my lovely readers,

here is the next update of my story. I hope that you will enjoy it. I really liked writing this chapter. I know that the last two chapters were fillers, but this one is very juicy and very exciting. And much much more exciting stuff is about to come. Love will come to those who risk something. In order to find out what happens next you have to read the chapter. I can promise you that I have so much planned and this story is truly worth reading. And I already posted the sequel. This book will end soon, as I feel that this story has told itself. What do you think guys. Do not be so silent. I would love to hear your opinions about this story.

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If you want to fly in the sky, you need to leave the earth. If you want to move forward, you need to let go the past that drags you down.
Amit Ray

Shawn's POV:

The sun tingled my skin, when I woke up on the next day. I snuggled deeper into the covers of my comfortable bed, thinking about the great moment I had with Jasmeet, making me grin . I would for sure seek her out and ask her what was on her mind in this second. However, when I thought about meeting Enzo, immediately a frown appeared on my face. Why did I agree to meet him? Yes, he was my best friend but still, he had crossed a line when he asked Jasmeet to be his girlfriend. He knew that I fancied her, yet still he ignored bro code.

However, I knew that Jasmeet had feelings for him, so I had to accept this, even if it hurt me very intensely and it felt as if I would loose the floor beneath my feet. Despite my efforts to put my personal feelings aside, I could feel that something was about to happen. I had no idea that this would turn out to be true, as his words would change everything in my life, leaving me to collect the broken pieces. Another thought, which crossed my mind, was that Enzo was my best friend since a long time and we had shared everything with each other. I could not betray him, so I decided to agree whatever he wanted me to do. A glance on my phone showed me that it was still early, barely 9 am, and I almost drifted back to sleep, as I snuggled deeper into the warmth of my comforters.

However, a knock on my door prevented me from doing so. My parents were fast asleep, on a Saturday, as they could not sleep in normally during weekdays; so it could be only Grace my sister, whom I had ignored yesterday when I had come home. I only wanted to be alone, rushed upstairs, and had locked me into my room, not bothering to come out again. With a second knock, she entered my room and flashed me her signature smile, saying: "Shawn, what's up? Do you want to spend the day with me? I have to go shopping and I would love to give you some tips for some outfits which will make Jasmeet fawn and her heartbeat accelerate!" I just smirked at her and retorted jokingly: "As if I need your help! I can do so myself, just ask me about yesterday!" She pouted teasingly and I just smiled at her demeanor, this was truly my sister, always ready to tease me and mock me. My comment made Grace curious and she immediately asked me: What happened yesterday?" I briefly told her what happened in the cafeteria and she just smirked and said: "Now it is even more urgent, that you look handsome!"

My words clearly surprised her as she thought that I would not give up easily, especially now since it was apparent that I might have a chance with her. She thought for a moment about my words, then expressing with a frown on her feminine features: "Shawn, you really love her, so much that you would let go for the sake of your friend. Enzo does not deserve you. You should not be ready to give up. You should be selfish and not this better person! However, I am also proud that you put yourself for once not in the spotlight!" When she saw my dejected face she exclaimed with a cheerful voice: "But let us still go shopping and enjoy some great lunch at Camden market. Let us forget about this for a moment, okay?" I nodded, not wanting to dig deeper into my feelings and ushered her out of the room, as I still had to get dressed. My sister was already fully clothed. She wore black jeans with a flowerish tshirt, completed by a black leather jacket.

A few moments we were out of the door, and ready to explore the busy London. It was so much hanging out with Grace as we rarely spent some time together. We bonded over coffee and various outfits. We did not ended up buying something, but I was still glad that I went out with her.

Later that day, I went to the café Pret-a-Manger, which was our usual hangout, already spotting Enzo from afar. I gulped and walked slowly towards him. Mustering a small smile, I greeted him and he responded with a weak smile as well. There was a clear hesitation from the both of us, to interact with our usual banter and demeanor. After ordering and paying for our coffee and a sandwich, we sat down.

