So, I wrote this story from Juni 30 to July 11 (with some days in between when I didn't write or almost didn't write) and I had fun writing it. Since I listened to the song "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift first in 2017, I wanted to write a story with this storyline but I never did. Now it was time and I did it. 

I wrote it with Joey and Lauren in my head and used their names but actually any names could be used...

Ever since she moved next to him at the age of five, they have been best friends. They wouldn't have met if it didn't happen that both of them were playing on the street one day. Joey had played with a ball on his own because he was an only child, and Lauren had played whatever, they both can't remember, on her own because she was an only child.

It just happened that he accidentally kicked the ball over the fence to her house. Kind as he was, he asked if he possibly could get it back. That was just the day after her family had moved and from that day on, they were together every day. From their first day of school on they sat next to each other. They even were in the same swimming club but she didn't stay long, it wasn't her kind of sport.

Lauren was fifteen, Joey was fourteen when he had his first girlfriend. They both knew that this relationship wouldn't last long but still. She felt like he didn't have any time for her anymore. After all, she was still his best friend, wasn't she? Sure, he had a life beside her but in the last few weeks she had hardly seen him. It was always Tiffany, Tiffany, Tiffany. Tiffany was in many of their classes which was bad. Joey watched her most of the time because he liked her, and Lauren watched her most of the time because she didn't like her. Both his and her grades went from good to not so good in a time that was that short neither of them thought it was possible.

A month after they started dating, Tiffany broke up with him. And even though he knew they wouldn't last long Joey was kind of heartbroken. Lauren was there to comfort him. She was always there to make him feel better, and for that matter he was, too. She never thought she would ever see him that sad but the afternoon, evening and night after they broke up, she couldn't possibly leave his side. They played video games, board games, card games, and other kinds of games. They talked, didn't talk, watched a movie, laughed and even cried. They both knew that they overreacted but it was the first break-up either of them went through. They wanted it to feel like a real break-up, so they acted like it was a real break-up.

At the age of sixteen Joey got his third girlfriend. Her name was Vanessa, and Lauren didn't like her from the first day they met.

"This is Vanessa," he had said as he had introduced them. He seemed to really like her so she didn't tell him that she didn't get along with her in the first place. Instead, she distanced herself from Joey and Vanessa. She only saw him when Vanessa didn't have time for him, which was unfortunately not very often.

The point was, she may or may not have had a crush on him. Not an important one, she would rather call it tiny, but still enough of a crush to be jealous. It had developed since he had his second girlfriend. It was like she couldn't take the first one seriously but the second one made her kind of scared. She was scared of losing him and realized back then that he meant maybe a little more to her than just her best friend. She didn't want to admit it at first but when Cynthia, his second girlfriend, in tenth grade broke up with him she was kind of happy. She didn't show it but deep down she knew she was.

Cynthia and him were dating from September to the beginning of February of tenth grade. It was February 7 when Cynthia broke up with him. They were together for almost half a year and he had planned some really nice things for Valentine's Day. Cynthia wasn't there anymore to enjoy these so he asked her. In Middle School they always spent Valentine's Day together, platonically, so they could do it again. Of course, she helped him to get over Cynthia, and she thought the easiest way would be to simply kiss him but there were way too many implications she thought of which weren't exactly the best to continue as friends. And she thought he didn't think of her any other way than 'friends'.

Vanessa, his third girlfriend, was quite the opposite of Lauren. She was small, had brown hair and eyes and didn't like much make-up. She used it a bit but not much. Vanessa, however, was tall, almost taller than him, blonde, blue eyed and loved make-up like nothing else. When he introduced them, it was only a few weeks until summer break. Vanessa had worn a blouse, a short skirt and high heels. Lauren had worn a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers. In short: Vanessa and her were opposites. But it didn't matter. Somehow, he did like both of them even though they were so different, right?

Although they were so close to summer break, they still had a lot of homework. Lauren laid on her bed, biting her pen and thinking about what to write. Her curtains were open, so were Joey's. She looked over to him every now and then. He paced through his room, talking on the phone with hands. She couldn't hear what he was saying but she was pretty sure he was talking to Vanessa. And it didn't seem like a friendly conversation. Suddenly he looked at the display of his phone, threw it onto his bed, and groaned - at least it looked like he did.

