Karen's POV

Would you still confess to your best friend even though you know it will always be unrequited?

"He's proposed to you right?!" Ann, my hyper orange-haired friend exclaimed giddily.

"Did he already? I saw him buy a blue feather when you weren't around earlier!" Claire added, holding her flushed face.

I sighed. Ann and Claire have been bugging me all day long about this proposal thing from Jack.

"Yes." I answered bluntly.

They stared at me with arched brows.

"What? That's all you have to say? No reaction at all?" Ann demanded me, bewildered.

"I'm in no mood for being excited or whatever like the two of you." I rolled my eyes and folded my arms, leaning myself on the cold, brick wall of the supermarket.

"Getting married soon doesn't strike any excitement in you?" The blonde farmer tilted her head. "So… You're annoyed at the idea?"

"No. I don't feel… anything. I haven't given him an answer. I told him that I'll think about it overnight." I heaved another sigh. "You guys went here in the middle of the night just to confirm that?"

They nodded, their enthusiastic grins widely stretched on their blushing faces.

"You two… are complete idiots."

"Aw shucks Karen, we were just excited!" Ann laughed. "But why didn't you accept it right away?"

"But seriously, Karen," Claire's eyes looked at me with concern. "I know it's normal that you call us stupid and be this grouchy, but… today, you're really different. Are you okay?"

Am I okay?

"…"

"Sorry for disturbing you." Ann, smiling sheepishly, pulled Claire's arm and started to walk away. "If you need anything, we'll be hanging out by the beach 'til midnight."

"Please be alright, okay Karen?" Claire waved goodbye and they vanished into the night.

As soon as I felt I was alone, tears started to well up in the corners of my eyes. I weakly sat down on the bench nearby and finally, I could let out my feelings without anyone seeing my fragility.

I am crying about the fact that Jack has asked my hand for marriage… And now my time for making a decision has become severely limited and crucial.

Jack is very kind, hardworking, sunny and… just as many would say perfect. And yes, I am attracted to him. We've been going out on dates several times and my friends like him for me.

I should be happy, that a guy like him wants me to be his wife. When he knelt down earlier and gave me the blue feather, my mind went blank.

I took the blue feather, and promised him that I'd give my answer tomorrow.

How can I ever be happy?

How can I be happy if I've been in love with my best friend?

Who should I choose?

I've always liked Rick since we were kids. Through it all, we were always together. He was there for me when I fell on my bike for the first time. I was there to beat up the bullies who were making fun of him in third grade. We always explored and camped in the forest together, pretending to be heroes and playing with a then young Pastor Carter. When his father left, I promised him I'll always support him and help him in any way I can.

Rick was… a sweet friend. He always puts up a bright smile when he sees me. He constantly tells me that I look pretty and cute in this and that when we were younger. He was always my escort and dance partner. He continuously told me good things about myself as we grew up, and he never hesitated to compliment me…. Until sometime, it stopped.

He changed. He suddenly started annoying and teasing me and always bickered about everything I do. A question like, "Do I look good in this dress?" and he would answer a ton of ridicules. In return, I give him a punch or two. I wonder whatever happened to the sweet little guy I grew up with. Of course, he still remains as my escort and dance partner despite the sarcasms.

When it gets to serious matters though, he will be the most reliable person you can run to. And that part of him never changed… The part of which he is my best friend.

Best friends… and that's all we'll ever be, I guess.

I've always felt that what I feel for him has been one-sided from the very start. And now that he's stopped being so sweet and nice to me, it confirmed it. It was unrequited…

Do I need to bother to confess to Rick, even though I know it's one-sided?

It should've been okay to confess but… Jack has already made his move. If only he didn't propose so early… No that's wrong. It was my fault. If only I told Rick about my feelings from the start, then no one else would get hurt. Maybe if I just confessed before and got rejected right away, I would have loved Jack more and maybe so, I would've answered "yes" earlier.

Rather than taking the risk to break my friendship with Rick and hurt Jack… I'd choose to seal away my feelings and marry Jack. He's not that hard to love… He's a good man, and there's an attraction already right? Maybe if I pursue these budding feelings, I could be happy…

A life with Jack should be happy, right?