"What happened to us, Shawn?" Enzo finally broke the silence after us staring into the space for a few minutes. I looked up at him and saw that there was clear surprise and also a hint of sadness in his eyes, which made me reply with a sigh: "We let a girl come between us. I am sorry for throwing a punch at you. This was wrong. I should not have reacted that way!"
"Yes you are right. We let a girl come between us. This was wrong!" he just said after us thinking for a few moments. "What can we do? I do not want to loose you!" I voiced my thoughts. Enzo agreed with a nod and then again gazed into space. This was getting ridiculous, where were our usual banters and cheerful interactions. Were they all gone, just because of a girl? As if he could read my mind, Enzo searched in my eyes for something. I was not sure what exactly. I then gazed again into space.

"For the sake of our friendship, please step aside and let go of your feelings for Jasmeet. She is not worth it, that we would risk our friendship!" Enzo told me in a serious manner once he had found the right words to say to me. It was apparent that he was dead serious and that he wanted me to step aside and to forget my feelings for Jasmeet Hailee Kaur. He added, when he saw my hesitation: "If you want to continue our friendship, you will tell Jasmeet that you are not in love with her and that you only want to have a professional relationship with her!" This was blackmail angrily but I thought that the only person who stuck with me through thin and thick was Enzo Morales. I could not let him down. I had to be the bigger person and let go of my feelings. I gulped and sighed; replying to him after a few moments: "It is a deal. I will tell Jasmeet that I am not in love with her and I will step aside. For the sake of our friendship, I will not think about myself, but about you! I will stop pursuing Jasmeet! I promise!" Enzo smiled at my response and he hugged me with a typical man hug.

Jasmeet's POV:

The last three weeks passed without any incident or any confrontation with Shawn, we still had not gotten our feedback for our teamwork, which surprised me as it was not usual for teachers to take this much time. But maybe she had to consider many things; it seemed as if she enjoyed our presentation but the final grade had not been shared with us. The confusing feelings, which I got every time, I spotted Shawn in the hallways or in classes, did not vanish to my dismay. Despite this, Enzo and I were surprisingly in a good place. He seemed to accept our cultural differences and made extra efforts in being kind and nice to me. We had even few dates, with us holding hands and exchanging shy and coy kisses. The tingles which I had felt in the beginning, every time our skin touched, had vanished. I just told myself that it was normal as the honeymoon phase of our relationship was over.

Aiden also sat with us at our lunch table, making us always laugh. Enzo and Aiden seemed very close, as their interactions were full of trust and showed that they were inseparable. I was happy for Enzo that he had found another good friend. Enzo had also told me that he made up with Shawn which confused me even more. What happened this last weekend that made them close again? It seemed that their friendship was broken. Still, they were not as good friends as they used to be but they appeared to have grown closer again.

After my conversation with Aryan at the café in Southall, I came to terms with my confusing feelings. I was with Enzo and I would stick with him. I would not even consider leaving him for a person like Shawn Bradley. Only one last time I wished to seek Shawn out and to talk to him, to tell him that ...What would I tell him? I did not know. I could not be so blunt and blurt out my feelings for him and that I would ignore them. I reminded myself that we had nothing in common, except us being partners in various projects.

Last week we had been assigned partners in English literature as well. The project was that we should focus on the chemistry and tension between Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. I loved Pride and Prejudice, but I did not want to spend any more time with him than necessary. We had not exchanged more words than needed and necessary such as when we should meet for my project, as I wanted to keep him to stay in his limits and surprisingly he appeared to accept this. Despite our intense staring contest 20 days ago, he did not seek me out and did not want to talk to me. It was as if he ignored me and everything which had happened between us as well, which seemed odd as he always wanted to know the feelings behind my actions. He was a very curious person who would normally not leave well enough alone. I should have realized that something was wrong but I was foolish not to.

On the last day before holidays, I finally mustered up the courage to talk to him and to my utter happiness; I could see an opportunity to talk with him, as he never made an appearance without his friends Zachary or his brother. A small conversation with my sister Samarpreet made me realize that this dream, in fact, meant a lot and that it showed that I harbored feelings for Shawn Bradley, even I was not fully aware that I had those. Consequently, I would end things with Enzo; I know that it was bad but I truly felt something for him; Shawn Bradley. My feelings for Enzo were.... I did not know what they were made of. Gratitude or more? I had no idea that today would change my life forever, and that nothing would be the same.

