**Jasmin Selene's POV**
"Hey! I heard what happened. Are you okay?" Kath greeted me, panting as she approached.
I nodded at her and took a bite of the biscuit I was eating.
"Okay? Look at your face—it's so red, and oh my gosh, you even have a cut on your lip. Tell me, what did they do to you?" she asked, inspecting my entire body.
"Relax! I'm fine, so stop worrying," I said to calm her down, pulling her to sit beside me on the bench.
"How can I relax after what happened to you? And why did you let them do that to you? You didn't even fight back?" she asked, frustration evident in her voice.
I gave her a small smile. "I just don't want any trouble," I replied simply.
She sighed deeply. "But what they did to you wasn't right. Didn't I tell you that if you're being wronged, you have to stand up for yourself?" she said, holding my hand.
"I couldn't fight back; there were too many of them. Besides, now that they've already hurt me, I think that should be enough," I said softly.
Her face fell. "Tsk! I'm sorry I wasn't there to defend you. I call myself your best friend, yet I couldn't even protect you from them."
"It's okay... I didn't want to drag you into my mess. It's enough that you're always here to listen to my problems—and treat me to snacks," I said with a giggle.
"Ugh, fine... let's go, I'll treat you to food—" she started, pulling me up, but I stopped her.
She looked at me curiously.
"Let's stay here for a while," I said.
She sat back down. "Why?"
"I'm waiting for someone," I replied, blushing slightly.
Her eyes narrowed at me. "And who are you waiting for? Why are you blushing like that?"
We were at a park. Honestly, I wasn't the type to hang out at parks. But one day, while passing by, I saw my crush here...
The park is relatively close to the university, just a short ride away. So, whenever I have free time, I come here hoping to see him again.
And just the other day, I saw him at the flower shop across the street.
"Do you remember the guy I told you about? The one I accidentally bumped into at the mall and spilled ice cream on his shirt? That's him," I admitted shyly.
"Oh my gosh! You have a boyfriend now? Why didn't you tell me? Why am I only hearing about this now—"
"Shhh..." I covered her mouth because she was speaking so loudly. I pulled her back to sit down.
"I wish he were my boyfriend, but no. I just have a crush on him, and I just want to see him to make my day complete," I said, feeling giddy as I hugged her arm.
"I thought he was really your boyfriend. But how can you be so sure you'll see him here?"
"See that?" I pointed to the flower shop across the street. "At exactly 10:30 a.m., he always goes there." I glanced at my watch—it was 10:25 a.m., so just five more minutes and I'd see him again.
"So, you're a stalker now?"
"I'm not! It's just a coincidence that every time I pass by here, I see him go there," I reasoned.
"By the way, I heard the university's rebel bad boy helped you with those bullies," she said.
Tsk! He's also the reason I got bullied. I don't even know what his deal is or why he keeps picking on me.
I nodded, suddenly recalling what happened in the garden. He's so rude!
"That's all you have to say? Girl, you're so lucky! So many girls in school wish they could be in your shoes—but only the part where he saved you, hahaha," Kath teased.
"How is that lucky? It's bad luck for me! He's the reason I got bullied in the first place. And why do you all admire guys like him? Arrogant, rowdy, and most of all, rude!" If only she knew what that guy did to me.
Argh! It's infuriating... he stole kisses from me—my first kiss, no less!
"But he's hot, handsome, charismatic, and bad boys are so attractive to girls these days. It's a thing," she said, grinning.
"Well, not for me! Guys like him should be avoided. I prefer someone kind, helpful, respectful to women and elders, God-fearing, and ambitious—"
"Girl, I think you're describing a priest," she said, laughing.
I lightly hit her arm. "That's the kind of guy I like... someone like my crush," I said, giggling.
"How can you be so sure your crush is like that? You don't even know him well, not even his name."
"I just feel it... from the first time I saw him, I knew he was kind. He didn't get mad when I messed up his shirt, and his voice was so gentle when he spoke. I even saw him helping an elderly person. I can sense that he's a good and decent guy."
"What time is it?"
I quickly checked my watch and felt disheartened when I saw it was already 10:50 a.m. Why wasn't he here?
"Let's go," I said sadly, standing up and urging Kath to leave.
But I stopped when I saw a guy entering the flower shop. My face lit up, and I smiled.
"There he is," I said happily, pointing him out to Kath.
"He's handsome... let's go talk to him," she said, pulling me toward the flower shop.
"W-wait—what are you doing?" I asked as we hid outside the shop.
"I just want to—"
"Good morning! Would you like some flowers?" Kath was cut off when a beautiful woman stepped out, smiling at us.
"Uh... do you have sunflowers?" Kath asked, smiling back. I smiled too.
"Yes, we do. Please come in," the woman said, inviting us into the shop.
We followed her inside. As we entered, we were greeted by various kinds of flowers.
"Good morning! Welcome to Samantha's Flower Shop," a guy greeted us with a smile.
It was my crush...
Kath nudged me in the side and grinned at me, so I gave her a glare.
"You're our first customers of the day. By the way, I'm Dale, and this is Samantha, the owner—not that it's obvious from the shop's name," he joked, laughing when Samantha elbowed him lightly.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kath, and this is my best friend, Jasmin," she introduced us.
I just stared at Dale... his name suited him perfectly. But it seemed like he didn't remember me. Haist! Why would he, anyway?
And it's embarrassing because he saw me looking like this... so unfair...
"Nice to meet both of you. I'll leave you now since I have other things to do," he said, smiling at us before disappearing into a door inside the shop.
"Your boyfriend is so handsome," Kath suddenly said to Samantha.
She laughed lightly. "He's not my boyfriend," she replied, amused. "Actually, he's my twin brother."
Kath bought two sunflowers because it would've been embarrassing to leave without buying anything since we were their first customers.
"Girl, you still have a chance with Dale. He's single and available," Kath teased as she played with the flowers she was holding.
"He didn't even notice me earlier," I said dejectedly.
"Don't worry, we'll come back here so you can see him again."
I smiled as I looked at the flower in my hand. I hope we meet again...