Chapter 1

"HE'S ON HIS WAY HERE." Avery fixed the pink ribbon she placed on my hair. "Relax and remember what we practiced. You're so pretty. Art will surely confess once he sees you."

I touched the ribbon in my hair. "Isn't this too much?" I pouted my lips. "I feel like a gift."

"That's the motivation, Shells! You're one impressive and valuable gift."

Slowly, I pressed my palm on my chest. I felt my new dress, which fit me perfectly, had shrunk into two sizes. My heart beats fast whenever I'm near Art, but the heart beating I feel right now is more. It's like running a marathon, wanting to burst out from my chest.

"Ave, are you sure it's going to be okay? What if he isn't into me like I'm into him?" My voice croaked. "I don't want to lose him... I'd rather keep our friendship than not have him at all." I looked up at the ceiling to stop my eyes from watering.

"Shells, think positive. I'm sure he likes you, too. I see it." Ave facepalmed herself. " Triple OMG, I feel it. Even his mom and my mom say the same!" Then, seeing my hands shaking, Avery gave me a warm hug.

"Thank you, Ave." I hugged her back, but immediately she pulled away from me and dragged me toward my vanity mirror.

"Look at yourself in the mirror right now. What's not to like about you? Aside from your gorgeous face and shiny long black hair, you have the kindest heart. So please relax. I'm sure it's what he meant by saying that he has a confession to make to you today. Why would he wait for today? On your 16th birthday? If it isn't a love confession." When Ave squeezed my shoulders, my nerves calmed a bit.

"You're every guy's lottery jackpot, Shells!"

Avery knows when and how to make me feel better when I'm a nerve-wreck. She's my girl-best friend. The first day I attended school in Boston, I met her. In a small-town cafe, my mom and I shared a table with her and her mom. That day, our moms made best friends for life. She and I found a sister in each other.

"Stop with the daydreaming! Let's retouch our lips." I took the lipstick from her hand. Then, our giggles filled my room with our pink lips pouted in front of the mirror.

Hand in hand, we walked towards the living room. The nervousness I'd been feeling a while back subsided. Excitement and longing filled my heart. Avery's confidence boost fueled me.

If he doesn't confess, I'll do it like Ave, and I practiced.

When a car got parked sounded outside, my stomach flipped. Butterflies, rainbows and unicorns, and everything else seemed to have filled my stomach up to my heart.

Calm, my dear heart. I believe Art meant what he said when he called last night. He reminded me of how time flies. I'm turning 16 today. But, the most important was when he mentioned a confession he has to make today. I can't wait. My heart can't. It has been an eight-year-long coming.

I moved towards the wooden door with a hopeful heart and an expectant mind. A grinning Avery stood on my right side with her camera phone aimed at the door. Everything around me turned foggy, like in a dream. The only thing clear is my vision of Art standing on the other side.

Inhale. Exhale. As my trembling hand gripped the knob, I took a deep breath.

"Shells..." Avery's soft voice made my head turn to her. Her other hand fixated on her mouth, motioning for me to flash my sweetest smile. With confidence, I put a smile on my face, turned the knob, and opened the door.

"Happy Birthday, Shells!" Art, with his mesmerizing green eyes, greeted me. His face was the brightest I've ever seen, from the sparkles in his eyes, the radiant smile on his red lips, and the pink dots on his cheeks. He's holding a bouquet of gardenias, my favorite. Everything about him signifies one thing.

It's finally happening- after eight years of waiting.

In a swift motion, with all the excitement, anticipation, and longingness, I poured into one big warm hug. All the mixed emotions I've kept for the man in front of me surged. I didn't realize how emotionally powerless I was around him until that moment.

"Were you waiting for my gift that much?" Art shrieked as he softly wiped a tear on my cheek with his thumb.

Realizing I had just jumped on him, I hid my face against his chest. I felt his arms tighten their embrace on my body, followed by a kiss on my hair. It wasn't the first time he had made such a gesture. Same kiss and the same embrace, but it all felt distinct. After eight years, it felt like coming from a different person. Not from Art as a friend, a buddy, or a best friend.

It was a young man's expression of his feelings toward a young woman. Art likes you the same way you want him. Avery must be right. Without words, the strong connection between us felt like a confession.

Today, on my 16th birthday, we confess our feelings toward each other. Of course, it is just the beginning of the celebration, but I confirmed it will be my best birthday ever.

My heart was whole, feeling Art's arms around me. Then I remembered the confession he mentioned when he called last night. I lifted my head and gazed at his face with our arms embracing each other. But before I could say a word, someone coughed behind him.

"Happy Birthday, Shelly!" an unfamiliar voice greeted me.

Confusion, to put it mildly, was what probably showed on my face. When I moved my head to look at the voice behind Art, a sudden realization jolted me. He didn't come alone. Standing behind him is a blue-eyed blonde, much taller than my 5'4 frame. She's a beauty who came out from Teen Vogue magazine. Reality hit me. She's the exact opposite of me.

Slowly, my grip on Art's embrace released. My gaze in his green eyes turned into a question. The brightness on his face paled. The wall of awkwardness on his end and inside anguish on mine separated the warm embrace we exchanged seconds ago.

Art cleared his throat. "Um... this is Paisley, my..."

"Shells! I'm aging here. Let's go to your room. I need to change now." Avery's voice was like a life jacket thrown in to save my agonizing heart from drowning. "Excuse us, Art and Pastry... I mean, Paisley. Shelly and I need to change!"

Though I felt Avery's hand pulling me away from the door, I glued my vision to Art's face. I couldn't recognize the face he made seeing us leaving as I fought the tears I was trying so hard to fall. But I lost the fight when Paisley's candle-shaped fingers clasped with his. I felt a tear on my cheek. Then, quickly, I moved my vision from the door and raced Avery to the stairs with her hand still on my arm.

Once we got inside my bedroom, I heard Avery close and lock it fast. With no words said, I felt my best friend's warm arms around me. I let my tears fall silently. My sobs were soft as my shoulders shook tremendously. Slowly, I felt Avery's hand lift under my chin, and her thumb gently wiped my tears.

When our eyes locked, I gave Avery a half-smile and cleared my throat. "I take it back."

"What are you saying? What do you mean?" Avery asked.

"This isn't my best birthday ever!"

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