Samarpreet was at our home for a small visit and we had bonded over chai, which led to me confessing all about the dream, and every moment we had together. Samara's word rang in my ears: "If you love someone, you should be excited and there should be butterflies in your stomache! Every time you touched there you should feel a jolt of electricity!" I thought about this in depth, as I did not want to make any non-rational decision, solely based on a small infatuation.

I had to share with him that I could see myself falling for him. I had to break it off with Enzo. I did not feel the same as I did with Shawn. Then on that very fateful day after the talk with Aryan, I spotted Shawn for the first time alone, normally Zachary and his brother were with him. This was also the reaosn why there were no interactions between us as he was never alone. I immediately recognized that I had now a golden opportunity. I had to tell him that I would break things off with Enzo. Enzo had been an amazing first boyfriend but something was still missing, the passion and heat and deep connection.

"Shawn, I need to talk to you!" I told him, walking closer to him, adding: "Let us talk after classes! " He was just closing his locker and looked at me with surprise written all over his face. It was apparent that we were keeping a distance from each other and me seeking him out showed him for sure that something was up. He retorted with a weak voice: "If you want to talk about the projects, all is already said!" I should have noticed that he was not his usual self. However, I was just thinking about making a heartfelt confession to him. I did not reply to him and just motioned him to follow me. To my surprise, he complied and walked after me. Once we were hidden from the prying eyes of our fellow students, I confessed to him, taking his hand into mine: "I have to tell you something!" A jolt of electricity could be felt at the point where our hands touched and I knew immediately that I made the right decision. I did not risk looking up into his face, which prevented me from seeing the apparent pain and distraught  in his face.

"You once told me not to go there, remember?" I told him softly, attempting to make eye contact with him, still holding his hand. He had not let go which encouraged me to speak up, despite not meeting my eyes. I added then, with a small smile on my face: "I know now what you meant!" My last words made him look up in surprise and I could see for a moment that he struggled to find the right words and that he itched to speak up his feelings as well. One look in his eyes told me so much, but still, I was foolish enough to believe solely in his words and not his eyes which conveyed the depth of the feelings he harbored for me. However, then a shadow went over his face and I just thought if I had imagined things. Asking him softly: "Or am I just imaging things? I thought...!" I could not complete my sentence as his next words threw me totally off guard.

"I am not in love in with you!", he spat looking arrogantly at me. This made my throat tighten and I could feel the tears welling up. When did I become so emotional? I was never the one who cried easily. After spending more time with Mr. Jerk I saw myself falling for this guy. But how could that be? Was the clichee true that hate and love lie close together? Did I make a mistake back then when I rejected his offer for a friendship? Or was it a right thing to do and it was a mistake that we were partners? His piercing voice broke me out my thought. "Thank God, I will not see you again!", he sneered and walked away,leaving me in a mess of my feelings. I felt sosad and heartbroken. Was I in love with him? I knew now for sure that I indeed had harboured feelings for him as his words directly pierced through my heart.

Shawn's POV:

The moment I uttered those words, I knew that I made an mistake, a big one. I messed up big time. Finally she was ready to accept her feelings for me and what did I do? I just walked all over her, just because my best friend blackmailed me into doing so. The last three weeks we had attempted to rekindle the friendship we once shared with each other. However, it was no use as the bridge between us could not be mended. I could see Jasmeet's whole word crush in front of me. It then dawned me that she was really ready to confess her feelings for me. What she did next surprised me, as a single tear escaped her eye. It took all the will power not to blurt out: I messed up, of course I am in love with you! I just wanted to take back my hateful and angry words. Why did I give into Enzo's blackmail? In the heat of the moment I had blindly accepted his offer of friendship.

The last three weeks had been torture for me, seeing Jasmeet in the hallways, smiling and looking absolutely breath taking. She opted to wear casual yet stunning attire which made her look beautiful. She was single handedly the most creature my eyes had ever beheld. I just wanted to be as close as we were when we shared a dance at the wedding. Just holding her in my arms made me feel as if I am the luckiest man alive.