Without a second thought she typed a message to him, 'You alright?'. She kept her eyes on him while he read the message, then smiled and looked at her.

'Yeah, think so but...,' was his reply, giving her a sign through the window which showed her that he would be grateful if she came to his place. Lauren knew she couldn't concentrate enough to write something useful, so she called it a day and went downstairs.

"I'm over at Joey's, Mom," she called.

"Yeah, alright Lauren. Don't stay too long, though, it's school tomorrow!"

On one hand, Lauren didn't like that her mom still reminded her of school and her sleeping schedule, she was seventeen after all. On the other hand, she loved it. It reminded her of the time when she was younger and spent literally every piece of free time with Joey.

Lauren closed the door behind her and ran to Joey's front door. It was 10 p.m. and Joey stood there; probably because his parents were already asleep. Until they were in his room, they didn't say a word but as soon as the door was closed, she hugged him and he hugged her even stronger back. There must have been something real serious if Joey hugged her that tight. It wasn't that he didn't hug her normally but just sometimes really tightly.

It wasn't uncommon that Lauren visited Joey that late in the night. Every time she did, they cuddled up on his bed and talked until either or both of them were too tired. But on that night they didn't start talking immediately. For a rather long time they just enjoyed each other's company.

"I don't get her," Joey suddenly started.

"Huh?"

"It's like we're talking and laughing and everything is fine but suddenly she's upset and she's going off about something that I said. And then I'm like, 'Vanessa, it was a joke!' But she's still pissed because she doesn't understand my jokes. If I'd tell you not to get my books off my locker before I'm there because it's my locker although you've done it so many times you wouldn't take me seriously, right?"

"No, I know that you love it when I've already got your books because somebody thought it was a good idea to give you a locker in the bottom row so you have to terribly bow down every time you need something."

"I know, right?! But she thinks I mean it. She said I should get my things by myself; she doesn't have time to wait for me."

Lauren frowned, "Why? I mean she's your girlfriend. You would think she'd do anything for you, even if she had to wait. No offence but what's wrong with her?"

Joey shook his head as Lauren curled up even more into his side. "I don't know. I think I have to be more careful with my jokes."

"Maybe she doesn't need to take things so much to herself."

"Oh Lauren, you always know how to make me feel better!"

"I really didn't do anything."

"I know, it's just, you say something that doesn't seem like a big deal but it makes me feel better."

For a moment they laid on his bed in silence. Lauren was grateful to have him as her best friend even if it wasn't anything more. Since the beginning of the Vanessa-time Lauren's crush grew even bigger. Cynthia made her realize it, the time between Cynthia and Vanessa let it grow bigger, and Vanessa made it undeniable. Sometimes Lauren didn't know how to handle it. In one moment, she wants to tell him so badly, in the other moment, she wants nothing more than to get over this crush. She was Joey's best friend, nothing more, nothing less.

"Was that really what she was upset about?" Lauren asked, "The thing with the locker?"

Joey nodded slowly, Lauren frowned again, "But that's not all?"

She looked up at him and saw that he frowned, too. "What is it?" she asked softly.

After a short pause he answered as softly as she did, "She doesn't like how much time we're spending together."

It was very quiet for a minute or so, then an almost inaudible "Why?" came from Lauren's direction. But in reality, she already knew, or thought she knew, what Vanessa's reason was. Joey and her spent their time together as if they were a couple. They sometimes even acted more couple-ish than Joey and Vanessa did. His girlfriend was probably just jealous. But there was no reason for it. Joey wasn't interested in her and Lauren, that's what she thought at least, hid her feelings pretty well.

"I think she's jealous. Y'know, her parents take her on holidays for the entire summer break. She'd already be gone on the last day of school. And we'll spend probably every second together. You understand?"

"Yeah, I do," Lauren answered slowly, "But you will call her, won't you?"

Joey hesitated. "You won't?"

"I don't know what to say to her! I never know. I call her because I think I have to. And she talks and I answer but when I say something that isn't a simple answer she's upset."

"I'm sorry that I ask this but why are you together? You do like her, don't you?"

Joey looked down at her in surprise. "Yes, I do," but then he paused, "Or don't I?"

