"Hi."

"Hi," I awkwardly respond, staring in surprised at the sight of Vivian at my front door. Even in winter, where people have to cover themselves in bulky clothing Vivian manages to still look like she's on the cover of a magazine. Though, unlike her usually confident and perky self, she awkwardly shuffles in her tan fleece boots.

"Do you mind if we talk?" she softly asks.

"Yeah, sure." I step aside to let her in, but Vivian shyly points behind her.

"Outside?"

"Oh, okay. Let me grab my coat." In a hurry, I settle for the smallest one of my dad's, since I can't find my own. Compared to Vivian, who looks like someone strutting down the streets of New York City with fancy organic coffee in hand, I look more like a trucker who is too cheap to even pay for Starbucks.

I follow Vivian outside and we walk alongside each other on the sidewalk.

"I wanted to apologize, Wendy."

"Why? You already did."

"Yeah, but that was over text. I felt like we're still not on good terms."

"No, its just because I'm naturally awkward. Nothing's wrong," I try to assure her, though, partly to assure myself.

"I really want us to start next year as we used to be."

"Yeah, of course."

"So, please don't feel awkward about what happened this year."

"I won't. "

"Then, can you promise me something?"

"What?"

"I want to make it up to you."

"No, you didn't anything wrong. You don't have to," I insisted.

"Meet me at the diner near the mall tomorrow. The one we like to go to."

"Sure, but why?"

"Don't ask. I'll text you the time. And bring Vincent. Oh, and dress cute."

"Okay..." I hesitantly agree.

"Don't worry. I have something romantic planned for you."

Romantic?

Once Vivian left, I wouldn't help but wonder what she meant. Something romantic for me? Bring Vincent? Did she realize I liked him? And she is okay with it?

I felt guilty and shameful for liking the same guy she does, or maybe did. Maybe, she found someone else and set up a double date. Was it finally alright for me to like Vincent?

A rush of euphoria filled me to the brim and I excitedly fell back onto my lawn and spread and my legs and arms across the snow. Squealing, I tucked my arms across my chest and repeatedly rolled back and forth. I continued to do this until my dad came out to shovel the driveway, puzzled by my odd and public misplay of emotions I let the neighbors and passing cars witness. This was coming from a girl who is afraid to ask for help from a store clerk.

The following day, I braved myself to get out of my comfort zone and wear a cute, green, knitted sweater that I got as a present years ago. Even more brazen of a decision was to wear a black, pleated skirt. Of course, I'm not that brave, so I accompanied it with black tights. The thought of today being possibly the first official date between Vincent and me caused the urge to wake up early and even to my hair into a bun. Finishing my outfit, I made sure to wear the necklace Vincent gave me, centering the pendent so it was visible to him. Since today was supposed to be a surprise, I didn't say anything about Vivian planning it, nor did I say what the plans were for the day.

Since Vincent wanted to go for a drive in my new car, I pick him up at his house. I can't help but smile when he walks outside in the windbreaker I bought him. Once he slips inside the passenger seat, I try my best to suppress my smile.

"Isn't that jacket too thin?" I ask.

"Nope, its perfect."

"It looks good."

"Woah, am I mistaken, or did Wendy just say i look good?" Vincent teases.

"I said the jacket looks good. Not you." Vincent pouts from my answer. "But... you look good too."

Satisfied, Vincent stops fake frowning and puts on his seat belt. In the process, he notices the swan necklace.

"You're wearing it," he grins.

"What?"

"The necklace."

"Oh, yeah. Just kinda threw it on," I hold it up as casually as possible, pretending I didn't spend the last few nights admiring it for hours and making sure it was it perfect condition today.

"You're dressed up today too."

"Yep."

"A skirt?"

"Yep."

"Wow, are you sure you're Wendy?"

"Yep."

'So, what are we doing today?"

"Just wait and you'll find out."

"Okay, then." Vincent puts his arms up in defeat.

After a while, Vincent gets bored and decides to lean over, putting his mouth near my ear.

"By the way, you look really pretty," he whispers.

"Gosh, let me drive. I have to focus on the road!" I scold, playfully pushing his back into his seat while he laughs. I press the back of my left hand to my left cheek to check my temperature. Sure enough, my face is hot and so probably burning red.

When we pull up, I finally check my phone to see that Vivian already got a table inside. Vincent looks confused when I say to the waitress that someone is waiting for us inside. She nods and takes us to our table.

"Wait, we're going to be with other people?" Vincent asks me in a hushed voice as we follow the waitress.

"Yeah, sorry I didn't tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise."

Once we get there, I'm surprised to see Vivian and her date sitting on opposite sides of a table at a booth. In fact, the person opposite to her to my surprise is Carson.

"Hey, guys. You're finally here! Sit next to me, Vincent. You can sit next to your date, Wendy," Vivian directs us.

My date? Carson?

"Carson?" Vincent asks, shocked once he turns to see Carson sitting uncomfortably in the corner.

"Vincent?" Carson replies in confusion.

"Sit down and I'll explain," Vivian insists.

I slowly sink down next to Carson and we exchange looks of bewilderment.

"So, we're on a blind double date. Wendy got em a date and I got her one," Vivian explains.

Still, everyone besides Vivian exchanges looks of shock.

What was I thinking? Of course Vivian would think I would help her date Vincent. Why would she set me up with him? I'm dumb for thinking that.

I could almost see the tension and strain between the best friends as I looked up at Vincent's face, signs of feeling betrayal appearing.

