2- CONFESSION

# FLASHBACK

It was summer, one of the four Earth's seasons, that goes after spring and foreshadows Autumn. Kevin glanced at the trees bearing fruits and feels Summer is the best season ever. The warmth and everything makes it perfect. No wonder most families like to go on vacation during summer.

He went back to the mirror for the umpteenth time checking himself out again. He was dressed in a checkered shirt themed with a pair of blue jeans and black shoes.

His mind kept beating fast, trying not to lose his focus on one of the important things he wanted to do today. He noticed a little pimple on the upper part of his head and that alone makes him feel he is not perfect.

What if she complains about this little pimple on his face", he could not help but think. He groaned in frustration as he realized he could not do anything to hide the scar.

He checked himself again, before moving out of his room, humming quietly trying to ease the tension building up in him. He would finally confess to her. To the girl, he has liked since 10th grade. Now that he is going to be in 12th grade, he feels it was the right thing to tell her about it. Who knows? She might feel the same way towards him.

At the same time, his head keeps whipping him with thoughts that it was weird for him to develop feelings for his childhood friend, his own best friend. Most stories and movies he had read and watched about one of the two best friends having feelings for the other do not seem to end well.

It sometimes ends with an unrequited kind of love. Most times, the female lead tends to fall in love with the bad boy, leaving her best friend's heartbroken.

Kevin was not one to judge just by movies or books as he views them as fiction. But he could not help it, especially when he would be confessing his feelings to his best friend, supporter, cheerful giver, lovely, and most importantly his companion. It feels like a heavy burden would soon be dropped off him.

" You look handsome. Rachael will fall head over heels in love with you", Joy almost squealed, jolting Kevin out of his thoughts as he smiled warmly.

" Are you sure? I feel like dressing up with a suit or something more decent?"Kevin's face piqued with a glint.

Kevin no doubt was one of the best-looking teens. His beautiful face looked like it was carved by a creative genius. He has soft brown eyes that will melt the strongest of ice, his eyelashes inky black and even longer and curlier than most girls.

The crew cut on his head well-combed perfecting his look, coupled with his handsome and tall self. Even though Kevin has doubts about his looks, he was still good, much better to make most girl's breath almost seize whenever he smiles or winks.

"Do you still want my help or not?" Joy asked, her face giving a complicated look

" Of course, why not?" Kevin almost stammered, getting confused over Joy's sudden act.

Joy has been the first to discover his feelings for Rachael. She also supported him and told him to confess to her. According to her, even if they do not date in high school, the confession will serve as a bridge to build up their love life if they got into college.

"Then, listen attentively to me. Rachael likes the bad boy saga, so I feel this kind of clothing is the best. No use of glasses too," Joy ordered like a teacher giving commands.

Kevin's heart almost hitched, realizing the kind of boys Rachael might like. What if she doesn't like him, since he is the goody type of boy.

" Yes ma'am," Kevin said as Joy smiled.

"Be confident, Rachael does not bite. I believe you haven't forgotten what we talked about?" Joy questioned.

" I remember everything", Keven voiced out, as Joy whispered the last part to him before leaving.

Kevin strolled gently to the open part of his parent's house, which was well decorated. Thanks to Joy, it looks like a wedding location. He sat on one of the chairs, before rehearsing what he is going to say to Rachael.

The sweet poems he has rehearsed, the songs he has formed as well as the words he would tell the love of his life. Love is a beautiful thing. Kevin kept wishing his 18-year-old self a happily ever after with Rachael.

Kevin's gaze lingered as he saw a smiling Rachael approaching him. His body became warm, goosebumps creeping in, as he looked gently at the figure coming towards him.

Blonde hair with bright blue eyes and pink lips that remind you of delicate flower pearls were those beautiful features he admired about her.

"Wow, this place looks beautiful," Rachael's voice jolted him out of his fantasy.

" Yeah, here is your seat my lady," Kevin broke in his American accent as he drawled a chair for her to the seat.

"Thank you. You look handsome," she complimented, as Kevin's face reddened.

" Thank you. You look ravishing. I like your simple hairstyle," Kevin finally found his voice.

"Thanks. It is Side Dutch Braid. I learned how to make it on Youtube," Rachael swept the little strand of her hair behind her ear, and that scene alone made Kevin lost again.

" So what's up? You said you wanted to tell me something?" Rachael gestured, raising her hands in the air.

"Yeah. don't tell me you are trying to act like someone I know," Kevin pinpointed, as he sipped a little wine from the glass cup.

" Ha! You got me. I want to be a little badass, sassy like Joy," Rachael said, as she stifled a laugh, which made Kevin smile widely.