"I don't know, Joey, you have to tell me. But if you do like her then you would always have something to talk about. Like with me. Not that I'm saying you like me. Of course not. You don't like me. And I don't like you. Well, not like that at least. And I'm just saying what's now, maybe in the future-"

Joey interrupted, "Lauren, it's fine, you're rambling!"

"I am?" Lauren looked embarrassed.

"Yeah, but that's alright," and after a short pause, "Are you promising me something?"

"Almost anything."

"Are you promising me that we will spend every second together?"

Lauren smiled, "I will. And that's a promise I can give to you and keep it."

Joey pulled her into a hug, "You don't know how happy I am to have you, Lauren Lopez, as my best friend."

"No, but you don't know either."

For a quite long time they laid in silence, enjoying each other's company. Suddenly, Lauren looked at the clock on Joey's night stand, "Holy smokes! Look at that time!", but before Lauren could continue, Joey said, "I can't read," which always leads to a fit of laughter although they've done this joke so many times you would think it wasn't funny anymore.

"It's almost eleven o'clock, we have to go to sleep," and she got ready to get up from the bed. But Joey held her back, "Why not stay here?"

"You're so sweet, Joey. But Mom will miss me and come over and I don't know if she understands that her daughter and best friend can sleep in one bed without further thoughts. No, I have to go. But hey! I can come over tomorrow and we walk to school together?"

First, Joey looked like he liked the idea but then he bit his lip, "I'm sorry, I can't. Vanessa's getting me with the car, she'll drive us to school."

Lauren should have known. Most of the students of their year had a driver license and a car, Joey and her were practically the only ones left who walked to school. Until now.

"Oh, okay, cool," Lauren said awkwardly, "But I'll see you in school, won't I?"

"Sure you will! We have English and Theatre together!"

"How could I forget. Y'know I love both."

"Because of me?"

"Because of the subject," but after a short silence, "and because of you."

Joey smiled, "Good night, Lauren. Sleep well. We'll see in class."

With a hug on the front door, they said their goodbyes, and Lauren disappeared into the darkness of the night.

---------------------

It was half past seven in the morning and Lauren was packing her things for the day. Every now and then she looked out of the window. In front of his house Joey sat on the stairs which led to the front door. She would have joined him but she had to finish packing, eat something for breakfast, and really didn't want to see Vanessa.

"Lauren, are you ready?" her mom called from downstairs. At last minute Lauren tossed her French dictionary into her bag and then descended the stairs.

---------------------

French class went by so slowly it felt like four lessons. It wasn't that Lauren didn't like French but compared to the others she was under-challenged.

In the short break between French and English she went to the cafeteria in need for a coffee and searched for Joey. She didn't really expect she'd find him, she supposed he'd be somewhere with Vanessa, so she was surprised when she saw him sitting alone at a table in the cafeteria. At that point she was in line for coffee, so she bought two when it was finally her turn to order.

"Hey, you alright?" she asked, approaching him. He looked up, taking the coffee she offered him with a grateful smile which didn't meet his eyes.

"No, not really," he answered eventually. She put a hand on his forearm, smiling warmly, "What's up?"

He sighed heavily, "Apparently I've said too much about you."

"Me?! Like what?"

"I don't know. She says I'd connect anything with you we're talking about. Lauren does this. Lauren does that. Lauren likes that, too. Things like that, y'know?"

Lauren couldn't resist the urge to smile. The fact he talked about her made her. But as soon as she realized what that meant, her smile faded and she went serious.

"Vanessa's upset because of that?"

"You know it."

"But... she knows we're just friends?"

Joey nodded, "It just doesn't get into her head. Sometimes I wonder if she just doesn't understand or if she doesn't want to understand."

"Why would she?" Joey remained quiet.

"You don't think... why would she?" Lauren thought about the possibility that Vanessa didn't really like Joey. But that wouldn't make much sense. Granted. Joey was pretty popular but not that popular that anyone would pine to be his girlfriend. Besides Lauren, of course. Lauren thought she was really the only one in their year who liked him. Like liked him liked him.

Joey had no time to answer her not precisely asked question before the bell rang. In silence they made their way to their English class. On halfway Joey was pulled away from Lauren without further explanation and if it wasn't for the fact that Lauren turned around, she'd never know who pulled him away: Vanessa, of course. Lauren resisted the urge to roll eyes. Why did Joey never have a girlfriend who wasn't at their school?

