We were finally all together, and I was looking forward to catching up on each other''s lives.


    But when Leilani mentioned the man who had rejected her, my heart sank.


    I eagerly recounted the story to my friends, my face glowing with excitement. Emily looked at me in silence, her expression unreadable.  For a moment, there was only silence between us as we processed what had just been said.


    But then Leilani burst out, unable to contain her thoughts any longer.


    "I can''t believe it," she cried, shaking her head.  "That''s just crazy."


    As Leilani expressed her disbelief, I couldn''t help but feel a mix of awkwardness and excitement. I had never expected to be the one to catch his attention. "I don''t know what to say, Leilani," I admitted, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.


    I could feel the tension rising in the room as Leilani struggled to conceal her disappointment. Emily, always the peacemaker, tried to defuse the situation.


    "Leilani, it''s not a big deal."


    Leilani shot Emily a look of disbelief.  He rejected me but asked Aemilia out?


    I didn''t know what to say.


    I didn''t want to hurt anyone''s feelings, but I couldn''t deny my excitement about the possibility of going out with him.


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    Leilani sighed and looked down at her feet.


    Emily put a comforting arm around Leilani''s shoulder.


    I could tell that the tension in the room had dissipated somewhat, but I still felt uneasy.


    I shrugged.


    Leilani, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly spoke up.


    I shook my head, feeling a bit nervous at the thought of messaging him.


    Leilani rolled her eyes.


    With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and opened a new message to Aurelio.


    After a few seconds, my phone buzzed with a new message from Aurelio.


    < Be ready by 7.


    Leilani nodded.


    I couldn''t help but feel a bit disappointed. Was Aurelio not as excited about the date as I was?


    As we walked back to my apartment, I sent Aurelio my address and waited nervously for him to arrive.


    I blushed and looked down, feeling a sudden wave of shyness wash over me.