"…"

Then why am I constantly crying at the idea?

Why do I feel a great deal of sadness at the possibility I'm getting married to a guy other than Rick?

"… I can't…"

I can't. I can't bring myself to be happy. I love Rick more than anyone else… and I can only be happy with him. Sweet or rude or stupid, Rick has always been the same person I've loved since forever.

But… he will never return my feelings.

"This is hard…" I smacked my forehead, and let out a gust of annoyance (with myself).

"What is?"

This can't be. That voice…

I quickly wiped away my tears and toughened up. "W-What are you doing here, Rick?"

"N-Nothing… Just taking a stroll…" He drew closer and sat beside me. "Anyway… what a softie you are after all. Beating me up and calling me stupid, then I see you crying like this…"

I didn't answer. I kept on drying my tears and tried to sort out my thoughts.

"Hmph. So then, what were you saying that was hard?"

"You probably heard it…"

"Oh that … So Jack finally proposed to you, huh?"

I nodded quietly.

"When… When are you getting married?"

"I haven't accepted his proposal… yet… I told him I needed more time to think…" I replied, averting my eyes to look at his face.

"Pfft," He stifled his laughter. "What's more to think about? You've been going out several times already right? Besides… He's good for you, too. Not that you're good for him though… Ha ha! Just kidding."

"…"

"You know Karen, even though your hair is weird and your voice sounds like a parrot, a girl like you should marry him! As your best friend, I think you'll be very happy with him, too."

"…"

Why, Rick? Why are you so mean?

"Aw, why are you crying again? Don't tell me you're all sensitive and got hurt by what I said. It's j-just a joke! W-what I'm saying is… You should be with Jack." He grinned.

I gave him a hard slap on the face.

"Why are you so mean?!" I stood up and yelled at him, my eyes brimming with hot and painful tears.

"H-hey! I told you, I was just kidding about you sounding like a parrot!"

"That's not it!"

"… Ah! I was just joking about your hair, too!"

"You dumbass! Not that!" I breathlessly cried. "You're so mean! H-How c-can you tell me to marry Jack?! Of all people…"

"K-Karen…?" His voice trembled.

I fell down on my knees and cried angrily. "Why… Of all people who will support the idea… why should it be you…"

"I'm your best friend, Karen… I would want you to have a better life…" He quietly answered.

"My best friend…! It's normal for you to think of what's better for me… B-But! I like you Rick! I always had, you dumb, stupid jerk! D-Do you think I'll be happier with Jack?! Is that your honest opinion about this!?" I snapped at him.

He stared at me with a stunned expression. I haven't cooled down from my anger.

"Do you… want an honest view… from me?"

I suddenly felt a shiver run down my spine. Rick… What did he mean…?

Wait, did I just confess to him?!

"Honest? Okay… I'll be honest! The truth is… I like your hair because it's so soft and smooth. And your voice? It doesn't sound like a parrot at all! I really like hearing it. I like you singing because your voice soothes me and it's… it's just beautiful!" He blurted out, his fist balled on his sides.

I carefully stood up, dumbfounded.

He went on. "The time when your new Goddess Festival dress arrived, you asked me if it looks good on you right? What I really wanted to tell you is that I've never seen you so radiant and pretty! The time when I said that you're a real sucker for trying to cook, I wanted to say that I like your determination!"

"H-Huh?"

"All these years… I wanted to say you're beautiful! Amazing! Talented! Radiant! Incredible! Thoughtful…! I've kept these things to myself…" He knelt down weakly, and I think he's actually sobbing. (What a loser… But I love this loser.) "I never wanted to hurt you and say mean stuff, but… every time I would want to tell you those… I get uneasy and uncomfortable…"

So all these times…?

"Karen…" He quickly added. "I'm sorry… For being dishonest."

"…"

"And you know what… The thing with Jack… the truth is. I'm very, very defiant with the idea. I would never want to see you with another guy."

My eyes bulged wide. No words could escape from my lips. Rick has made me speechless.

"…If I said I love you… Would that make up your mind?"

A relieved smile stretched across my exhausted face.

And that's all I needed to hear.