She didn't see Joey until a few seconds after the beginning of the lesson. Joey slid slightly late into class, murmured an excuse to their teacher and placed himself on his seat next to Lauren. She looked at him questioningly but he just shook his head and whispered "Later" before turning his attention to the lesson.

It wasn't until the very end of their English class that Lauren finally got an explanation. "Spill the tea!"

"Not yet, I can't tell you here in the middle of the school ground."

Lauren knew exactly where Joey wanted to go, so without further words they both changed the direction they were heading. They came to a place in a corner very far away from most of the students.

"I don't know what to do!" Joey almost cried as soon as they reached it. But before Lauren could ask what the problem was, he continued, "She expects that we stop meeting, you and me."

"She can't do that; nobody can stop us!"

"We're dating for like two weeks, I'm sorry but what's her problem with us?"

"I don't know. I really don't know. And I don't know what you could do. But you should be with whoever makes you happiest. Really, whoever that is, be with them. And if it is Vanessa, I won't be in your way. Just make the right decision."

"Don't be silly, Lauren, I could never let you go. Vanessa can't make the rules. I won't ever let you go. You'll stick with me until the end, if you like it or not."

---------------------

School was ending at half past four. After Theatre class, which, thank God, was not attended by Vanessa, Joey and Lauren walked back home in silence. They were both tired after a relatively long school day. Lauren supposed Joey was thinking about Vanessa, and Lauren wasn't too keen to do all this homework from that day, plus the essay from the day before for her history class. When they reached their houses and Joey wanted to hug her goodbye he stopped in action.

"What?" Lauren asked. Joey motioned with his head to his front door. There on the stairs sat Vanessa and looked over to them.

"I'm sorry," he seemed like we wanted to say more but then he thought better, "Bye, Lauren," he simply said, turning and going to his house and Vanessa. Not wanting to see any of their actions, Lauren disappeared quickly in her house.

---------------------

Two weeks later and Joey was still with Vanessa. It seemed like Lauren hasn't seen Joey's cute smile for a month. It was like Vanessa took him down every day a little more.

It was a Saturday and Lauren and Joey were on their way to a small park nearby. Vanessa was out of town with some friends for the day. They walked in comfortable silence; Lauren couldn't help thinking this was how it ought to be. Walking together and not worrying about Vanessa or any other girl. They sat down on a bench near the little lake.

"What are those two ducks doing while their heads are under water?" Lauren suddenly asked.

"You mean those two?" Joey replied, pointing at two ducks. Lauren nodded.

Joey shrugged, thought, and then looked at Lauren. Almost in the same second both, Joey and Lauren, broke into laughter, pulling the attention of others to them. But they didn't care. It was so easy to laugh together. And finally, Lauren could see Joey's smile again, the one she had missed.

When they calmed down, she asked, "Are you alright?"

"What do you mean?" Joey didn't seem to understand.

"I mean Vanessa. Is she treating you fine?"

Joey frowned, "Yeah, she is. Why?"

"I don't want to assume anything wrong but I think you're unhappy."

"Okay, maybe that's true, but what on earth has Vanessa to do with that?"

"I think Vanessa's the reason why," Lauren added quietly, looking at her feet. But when Joey didn't reply she looked at him. He just sat next to her, and smiled at her. "You're so caring, I sometimes can't believe it. But I think I can say with a hundred percent certainty that Vanessa's treating me alright."

Lauren wasn't really convinced but didn't ask further questions either. The rest of the day they spent in full peace and joy.

---------------------

Another two weeks later was the last day of school before summer break. Two lessons, then their transcripts, and their summer break started. Together Joey and Lauren left the school yard for their last summer break in High School.

---------------------

"I bet I beat you!" Joey called as he and Lauren got ready for a swim.

"Joey, you know you always win!" But fair as he was, he waited a few seconds after Lauren began swimming before he followed.

---------------------

"Told you!"

Lauren whined an unintelligible sound, falling onto her blanket. The sun shone, there was almost no cloud in the sky, and she was as happy as you can be when you just got beaten by your best friend. They were in the same park as a few weeks previous but at a bigger lake.

"I'm gonna get us some snacks, you wanna something special?" Joey asked.

"Nah, just your standard snacks."

"Fine, be right back."

