To be honest, I don't know. I got bothered when I saw him with the girl, but not too much. I am hurt when he scolded me and didn't talk to me. I feel safe whenever he holds my hand."

"You're falling for him, cara!" Julia said excitedly.


"No. I'm not," I said, denying what she said. "We're friends, I shouldn't fall for him. It will make things complicated.

"what if he felt the same way?" Julia asked me.

"We can't be."

"why not? C'mon, Cara! You have feelings for him, you kissed him."

"No. It can't be, even if it’s true. I shouldn't be, our friendship is more important than these damn feelings."

I'm expecting this. Austin will avoid me. Aghhh! I hate this! What's wrong with you, cara! Why did you kiss your friend?


We put the cookies inside the oven and waited until its golden brown. After everything's done, I went to the store to work. I put the brownies and cookies in front of the counter.

My life after withdrawing from college became like this. Baking in the morning, the convenience store in the afternoon till night.

My mom saw that our baking business are growing, so she asked me if she could sell brownies and cookies. Of course, we agreed. That's why we baked a lot of cookies and brownies every day. My fathers' therapy is going well. He's improving every session. Carlon was the one who accompany him.

I finished work earlier than expected. I went to a nearby park to have some fresh air. I asked carlon if he could pick me up after an hour.

I sat at a bench under a large tree. There are only a few people at the park today. Julia texted me, asking where am I. Gosh! This girl can't go a day without seeing me.

Suddenly, I heard a noise coming from a group of friends. I guess they're drunk.

I texted Julia that carlon would pick me up. I silently stared at the moon while waiting for carlon.

"Get a room!" a guy shouted, laughing.

A couple was making out in front of their friends.

"Drive them home!" A girl worriedly said.

"I'm not going home. I'll stay here with Austin."

I smiled bitterly when I heard the name Austin. I'm still confused about my feelings for him. There’s a part of me that wants to be just friends, a part of me wants to hold him. Some people told me that he likes me, but I won't believe them. I want Austin to tell me he likes me, not the people around us.

"Hope! Stay with me!" a man said.

I look at them, and found Austin and hope kissing. I became a statue for a moment. A motorcycle stopped in front of me, the noise caught their attention.

"Cara, let's go home. Why are you here all alone?" carlon asked me.

The two of them stop kissing when they saw me. Austin was shocked to see me, hope was trying to kiss him again, but he avoided the kiss. I stared at them coldly, but Carlon told me to hurry up.
I rode on the motorcycle and didn't look at them, even if we passed through them.


I think what I saw was enough. Enough to ignore this feeling that is growing. The picture of them kissing was the answer to my question. He didn't like me, and I regret kissing him, because of what I did, I feel like our friendship was ruined too. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have assumed that his gestures to me were special. I admit that when people said Austin likes me, I always said he didn't, but I didn't realize that a part of me believed.


"What's wrong with you? It's dark at the park. Why did you go there? It's dangerous," Carlon asked me.

"I didn't mean to worry you. It's just that. I want to be alone for a moment."

"Are you okay? Do you have a problem?" he asked me.

"I'm okay, I’m fine," I smiled at him.

"Are you in love or what?" he asked.

"What? No, I’m not," I said.

"Why do I feel like you're not okay. The last time I saw you like this was when your ex-boyfriend broke up with you," he laughed carefully, trying not to hurt me.

I smiled at him sincerely and tapped his shoulder, "I'm okay." I said and left him in the living room.


Yes. That's true. My ex-boyfriend was the one who broke up with me. He told me he's tired and fed up with our relationship. I'm not the best girlfriend. I am a boring girlfriend when we were in high school. After we broke up, I became more serious about studying. Hanging out with my friends makes me forget about him. I wonder how my friends in high school were doing now.

Tomorrow, I'll make myself busy, so I won't have time to think about Austin and Hope kissing.
I scrolled down at my social media and saw a post.

Hope is in a relationship with Austin.


My chest tightened. I had enough for today. I remember my friends in high school and decided to message in our group chat.


Cara: how are you? I miss you!!

Rose: I'm okay. Accounting is so stressful.

Luna: I miss you all. Let's hang out.

Mark: Cara, bake for us!

We talked about college and our life now. They said they were sorry about what happened to my family.

Mark: let's meet tomorrow.

Luna: yes, please. I'm available. What time?

Cara: I'll make time for us tomorrow. See you!


We decided to have lunch before I go to work.