Friendship

Grace looked into Mika's eyes; she knew something was wrong. Mika was already having a rough enough day. Waking up early for work, not having her milk, being scolded by Grace, meeting Noah, being teased by Noah and now this.

When Grace was gone, Mika was already feeling a bit upset because it wasn't usual for Grace to not be around. She knew she was gone somewhere with Nate, but that was more devastating for her. Nate wasn't the only one who was aware of the magic that happened the other day. What Nate felt was also seen by Mika. Seeing his tears, she knew it was the time when Grace found something very right for her. She can't be happier about it. No matter how she acts, in the end, she won't do anything to hurt either one of them.

Right now, though, she wasn't coming down with anything other than loneliness. Seeing Grace there make her thoughts all crumbled. 'Does Grace not need me anymore? Does he make her happier? Do I not get hugs anymore? Am I nuisance after all?', was what going in her mind.

Grace and Mika stood there without any change in their position. They both kept looking at each other in the eye, in the middle of the café.

"C'mon, let's join them", Noah moved forward.

Mika started following him when all of a sudden, she bumped her foot on the table and fell down. It was the moment when her capacity broke. All of the emotion which she was trying to hold together just broke. Her eyes started giving out a big drop of tears without stopping. She didn't even see anything around her. She was just sitting there. Her legs were not ready to move. To be really specific she didn't want to get up now. Her tears weren't silent and slow this time. Her eyes were closed and her tears were flowing in a non – stop motion. Her mouth was letting out loud cries. Her face and nose were all red, she didn't even move her hand to wipe them.

Nate and Noah were shocked. This was too unexpected. Their expressions were pained by her look. Her crying was not something small anymore. It was too sad. Even people started looking at what happened, but four of them weren't really the ones who would care about it. Nate didn't feel irritated or least bit happy about it. He felt guilty for some reason. Whereas Noah was in pain. He didn't know why though. It wasn't usual for him to feel that way. Normally he wouldn't even care as long as he's away from all the trouble but this is something different.

'Why do I want to hug her right now? This isn't like me-', he wondered to himself.

Both Nate and Noah were feeling something they would never do, or imagined of feeling in their life.

Grace, on the other hand, was just standing there, looking at her. What was going on in her mind was not something that could be told.

"I'll go take care of her", Noah turned to Grace and Nate.

"No, let me! I think it would be better.", Nate objected.

"But- I want to."

"I want to too."

Mika was not getting any quitter. Both Nate and Noah were standing there arguing about what should they do.

At that moment, Grace picked up her stuff. She didn't have the slightest bit of expression as she did. She turned to Mika. As she did, a smile came upon her face. It was not happiness or smirk, just a gentle smile capable of soothing anyone.

"I don't think you both should step in this", she whispered as she moved towards Mika. She didn't even stop to look at those two.

She stood in front of Mika. Mika didn't have her eyes open; she was sitting there like a small child.

Grace bent down with her legs folded. She was sitting there looking at her best friend crying in insecurity. She slowly moved her hand forward and placed it on her head. As she did, she started patting her head, careful not to mess her two little ponytails up. "Mika", she whispered in the gentlest tone as she had a small gentle and a little sad smile on her face.

Mika opened up her eyes slowly. She was able to see Grace's blurred image. It was enough to see and feel her precious friend. As she did, she started crying louder. Mika's emotions were messed up, she didn't know what to do. Grace got it very well. She didn't stay with her as a sidekick after all. It's all warm love. She moved her hand to Mika's eyes. Gently she swiped her finger under both of her eyes. Mika was now able to look at her properly. It was Grace, with her same gentle smile as she always has. She felt like crying more and more. Grace now sat on both her knees. She held Mika with her cheeks and brought her face forward. As she did, she kissed her forehead. At that moment she quickly hugged her. "It's alright. I'm here", she whispered.

