Most days go by without any problems, except maybe minor ones like missing the bus or forgetting to eat breakfast. Today wasn’t that day. I felt that I couldn’t have less luck than I did today. It all started in the morning when I woke up and had forgotten to set my alarm clock, making me an hour late to work. On top of that, my car took ten times to turn on. And now this.
            I glared at my computer screen. The internet is down. That meant I needed to do everything by hand. I sighed. I just need prince charming to save me from this. I took a long sip of my coffee and buckled down to start on the stack of paper on my desk.

            “How’s you morning going so far Jill?” My coworker, Tomas asked as he walks up to my cubicle.

            “Just great.” I reply sarcastically.“Today is going perfect.”

            He caught on and gave me a pat on the back “Hey, you have one thing to look forward to.” He gives me a huge grin.“It’s Friday! And Izabel is having a party this weekend. You gonna come? It’d be good for you to get out.”

            I guess it wasn’t such a bad idea. Now that I think about it, I had been spending a lot of time on my work. I mean not that I was lacking in money. My art usually brings in a lot of hungry buyers looking for some new design. I am a tech guru, but I paint on the side. I went to a good school for technology but took art classes on the side. I’ve always thought of leaving my job to do art full time, but I need money to live.I guess that’s what you have to sacrifice in order to make good products.

            “Yeah, I think I’ll be able to make it. When is it, do you know?”

            “Saturday at eight thirty.” He replied. “Maybe you’ll actually find someone good enough for you” He laughs and winks at me as he walks away.

            He’s right. I am picky, but I can’tjust date anyone! I won’t waste my time on someone who will just hold me back. I’ve been single all my life. Through high school I had guys asking me out left and right but I knew what they were after and I needed to focus on school. College was no different but now that I’m out of school I’m just trying not to get hurt. I know that’s not a good excuse but hell it’s the only thing I can come up with.

            “Hey everyone! The internet is back!” I heard another one of my co-workers say. Cheers erupted around the office and the sounds of keys could drown out anything. I breathed in a sigh of relief and logged on. Maybe today was turning around after all.

            Opening my email, I found 120 unreademails. “Ugh.” I started clicking through them as I took another sip of coffee.I opened up an email, “Happy birthday Rin!” it read. Oh crap. I forgot her birthday. I start to type up a quick email to her.

“Hey Rin, I’m so sorry I missed your birthday. I was thinking

I could make it up toyou. Want to go out for drinks tonight?”

            I clicked send and moved on to the next email. I got a reply almost immediately.

“Absolutely! We could try Paul’s Bar and Grill down the road.”

            I smiled and sent her a quick replyback. Rin and I had been friends for years. We had gone to college together and we even grew up together as kids till my parents moved me to Chicago. But whenI went back to my home state for school, I met up with her again. We both love art, but she is more into poetry and short stories where I am more into painting and comics.

            Work flew by fairly quickly and soon I was at home looking in my closet for something to wear. I was stuck between a short flirty black dress and a tan strapless dress that complimented my curves and skin tone. Eventually, I settled on the black dress and finished up the last touches of my look.

            I heard a knock at my door and hurried over to open it. “Hey!” I said and gave her a hug.

            “You ready?” She asked with a smile. I had to admit, she looked amazing.

            I blushed and replied, “Whenever you are.” I tried to hide my smile as we headed down to her car.

            I don’t know what it was but today she looked better then she usually did. Was I… falling for her? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Of course not! She’s my best friend. I’m not supposed to fall for my best friend. Right?

            As we got closer to the bar I couldn’t help but think something was going to happen today. Weather it was going to be good or bad was still a question.

            We both got out and headed inside.“I know but you HAVE to admit, it has been a while since you’ve dated anyone.” Rin said to me.

            I nodded. “I just haven’t met theright person yet.” We walked to the bar and ordered drinks. I always got a mojito but today I thought I needed something a little stronger.

            “Scotch?” She asked.

            “What? A girl can’t live?” We both laughed. “So, have YOU met anyone?” I took a sip trying to hide the look of worry I got from the question. Why was I so worried she would say yes? Of course I would be excited for her if she did. She’s my best friend. Nothingelse.

            She let out a sigh and took a sip ofher drink. “No. I just… I guess I haven’t met the right person yet either. I mean my ex, she was always too absorbed in her work. She never had any time forus. It was like I didn’t exist most of the time.”

            Uh oh. I thought. That’s all I ever think about. Maybe I just need a distraction. “Well… Maybe you should come to the party Izabel is having this weekend. It’d be a good chance for you to meet someone.”

            She nodded. “I guess it’s worth a try… I mean to be honest I HAVE had my eye on someone. I just Don’t think they will like me back.”

            Disappointment grew inside me as I thought about her liking someone else. Why were these feelings coming up all of a sudden.  I raised my glass. “To finding new love.”

            “I’ll toast to that.” She replied and tapped her glass to mine.

            Someone bumped into the back of her and her drink spilt all over the front of me.

            “Hey!” She said angrily to the person. “Watch where you’re going!”

            The man looked her up and down.“Well hey there. You’re feisty. How about I order you a new drink. On me.” He leaned toward her with a grin on his face.

            “Sorry, she would rather not.” In arrowed my eyes at him.

            “You guys sisters? I don’t mind sharing.” He moved closer to us.

            “She means back off. We aren’t interested.” She says and grabs my hand.

            I look down dumbfounded and blush at our hands clasped together. The man steps even closer, inches away from Rin. “I don’t think you know what you’re saying.” He grabs her arm roughly and whispers in her ear. “No one refuses me.”

            I get out of my chair and pull herbehind me. “She said back off.” I glare at him ready to punch him if he gets rough again.

            He raises his hand as if to slap me and the bar tender comes up behind him and grabs his wrist. “Leave.” He says with a stern voice. “Before I call the police.”

            The guy back away, his hands raised.“Hey man, I’m just sayin’ hi to these lovely ladies. No need for any trouble." He backs away toward the door and turns and runs out.

            The bar tender walks away and you turn to Rin. “Are you okay?”

            She throws her arms around me. “Thank you so much.”

            I close my eyes and hug her back. “Your welcome.”

            Maybe my luck wasn’t too bad. We got back up on the stools and I dried up the drink the best I could with napkins. I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that I was falling for her. But why? I hope she hadn’t noticed. She likes someone else anyways.

            Rin looked down at her glass. “I have something to say.”

            My heart started to pound with worry. Had she noticed? Does she not want to be my friend anymore? I bit my lip and looked over at her.

            “I haven’t told you… because I’m just scared. But, I feel like I can’t really hide it very well anymore.” She Takes a deep breath and looks me in the eye. “I care about you. But not just as a friend. I know… you might not feel the same. But I feel the only way to… get over you is to just tell you. So I don’t keep wondering…”

            I put my hand up to stop her. “Iunderstand how you feel.” I grab her hand with mine. “I feel the same way Rin. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. I was worried about… Ruining our friendship.”

            She smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek. As the night went on we continued talking about different things. After 5 more drinks we decided to head home.