Twice upon a time, there was a swimmer. And she had a crush.

"Go, Selena!" My best friend Amelia cheered loudly while my arm skated the surface of the cool water. Not slamming it, gliding on it like petting a fluffy kitten each time. Each stroke pushed me forward like a small boost up Item and they were the key to winning. Quickly when gasping for a clump of air, I glanced at my opponents. I had two linings up next to me whom I have to beat.

"Twenty-five meters to go! Go, Selena!" Amelia wooed loudly enough I can hear clearly what she was saying underwater. When gasping for air, I saw her waving a small unused white towel. Twenty-five meters away, I can do this.

I ignored all the stinging pain itching my legs. The crowds scream and cheers were blocked only the water's waves echoing in my ear. I squeezed the last energy around me kicking faster and stroking powerfully as I can. All my focus went to breathing not caring about the clouded goggles. I did not mind about to think about how far my opponents are. My body became one. Not parts.

My hand hit the hard surface. My movements stopped as my hands grasped on the round plastic thing. I took off my goggles as few last kicks with ripples of water died. I turned my gaze at the referee. My breath was high trying to steady itself.

"First place Dawn Lopez, second place Selena Zhang, third place Eshita Nakura!"

Suddenly, hearing the result, tiredness sank slumping a bit dizziness like I have been in the hot tub for too long. The fifty meter long pool was longer than I felt. I have never swam so hard and got so breath lasted by a hundred meter swim.

I didn't frown or cast a full smile. Second place, it was hard for my emotion to decide. I climbed on the concrete floor panting for breath. My goal was the first place—to become the best fifteen or sixteen-year-old swimmer in the world. It was like eating a cake but dropped one spoonful of cream not attempting to enjoy a bit of more sweet. Water dripped out of my swimsuit as I sat down while my legs dangling still bathing the pool water.

Amelia gave me a tight towel hug. "Oh my gosh congratulations! Second place in world competition? That's AMAZING!"

My decision was done. I made the widest smile, wider than the widest smiley face. I let the fluffy towel brush my skin as Amelia still remained in the position of a hug. I playfully shoved her away that stood up curled in my towel.

I gave a hi-five to my friend before going on stage to receive a silver medal.

"Now you have to Selena!" Amelia whined while we drank boba at a café. Like a little kid she kicked her feet from the too big sofa chair. I had faint stench of pool scent with wet hair. Cold sweet extra sugar put milk tea flooded my tongue. I chewed some squishy black pearls, boba, enjoying the texture and taste.

"Do what?"

My best friend rolled her eyes as if it was an obvious thing. "Tell Asher that you like him. Duh."

"Not this again." I groaned twirling my dyed brown hair with an index finger. Nowadays, my friend was always talking about Asher. Well yeah, he is my crush but I wonder if she's just teasing me. And yeah he's cute and handsome. And yeah he's cool. And yeah I think about him at least one hour before sleeping.

But now, I honestly wanted to enjoy this great boba, a small treat from Amelia as congratulation for winning second place. The just right, sofa that sinks me in, the best boba is a paradise. I do wish to enjoy this moment instead of worrying about what to do with my romance. /drama. It was so great to live without the school drama queen—I'll explain that later on. Honestly don't want to think of the big jerk right now.

"You said you'll ask him to date you once the world competition is done!" Amelia whined like a little kid as if it the same thing to whine for a toy. I did make that promise. Once the world competition as done, which is now peacefully sipping some boba in California, I'm going to ask Asher out. But please, Asher's in Florida right now.

Asher. I haven't seen him for five whole days... (I'm a lovesick girl) Asher...dating...ask him to date... I am a famous fifteen year old swimmer with natural talent according to my parents. And I believe I am a prodigy of swimming. But I have an another natural talent. Imagining.

I pictured me and Asher just an inch close eye to eye. He leaning over and pursing his lips. Than—

"Your grinning to yourself. Ooooo are you thinking about you and Asher..."

"I will okay?" I lied ignoring her comment. I sat up straight and lifted my gaze to the window my face burning 999 Fahrenheit. Before I can add, 'when we get back home to Florida', Amelia squeaked.

"Yes!!! You mean now right? Surprise!"

I blanked out for a moment but briefly estimated the surprise. Amelia loved surprises, and I gave a quick glance to the door. The bell attached the ring as it opened. A blond ruffled haired boy, kind of tall, with a good-looking face and clear blue eyes, walked in. My jaws dropped. It was Asher.