"We agreed to not tell the dates we brought. Right, Vivian?" I intervene.

"Oh yeah. I didn't tell Carson since it was a blind date," Vivian agrees, unsure if we really greed upon such terms, which we didn't.

Carson looks at me in relief for backing him up, but also still concerned.

"Don't worry, we'll split up into pairs after eating and go on our individual dates," Vivian says. She looks as if she wanted to continue talking, but the waitress comes by and hands us our menus, which then occupies her.

Everyone orders something except for Vincent. When I realize this, I ask for an extra order of french fries, which I know Vincent loves. Vivian talks about the holidays and other things, while I input some comments once it a while to keep the conversation going. However, its nothing like a conversation as Vincent and Carson sit silently in their seats, staring at the table. Once the food arrive, it only become an excuse for them to continue to be silent as they pick on their food. Vivian rarely takes a bite, continuing to talk in excitement.

"Carson, you haven't said much," Vivian points out.

Carson just shurgs in reply and takes a sip of water.

"I get it," Vivian says playfully. "You're shy next to Wendy. She's dressed really nice today right? I don't think I've ever seen her in a skirt."

"No, we're just friends. It's kinda awkward actually," I admit and Carson nods.

"Jeez, you guys are so obvious. When you guys hung around each other all the time during fall break. Remember when we went to get donuts and you guys stayed behind together? You guys don't think I can tell when something is going on between you two?" Vivian says, pleased with her analysis of the relationship between Carson and me.

My first reaction to see what Vincent's reaction is. He sits with a straight face, swirling the same fry in ketchup for the last few minutes. Suddenly, he pulls out a twenty dollar bill out of his wallet, tucks it under his unfinished plate, and stand up.

"I'll get going first," Vincent blankly says, and walks away.

"Wait, Vincent, we-" Vivian tries to call after him, but he keeps walking and ignored her.

"I'll check up on him," I say to Vivian and quickly rush to follow Vincent as he leaves the diner.

"Vincent," I call out as I grab onto his wrist. He coldly shurgs it away, but turns around.

"What?" he asks, not hiding his irritation.

I'm shocked to see this side o0f Vincent, and my arm swings back to my side.

"Give her a chance."

"I don't want to."

"Please, it'll break her heart if you leave now."

"What about me? You didn't think about how I would feel? I'm on a double date with you, but you're not my date. I have to see you on a date with a different guy when I like you. Don't you think that breaks my heart?"

"Vincent, you should know. Carson is your friend and he's my friend."

"He's a friend like how I'm only a friend to you? You know, the type you kiss and won't date? What's stopping you from doing the same things with him that you do with me?"

"Vincent, no, that's different... It's different with you."

"Is it different? No matter what, I'm still just your friend. I make ti so obviously I like you and you just play with my feelings constantly. You kiss me one day and the other you set me up with your friend. Plus," Vincent scoffs, "you wear the necklace I gave you to a date with another guy... in a skirt you would never otherwise wear when you never put on the dress I got you," Vincent says in an exasperated sigh.

"Vincent... I didn't know."

"You didn't know you were going on a blind date? You didn't know you were setting me up with your friend I insist I don't like?"

"Vincent-"

"Just answer with this one question... Who's idea was this? Vivian? You?"

"Vincent, please-"

"Just answer me," Vincent shakes his head, backing away from my advances to grab a hold of him.

No, it wasn't my idea. I didn't want to go on a date with anyone else. I didn't want you to date anyone else. I wanted to go on a date with you. I thought I was. I didn't want this. I like you, Vincent. I kissed you because I like you. You're not a friend. I want you to be more than that. I wore this skirt for you. I wore this necklace for you. I came here for you... But I couldn't tell him that.

"It was all my idea," I lie, shielding Vivian from Vincent's anger.

"Then, we don't have anything else to say to each other. I don't want to e your friend anymore, Wendy. Let's just give each other some space for a while."

"Vincent-" I reach for his hand but he pulls away, my fingers wrapping around air. Vincent storms off the parking lot, heading towards the mall. I stand and stare as Vincent continues to walk away, unable to move my feet.

"Wendy," Carson calls from behind me. Swiftly, I wipe the tears from my cheeks and take a few sniffles before Carson walks up to me. "Where's Vincent?"

"He wasn't feeling well. Can you go after him and make sure he gets a ride home? I drove him here and he's talking a walk towards the mall. I better go in and pay the bill."

"We already did. Vivian should be out soon."

"Oh... You should go get Vincent. I'll explain to her what's going on."

"Wendy. are you okay? You explained to Vincent that it was a misunderstanding, right?"

"It was my idea... All of this."

"Wendy, we both know you didn't."

"Please don't mention me or anything about this to Vincent. He's not in a good mood."

"Wendy-"

"You should hurry. It's cold and he only has a light jacket on..."

"Okay, bye." Carson hops into his car and drives after Vincent.

Just as he pulls out of the parking lot, Vivian comes out of the diner.

"Where did the boys go?"

"Something came up. How about we have a girls day out?" I suggested while forcing a smile.

"Sure, I guess. We can reschedule the double date another day. I'll call Evelyn and Olivia. They're going to be so excited to see you again."

"Me too."

Everything was like it was before. I had my friends, dragging me around the mall. I sit as they try on every outfit there. We got food and I stuffed my face non-stop. We walk around even more, I wait and fall asleep in random places. We go home and I watch cooking shows while eating strawberries with Wilbur. Vincent and I are as good as strangers. Everything was in its right place again, but nothing felt right.