maia's invites!"

"Y-yeah..."

"Oh and you knew it was me! Didn't you!? Hmph."

"Sorry sorry! I only realized it after me and my f-friend denied it." Friend. Pfft...

"You just got even more red." Ari wiggles her eyebrows "It's him huh. That's the guy you like."

"Y-yeah..." I smile and Ari begins to squeel in her chair.

"You better introduce me to him later!"

"Alright alright. So, we ok now?"

"Yeah. But really Lydia? That's what you were hiding? I bet even if the whole school knew, that wouldn't change a thing."

"Yes it would!" I argued.

"Whatever you say. But you don't mind me telling Maia?"

"Hmm. It's fine if you tell her I guess."

"Good." Ari pats my head making me look at her weirdly.

"I'm not a cat."

"But you are like one. And you're being a good cat, so you get a headpat."

"How am I like a cat?"

"You can be cold and allergic to affection, but sometimes you're the one bugging people for affection."

"I never bug people of affection!"

"Mhm." Ari gives me a cheeky look. "Anyway. Why him? Have you met him in the real world? Have you seen how he looks?"

"N-no..."

"Then why?"

"He's kind... And a sweetheart... And funny."

"What about Jax? He's been crushing on you for years and he's really nice. He's cute too!"

"No. He's creepy."

No.1 in my block list. I don't care if he's cute, it's just creeping me out since I'd always catch him staring at me from afar. Remembering the dude made me shiver.

"Heh. You're so picky."

"Pfft. You'll see why I like Dread once you meet him." I say proudly.

"He better be a really good one. Only the best for my bestfriend!"

"I know my worth!"

"And i'm glad you do." Ari grins widely. "Shall we head out now?"

"Sure. Bill please!" I call the waitress and she heads over to us with our bill. "Do you want to head over to my place?" I ask Ari and dig my wallet out of my purse, taking out money, and putting the exact amount in the jar where the bill was placed.

"Whaaat??" Ari said excitedly. "You're inviting me to your place for the first time? Well of course I want to go!" She jumps up from her chair, almost knocking down our frappes.

"Hey hey, calm down." I giggle.

"Well. Let's get going!"