Your alarm goes off - it's 4:30 am. Usually you never wake up this early or you usually snooze the alarm...
but today is different. Today is special.
You quickly wash your face and get ready.
Today is the day you and your best friend, Dan, go on a road trip together. Months of saving money finally paid off.
You guys have been best friends for 3 years now and met your first year in college as a freshman. You both need this one day road trip to get away from school and have a little fun.
While curling your hair, your phone rings. You know it's Dan. He's probably closeby and almost ready to pick you up.
[[You pick up.]]
[[You ignore it and take more time to get extra ready.]]"Good morning! I am closeby so please be ready in 5 minutes." Dan shrieks in excitement.
"Also, do you want your usual, iced coffee with vanilla, from Starbucks? He quickly asks.
[["Yes, how do you know that's my usual?" you ask.]]
[["No. I'm okay. I'll be ready in 5." you hang up.]]You take your time to put your make up on and curl your hair.
After you finish getting ready you hear a honk outside.
[[He's here]].
You better get going."I know your favorite because you order it all the time, silly. I am going to get it for you." Dan quickly hangs up.
Shortly after, you hear a honk outside.
[[He's here]].
You better get going.You finish getting ready and hear a honk outside.
[[He's here]].
You better get going.The moon still high above, the air still crisp. The last time you went on a road trip was two years ago with your ex boyfriend. You went to Disneyland and it was honestly the worse trip ever.
You shrug off the negative memories, place your bags in the trunk, and hop into the passenger seat. How exciting!
"Hey! Are you wearing your Dior perfume? It smells good." Dan says from the driver's seat. "We have 3 hours of road tripping until we reach SoCal. You could sleep if you want." He quickly adds.
[["No. I'll stay up and keep you company." you insist.]]
[["Alright. I'm taking a nap." You close my eyes.]]Thank god you both have the same taste in music! What's a road trip without music?
"So the last time I went to SoCal was with Tyler. Remember?" You make small talk.
"Yup! I remember. Isn't that when you found out he cheated on you?" Dan laughs.
//What a damn sadistic!// You think to yourself
"Yes. So glad you remember!" You reply sarcastically.
Your conversations go on and you talk about everything from old memories to the future.
[[You look out the window.]]
[[Before you knew it, you arrive at the airbnb, a cute little cottage in the heart of Orange County.]][[You fall asleep and the nightmare begins.]]
"Hey, wake up! We're here." Dan taps your shoulder.
[[Before you knew it, you arrive at the airbnb, a cute little cottage in the heart of Orange County.]]"I call the queen size bed!" you lay all your baggage on it.
[[You take a look around the Airbnb.]]
"So, where is our next stop?" you ask while unpacking clothes.
"You choose." Dan replies. "We could go to the beach." he suggests.
[["Lets go to the beach." you state.]]
[["Lets just chill at the airbnb until dinner time." you yawn.]]The weather is a bit windy for the beach. After all, it is still February. You forget to bring a jacket and instantly regret it.
[[You shiver and complain about the cold.]]
[[You act totally unfazed and just continue walking.]]You relax in the Airbnb and lose track of time.
You look over at Dan and he's just chilling on his phone in his bed.
//Is that Tinder that he's on?// you ask yourself.
He catches you staring.
"Oh yeah I'm on Tinder now. You curious?" he playfully asks.
To be honest, you are curious... You never seen Dan date anyone - like ever.
[["Yeah! I want to see who you matched with." you state.]]"It's so cold..." you shiver.
The next moment takes you by surprise.
Dan takes off his jacket and wraps it around you.
No one has ever done that for you before.
[["Oh no, it's okay! You will be cold." you return his jacket to him.]]
[["Thanks dude." you zip the jacket up gratefully.]]As the cold wind persists, you could feel goosebumps on your arms worsen.
The next moment takes you by surprise.
Dan takes off his jacket and wraps it around you.
No one has ever done that for you before.
[["Oh no, it's okay! You will be cold." you return his jacket to him.]]
[["Thanks dude." you zip the jacket up gratefully.]]"I'm not cold. Please take it." Dan stops you from giving it back to him. "Plus, it looks better on you anyway." he smiles.
Was he always this nice to you? You try to recall the last time he was nice to you. Usually your friendship dynamic is quite playful and always roasting each other.
"Thank you." you take the jacket.
