Best Friend

In the Library Cafe, Arvid and Frey already arrived at the exact moment Arlo and Angeal finished their lunch. The both of them ordered the same food as theirs then waited as they listened to Arlo ramble.

"So we were almost done with the analysis and all. Angeal and I were confused but after thorough reading, we already understood what they were talking about in the dialogue."

When Arvid heard this, he smirked then teased Arlo.

"Are you sure you didn't use Google to search the answers?"

Arlo laughed as he shook his head.

"I wanted to... but knowing that I'm partnered up with a creative writing student, I wanted to step up my game. I mean, Angeal would scold me for looking any of the already-made analysis."

When Angeal heard this she smiled as she squinted her eyes at Arlo, indicating that he is right. If he were to search answers online, it would no longer be a challenge.

In a daze, the girl beside Angeal, Frey, seemed to be deep in thoughts as she recalled the event that happened a while ago in front of the grocery store.

It happened an hour ago but still, her heart was beating fast.

Angeal noticed that her best friend was quieter than usual, so she gave her a soft poke on her side, making Frey jolt in surprise.

"Oh!"

Angeal cocked her head, her gesture asking her if she was alright. Frey smiled at Angeal then nodded.

"I am okay," she said as she scratched the back of her head.

'Arvid just rescued me a while ago. It's nothing,' Frey thought to herself as she drank a glass of water to calm herself.

"So, what were the dialogues about," Arvid asked as he put his phone down, finished reading the selection. "I understand the other concepts needed to be answered in the story... but the dialogues were confusing," he added and Arlo nodded in agreement.

"I know, right? At first Angeal and I thought that they were talking about sex being something that is simple, but it turned out not to be the case."

Shaking herself from her thoughts, Frey joined the conversation.

"So what does the title mean by Hills Like the White Elephants," she asked then Angeal quickly got her phone then typed to answer her.

"It is the girl's unborn child."

When Arvid and Frey heard the answer, their reactions showed a eureka moment, leading them to understand the story more.

"Then that would mean that the confusing dialogues between the two characters, they were talking about abortion? Like something they claim as something so simple," Frey commented, making Arlo and Angeal nod at her.

"That's right! After we came to that conclusion, that's when Angeal allowed me to use Google to validate," he said as he grinned. "Then when we searched, most analysis said the same."

At the same moment, Arvid and Frey's order arrived. The two seemed to be excited to eat since they realized that they were starving after they put the groceries down in the mansion.

"Ah, let's fix our paper," Angeal said, showing her text on the phone to Arvid. The boy nodded then looked at Frey.

"Can we exchange seats for a while? So Angeal and I could fix our paper while you guys eat," he asked then Frey stood up, giving him permission then they exchanged seats.

Seeing the two getting along in front of him, the young immortal stabbed his fork on his pasta, making Frey glare at him.

"Don't do that to food, you disrespectful lunkhead," she whispered rashly then Arvid puffed his cheeks, feeling jealous of the two in front of them.

At the same moment as the two ate and the other two fixed their homework, a song by Rex Orange County entitled Best Friend, played in the Library Cafe.

~

I should've stayed at home

'Cause right now I see all these people that love me

But I still feel alone

Can't help but check my phone

I could've made you mine

But no, it wasn't meant to be and see, I wasn't made for you

And you weren't made for me

Though it seemed so easy

~

Arvid watched them as he chewed his pasta. Angeal was now comfortable being close with Arlo as she showed him her phone. As the boy read, he nodded, then wrote on the paper as he was instructed.

~

And that's because I wanna be your favorite boy

I wanna be the one that makes your day

The one you think about as you lie awake

I can't wait to be your number one

I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine

But I still wanna break your heart and make you cry

~

As they were eating, Arvid's listening skills were sharp enough to understand the lyrics of the song.

He indeed wanted to be Angeal's favorite guy and he indeed wanted to make her day. He would be more than happy if ever Angeal thought of him, but the last line of the song made Arvid disagree.

He never wanted to break Angeal's heart and absolutely he would hate it if he made her cry.

~

But won't you wait

You know it's too late

I'm on my own shit now

Let me tell you how it feels to be fucking great

I feel great

Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah

You need to be yourself

Love someone for loving you instead of someone really cool

That makes your heart melt

Who knows what you truly felt?

You're still my favorite girl

You better trust me when I tell you

There ain't no one else more beautiful in this damn world

In this damn world

~

Arvid made him think of the feelings he has for Angeal.

What is with her that made the immortal fall for her?

At first, Arvid thought it was brotherly love that he felt towards her. He wanted to protect Angeal at all costs. He wanted to make her happy all the time.

He realized it was no longer brotherly love when they were teenagers.

One time when he accompanied Gladios and Angeal for grocery shopping, he heard other teenagers comment by the side that Angeal was beautiful and that one would like to talk to her.

Hearing that before, Arvid thought that he was overprotective like a brother. But when the guy fantasized about Angeal being his girlfriend, Arvid didn't like the idea and a thought flashed in his mind.

He wants Angeal all to himself.

~

You're gonna wanna be my best friend, baby

You're gonna wanna be my best friend

I said that

You're gonna wanna be my best friend, baby

You're gonna wanna be my best friend (best friend)

You're gonna wanna be my best friend, baby

You're gonna wanna be my best friend

Best friend

You're gonna wanna be my best friend, baby

You're gonna wanna be my best friend

~

They are indeed great best friends, yes... but when Arvid realized that he fell for Angeal, the way he treated her became different.

The young immortal was now conscious than ever when it came to touching her.

Before he realized this, playing roughly with her was no problem. His usual action of tickling her lessened through the days they were together.

Coming in her room was not as easy as it was before, either!

He still treated her the same way before, but rather, now that he realized his true feelings towards her, he grew conscious and careful—wanting to respect the girl's personal space as well.

~

I say that I'm happy

I say that I'm happy

But no, no, no, no

No, no, no, oh

~

Realizing that he is in deep thought with his feelings towards Angeal and that she is in front of them, Arvid grew conscious then he coughed on his food, surprising the three of them.

"What's wrong with you," Frey asked, distracted from enjoying her food. She handed Arvid a glass of water, which the young immortal gratefully took and drank to heart.

~

I still wanna be your favorite boy

I wanna be the one that makes your day

The one you think about as you lie awake

And I can't wait to be your number, your number one

I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine

But I still wanna break your heart and make you cry

~

As the lyrics of the song continued to attack Arvid's thoughts, he still couldn't stop himself from coughing even after drinking water.

"Hey, man... you okay," Arlo asked as he furrowed his brows feeling worried.

Angeal on the other hand, stood up, then walked to Arvid's side. Feeling concerned, she patted his back, wanting to make the young immortal feel better.

'Ah, this is embarrassing!'

~

I still wanna be your favorite boy

I wanna be the one

I might just be the one

~

When the song ended, that's when Arvid stopped coughing. Frey sighed in relief as she arched a brow at him.

"What are you thinking, jeez," she commented then she assessed Arvid to see if he was really okay.

Seeing that he is now okay, Angeal sat back on her chair then gave Arvid a thumbs up as she cocked her head, asking Arvid if he was really okay.

Arvid nodded as he drank his milk tea at the side since the water given to him was fully consumed.

"Yeah, I'm okay," he answered and with them being assured, the two continued eating and the other two continued doing their homework.

Recalling the last three lines of the song, it made Arvid look at the focused Angeal in front of him then thought to himself.

'Should I tell her about my feelings?'