In South Africa we have what you call *Black Friday*.
Now it occurs in November. In the summer right before school holidays.

That first year of high school just as the year was ending. Black Friday came.
Me and three of my friends, Carly, Bree and Kim went a local party that night. There were lots of people from school and others from other schools close to our small town.

The moment we entered the house we separated. The place was packed with sweaty teens. i couldn't find any familiar face in crowd as they were jumping up and down with the beat of the music. I then couldn't stand by the door all night so i turned around and left the house to go sit in veranda.
It was quiet peaceful outside incomparison to the wildness inside.
Beep!
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from my twin brother, Oliva.
Oliva: where you at?
So much for peace. I'd thought.
Olivia: The Santos party. Why!?
Oliva: Good. Zayn was bugging me bout where u were. you in the house?
Zayn?weird.
Olivia: No...veranda.
*no response*
Just as i put my phone in my pocket. Zayn appears from the left side of the house. He's walking like an injured penguin. Great. He's drunk!
"Olly!!" he shouts now that he's sitting right next to me.
I shift back so that i can twist to face him."Hey buddy." i say softly. Zayn and i had been friends for two years before that night.
"Stop!callin mew dah..." he says drunkenly. He's so whiny that i can't help but laugh. "Take mew...ser..ious..ly." he continues to whine. But he's words break as he talks.
I stop laughing and say, "Okay. Sorry. What'd you want me to call yah?"
His face turns serious before it breaks down into a smile. "Baby." he says looking everywhere but at me.
Drunk Zayn's shy. I laugh again.
"Baby? Zayn am sure Carly would mind." i say. Even though I know he and Carly aren't dating but i have to remind him that she was in picture no matter how small. I wouldn't risk Carly exploding in my face just to please him.
"I'll stop hooking up with her then." he says that like it'll solve something.
"No can do baby buddy." i tease. And that's because this conversation with my drunk friend was starting to make me uncomfortable. " Not make you uncomfortable Livia but i seriously want us to date...and am not joking or staying because am a little tipsy."

I was dumbstruck and silenced by what he said. my phone then ringed that moment. "Saved by the ring." he says standing up. "Think bout it. yeah?" then he's gone back to wherever he was before.
"Hello?" i say. remembering that i didn't check who the caller was.
"Liv?Its mom. Come home please." my mother's voice says on the other end of the phone. "Okay ma!" am shouting because the door to the house is open and the music is blaring loudly.
Zayn: Hit me up when you've decided.

Zayn's text came as i was on a cab back home. So much for being care free this summer. This decision will determine if i pursue this thing between me and Zayn and risk loosing a dramatic but good friend. Or not pursue things with Zayn and keep my friendship with Carly but suppress my feelings for him even though I'd be tortured by knowing how he feels for me. Wow!What a decision to make. I'd thought to myself.

That was the last time I'd considered hiding my feelings for Zayn.
Now I wish I had...