"It's nothing." Dan replies. He stares off into the horizon and suddenly he frowns.
You notice this. Why does he look so sad?
[[You comfort him.]]
[[You change the topic.]] "You're welcome //dude//." Dan replies with a straight face.
The vibe becomes flat.
"When was the last time you've been to the beach?" you try to change the topic.
"Actually, the last time I went to the beach was with my parents when they were still together. We used to go as a family very often. It was when things were still good." Dan looks into the horizon.
You remember this story. Dan had a hard transition when his parents divorced after 30 years.
It must be hard for him to come back to the beach.
[[You comfort him.]]
[[You change the topic.]] Suddenly you stop walking, you face him.
"I'm sorry things ended badly between your parents." you pat him on the shoulder.
"Oh, it's okay. Things are probably for the better." Dan replies.
You both make eye contact and you stare deeply into his almond brown eyes. For a second, there's nothing but silence. But it isn't an awkward silence.
The wind picks up and blows your hair into your eyes. How painful! You attempt to brush your hair out of my face and the next thing you know, you feel his hand on your face. He helps you push your hair out of your face, never removing eye contact from you.
[[You smile nervously, keeping your eyes locked on his.]]
[[You play it off and punch him. "Don't touch me." You laugh.]]You attempt to change the topic but it doesn't work.
You could tell his mood is ruined.
You could tell he does not want to be at the beach anymore.
[["Lets just chill at the airbnb until dinner time." you yawn.]]
"Sure. Lets go." Dan walks off first leaving you following behind.For a second, it feels like time has stopped.
The weather no longer bothers you.
You soak in this very moment.
//This is nothing... right?// You question everything.
You catch yourself getting red. You attempt to disregard these thoughts.
[[You make a suggestion to go closer to the water.]]
[[You make a suggestion to sit and admire the ocean view.]]
[[You make a suggestion to go eat.]] "Ow!!!" he frowns followed by an awkward silence.
You didn't even hit him that hard! What a wuss.
The moment ruined, you suggest,
[["Lets just chill at the airbnb until dinner time." you yawn.]]
"Sure." He walks off first, leaving you following behind.Dan lets you see his phone. You scroll and find out he is matched with hundreds of girls. Wow! You did not expect him to be dating.
"You have a lot of girls on here. Shocking!" You laugh and hand back his phone.
"Yeah. I'm talking to one and she seems really nice." He shows me.
"Wow she's super pretty!" You scroll through her profile.
"Yeah I'm going to ask her out on an official date when we head back home." He mentions.
You hand him back his phone.
"Lets go eat!" you hear your stomach growl.
[["Do you want somewhere casual?" you ask]]
"Sure!" Dan picks his keys up.The car stops. You arrive. Dan gets out the vehicle and opens the door for you, catching you by surprise... No one has ever done this for you.
You quickly realize you're at a top French cuisine restaurant, the Perch located in Los Angeles.
You get seated rather quickly on the rooftop.
[[You glance around the resturant.]]
You take a look inside the menu. Holy crap! It is super expensive. Each entree starting at $50+. Drinks start at 20$+. What the...
"Don't worry about the price. Just order what you like." Dan notices your face expression.
[[You listen to him and order the most expensive item - the Wagyu steak for $112.]]
[[You do not listen to him and order the cheapest item - the seafood Alfredo pasta for $52.]]You are at Shake Shack - very casual burger joint in SoCal.
Dan steps in front of you and orders first.
"Is that all Sir?" the cashier raises her eyebrows and looks at you - waiting for your order.
"Yup. We're seperate." Dan pulls out his wallet and pays.
You wait for your turn and order a mushroom patty burger.
When you're done you ask, "What do you want to do?"
[["I want to get boba." Dan states.]]
The wagyu comes out and the aroma just hits you. You notice the Dan is drooling as well.
[[You offer him some and fix him a plate.]]
[[You pick up your utensils and begin eating.]]"I thought you don't like white pasta?" Dan raises his eyebrows.
"Oh it's fine..." you reply.
"Actually, can you please change her order." he speaks directly to the server. "Please get her the wagyu steak and a glass of red cabernet." He continues.
"Nooo - " you try to stop him.
"It's fine! I know you like steak." Dan cuts you off and hands the menu back to the server after ordering.
