More than Friends
949 Words
“Us…?” Andre echoed.
He sat up slowly on the grass, glancing at Sandra. “We’re close friends—according to you. But I want to be more than that. Something deeper.”
Sandra sat up beside him, her heart already racing.
“Ever since I saw you—watched the way you carried all your struggles without caving under the weight, how you made tough choices even as a young girl—something in me shifted. I knew I wanted to protect you. I wanted to show you the good in life. I wanted to walk through the bad times with your hand in mine, to remind you that you're not alone.”
Andre paused, but before he could go on, Sandra gently placed a finger on his lips. She didn’t speak—but her eyes, full of unspoken emotion, said everything.
Andre held her hand and slowly took it away from his lips, intertwining their fingers.
“Sandra,” he whispered, “I want to be more than a close friend. Please… let me.”
Sandra blinked back the tears rising in her eyes.
“Sandra…” he began again, softer this time.
But she interrupted once more, placing her finger on his lips again. “Ever since we met, you’ve always been the one doing the talking,” she said. “Let me speak this time.”
She removed her hand gently and held his.
“Since the day my mom died, I’ve never known warmth. I even forgot how to smile—because there was never a reason to. My life became all about working and supporting my siblings… it felt like I was born for it.
“But then you came. You told me my efforts mattered. You reminded me that I wasn’t alone—and more than just telling me, you showed me.”
She paused, wiping a tear that managed to escape.
“You gave me warmth. You brought back my smile. You showed me that life still had beautiful sides worth discovering.
“If this is a dream, then I never want to wake up from it. Andre, I don’t know exactly what love is… or what it’s supposed to feel like. But I want to find out—with you. If you’re willing.”
Tears shimmered in Sandra’s eyes, but she smiled softly.
Andre took her hands and held them close. “Yes, I’m willing. This is real, Sandra—not a dream. And I’ll always be your warmth.”
He pulled her into a warm, lingering hug.
The world fell away, leaving just the two of them in a peaceful silence. Time slowed, and they wished the moment could last forever. But eventually, they gently pulled apart.
“You silly girl,” Andre teased, flicking her forehead. “You’re crying again? In a moment like this?”
He wiped her tears with his thumb.
“I never want to see you cry—especially not because of me, alright?”
Sandra nodded, her smile returning.
Andre glanced at the horizon. “It’s almost dark. We should visit Daniel at the hospital and get Mitchell home.”
“You’re right,” Sandra said reluctantly. “But I really don’t want to leave here. It’s so peaceful.”
“We’ll come back anytime you want,” Andre promised. “Besides, this is where we became official. How could we not return?”
Sandra stood, smiling. “Okay, I’m holding you to that.”
They walked hand in hand to the car—fingers intertwined, as though held by something invisible and unbreakable.
---
Later that night, Sandra lay on her bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her mind drifted through the day—long drives, sunsets, playful water fights, and finally, the heartfelt confessions. Every memory felt vivid and alive.
A smile tugged at her lips, and a soft pink blush crept onto her cheeks.
“Big sis?”
Sandra turned to the door, where Mitchell stood silhouetted in the light of the hallway.
“Come here. What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?” Sandra asked gently.
Mitchell padded into the room. “No… I mean, yes. I’m having trouble sleeping. Can you sing and play the piano for me?”
Sandra raised an eyebrow. “Why should I?”
Mitchell pouted. “But I really can’t sleep…”
The look on her face made her resemble a tiny penguin, and Sandra couldn't help but chuckle.
“Fine, you little rascal,” she said, pinching Mitchell’s nose playfully.
Mitchell giggled, already rushing to snuggle under the covers. “I’m ready!”
Sandra sat at the piano.
“♪ There goes my heart beating… ♪”
Her voice, soft and pure, blended beautifully with the gentle melody of the piano. Her fingers moved gracefully across the keys—driven by emotion, and perhaps, thoughts of Andre.
As the final note faded, she turned around—only to find Mitchell wide awake and smiling cheekily.
“Wow! You sound amazing, big sis. Thank you! Goodnight!” Mitchell chirped, then darted out of the room before Sandra could respond.
Sandra stared after her, blinking. “I thought you said you couldn’t—” She sighed with a laugh. “Ah, such a mischievous little girl.”
She looked around for her phone to text Andre, but it was nowhere to be found.
“I’m pretty sure I left it here…” she mumbled, giving up after a while. “Guess I’ll text him in the morning.”
Tucking herself under the blanket, she whispered softly, “Goodnight, Andre.”
What she didn’t know was—Mitchell had already uploaded a video of her singing online.
- Writer