"Wha—what—," I lost my words by the dropped jaws.

"Yep! Say thanks to your BFF!" Amelia exclaimed. "Asher watched your competition!"

"Asher watched the competition!?" I freaked out. How come I never realized it? I always realize the aura around my crush—I mean Asher. Oh right, I was focusing on my swim. Half-heartedly I was glad I did not realize him because if I did, I would worry too much about my looks than on the swim. Half-heartedly.

"Hey, Selena." Asher greeted in a 'Sup' kind of way. "Congrats." He gave a nice smile.

This time, I lost words out of embarrassment. "Th, thanks."

Amelia elbowed me with her long arms reaching out unusually (very annoying 'cause she was smirking) a silent message meaning, NOW! SAY IT AND I MEAN IT!

"Uh, take a seat," I said shuffling my mini sofa closer to Amelia around the round table. The squeaking sound was out of hear, my eyes and focus only on him. Asher made himself comfortable bringing his own chair and quickly ordered a regular size boba from the counter. This café was very cool like that.

While he was ordering his food, Amelia whispered. "Tell him!" In a sarcastic way.

"Not now," I said calmly. But if I was a cat, my fur would be standing so straight that I would turn round as a ball. "Oh, Amelia." I sighed. "I will once I know he likes me back."

My best friend stared in shock and a little mad. "You're pushing it again. I'm, no, you're waiting forever."

What my love-gossip-lover says was true. Before saying I would ask when the competition was over, I promised that I will after school was over and we might have some privacy. Then before that, I said I will once I got closer to him as a friend. Than before—this is quite endless.

"Selena," Amelia stated sternly with a serious face. She did care for me first love no matter how much love talk she loved. "Final promise. We'll make him fall for you, got it?"

"Fine." I sighed. I know I would not be able to push her again. But if I do know he liked me back, what's so hard about telling him I like him?

Before the girl talk can have a right end, Asher came back with boba in his right hand. "So are we going to throw a celebration party or what?"

Amelia swapped her emotion light switch to her happy party face. "Course we will. We'll have a big party when we get to Florida. And Selena and my mom said they'll take us to the amusement park tomorrow."

"Do we include me?" Asher asked hopefully wagging his puppy tail. I was in my world seeing his perfectly handsome face but returned to the real world when Amelia stomped me on the feet.

"Yep!" I squealed really weird. I sighed inside myself what a mistake I have done sounding like a total idiot. How will he like me?

Asher didn't seem to mind or act like he didn't mind. I wish I can slap myself across my face. Then met his blue eyes which made me blush red as a tomato and Amelia smirked in the back of her face. I forced my temper to cool giving glances to Asher. I act so idiotic. So much like the biggest jerk.

Asher acted as if the squeak never happened. "Yes! I heard there's the fastest rollercoaster in the US! Can't wait to ride it!"

"Oh..." I whispered a sigh so my crush did not hear. I hate rollercoasters. They spin and go up on high places and I feel like I'm the edge to die. I feel like I might fall off and die. Of course, if Asher held my hand and stuff I will happily ride it. But I believe that was never going to happen. I sipped some boba eyes dull and gloomy.

"Why you don't like rollercoasters?" Asher asked. I jumped almost swallowing some boba down the wrong side. Swallowing a deep breath to prevent a long gagging, I avoided to meet his blue eyes. Honestly myself, if I did that every time he said something, I will actually die.

"Well...they're..."

"She's scared of them. Why don't you guys ride together? I cough a lot right now so I shouldn't ride rapid stuff so—"

Mini me is confused. If you do think Amelia's a nice little friend Cupid, you are absolutely wrong. Let's have a discussion.

Interviewer: Your friend did such a generous thing to lie so you can be with Asher sitting next to his and possibly getting to be close to him. How can you not say your friend is the most annoying fake Cupid sacrificing a good ride?

Me: You see—and you better see, Amelia is smirking right now very weirdly also she hate's rollercoasters too. And, I am going to puke if I rode one which will be an embarrassing thing to do in front of your CRUSH.

Interview: I see.

Me: Thank goodness you do.

Now that my imaginary interview is over, I would sadly continue with the most embarrassing moment of my life.

"I'm fine with that. But you don't have to ride it Selena." Asher added but I feel like I see hope in his eyes. I guess riding a ride all by yourself isn't much fun and I don't want to make him sad...

