Chapter 11

Amanda Pov.
-I almost beat you. I say to Ron, stopping to catch my breath after my run session with him.
- Sure... If that's what you say to yourself to feel better, it's ok. In my opinion, you had little left and passed out. He says laughing and I playfully punch him in the shoulder.
Every week on Saturday Ron and I have a running session. Considering that most of the time I am just with my nose in the books, he thought that at least once a week such an outing would be beneficial for me. Although I think he proposed this just to have someone to laugh at, it's already been five years since we've been doing this every Saturday. However, my physical condition has not improved at all during these years.
-You two deserve each other. Karla says from the swing that's next to the cabin, and we shift our attention to her.
It looks like she just woke up. Her hair is tied in a loose bun on top of her head and she is still in her pyjamas.
-I'm going to take a shower. Ron says after greeting Karla and I nod as I sit on the swing next to her.
Karla hands me the coffee mug she has in her other hand and I'm amazed to see that someone other than Ron made my coffee. I think I'll grow to like his friends. I even think I can have other friends besides Ron.
Karla looks at me for a long time, as if waiting for me to say something, but I take a sip of the warm coffee.
-What? I finally ask when I notice she's not saying anything.
-How did you spend the night with Stallion? She said sipping her coffee.
- How to spend it? I went to sleep. I say with a shrug.
-You're kidding me, right?
-Not. Why would i do that?!
-Damn, girl. You wouldn't recognize love even if it hit you in the face...
-Excuse me?
-Ron. Didn't you know he was dead after you? He's been in love with you for quite some time.
I snort so hard I almost spill my coffee on myself, even though Karla is giving me a serious look.
-I'm pretty sure Ron doesn't like me that way. I say, after I manage to calm down.
-Seriously?! Then why did he kiss you last night?
- It was just a game. Not every act should be taken literally. Plus, he himself said last night that we're just friends. That tells me pretty clearly that he doesn't like me as a woman, but as his best friend.
Karla rolls her eyes in displeasure at something, and I finish my coffee.
-I'm going to take a shower too. I continue to say, after getting up from the swing. Thank you for the coffe.
I enter the cabin and after washing the mug from which I drank the coffee, I go to Ron's bedroom to get ready for a shower.

***
Ron Pov.
-I heard something from Amanda. Tell me that's not true. Please tell me you're not so stupid as to jump at the possibility of you and her being a couple. Karla said in almost a whisper so Amanda wouldn't hear.
-This is the best. I don't want to hear any more about it. It was my choice.
-A pretty bad choice, I might say. You deserve a fight to the death. Now Amanda thinks you don't like her as a woman at all.
-I did not say that.
-Does not matter. That's what she thinks.
I watch Amanda five feet in front of us laugh at something Joe said to her and that feeling I knew when Amanda was with Josh comes back. Jealousy. I'm jealous that she's laughing with someone else and I'm not that person.
-You didn't see her last night after we retired to our rooms. She started to lose her temper so I had to back off.
Max stops to wait for me and Karla then wraps his arm around her waist.
-Joe really like Amanda. Max says, managing to annoy me even more.
Who the hell made me schedule the outing in the woods? We could just sit at the cabin and do nothing, that way Joe wouldn't have had a chance to talk to Amanda.
-Amanda is a smart girl. Joe doesn't stand a chance. I'm sure that after Josh, Amanda learned that she deserves more than that.
- Maybe... But we all know Joe gets whatever he wants.
I think the whole Universe is against me and my two friends conspired to make my day just because I told Amanda I didn't want a relationship with her.
The biggest lie, but I don't want to know her stressed thinking about what answer to give me. This is better. She is happier.
-Ron, Joe said we were going to the pond. It's true? Amanda asks me, stopping to wait for me.
When I get to her side, I put my arm around her shoulders and glance at Joe. I can see in his eyes that he's not comfortable with this whole situation, and when Amanda puts her arm behind my back like she always does Joe already knows he doesn't stand a chance.
I smile proudly, maybe even mischievously at Joe, but he pretends not to see and starts a conversation with his brother.
Karla's giggles reach my ears, but I ignore her, my attention now on Amanda, wanting to answer her question.
- Yes, we're going to the pond.
Look, I can't lose Amanda for this. For the big smile she gives me and the fact that every time she likes something and I'm near her, she rests her head on my shoulder.
I can't lose her as my best friend. She makes my day, and I try to do my best to make her happy. She's the only one who manages to tame the beast in me, and she doesn't even know it.