[[You listen to him and order the most expensive item - the Wagyu steak for $112.]]Roasting Water - a SoCal special.
This place is known for their cute glass bottles and herbal fruit teas.
You both order seperately and take a seat.
"Lets play cards!" you suggest.
You play a few rounds of 13 - the card game.
[[You grow tired and want to go back to the Airbnb and sleep.]]
Your check out time tomorrow is noon - thank god!"Aw thank you." Dan smiles.
You wait for him to take his first bite and watch his face expression. His almond brown eyes flare wide open. His face expression in total bliss and he smiles so wide. Something about seeing him so happy makes you happy. You can't help but smile.
"Wow it is so good." he says eagerly. "Here try some!" He grabs a piece and stretches his arm across the table, offering to feed you.
[[You open your mouth and take a bite.]]
[[You refuse politely and state, "I can feed myself!" ]]Every bite was so delicious. The wagyu steak just melts in your mouth like butter. It is cooked so perfectly - medium rare.
You devour the food so quickly and finish first.
You patiently wait for Dan to finish his sad looking ribeye steak.
The sever brings out the check and you peak at the total...$220 with tax.
[[You offer to pay and take our your card.]]
[[You let Dan pay and go on your phone.]]Dan gently feeds you the wagyu and your taste buds get hit with the most richest and fattiest piece. It just melts in your mouth. It is cooked so perfectly - medium rare.
You can't help but blush after realizing he just hand fed you.
"Wow it is super good." you comment.
For the rest of the dinner, you both are laughing and getting a little tipsy from the red wine. Your conversation is gold. The sun sets and the city begins to light up and sparkle.
The sever brings out the check and you peak at the total...$220 with tax.
[[You offer to pay and take our your card.]]Awkward! You both finish your meal pretty quickly.
The sever brings out the check and you peak at the total...$220 with tax.
[[You let Dan pay and go on your phone.]]"I got it." Dan refuses your card and hands the server his.
"I'm going to Venmo you!" I begin going on my phone.
"You're already blocked." He laughs.
Wow. I can't believe him! Why is he paying for me? It was a super expensive meal... I have to remember to get him back next time.
"Thanks... I got you next time." you are defeated.
"Nah. I get you the next time." Dan smiles.
You leave the restaurant.
"Lets go to LACMA." Dan begins driving.
[[LACMA? Isn't that the romantic tourist place with hundreds of beautiful lights. You wonder.]]Dan ends up paying and you guys leave the restaurant. You think about Venmoing him for your portion but you forget.
[["I want to get boba." Dan states.]]
"Sure." you reply.LACMA - it is absolutely beautiful. The sun is now fully gone, the night still young. The lights could be spotted from miles away - each bulb shines brightly.
[[You playfully run into the lights and Dan follows you.]]
[[You ask him to take some very insta-worthy pictures for you. He always knows your angles.]]Without thinking, you lean in a peck him on the cheek.
His eyes enlarged and his smile widens.
"I knew it." He gives goes in for a big hug.
[[You hug him back.]]You arrive at the Airbnb and collapse on the couch.
Dan sits next to you and turns the TV on.
[["I just want to say, thanks for being a really good friend." you pat him on the shoulder.]]The sunrise was blissfully awakening in the stretched out horizons. For miles of flat land, you can only see the sun kiss the earth good morning so majestically.
Enchanting colors beamed into the sky of orange, yellow, and pink. These colors danced gracefully on the pastel blue canvas.
There is something more magical about sunrises compared to sunsets.
The idea of a new promising day and the anticipation of not knowing what lies ahead seems more alluring.
You wish this moment could go on //forever.//
Good convos, good vibes, good company..
It goes back and foward with a vague memory of the Disneyland trip with your ex boyfriend, Tyler.
Disneyland was so magical. But that happy ending came crashing down when Tyler guilty admitted he slept with his best friend.
You find out over and over again that he cheated.
You dream of being forced once again to ride back home with Tyler in the car for 3 hours straight after finding out the truth.The cottage is quite small but very modern.
It is a one bedroom with a queen and twin size bed.
You walk over to the kitchen which is less than 15 steps away.
It has a small kitchen, white marbled.
The dining room is only able to accomodate 4 people.
You walk to the living room which is connected to the dining room.
A admire the cozy puffy couch, white marbled coffee table, and flat screen Apple TV.
