TRIANGLE

LUKE'S P.O.V

Yes. I just said that thing. You all heard it, I know.

Let's be real honest here. Hanna has been part of my life. She's been the only girl I ever could spill out my feelings to. She might or might know that I couldn't think of anyone else. Hanna made me believe in myself. But last night when I caught Toby staring at her the way he did, it's just...

Toby scanned her beauty face just the way I've been doing for the past three years.

Hanna and I, on the other hand, didn't go anywhere. She considered me as her dearest friend, brother, anything cool like that - but never actually got to that point where I wish to be. So why bother trying much longer?

"Girl, you done with biology?" I answered her call this afternoon. Well, still felt good to be his keeper.

"Yeah. You free?"

"Have I never?" I grabbed my car key. "Lobby, in ten minutes."

"I'm hungry too."

"Cool. Mom's out and I haven't eaten anything. Just hang in there okay?"

I drove fast to school. There she was, waiting for me at the lobby with some friends. I decided to her to our favorite restaurant. Fifteen minutes later, we're here waiting for food.

"I kinda have something to ask you." She cleared her throat. "We never tell lies to each other, right?"

"Right." I nodded.

"So what do you mean by I should come with you to their show? And what's it with that 'oh I'm gonna love him' thing? Him who? Toby?"

"Yeah. I think you will."

"Not to make you sad, but I don't see why I would. Well I admit last night was amazing. He and your other friends were very kind. They're good people. Thanks for inviting me." Hanna sipped her lemonade. "But it's never gonna go further than that."

"Why? He's one talented, good-looking guy. You know he's in the band, right? Girls are dying to be in your position right now."

"What position?"

"Don't play pretend." I sipped my coffee.

"Wait. It goes too far." She made disturbing sound by tugging her nails. "Being friends with them isn't always about liking one of them."

"Yes you will."

"Luke!" Hanna scolded in whispery voice.

"Hanna, listen. There is no reason for you not to like Toby because he's the most amazing person I've ever known in my life." I spoke fast, holding breath. "Well, you're at the first place, of course."

"What's with this whole set up thing, dude?"

"Nothing. Last night's party just made me realize that you two should get to know each other more. Pretty sure it'll go smooth from there."

"Oh drop it off." She rolled her eyes.

This talk turned spicy and awkward. Hanna didn't want to look at me. She threw her glance to all over the place. But that's okay. I got to carry my plan and print that A point; this has to happen.

We ate lunch in silence. Hanna literally stopped talking to me. Busy on her phone. I was on my phone too, so that's okay. Sometimes, in friendship, you deal with sort of things. One of bad days like this.

"You need anything else? It's stormy. We need to rush home."

She didn't reply me, and walked to the car instead. I followed her calmly.

"Hanna..."

"I don't like this. You don't tell me what to do in life. You got it?"

"I only want to say try. Toby is a good guy-"

"Then don't force anything. I'm not into relationship right now and you know that."

"The thing is, with him, you don't have much time. He'll be leaving Tampa without us knowing. That's why I beg you to just come with me to the show, talk to him, meet his brothers who I guarantee are the best people too. I promise I'll be there with you all the time. Then we go home. That's it."

She sealed her mouth again. I only heard one sigh or two. But I knew Hanna quite long enough to tell she's considering my offer. Maybe you'd be very confused by now, that I first told you Hanna was my one and only source of happiness but now I looked like want to give the diamond to Toby for no cost. I know. It's hard for me. But let it just be hard for myself. I didn't want to trap Hanna in a way she couldn't decide. I wanted her to not getting any clue about my feeling, because I put Toby in my way.

"Two hours." She finally came up with a word. "Two hours at the venue, then ready or not, we go home."

"Done and done." I nodded happily.

"Why are you excited?"

"Excited for you, baby girl." I ran my fingers through her hair and she didn't complain. Meant apologize accepted.

"I hate you."

"I know, I hate you too." I chuckled.

Arrived at hers, I stayed for couple of hours til almost dinner time. Her parents were out. So we did homework together in the living room, then DVD marathon afterward.

In the mean time before I handed her to Toby, let me cherish my last few days with her. While I still could.