Her Hidden Secrets

AMARA’S POV

I unconsciously sat up on the bed, my mind replaying the conversation earlier between Seb and Auntie. They were talking about someone—probably a woman. And I’m not deaf or stupid not to understand what they were talking about.

I’m Seb’s best friend. How come I didn’t know he likes someone? Why am I not updated about his love life? Have I been too busy lately?

Well, it’s understandable. After all, we’re graduating from college in just two months.

I was lost in thought when I heard the door open.

“What are you thinking about?” Kolin asked.

I shook my head. “N-nothing.”

“Fine, if you don’t want to share. That’s okay.”

She was about to leave when I called out to her. “Kolin… D-does Seb like someone?”

She walked toward me and sat beside me on the bed.

“As far as I know, yes. Why?”

I immediately looked away when her eyes met mine. I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze.

“It’s nothing. I just… didn’t know,” I said with a sigh.

She sighed softly too. “You can tell me anything, Amara. I promise whatever we talk about here stays in this room.” She held my hand gently.

I looked at her and spoke without hesitation. “I—I love Seb.”

“Okay. And?…”

“Kolin, I said I love your cousin—Sebastian,” I repeated, since she didn’t even look surprised by my confession.

“What? You think I’m against it?” she said, raising a brow.

“That’s your reaction?”

She stood up but didn’t move away, placing her hands on her waist as she looked down at me with both eyebrows still raised. “What do you expect me to do, Amara? I’ve known it for a long time. You’re the only one who keeps denying your feelings for him.”

My eyes widened in shock. Shouldn’t she be the one surprised by my confession? So she’s known all along what I’ve been hiding.

“Then, you’re really not—”

She shook her head and smiled genuinely. “Of course not. You know, I’ve been your number one fan since the start—of you and Seb. I’ve been waiting for the day you’d finally admit your feelings for him.”

I bit my lip, trying to hold back my tears. But in the end, they fell anyway.

“I’m sorry. I had my hesitations. He’s my best friend and you’re my best friend too. I was just scared of losing both of you.”

She squeezed my hand and sat back beside me. “Do you have plans to tell him?” she asked gently.

“I know it’s not really a girl thing to do, but yes—I’ll confess to him.”

I think it’s time to tell Seb how I truly feel. It’ll take a lot of courage to do it, even without knowing what might happen afterward. But I’ll do it because it’s the right thing. I just hope our friendship doesn’t get ruined because from the very beginning, that’s what I’ve valued most.

“Really? When and where?” she asked, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

“I’m not sure yet… maybe after graduation.”

I was stunned when she suddenly pulled me into a hug.

“That’s my best friend!”

---

“PUT on your seatbelt, Amara,” I heard Seb say. But I didn’t follow him right away. I was busy searching for my wallet inside my bag.

I rushed out of the house earlier. Seb woke up so early today. I don’t even know if I packed my wallet properly. I swear, he seems so eager to get to the university—even at this hour. Makes me want to stop sleeping over at his house.

“Huh? Wait, I’m still looking for something.”

I stopped searching and smiled when I finally found it—it was tucked inside one of my notebooks.

I turned to Seb. “What were you say—”

Our lips met.

My eyes widened. My heart completely froze the moment I felt the softness of his lips against mine. I didn’t move. Neither did he.

The kiss lasted for a full minute before I gently pushed him away.

“I—I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your face was that close to mine,” I stammered, my voice trembling.

My heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

Gosh. I’m blushing. My face feels so hot.

He stole my first kiss! Sebastian was my first kiss!

“I’ll put your seatbelt on,” he said quietly before fastening it for me.

I faced forward, staring at the road. I couldn’t even look him in the eyes. When he finally leaned back, that’s when I realized I’d been holding my breath.

“Amara…”

I instantly looked at him with a warning gaze. “Stop. Let’s not talk about it.”

He ran his fingers through his hair—a gesture I knew too well. He was frustrated.

“But Amara…”

“P-Please… let’s just forget about it.”

I saw his face darken. His jaw tightened as he looked away. I cleared my throat and turned my eyes toward the window instead.

But the truth is, my heart was still racing. I couldn’t stop thinking about how his lips felt against mine.

“A-are you mad?” I asked the moment we stepped out of his car.

The cool morning breeze brushed against my skin as I looked around the university grounds.

“Seb…”

He stopped and faced me. “I’m not, okay…” he said before walking away again.

He said he wasn’t mad but his actions said otherwise. And I didn’t want to believe the reason forming in my head. He said he wasn’t angry, yet his face clearly showed otherwise!

“Really? That’s what you call not mad? Your eyebrows are practically touching each other,” I said, frustrated and slightly out of breath from following him.

“I need to go. Let’s just talk later,” he said coldly.

That tone… I hated hearing that tone from him. Because when Seb’s voice turns cold, it means he’s either upset or angry with me.

“But—”

“Please, Amara.”

I let out a sigh and nodded. “Fine. We’ll talk later. You said it yourself,” I reminded him.

He just nodded before walking away. I exhaled heavily and tore my gaze from his back.

You’re so annoying, Seb!