"This place is so romantic!" Taylor said admiring the falling cherry blossoms.
"Hi... Taylor..." I said, disgusted with his cheerful tone. He knew Asher was in the hospital and it was his fault but still didn't come to visit him.
"Y-yes Katelyn. You're the one who put this love letter in my locker right?" He asked a shy look on his face.
"I did put a letter in your locker but you are mistaken," I stated, making sure to let my murderous intent hang off the latter half of the sentence.
"Huh? But this is the cherry blossom tree of love whoever confesses their love then kiss under this tree will be together forever." Taylor explained oblivious to my true intentions.
"That's why I picked it," I said staring at him with my cold dark green eyes.
"So you are gonna ask me out?" He asked, an ecstatic grin spread across his face.
"No." I spat.
"I would never fall in love with scum like you! I chose this spot because if you confess your love and kiss you'll be together right? So I thought if I did the opposite you'd stay the hell away from me instead." I made sure to say each word slowly so his slow brain could keep up.
"What are you talking about?" He asked a confused expression on his face.
"Oh I don't know a certain disgusting piece of human filth attacking a defenceless disabled boy in my absence thinks he's done nothing wrong and I am going to teach him a lesson."
"Uhhh..."
"It's no use lying. I know it was you." I said looking him in his eyes.
"Well... That was only because I care about you. He got you suspended!" He explained raising his voice in anger.
"Wrong. I got myself suspended." I corrected.
"But if it wasn't for him you wouldn't have to fight!"
"And if I didn't fight back so much before I would have gotten away with a warning."
"That still doesn't change the fact he caused your suspension and I did you both a favour. It's obvious he's only depending on you for protection and you're just falling for it!"
"So what? You wanna be my knight in shining armour? Well let me tell you this, I am not a damn damsel in distress and I don't need your saving. Oh and if we're going along with your thinking. You are the main cause of my 'distress'."
"W-what?"
"You gave me all this attention that made all the girls hate me yet you've never sent yourself to the hospital. You're the main cause of my bulling yet get off scotfree!"
"Well, I–"
"You're different right? Because you have an excuse. Love? You love me so you stalk me? You love me so you take pictures without my permission? You love oh so much don't you?"
"How do you know about–"
"You're just a perverted creep that has nothing better to do with your pathetic life than stalking me and picking on those weaker than you."
"You're not serious..." He said clenching his fists and looking down.
"Let me tell you this, I will report you to the cops if I ever catch you stalking me again or better yet I'll kick your boney ass myself," I said walking away.
"W-why!?" He yelled.
"I don't like garbage."
Five minutes later I spotted and ran up to Asher.
"Hi, Asher." I said with a smile.
"W-where'd you c-come from?"
"Nowhere important."
"Okay. W-will you c-come with me s-s-somewhere after s-school?" Asher asked shyly.
"Sure, Why not."
"Okay!"
'Usually, I'm the one who decides where to hang out. I can't wait to see what he's got in store.'
After School.
"Huh? He's not here... But there's a note."
"Hi, Katelyn. Sorry, I'm not there with you I went ahead to get some preparations done. I want to make this very special to show you my appreciation for everything you've done and for something else too... but you'll find that out soon. Please meet me at the cat cafe. I'll be waiting for you at your favourite spot."
–Asher Angel
'How'd he find out about the garden? I didn't tell him did I? Maybe I'm just overthinking things it's probably not the garden because he doesn't know about it.'
"Good Afternoon Mr James."
"Afternoon Katelyn. Your friend is waiting for you in the garden."
'Whaaaa!? How the hell did he find out about the garden!?' I was shocked but played it off, "Thanks for the info. I'll be going there now."
"T-there you are!"
"Woah! You weren't lying when you said you wanted to make this special!"
"You l-like it?"
"Yes! You somehow made this garden even prettier than before. You're amazing!"
"Haha. But I h-have not d-done a-anything yet..."
"Ooooo~ I can't wait."
"Ummm... H-here..."
"Awww~ You got a bouquet of White Tiger Lilies and Pink Roses? But White Tiger lilies are expensive since they're a hybrid and to get so many too."
"I got the m-money for my t-therapy that mom was saving up b-because she felt bad. I just spent a l-little of it for the f-flowers, food, r-renting out this garden and chefs/w-waiters from the cafe."