At least I could hang out with my former best friend again which relieved me as I valued friendship very much. Seeing Jasmeet in the hallways, looking very beautiful smiling and laughing at something Aryan said; just made my heartache stronger. The last months showed me that I was truly in love with her.

The moment I spat out those words, I knew that I had hurt her deeply. But I could not do anything else as I had to comply with the wishes of my friend. Grace's words rang in my head. It was wrong to blindly accept something, without knowing whether the other person felt the same or not. I had felt the jolt of electricity once our hands had touched and it took everything in me not to confess that I had indeed fallen for her.

"Is it done?" a voice suddenly asked me, I looked up and stared in the brown eyes of Enzo, which were looking curiously at me. His voice appeared strained and composed, not exposing any emotions he felt at this moment. I just told him a weak voice: "Yes, I finally told her that I am not in love with her!" Clear surprise was visible on Enzo's face, as if he did not believe that I would stay true on my promise. I added then with even more pain in his voice: "Enzo, this is really not right! I am appalled that you blackmailed me into doing this. I will stay to my words and keep my promise but our friendship is over!" Uttering these words, I just walked away, not bothering to wait for his response.

Enzo's POV:

"Enzo, this is really not right! I am appalled that you blackmailed me into doing this. I will stay on my words and keep my promise but our friendship is over!" Shawn told me in a pained voice and then walking away not letting me say or retort anything. It was clear to me that it was to blackmail Shawn into backing off, but I really feared that I would loose Jasmeet for good; if I did not stake my claim on her. Was it wrong to do this? I should not be like this; when I shared this with Aiden, he scolded me and told me that it was not right to do this; as he was my best friend and I should not consort to such drastic actions. I thought for a moment that Aiden would abandon our friendship, however; he did not do such a thing. I was grateful for this, as I did not want to loose my new best friend.

We could talk about anything and we just got along very well. After talking with Shawn, things went back to normal with him. We did hang out again, but there was still this distance, shown by our interactions laced with hesitation and we could not share our deepest feelings with each other. However, this was normal as so much had happened between us. He stayed true on his promise to keep the distance from Jasmeet but he still had not shared with her that he felt nothing for her. I was curious whether he would go to such lengths in order for us to remain friends. Somehow, I doubted his capacity to put other first instead of himself. However, as soon as he muttered those words with so much pain and conviction in his voice; I realized that I had made a huge mistake. I destroyed my friendship with Shawn, somehow I was also appalled by my behavior. What had I done?

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so do you hate me? It had to be done as it it crucial for the development of the story. I have so much more planned, this book will just have a few more chapters, then I will start writing the new part. Are you excited for it? :)

Aiden's POV:

I should feel disgusted by Enzo's behavior, blackmailing his own best friend into telling the girl he loved that he was not in love with her, but I could not do so, as slowly I was falling for his character and his charm.  The moment he confessed that he had done this, I was appalled however this was soon replaced by an evident worry to which lengths he would go to ensure that his relationship with Jasmeet would pervade and would not end. Somehow he held on to the belief that their relationship was going to last through any storm.

I noticed immediately that something was wrong, when Jasmeet came to our table, and I also knew what the reason was. Enzo was oblivious and did not notice a thing, he just carried on being his usual self. A true boyfriend should have caught on the small changes in her attitude, however somehow I sensed that they were not made for each other. Jasmeet appeared to be sad and even a bit hurt, which did not confuse me as I knew that there was some tension between Shawn and Jasmeet. Enzo felt threatened by Shawn and his charm which was the reason he consorted to such behavior.

"Jasmeet, can you come with me for a second?" I asked her, making some eye contact with her. Slowly she looked up from her food and the moment I glanced in her eyes, I knew immediately that Enzo's worry was indeed right. Her brown eyes portrayed the evident hurt she felt, clearly caused by a certain boy. She just nodded, without giving me a reply. She stood up, following me. Looking over my should I could see her checking out the table where Shawn and his friends sat, and pain flashed through her eyes.

"Jassy, I know what happened!" I told her once we were out of the cafeteria and added; "there is someone else right?" Immediately she stared at me with eyes wide open, clearly not believing that I could sense her feelings. "There is no other guy, Aiden!" she denied with determination, looking me directly into the eyes, " I am with Enzo and I am happy with him!"