(Brent's POV)
Of course, I am the first one to notice her.
But my friends are not far behind. When they do, they start the incessant teasing for the umpteenth time.
"Why don't you make a move on her?" Andrew asks as the laughter around the table dies down after their latest joke on my love life. Or, lack thereof.
"Yeah, why not?" Cole pitched in, snickering at something only he found funny. He always does this - laughing at random times as if his head is filled with jokes that he would never say aloud - so I didn't give him a second look at his snickering.
"I don't think so, guys," Rissa, the only girl in our small group of friends, contributes to the conversation.
"What do you mean you don't think so?" Andrew retorts.
"I just don't think she is the type to date. I mean, just look at her." Rissa glances towards the table where Liyana and her family is seated, a look on her face that I can't pinpoint.
I bristle at her words and tone, an irrational protectiveness for Liyana overcoming me. What does she mean "look at her"? As far as I can see, there is nothing wrong with the girl.
But I may be a teeny bit biased. But still.
"For two whole years," Andrew starts, "this guy has been hung up on her. That's a very long time, if you ask me. Don't you think he has to do something about it at least now? This is the last year. After this, God knows where she would be heading off to. The only other option is to try to get over her, which I don't see you doing anytime soon. There is no use pining over her from afar." There he goes again with his brutal honesty.
They start talking among themselves, as if I am no longer seated at the table. "I suggest he at least tries to befriend her. He would know if she is worth all of it, then." Andrew.
"I suggest he forget about her and move on. I'm pretty sure there are way better girls out there for him." Rissa.
I turn to Cole and say sarcastically, "Why don't you pitch in,too? Apparently they're not talking about my life. Don't you have an opinion?"
My sarcasm is completely wasted on him. "Sure. I was actually waiting for an opening. I suggest -"
I am ready to offer a few choice words to them before storming out of the restaurant, when Rissa places a calming hand on my arm. One thing I absolutely hate is when people think they can make the choices for me.
"Calm down, Brent. We were just giving you some advice."
"So, continue talking about my life," I gesture, not without some ire in my voice.
Rissa sighs, "Brent, we're sorry -"
"Oh, cut it, Ris," Andrew interrupts. He then turns to me. "Look, Brent, you can either man up and go try talking to her or you can keep pining over her. Your choice."
"I don't pine over her!"
I love my friends, I really do. They are more family to me than my own ones, and I fully know whatever they say are said with my best interest in their hearts. Andrew must have known I need a little pushing to go talk to girls, as he knows how nervous I get around them, especially Liyana.
"Okay, okay, you don't, but do you wanna get to know her or not?"
I couldn't deny the small mumble of yes that left my lips.
Cole starts clapping like a retarded seal. I couldn't help but smile in amusement at his antics.
Andrew and Cole lean in, looking as serious as if we were about to solve a murder case, while Rissa still looks a bit put out. I spare a second to think about her odd behavior. She, along with my other two best friends, have been teasing and torturing me since they found out about my little crush. It was as if they lived to humiliate me, but it was all in good fun. So why now, why when everything is finally looking as if it's falling into place, does she seem grumpy about it? I don't have long to ponder over the thought before Cole starts speaking.