Mika brought her hand around Grace's back. She hugged her tight as if it was her favourite stuffy. Grace chuckled on the site. Mika was still crying but this time, her voice was lowed and she looked a little calmer.

Grace slowly picked got her to get up. As she did, Mika clanged on her arm. Grace picked up her bag and a little carry bag.

Noah and Nate were not sure how to process this. They were not surprised by their love for each other, they just grew more respect for them. And at some point, both of their hearts were fluttering at the sight of their girls. But obviously they weren't ready to say it out loud or even accept it.

"Shall we go home?", Grace whispered as she again wiped Mika's tears.

"But Nate?", she teared up more.

"Don't worry about that. I've got a surprise for you.", she chuckles.

"We'll see you both tomorrow then.", Grace waved at both the boys, who were standing there in pure astonishment.

"Both of them?", Mika pouted a little even though she was crying.

"Yeah both of them.", she chuckled again.

As both of those girls were out of sight, a waitress came up to Nate and asked, "Was there any problem sir?"

"Just best friends sharing their love.", Nate chuckled as he winked at Noah.

When they both were coming out of the café, Nate got in a mood to tease Noah.

"Hey hey! Tell me! I cry would you also hug me like that?", Nate came closer to his face making a cute pout.

"I would like to watch you cry more.", Noah gave a quick reply. He didn't seem to care at all.

"You are not fun. And not to mention, PURE EVIL!", he pouted. "Well, I know the warm man inside that sadist's heart."

"Shut up with that trash already.", Noah stepped ahead as he got a little embarrassed.

As Mika and Grace reached home, she had calmed down a little bit. Her eyes were all red and puffy but she had finally stopped crying.

Grace went straight up to the kitchen. In the meantime, Mika changed her clothes and fitted herself in comfortable and loose black and white pyjamas, which always makes her look like a little panda. Her hair was all untied too.

Grace made her way to the sofa where Mika was sitting with her face down at her feet. She must have been feeling terrible about what happened the other time.

"Mika!", Grace called her.

As she looked up, her eyes lit up! Her lips formed a big curve! Her head was up high looking at Grace's hands. She was carrying a shortcake. To add more! There was a cat-shaped mug in its side. Mika knew what was in that mug. It was her favourite drink ever! Milk!

As Grace sat down with the tray on her lap Mika gave a close look to it.

"NO WAY! IS IT THAT!!??"

"Yeah. The red velvet shortcake you always wanted to try.", Grace smiled.

Mika started tearing up again, "I'm sorry-", she held Grace's hand. "I thought you didn't need me anymore. Since Nate would make you happier."

Grace brought a piece of shortcake close to her mouth, enough to make her have a piece. Mika quickly grabbed the bite. It was like a reflex.

Grace chuckled. "Such a silly girl."

Mika started giggling too. There weren't any words involved, but somehow in that dinner time, they both made clear how important they are to each other.

As Mika was washing the dishes, Grace came around her. ��Why would Nate make me happy though?", she asked.

"come again-", Mika almost dropped the dish.

"Yeah, I mean he's a good guy but why would he make me happy as good as you? He's just a friend.", Grace puts candy in her mouth.

"He likes you- You know-", Mika replies in disappointment.

Grace starts laughing right at the moment. "You are a funny one.", she leaves saying this.

As Mika goes back to washing, "Oh boy. I'm feeling sorry for you Nate.", she whispers in with a sarcastic smirk.

ACHOO!

Nate sneezes on the other side of the city.

"Hey dude, did you catch a cold?", Noah asks as he was watching TV with a beer in his hand.

"Not really. I just felt chills down my spine.", Nate replies with a sick look on his face.

"Well take care of it. I don't want to get sick and miss university hours."

"Why? Didn't you hate going to any type of classes?"

"Well…", Noah looks away.

"Well?", Noah stares at him.

"People change. Change is the law of nature.", he quotes looking like a complete idiot, given that his face was all flushed.