Fated to Love You

I was so engrossed watching the cars passing by and the people doing their own thing on this busy street of Manhattan. I was inside my favorite coffee shop waiting for my best friend Celine. I didn't even notice that she was already walking towards me and that she was calling me. "Damn! What am I thinking?" We promised that every once in a while, we needed to treat ourselves and spend some time together to have a coffee date, dinner date or watching movies together. Hey! Not only couples can have a date! Besties deserve a date too! You know, girl's bonding. Talking about the latest gossip in New York. From Hollywood actresses, models, singers and even the new bachelor's billionaire, according to Forbes. Also, catching up with each other's lives despite our busy schedules. We're just enjoying our single life at the moment. Boys are just a headache. Especially when Celine just broke up with her boyfriend a week ago, and I know how much it hurts her, but she didn't let her heartbreak affect her work and I admire her for being a strong woman. Unlike me. She's still in the moving on process and in times like this, she needs me most. She loved Xander so much, and I know very well that, despite the courage she's showing us, she needed someone to lean on and to comfort her. I am her best friend, of course, I will always be here for her. We met each other during our college days. And ever since then, we have been inseparable. We became best friends and each other's human diaries, partners in crime and there is no secret between us. I can still remember the first time Celine and I met. It was our first day of school. I was alone reading a history book while having my lunch under the tree at the back of our campus when suddenly I heard a deafening scream. Goodness, I almost had a panicked attack! I scanned my surroundings to check where the screams were coming from, and then I saw a red-haired woman in the other tree next to mine. She's holding her phone near to her heart, almost hugging it like her life depends on it, while giggling with excitement. I wonder who she was and what made her scream, but I already got a feeling that whatever message she received from her phone must be good news and really important to her. Whatever it is, I'm happy for her. Unexpectedly, she looked in my direction and caught me staring at her. I instantly shifted my glance away. I was so embarrassed, she might be thinking that I was a nosy person and that I was prying on her. I was feeling nervous when she walked towards me with a serious expression. Suddenly, all the painful memories of my childhood and the bullying I have experienced from my classmates came back to me like it was just yesterday. I was their slave and I couldn't say no to them if I didn't want to get hurt. Nobody was at my side back then. No one dares to save me from my bullies because they will end up just like me if they ever come near me. I was so helpless at that time. I blamed my parents for abandoning me. If only they were on my side, I wouldn't be bullied like that. "Hi", the red-haired girl said shyly and then smiled. Showing her perfectly white teeth. "I am very sorry If I have disturbed your studies, it's just that I cannot contain my happiness. The man that I have admired for so long finally confessed his feelings to me and asked me for a date." she excitedly informed me and her smile never left her face. I felt relieved that she was not angry or thinking that I was prying at her. Instead, she apologized for disturbing me. This is the first time that someone actually apologized to me. I can already feel that this girl is really nice and genuine. "It's fine, and I am happy for you", I smiled back. "I'm Celine Dimitriou", she introduced herself. "I'm a first year student here". " I'm Jasmine Thompson, I'm also a first year student here." I extended my hand for a handshake, but I was surprised that she pulled me for a hug. "Wow! That's great. It means that we will be seeing each other more often. I would love to be your friend, Jasmine. If that was okay with you." I was caught off guard by her statement. I don't know how to respond. I used to be a laughingstock to everyone during my high school. I couldn't believe that someone wants to be friends with me. Especially Celine. Judging by her appearance, it was obvious that she came from a very wealthy family. It's not surprising because she looks like a pampered princess. From her dress, bag and her shoes, they all look very expensive. Her skin is so white and soft, almost like porcelain, that you can only see it in a museum. I am hesitant to accept her as my friend. This will be my first time to have a friend, if ever. I am still hesitant. I am scared to trust anyone. I'm afraid that she's just pretending to be nice for now and that she will turn out to be just like everyone who bullied me. I was a nobody during my high school and I got used to being alone. I always got bullied by the other kids for being a nobody, with no parents, no home. For being so thin to the point that I almost look malnourished. For wearing a repeated outfit even though it was very worn out. They treated me like trash, humiliated me in front of everyone and made me do their assignments and projects. If I refuse, they will do horrible things to me, like throwing eggs, flour, water or paint, and the worst was locking me in the janitors room and even cutting my hair! They were so ruthless. I didn't have a single friend at that time. The memories of my childhood were very painful, and I wanted to bury them. I wish it had never happened. When I started college, I decided to stay away from anyone as much as possible. I didn't want to experience being bullied again. But here I am, someone's asking to be my friend. I looked at Celine, she looked so sweet and sincere. Anyone would like to be her friend. I wanted her to be my friend as well. Maybe it's not wrong to have a friend after all. Finally, I followed what my mind and heart wanted. To experience having a friend. From that moment on, our friendship grew strong. We have shared our likes and dislikes, our dreams. I have also shared my painful past with her. I wanted to be honest, and I didn't want to hide anything from her. She cried her heart out while listening to my stories. She can't stop hugging me, saying that we should've met sooner so she will always be at my side and will not let anyone bully me. She felt sorry for me and promised me that she would always be my best friend and would always protect me from whoever would try to hurt me. I was touched by her words and ended up crying as well. It's hard to believe that someone truly cares for me. True to her word, Celine was always on my side whenever we had the same break schedule. She introduced me to Xander, her boyfriend. He was the guy she told me that she liked for so long and asked her out. I cannot blame Celine because she was head over heels to Xander. He is so gorgeous and extremely rich. They are of the same status in life. Aside from that, he is very kind and gentle to Celine. He treats her like a queen. This proves that the world is so unfair to me. Celine has everything in life. She is exactly the opposite of me. I was not jealous of Celine, I loved her as my one and only true friend. She treated me like a real sister, a family that I never once had. I have also learned that my assumption about her was correct. She came from a very wealthy family. Her father is a famous business tycoon, Mr. Alexander Dimitriou. Their family runs different businesses around the world. She is literally a princess in her family, since she is the only daughter they have, though she has 3 brothers. But despite having everything in life, Celine is very humble and down-to-earth and I really admire her for that. "Hey, Jas!" I was taken back to the present when Celine gently tapped my shoulder. I smiled, looking at Celine. I thank heaven that they sent her to be my friend.