"Okay.I'll ride." I hesitantly responded. The thrill loving boy's eye is filled with joy which made me blush once more. I was not sure if I will survive the rollercoaster in many ways.

Than I truly thought to myself: I'm a love-sick girl. Can't object.

"That's great!" Asher exclaimed. "I'm so glad I wasn't going alone. I heard that ride is pretty insane and I'm glad I'm going to have a companion with me. Not saying I'm scared.

Trying to hind my disappointment, I weakly chuckled. Why did I allow my hopes to go up that he wanted me to take the ride in a romantic reason? Even Amelia gave a silent sigh out of Asher's sight. I silently sipped some boba, my brown hair covering the side of my face. The shuffling crowd rang in my ears. People chit chatting easily mostly young people. My best friend excused herself to buy some sweets, and this time she did it because it felt socially awkward.

"So um..." I snatched all the leg over courage to start a conversation with Asher. Question, what do you thing Asher did as a response? Answer, he remained silent as if I had never spoke. I felt ashamed. I peeked what he was doing and saw his fingers quickly tapping his phone. Shame slumped over my shoulders. Just one ignorance almost made me want to cry.

Silence. I felt socially awkward and moaned that I should have gone to buy something with Amelia. With few choices, I took out my phone from my pouch than clicked on an icon that said 'W' in white, orange as background. I checked my notifications for any comments, votes, or tags. Trying to distract myself, I scrolled down checking my approximately one hundred notifications due to the busy competition. But I couldn't help myself giving quick glances to Asher.

The method of Selena Zhang: Asher > New reader of my book.

I prayed for Amelia to come back grasping on the rubber made ocean background with a dolphin making a high jump. My wish was not granted, but a text notification bar came up on my screen. It was from my best friend. I checked what she send me and read in my thoughts.

Meet me @ girls bathroom

I read her silent meaning and excused myself from Asher. His eyes were still fixed on the screen during his Okay nod. It tightened my chest to not even look up on me.

I entered the ladies bathroom (not girls get it right) and saw Amelia waiting casually her back against the wall her right leg bending and resting on the upper wall from her other feet. Her Hands were tucked in her cream yellow hoodie her hot coco brown hair with dyed blue tip swaying on one side.

"Selena!" Amelia whined her casual pose destroyed. She honestly did look cool, as I must admit, but she acts like a little child which makes her cute. She was honestly perfect from inside to outside. She acts childish but in a good natural way, does like some juicy gossips, caring and kind, and also beautiful. She had neat freckles that made her looks tilt to cute from beautiful model look.

"Don't just stare at your phone and miss a chance to talk to Asher!"

I had no objection. No words can say dear friend. "I know but I tried to start a conversation and he just acted like he never heard."

A beautiful excuse that can easily be returned with scowls. "Let me guess...did you speak clearly? Did you ask a question? Did you not say 'so umm' and let it be?"

Best friend can read what you did from expression. What Amelia was saying was all true. I was barley above a whisper. I didn't ask any question for him to answer. And I did say the exact words Reader Amelia has said, 'so Umm.'

My friend sighed sick of the disease I am having, the case of ShyWhileWithCrush. "Are you seriously going to act like this tomorrow? Are you going to miss the chance Asher being so open without his bros? Are you seriously going to act something?"

"I will! It's so hard—my hands start to sweat and my mouth starts to quiver." I was acting like a baby. But in a quick determined turn, I turned back to a fifteen year old. "I will talk to him. I will do everything I can. So can you help me with picking the best clothes and doing a natural make up?"

Amelia is almost like a cartoon. She hugged me so tight eyes a bit watery. "I'm so glad your determined now Selena. Tomorrow's your battle, and also mine." Than she turned coolly and dramatically. "Were going to win Asher's heart to you."

My battle has started. Whoever I'm battling against, I will win Asher's heart tomorrow.

Authors Note

First chapter of Part 1!!! From a review, it said I don't have much cliff hangers. Do you think this was an good cliff hangar? I want to hear your honest opinion so I can become a better writer. Also I have the most surprising news ever. So me and my teacher got to a to pick that I love to write stories. She asked if she can share my "Survive 30 Days" with her. I did (quite embarrassing) and the next week the most (also super embarrassing) thing happened. My teacher has a writer friend and she shared (without my permission but I'm cool with it) it with the writer friend. The writer friend said that I have potential...it made my day! I felt like I took another big step to become an author.