Love at First Sight

Yawning widely, Daniel leaned back on his chair easily, impatiently waiting for his teacher's return. Looking around the class, he saw that nobody was actually reading what the teacher assigned. After all, who really reads these textbooks? Alright, maybe for tests, but actually during class... He clapped another person next to him on the back, saying "Do you always have to read at every possible waking moment?" Matthew, his best friend, replied in annoyance, "Do you always have to be an ass while other people are busy with their activities?" Scowling, Daniel was about to reply when his teacher finally came in, followed by a new girl.

Daniel, as always, glanced at his teacher in annoyance, but this time his glance caught onto the bashful girl. His face seemed to light up in realization as he saw her walk with silently with a certain flair (at least, only to him) to her seat, and something stung his brain from all thought. Her long, black hair flowed behind her as she walked, and Daniel's mind temporarily died. After a full minute, he finally snapped back to Earth and nudged Matthew, "Who's that new girl?"

Matthew casually tore his eyes away from his textbook and glanced back; he grinned, "Katherine; didn't you hear the teacher announce the arrival of a new student earlier, as well as the introduction?"

Blushing ever so slightly that couldn't be seen, he muttered "'Course I did..." But he couldn't help glance back every so often. He again nudged him, and said "Let's go introduce ourselves; she seems a bit lonely."

Matthew narrowed his eyes in suspicion, and flatly replied, "No. No way am I going to be involved in another one of your Romeo escapade. This must be what, your fifth crush during the past six months?"

Daniel muttered something under his breath; catching the words "just want to know the new person...doesn't mean I like her or anything...mutter...", Matthew smirked and agreed to meet her after class.

"Hey, Katherine!" She turned around as the shout reached her, her hair whipping backwards and her eyes a bit wide with questioning. Daniel almost ran up to her in his haste to catch up, and he suddenly stood in front of her, slightly panting. "So...uh...how, uh...my name is..."

Matthew finally reached them, and rolling his eyes, shoved Daniel away and welcomed, "Let me introduce ourselves. I am Matthew, and he's Daniel. We saw you during class, and wanted to know you more."

"Hi...my name is...Katherine. Nice to meet you both. Would you be...kind enough to show me around?"

Matthew sported a smile, and agreed. Both of them walked next to Katherine as they showed her the areas around the school and eventually walked her home. Walking through the streets that shined with the heat of the sun, Daniel occasionally glanced at Katherine as he and Matthew knew her more and more. Eventually throughout the year, they became the best of friends. Daniel always lighted a smile whenever he saw her, but he also felt uncomfortable by her staring at Matthew sometimes, blushing and turning away whenever he caught her looks.

After three years, senior year finally rolled around and the month before prom arrived. Of course, Daniel was highly pressured to ask Katherine to the prom, but this was his trouble. Argh, damn it...why did Matthew have to have the courage while I take the personality? Of course, not that that would help me... Daniel had noticed the way how Katherine always seemed to favor Matthew more than himself, and depending on his mood, he either burned with anger or felt hopeless dwelling on that fact. Sighing, he stared at a portrait of all three of them taken not long ago. Still... if that's the way it'll go, I don't think I have much of a choice..

Matthew, throughout all three of their years in high school however, never found out about Daniel's love for Katherine. He suspected that Katherine had feelings for him however, but deep down, he didn't resist.

At prom night, all three of them agreed to simply meet at prom for the sake of avoiding trouble of quarrels, but alas, things never go as planned. Daniel, wearing his best suit and carrying a bouquet of flowers, soon arrived (despite the fact that he was ten minutes late). Knocking the door closed with his elbow, he locked his car and headed toward the prom.

Matthew and Katherine had arrived early, and they both smirked and looked at each other knowingly at Daniel's habit of lateness. Daniel grinned sheepishly, and as usual, said "Sorry for the late arrival!"

They quickly entered as the dances were starting. Matthew offered to dance with Katherine first, creating a spark of jealousy within Daniel, but Daniel quickly quelled it as he looked at the couple walk toward the center of the floor. He leaned against the wall as the dance started, and he never kept his slightly narrowed eyes off his friends. When Katherine put her head on Matthew's shoulder, however, savoring the last beautiful memorable night that they'll share before the end, Daniel knew, and he smirked as his he lowered his head by a bit. Evidently they had forgotten about him, as Katherine pulled Matthew down toward the school garden. Daniel glanced at the path they were heading down toward, and waited a while before exiting through the same door.

Matthew and Katherine were quietly strolling through the garden, the little lights lining a way for them as though they were walking on air, being guided by them. The smell of fresh-bloomed flowers traveled in the spring night air, soon to be heated by the summer sun. As they made their way back, they caught a glimpse of someone leaving the prom; Matthew, instantly recognizing that silhouette, called, "Hey, Daniel!"

Daniel stopped and turned slowly at the sound of his voice, meeting his best friend's with a cold smile. "Sorry if I bothered your stroll, but you guys looked too peaceful to be interrupted." Matthew started, "What-?" But Daniel cut him off with his hand. "It's clear to me that you two love each other..."

Matthew was slightly stunned for a moment, while Katherine's eyes widened in shock. Matthew recovered from this realization and said, "But I thought you loved Katherine...What happened?" Daniel heaved a sigh, and said "Yes, it's true that I held feelings for her, but when I saw you two dancing as though you both were in heaven, I gave up." Matthew tried to interrupted, but Daniel quickly cut him off and continued, "You know me, Matt: I'm a firm believer in love. I won't stand in the way of you and Katherine's love. So, seeing as how I'm dateless, there's no more reason for me to stay at this prom. Enjoy; I'll see you guys later." Daniel turned around and briskly started walking away; Matthew called out, "But-". However, Daniel simply tossed him the keys to his own car to him, as well as the bouquet of flowers.

Yes, this is the right choice...Daniel thought as he left the school in what he thought was the most important departure ever, I have no regrets. This is all for the best.

After all, it is better to have loved and lost than to not love at all...