Falling in love with...

The Universe is so big and vast is always expanding, new worlds are born every second. But what if there were more Universes, Parallel Universes and in each one a mirror world to another, similar but different in the same time? Imagine having the possibility to live your life in so many ways because for every choice you make in one world in a parallel world another you choose another thing. What would happen if you would fall in love with one of your childhood friends and in another parallel world you would fall in love with another childhood friend?

Lily grew up with seven guys. She always saw them as only friends. But what if one day she falls in love with one of them? Will he love her back? Will she have a future with him? How will this affect her and her friends? Will their lives be changed, will their friendship last because of who she falls in love with? So many choices… So many possibilities…

“Surprise!”I hear the moment I got into my apartment.

I never expected Luke to organize a Welcome back party for me. All my childhood friends were in my apartment and they were even wearing those party hats. I suspect this was Abel's idea. I was very happy to see them after five years of being in another country. It filled my heart with joy to see them gathered together for the party. I maintained contact with them even if we were living in different countries.

When I decided to go home, I was both excited and jumpy. I haven't been to my country, the Tulip Kingdom, in three years, and I was wondering if I would find many changes. I have left five years ago, when I was twenty, to finish my studies, and moved to the Vallerian Kingdom, and started to work there for a company from the Tulip Kingdom. At the same time as I started my studies, I got my job at the company that produced the most famous candy throughout the Tulip Kingdom, the LaLa company. They made a lot of sweets, but my favorite one was the LaLa chocolate. I worked in the Department of Events. Our job was to ensure that all corporate events were successful.

Two months ago I got transferred back home. I called my best friend, Luke, and gave him the great news. He promised to make sure my apartment will be ready by the time I came back home.

“Don't worry, Lily”, he told me the day I gave him the great news, “I will get everything ready.”

“Oh, Luke, I'm not trying to overwhelm you. I'm sure you're already busy. ” I felt like I was always forcing Luke to do something for me.

“I always have time for you, my little bird,” he told me.

I had a good laugh when he called me by that nickname he gave me years ago when we were kids. I never figured out why he called me that. The first day we met I became his little bird.

"Thank you, Luke, I do owe you one."

“Just make me your famous chili when you arrive here. And bring back Sunday nights," he said.

Sunday night was that special n.ht during the week that Luke always waited impatiently to come because Lily always cooked for him and the other guys. It was like their tradition that began when they were fifteen years old. Lily first used them to taste all her dishes. Over time, she learned to make some really good food and Luke was crazy about chili and apple pie.

"All right, I promise."

Luke and I grew up together, in the same apartment building, and my mom started inviting him to eat at our place when his dad died and his mom was too depressed to take care of him. Sadly, my mother and father died when I was 18. We were gonna spend the day together when a car hit our car. My folks died right then and there, but I survived. Luke was there for me the way I was for him when his father passed He was like the brother I never got.

When I arrived at the Tulip Capital International Air, I was happy that the airplane flight was over. I never liked flying, it caused me anxiety. Being on solid ground was the best feeling.

Sara, my high school girlfriend, came looking for me. She took me in her arms and said she was so happy that I decided to come back. We made little conversations as we walk towards her car. If flying made me nervous, cars made me cry out in panic. Every time I was in a car I was reliving the accident. I prefer bikes.

On the way back to my flat and we kept talking about everything and anything. Sara works for the same company as me but in some other department.

“I'm so happy that we're working together," she says. "Even though we work in different departments.”

“I'm happy too,” I say, and then I look at her left hand.

An elegant gold ring with a lovely sapphire adorned her ring finger. The sapphire matched her eyes.

"I was going to tell you when I found the right time," she tells me. "Jeremy asked me to marry him, and I said yes."

I could see she was happy, she and Jeremy have been school sweethearts.

“I'm so happy for you,” I tell her because I was happy for her.

How many times haven't I dreamed of being loved so much, by the man I loved? But I was an ordinary girl, nothing special at home, 1.55m, long wavy brown hair, and hazel eyes. There are a couple of freckles on my nose and cheeks.

I fell for my manager and when I told him he explained wasn't interested in going out with me. He's the first person I ever fell in love with. The moment I saw him my heart started pounding fast and when I looked into his black eyes I knew I was in love. Not going to lie, it hurt like hell to be rejected like that.

“Lily, I don't think about you in a romantic way,” he said to me.

When the occasion arose for me to go home, I did not hesitate. I said yes right then and there. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret telling him I love him, but for me to get over it, I had to run.

"And you, did you have a hot boyfriend while in the Vallerian Kingdom? “, she asks.

"No, I'm still single," I said.

“Hmm” is everything she says.

For the sake of my racing heart, we're across the street from the building I grew up in. Ten floors high, it was built in one of the most modern neighborhoods of the capital. Seeing the building for the first time in five years reminded me of a lot of things. That's where I grew up with Luke, Taka, Caleb, Drake, and the brothers Hunter Abel, Sam, and Taylor. I was wondering when I might see the guys again. It’s been years since we've all hanged out. Growing up with seven guys didn't always go easy. I was the only girl in the building and the boys still wanted to play boys games. But I got to admit, it was funny. And before I knew it, we were no longer kids, but 'adults.

"Well, we should go in," Sara said and helped me with my luggage.

When I stood on my doorstep, I became nervous. It was the first time since my parents' death that I've been here. When they died, I was in college and living with some college friends and Luke would let me stay at his place when I needed to.

'Too late to turn around now, better get it over with,' I said to myself and unlocked the door.

«Surprise», I hear as soon as I go into my apartment and I see all my childhood friends in my apartment.