---------------------

Lauren was laying on her blanket and was about to fall asleep when she felt someone falling next to her. She opened her eyes and faced Joey. She knew him well enough that one look at him was enough to know he was about to cry. Joey wasn't someone who believed in this whole 'Boys Don't Cry' thing.

"Hey, what's the matter, Joey?" she asked, putting a hand to his cheek. He threw his phone on the ground. "Is it her? Vanessa?" she went on softly.

Still not wanting or able to speak, Joey grabbed his phone again, opened a message and gave it to Lauren. It was written: "Hey Joey, how are you? I want you to know that I'm great. This cruise is so much fun. I met this guy and he's the reason I'm texting you right now. I know we're together but I really really like this guy. I'm sorry but I think this is the end of us. Maybe we can stay friends. We can talk about this when I'm back. I hope you'll have a nice holiday. See you!"

When Lauren looked up from the phone, Joey was staring at the sky. "She broke up with you?" Lauren asked in disbelief, "She broke up with you over a fucking text?"

"Yeah," it was the first thing Joey said since he got the message, "She did."

"Are you angry?"

"Maybe. Maybe I'm angry, sad, happy, and every other emotion at once right now. But I don't know, I can't tell. What are you?"

"I am sorry," she said and she really was.

He smiled, "It's alright. I think I wasn't really happy with her. But you know, it was kinda surprising, from one moment to the other-"

"It really is. But there's one thing I don't understand. The cruise started like three days ago, why is she moving so fast?"

"Wanna guess how many boyfriends she already had?" Joey asked, obviously not expecting an answer, "Like six or seven."

Lauren shook her head, "I can't understand that. I think three, like you, are already many in our age, still alright. But seven! I never had a boyfriend!"

"I know," Joey smiled, "That's why I love you."

Now it was Lauren's turn to smile. She knew he didn't mean it the way she'd like to but it still sounded nice.

---------------------

Summer break was half over and, as promised, Joey and Lauren had spent almost every second together. At this point Lauren was absolutely positive about one thing. She was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

It wasn't a simple crush anymore. And maybe it never was. Maybe she was always in love with him but she didn't know the feeling. But now she came to the conclusion that she was really in love with him. And she still believed that there was no hope he could love her back.

---------------------

Just like Lauren and Joey, their parents have been friends since they met. When their children were younger, either parents were invited for dinner by the other's every now and then. But since Joey and Lauren got older these meetings for dinner became less frequent.

"Lauren," her mom called from downstairs, as she did often.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Please come downstairs, Richters should be here any minute!"

"Yeah sure," Lauren sighed. It wasn't that she didn't like his parents. She loved them almost as much as she loved Joey. But even though they knew each other for so many years, their parents still insisted on wearing a blouse or a shirt. That was the part she didn't like. But she still did.

The moment she came down the stairs the doorbell rang. Before she could hop down the last stairs her mom already answered the door and welcomed Joey's parents, and, of course, Joey himself.

---------------------

After a, in Lauren's opinion, delicious dinner the adults made their way into the living room. The younger ones didn't feel like sitting and talking with adults anymore, so they left, walking straight into Lauren's room.

"I can't believe you really said that," Lauren laughed. She threw herself onto her bed, followed by Joey. "Your Mom's face was really priceless!"

"I don't know what's so funny about it," Joey answered, but he was laughing, too.

"Why didn't you tell your parents earlier? And why didn't they find out?"

"I never had the opportunity! They were gone for a week and when they were back, I didn't know how to tell."

Joey had made the mistake not telling his mom and dad about his break-up with Vanessa, or at least the fact they broke up. But when Lauren's Mom asked him at dinner about him and Vanessa, he told her they weren't together anymore, so naturally his parents also learned.

Suddenly, his face fell.

"What?" she asked, the smile sliding from her face, too.

"I hope they're not too angry, or worse disappointed."

"Oh, come on, Joey, you know they won't be. They'll ask you why you didn't tell them and you'll tell them the truth and everything's fine."

"You think it'll be so easy?" She nodded. For a moment he smiled but it didn't last long.

They remained quiet for a quite long time but then Lauren had to ask, "Why are you so sad lately?"

"What?"

"I mean you're your goofy self most of the time and you make jokes and laugh and, well, are yourself. But sometimes you are suddenly really quiet and look sad and that's something that is unusual."

