I mean it!

Giselle stopped by Lillian outside the school.

"Got time now?" she requested.

Witnessing how weary and worn out Lillian looked, Giselle didn't want to refuse her. She agreed.

"Come with me," Lillian said and walked ahead. Giselle quietly followed her.

Noticing her fast pace and Giselle struggling to keep up, Lillian slowed down to let the girl catch up with her. Soon, Giselle and Lillian started moving together, side by side.

Lillian would often glance at her to make sure she stayed right by her side.

"How was the counseling session?"

"Did Mr. Tucker ask any weird questions to you?" Lillian got curious.

'Weird!' – Giselle thought.

"Maybe for others, it might be weird."

"For me, it is normal and a reality that I should carry on with the rest of my life, so yes he did."

Giselle's sharp reply saddened Lillian as her face lowered from framing the question in such a way. She remained quiet and walked.

Within the next few steps, Giselle appeared guilty for snapping back at Lillian when the girl only wanted to know if something went wrong. Feeling as if she had hurt Lillian, Giselle immediately apologized.

"I'm sorry."

"I was-"

Before she could complete Lillian cut in her, "it's okay."

"It was stupid of me to put it in such a way. Don't worry."

"Let's keep moving before it gets late for you."

Lillian Grey hurriedly paced towards the nearby café. Giselle at first thought it might be something important to discuss, and so kept following her.

They both entered the cafe located nearby to the school. Students would often spend time there after school. Since it is already late in the evening, no familiar faces from the school were present inside.

Taking advantage of the area, Lillian Grey guided Giselle to her seat and went on to order a few refreshments. Later, their orders arrived, and both enjoyed their drinks.

Lillian shared the story of how Anna would bring her to this cafe for talking about the confessions she would receive. She also, admitted that she wasn't a fan of this place but wouldn't mind often visiting since they have decent food especially, the cakes.

A few minutes later, the waiter returned to their table with a beautiful birthday cake with a single candle on top of it burning.

The waiter carefully set it on the table and gazed at Giselle, giving her a glowing smile, turned to Lillian and signaled her a victory sign.

Facing the stunned Giselle now, Lillian spoke,

"Happy Belated Birthday wishes, Giselle!"

At first, seeing the cake, Giselle's panicked, unable to react, however, after hearing Lillian's wish, she froze.

'How did she know?'

'I never mentioned it.'

'No one in school knows my birthday.'

'How did she know?'

'Was she asking me to wait after school to do this?'

All sorts of questions filled Giselle's brain as she never blinked and kept gawking at Lillian Grey.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to get any reaction, let alone feeling happy, but this is good too. I like how you got paused and couldn't even blink,"

"Was the surprise good?" Lillian snickered while suppressing the bursting laughter arousing inside her brain from watching Giselle's reaction.

"I mean, I wouldn't call this a good surprise. Maybe?"

"I don't know."

Lillian played around.

"Anyways, somehow I learned that it was your birthday yesterday."

"A lot of shit got down, but-" she paused, holding her pointing finger up.

"Now that you're with me, from now on, I will never let anyone hurt you or even try to hurt you. I want you to remember that."

"I know that I got involved in your life just recently however I want you to know that I'm here for you."

Realizing the depth of her words, Lillian averted her gaze from Giselle to the cake in front of her.

"You're a good girl, Giselle. I don't want to see someone who admired me get into troubles. I don't like it. So hereafter you're stuck with me forever and, I don't plan on leaving you alone."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she apprehended, the influence of her emotions getting trapped with the racing heartbeat.

Putting an end to it, she charged Giselle to cut her birthday cake.

"Alright, now blow out the candle and make your wish."

Stunned from the surprise and those sincere words, Giselle could help but get emotional.

She leaned in closer and blew the candle. Giselle then closed her eyes and made a wish.

A wish that she would regret it later.

***

Dear God, I'm nervous.

I'm nervous that I won't be able to stop loving her.

But, I don't want to ruin this bond in the name of love.

Help me, please, help me receive her friendship without ruining it.

Help me overcome my love for her.

Help me replace my love for friendship.

I don't want to lose this moment, lose her.

I-

I honestly care for her.

Make her happy.

I don't care if I get hurt in this process but-

Make her happy.

Thank you, god, for bringing her into my life again.

I will cherish her as a good friend.

Thank you!

***

Giselle prayed earnestly and then began to cut the cake.

They both enjoyed their little celebration together. Giselle, feeling extremely nervous inside yet held a happy face out had a great time together.

The remaining cake, Lillian requested the waiter to pack it for them. She asked Giselle to share it with her family. Soon, the waiter returned with the wrapped cake box.

...

"Thank you, Lillian. And, I'm sorry for the trouble," Giselle said.

"If we're going to do this, then there are certain rules you have to follow."

Lillian stated about her rules for being good friends.

"Rule number one: You don't say sorry for good things. Celebrating your birthday is not trouble from now on."

"Rules?" Giselle asked.

"Yes, my rules to have a good fruitful friendship. Don't break them because I will get mad."

Giselle quickly agreed without any break. They both exited the place and were saying their goodbyes.

"Well, thank you very much for this surprise. I like it."

"My pleasure and Giselle?"

Lillian called.

"I meant every single word I said. Don't worry from now on, and live your life. I'll always be there for you."

Lillian declared.

Giselle's cheeks turned red from the words she heard. Instantly, she covered her face with her hands, giving Lillian a chance to tease. However, Lillian chose not to and pull in the girl for a hug.

"Birthday hugs," she said while gently embracing the girl.

It only took several seconds for Lillian to notice the warmth she received from Giselle. Intending to stop, Lillian released her.

"Alright, take care and goodbye," she waved and didn't bother to look at Giselle. She walked away from her signaling a peace out sign.

Unable to recover from the shocking move, Giselle stood with her eyes popping out of her socket. She came back to reality when she heard Lillian Grey shouting her name from afar.

"Hey, Giselle?"

Giselle snapped out of her surprising state and reacted to the girl's yelling.

"I didn't get your phone number."

Giselle realized it while getting puzzled at the same time.

"Anyways, give me your phone number tomorrow."

"Be safe, walking back home. I have an important business to take care right now. BYE!" Lillian changed lanes after saying those words.

Giselle nodded and saw the girl disappeared from her sight.

Taking a deep breath of silent rejoice, she stared at the cafe they just went.

'Rules to have a fruitful friendship, huh!'

'I'll have to prepare myself for that.'

She settled while walking back to her home.

…