"W-what? That's so much work just to make me happy."
"A-and it is w-worth it." He checked had a gentle shade of pink when he said that.
"Look who's getting flustered now. Let's have food."
"Y-yeah."
'What is this? My face is hot and my heart is pounding but why? I only get this feeling when I talk with Ash. Before I just thought of Asher as my cute little brother but this cinnamon roll is just too adorable. It's like he's forcing his way into my heart!'
"These are all–"
"J-Japanese D-desserts." Asher finished my sentence.
"But–"
"There's Mushi Pan, M-Mizu Y-yokan, Goma D-Dango, N-Nerikiri and I-i-imagawayaki. I h-helped m-make them."
'Characterized by their soft and light texture, Mushi pan are Japanese steamed buns that come in a variety of flavours. They are prepared with a simple base that employs flour, sugar, baking powder, and eggs, and are traditionally steamed in small-sized moulds, reminiscent to those used to prepare muffins.
Mizu yokan is a light Japanese summer dessert made with red bean paste and agar-agar. The combination results in a creamy treat with a jelly-like consistency. Since it is always served chilled, it is typically enjoyed during the warmer seasons.
Sesame seed balls or Goma Dango is a variety of Japanese sweet treats known as Dango. These small rice flour balls are filled with sweet red beans (Anko) on the inside, while their exterior is crispy due to the process of deep-frying – first at low temperatures, then at high temperatures near the end of frying.
Nerikiri is a Japanese wagashi that should reflect the season it's being served in. The most popular shape is that of a cherry blossom, called sakura nerikiri, and it can be bought only in spring. Other shapes might include scenery, flowers, and birds.
This wagashi is traditionally made with sweetened white bean paste and glutinous rice flour. Nerikiri is often served at tea ceremonies, but it also makes for a great sweet snack that can be consumed any time of the day.
Imagawayaki is a Japanese snack that is enjoyed throughout the country and is known under various names. The dish consists of a cake-like sponge that is filled with sweetened anko (red bean) mixture. The thick, egg-based batter is poured in special pans, allowing the cake to attain its traditional round form and a crispy shell.'
"You've done your research." I smiled.
"I h-have. Enjoy~"
'This is bad at this rate if he keeps this up I might actually end up falling for him! I must resist his cuteness!!!'
"That was so good! I can't believe you helped make these!"
"Haha." Even his laugh made my heard skip a beat.
I was falling quick and hard. I tried to change the subject, "You seem nervous... Are you okay?"
"...Yeah." He looked even more nervous my he wasn't looking at me. He was looking behind. When I turned I was a familiar grey cat.
"Oh... Hello Hina. You actually want my attention?" I asked as the cat walked up to me then started rubbing her head on me.
"So cute~ Wait... There's something in your collar. A note?"
"M-maybe you s-should read it..."
"Yeah..."
'I wonder what it–'
"Have I told you yet...
How much you mean to me?
Have I told you yet...
About all the happiness you bring!
Have I told you yet...
That you mean the world to me!
Just in case I haven't...
I want you to know that...
You are the best thing
that's ever happened to me!
And I like you a lot!"
'A love letter? But why would this be attached to Hina? Wait... This handwriting!'
"Did you write this?" I asked praying he'd say no.
"Y-yes... I r-really do l-like you a l-lot."
"I see. So that's what this was all about... I would love–"
'Wait what am I doing!? I almost told him yes!'
"No..." I corrected. 'I can't accept his confession when I still love Ash.'
His expression immediately changed for nervous joy to nervous fear and it was absolutely crushing my heart.
"Huh?" He asked a worried look on his face.
"I'm sorry. This is really sweet. In fact, it is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me and under normal circumstances, I would love to be your girlfriend because you're so nice and sweet... But... I can't. I like someone else and I don't want to end up hurting your feelings in the future." I explained quickly.
"I s-see." He said looking depressed.
At that moment I regretted everything. Even though I wasn't the one rejected I felt like crying. I felt like someone took a knife and drove it through my heart. I liked Ash there's no doubt about that but I realized I may have liked Asher even more. And I'm wanting him now more than ever...
But it was too late for me to think that. I just hope Asher will continue to be my friend and that Ash will accept my feelings. It's better this way, right?