"You see that? You know that I'm sad?"

Lauren was kind of disappointed, "Joey, I've known you for the longest time. One look is enough for me to know how you're feeling. I thought Vanessa's the one who makes you sad but this sadness remained even after your break-up. You could argue it's because of the break-up but I wouldn't believe you because you were sad while you were together, too. So please tell me the truth, Joey, please. I want to help you, I want to see you happy, I want Happy-Joey as my best friend, not Sad-Joey."

Joey had stared at her while she talked, now he shook his head, looking around the room. "Lauren, I can't. I can't tell you. I wouldn't know how to handle it if you knew. It just wouldn't work."

"We went through so many things and situations together; we've known each other for twelve years. We can handle anything, Joey, anything."

Joey swallowed visibly, looking like he considered telling her or not. Lauren didn't urge, she waited patiently, just hoping he would give her an explanation. For a few minutes it was very quiet in Lauren's room. Only the ticking of her clock could be heard.

Then, suddenly, Joey looked like he was pulling himself together. "You remember the day we were at this lake and Vanessa broke up with me?"

She nodded. Of course she did. How could she forget? It had been one of the few times when she hadn't known if she should be sad or happy because of a break-up.

"You couldn't believe how many boyfriends Vanessa already had. You told me you never had one, which I, of course, already knew. Do you remember what I answered?"

Lauren hesitated for a second even though she knew exactly what he had said. But what would happen if she replied?

"You said, 'That's why I love you'"

Joey nodded, now finally looking at her. "I meant it."

"What?" Lauren was perplexed. Was he saying what she thought he said? Did he just admit he loved her?

"I love you. I've done it for a long time, hell, even before I knew what love is."

Whatever Lauren had expected as the reason for his sadness, this wasn't. But this was a billion times better. The problem was she was dumbfounded, she didn't know what to say. She opened her mouth twice but no sound would escape her. She just stared. The minutes seemed to pass by, minute after minute. But in reality, it wasn't that much of a time.

"Say something, Lauren. Anything but something!"

But Lauren thought words weren't good enough. Sometimes actions are stronger than talking. So she simply leaned forward and kissed him perfectly.

And it was better than she could have ever imagined. It took Joey less than a second to realize the girl he loved was kissing him, then he was kissing back. The kiss didn't last long but long enough that both of them were slightly breathless. Their first kiss ended already at least one minute ago but neither of them had said anything yet.

"But you weren't sad because you love me, right?"

Joey looked at her, her head resting on his chest. "Well, not exactly but almost. I always knew I didn't like Vanessa but I still was with her. Why? you ask. I hoped I could get over you. You know, I hoped if I dated Vanessa, I could get over you, maybe even start liking Vanessa. But nothing happened. I still love you. And Vanessa treated me fine. Besides the fact she didn't like our friendship. I had to decide, and I thought, 'Never mind this damn love, nobody is better than Lauren'. I chose you; I will always choose you. All this time I was sad because I thought I could never be with you. And the last weeks with Vanessa and even after her made me realize even more. But I was so, so afraid of losing you. I didn't dare risking our friendship."

Lauren looked up at him in awe. "I love you," she simply said, "You and me were both so stupid, we waisted some time. It was the same with me. I was afraid. I always told myself you see me as your best friend, nothing more, nothing less. I never considered you could like me, too."

"We were stupid."

"We were so stupid."

"Now let us be stupid together."

"Never be stupid alone again."

"Let's make a club: Stupid together."

"Nah, just us two. No other stupid idiots."

"Alright, just us two. No more stupidity alone!"

"I love you"

"Such nice three words."

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"Lauren, Joey!" Lauren's Mom called. The girl and boy in question sighed in union and called in almost the same second, "Yeah, we're coming!"

When they came into the living room Joey's Mom said, "Ah, there you are! What have you done? It was so quiet suddenly."

Neither Lauren nor Joey had to answer, they felt the looks of their parents on their joined hands. The four adults looked at each other, smiled and sighed deeply. "Finally!" 

This story took me 25 pages in my notepad (meaning: Collegeblock) and then ten Google Docs pages. I just wanted to tell that...

When I start writing there were no German words in my head for a moment, only English, so I wrote in English....