It feels extremely cozy.As you get closer to the water, you get flashbacks.
//Santa Cruz Beach with Tyler. You guys jogged the entire shoreline. At the end of it, you could barely walk. Your legs ached heavily and was so sore.
Tyler refused to carry you back to the car. You slowly and painfully walked back.//
All these thoughts run through your mind but you quickly snap out of it.
You are walking so close to Dan that your hands bump into each other.
//Is this intentional?// you wonder.
"I never had the chance to say thank you for being there for me when my family was struggling." Dan breaks the silence.
Touched - I squeeze his hand.
"Always." I smile.
And let go.Double-click this passage to edit it."Okay! Where do you want to eat?" [["Do you want fine dining?"]] or
[["Do you want somewhere casual?" you ask]] he asks.You dig your feet in the sand.
As you stare into the ocean horizon, memories flood your mind.
//Last year, Dan had the hardest semester of his life. He barely slept, barely ate, and barely talked. Upon glance, you could tell that he was going through something tragic.
It took a lot of convincing but you finally got it out of him. His parents were in the process of divorcing back home and his younger siblings were going to be separated. Dan was stuck at school and wasn't able to be around his family.
You remember he broke down and blamed himself for being stuck at school and not at home to help the situation.//
The memory of him breaking down was the saddest thing to witness but you tried your best to be there for him and listen.You notice instantly how beautiful the city view is. Los Angeles looks absolutely stunning. The sun is barely coming down. It is golden hour. The place is surrounded in warm heat lamps so the weather doesn't bother you.
Are you dressed for the occasion? Everyone looks pretty formal. You speculate the crowd.
Suddenly you remember your first date with your ex boyfriend, Tyler.
//He took you to a rooftop resturant in San Francisco. The city was cloaked with a heavy fog. The night was pretty mediocre. You ended up spliting the bill with him. What a 'spectacular' first date.//
You snap out of memory lane.
"You look good." Dan notices you gawking at others.
"I feel like we're underdressed." You laugh.
"No, they're overdressed." He grins.You both are caught in the moment of good conversations and laughter. The moment once again feels timeless. Everything feels paused. You wish moments like this could last forever. This little road trip becomes one of the best moments.
You were accompanied by your most favorite person, with very good food, and now this. The city of angels is wonderful. //Dan is wonderful.// You smile to yourself.Wow! He's actually really good at taking pictures.
He takes it in a way where you don't look like an oompa loompa.
[[In the midist of taking pictures, he stops.]]He suddenly walks towards you. To return your phone?
No... he is approaching closer.
"Be honest, have you ever thought of me as more than friends?" He asks shyly.
Shocked, you are unsure of what to say.
[[You take a moment to really think.]]
[[You try to pretend you didn't hear him and run away.]]"I know you feel it too." He stares at you deeply.
"We've been best friends for quite some time. In the 3 years we have been friends, I realized... I really like you." he continues never once looking away from you.
You always thought he was cute but you got passed that and completely friendzoned him after you guys became good friends.
But thinking back now... He has been here for you. He makes you laugh, defends you, and gives you advice when life gets bad.
[[Just maybe.]]You run quickly away for a time period - zig zagging through the lights.
In the corner of your eyes, you could see Dan frowning, looking quite nervous.
You see him walk towards a bench with his head down.
You feel bad.
After about 10 minutes, you walk up to him.
You pretend nothing happened.
"I am craving boba!" you break the silence.
[["I want to get boba." Dan states.]]Just maybe.
That little spark has always been there.
He is staring at you. Trying to read your face expression.
You start to feel butterflies in your stomach and you feel yourself getting red.
[[He's right - you have been feeling it too especially after this trip.]]It just feels so easy and warming.
For the remaining part of the trip, there is nothing but excitement and joy.
You both go over all the little moments in your friendship where you both questioned whether it was in your head or perhaps it was true...
[[The best part of this? This becomes the best SoCal trip you ever had.]]Who knew? Friendzone became endzone.
He was right there the entire time."Honestly, you're a really good friend too." Dan smiles. "You make my college experience less miserable." He continues.
You both binge watch your favorite Netflix series, You.
[[It's now midnight. You head to bed.]]You have a much needed rested night.
Ah! What a relaxing small getaway.
You check out, head back home, and continue with your lives as besties.