It was an innocent enough text message: "Please help me with homework. Meet me at the library tomorrow at 4 PM."

Naturally, I didn't think that Jack, my best friend, was up to something. After my last class, I took all of my books and went straight to the library. When I got there, the wind was blowing fiercely so my normally smooth bun came loose. A few wavy tendrils struggled to break free and my cheeks were flushed when I arrived at the door. When I crossed the threshold, I immediately saw the form of a man who looked undeniably bored. Jack always looked bored, even though he would claim that he is excited.

"He is weird that way", I thought.

When my eyes adjusted to the change of lighting, I immediately noted that Jack was wearing a nice pair of pants, a shirt casual enough to look undeniably luxe, and a new pair of shoes. I also noted that a couple of girls looked at me without attempting to conceal their disgust, all the while eyeing him. Even if you put Jack in a sack, he would still be gorgeous.

Before my thoughts could wander elsewhere, Jack shoved a big book into my already loaded arms. This was his way of being charming, after all. In his most sinister voice he said, "Open it."
 
Inside was a piece of paper that I managed to open by nudging it with my chin. It wasn't a sexy move, but it didn't matter because Jack has seen me in my most awkward moments, anyway. His unreadable script was readable this time and I couldn't believe what was written on it:

I've always wanted you - needed actually. Before things get any mushier, would you go on a date with me?

My eyes bulged and my mouth formed a perfect O, but no words came out because I was a strict follower of the number one rule in any library - Be Quiet. Jack snickered in reply to my wordless reaction.

"I dragged you here because I knew you wouldn't be able to shout curse words at me, seeing as you love your rules. Flip the paper, there's something else written on it."

It said: I'm not joking. No, not this time.

I couldn't believe it. I've always felt the same way about him. So we've always been chasing each other all along, not knowing whether to say anything and ruin the beautiful friendship that we have.

But fate has finally decided to intervene because when Jack knew that his time was running out, he finally decided to call the shots. His doctors diagnosed him with a rare disease that will little by little take him away from me. With this in mind, he finally had the guts to lay it all out. Say it, or forever hold his peace.

I somehow knew that something was wrong with him, so I simply smiled and said, "What are you waiting for? Let's go."