"I think I would have to call Principal Mullins to tell her that her little Miss Perfect wants to be a bad girl," Kevin stated as Rachael raised her hand.

" Hey, don't do that. I will hug you so that we will settle this," Rachael broke, as they both started laughing.

Kevin could feel the warmth in his heart, as he shared a laugh with Rachael. To him, this seems to be one of the best days in his life, and he would keep replaying these memories.

Rachael stood up and ran into the back area where they sat. Kevin quickly stood up and followed her, his heart beating as he was about to take the next step in confessing his feelings to her.

Rachael stepped inside as she saw her reflections at each step she took down the room full of mirrors.

Kevin was able to catch up seeing Rachael walking around. Their eyes meet again, a smile on her face. Kevin noticed how the royal blue floral gown she put on fitted perfectly on her body.

"Hey Kevin, do you have a girlfriend already? Wow, this place is great. Where is she?" Rachael questioned

Rachael already thought Kevin wanted to show her his girlfriend, without thinking twice. Joy mentioned it to her, giving her the probability that Kevin probably wanted to show her his girlfriend.

Kevin walked slowly towards her. I can do this", he kept chanting inwardly.

" She is here," Kevin's simple statement only made Rachael move further into the small room as all she could see was her reflection.

Her subconscious told her Kevin was probably talking about her but she brushed it off. Kevin is one of her best friends. To her, best friends should not fall in love with each other.

She stopped abruptly turning to face Kevin who was trying to wear a calm composure.

"I can't see her. Is she hiding," Rachael tried to laugh saying those words as her mind was beginning to explode?

" You are the one," Kevin said.

"You are the one I like. You are the perfect girl to me. You have been my childhood supporter, my best friend, the best thing that has happened to me"

Kevin paused for some time, realizing that all the poems he had rehearsed have been lost to the nervousness breeding in him.

Rachael kept gazing at the gentleman in front of him. Was he confessing his feelings to her? Oh no, this is a dream', she thought.

"I have liked you since 10th grade, and even though I tried to keep this feeling at bay, it kept coming. I like you for who you are. The person with the purest of heart, the one who will go out of her way for others, the one who stands up for what is right, always respectful and dutiful. Rachael Jenkins, I like you,"

Kevin confessed the way he thought was right. Rachael felt her eyes welt, and for some split second, she thought she was no longer on earth.

Without responding, she ran out of the room leaving Kevin devastated. She did not even say a word", Just thinking about that made his heart hurt, and he felt a weight of the burden, wanting to suffocate him.

******

BACK TO PRESENT

" I will leave you guys, bye," Joy quickly ran outside leaving her two best friends.

Rachael bit her lips gently, as she rushed towards Kevin engulfing him in a hug. Kevin was surprised by her actions as he slowly relaxed, drawing her closer. While Kevin was taller than Rachael with few heights, as she rested her head on his chest.

That act alone sent shivers down Kevin's body, his body emitting warmth, his heart beating fast.

"Kevin, I am sorry for running away that day. I am stupid Kevin. Please forgive me,"

Rachael's words were like arrows to Kevin as his heart glitter, his throat suddenly dry.

"Hey, stop blaming yourself. Stop crying too, I understand you perfectly," Kevin said, patting her long blonde hair as Rachael just continued crying, wetting his chest.

"Kevin, I do not want to give you false hope but I just like you as a friend. I could not tell you that day because I realized you might become hurt by my words. Please forgive me," Rachael continues rambling making Kevin's heart linger.

He slowly cupped Rachael's face, which has reddened looking into her blue eyes that look like that of an ocean.

" I was never angry at you. I must confess it hurt but you just clarifying made me understand that I might have to try harder to make you develop the kind of feelings I have for you for me. Rachael, for now, we can continue to be good friends, no awkward situations. I want the old Rachael that will pinch my cheek, slap my head and hug me every day"

Kevin's last statement made Rachael giggle as she hugged Kevin again.

"Thank you," she said.

Rachael quietly prayed. 'I hope that one day I will be able to return the love you have for me because you deserve the best

Kevin felt calmer and still kept his hopes high. He still hoped that by the time they would be in college, Rachael might finally fall for him. It is only a matter of time.

The door creaked open, as they separated, Rachael's face blushed slightly.

" Sorry to break the reunion but something just happened, "Joy was breathing in and out as if she went on a long meter race, her expression on a sad note.

"What happened?" Kevin asked, putting his hand on Rachael's shoulder.

" Grace is in the mental asylum"

Their faces went pale immediately.