"Are you girls done?" The person behind the door asked. "Almost!" We replied. I turned to look at my two best friends; Yumi and Delilah, who were struggling to wear their wigs properly. "Here, let me help you," I offered, smoothening the wig Yumi was wearing. "Thanks. Ready guys?" She replied. "Yeap," Delilah and I chorused. We all stepped out of the room and walked towards the main door. After wearing our shoes, we shuffled towards the lift lobby, all very excited. After months of discussion and research, the three of us managed to get our costumes for a cosplay festival. I was dressed as Aisaka Taiga from 'Toradora'. Delilah was dressed as Misa Amane from 'Death Note'. Yumi was dressed as Shiraume from 'Air Gear'. The three of us headed down to the carpark, where Yumi's father was waiting. We all hopped in and set off to town.

  I closed my eyes and leaned back, for it was going to be a long journey. I have known Delilah for 10 years now, and Yumi for 5 years. They didn't personally know each other, until I brought them to meet. Delilah and I are turning 17 this year, and Yumi was 16. Education-wise, however, we're all involved differently. I was enrolled to a polytechnic, whereas Delilah was admitted to a Private University and Yumi was posted to an Art's college. It was going to be hard trying to keep in contact once we all start school, but I knew that time and distance would not be the biggest obstacle, as we've been through that a million times already. Putting that aside, we've all been really enthusiastic about cosplaying, but we had never put it into action. That was, until this year, we decided to do it for real. Looking for the costumes and little parts here and there. It took quite some time to gather everything, but we managed to get what we need in time for the festival.

  It wasn't before long when we finally arrived at our destination. As expected, we attracted many stares. I heaved a sigh and hid behind the two of my friends, feeling embarrassed and overly self-conscious. "Aw come on, Diana! You look fine!" Yumi  assured, dragging me along. "Wait, wait wait wait WAITTTTTT!!!!" I screamed, nearly tripping. My wooden sword fell on the floor with a dull thud. "Let's gooooooo." Delilah said,  picking up my sword and handing it back to me. The three of us followed the pavement until it led to a large sheltered area. After dumping our bags under the tent, we braced ourselves and started walking around aimlessly. The sight of everyone else dressed up in different costumes kind of comforted me, because well, we don't stand out. It was pretty much a big thing; I was expecting a smaller crowd. Oh, and there were a lot of bystanders, too. Actually, they were more of um, spectators, I guess.

  Man, it was HOT. I squinted my eyes at the sun, whose rays were shining fiercely upon everyone. If only.. Singapore was cooler. It would be perfect. For this costume.. Of a long sleeved blouse with a blazer. I glared at my friends, who were wearing outfits that consisted of only one layer. I was subconsciously pointing everything out to myself that I did not notice that Yumi was violently elbowing me in the ribs. "Ow, what do you wan-" I cut off in mid-sentence, after noticing her smug expression. "Look, it's someone cosplaying as one of the Hitachiin brothers from Ouran," Yumi stated, gesturing to a certain teenager. "You're right.." I mumbled, slightly dumbfounded. "Let's go closer, maybe we can find Near! Or L!" Delilah suggested, before jostling the both of us forward. We were quite close now, and I could tell that he was caught up in his own world. I halted  to a stop, and I couldn't stop staring.

  He was so beautiful. There was just something about him that caught me. Was it his eyes? The way he stares dreamily ahead? Or was it the way his lips were set? I couldn't tell. His existence right before my very eyes made me unable to move. "Diana." Delilah commanded. I looked over at my best friend, still very much in a daze. "Take this, we're going to get something from the shops," She continued, pushing the camera into my hands. "Take a shot," Yumi whispered before leaving with Delilah. To think that I'd end up alone here.. I looked at him again and took a deep breath. As I slowly paced towards the person dressed as my favourite character; Kaoru Hitachiin, heart pounding, I lifted my head up only to realise.. That his head was lifted up, too. His eyes met mine. And for that moment, it was as if I could not breathe. For a fleeting moment, I saw those lips curve into a reassuring smile. Was it just my imagination? Despite that, it had calmed me down, somehow, and I managed to close the gap between us.

  "Hey," I started, nervously fiddling the camera as I stared at the stranger before me. "Can I take a picture with you?" I asked, this time with my eyes locked within his. "Sure, just hand the camera to my friend," He replied, pointing to his friend who was approaching from behind me. "O-okay," I stammered, and turned around. After handing his friend the camera, I walked back towards him, unsure of how I should pose. Before I had a grasp on how to pose, the teenager casually draped his arm across my shoulders and smiled. My cheeks flushed as I attempted to remain cool and smile for the camera as normally as I could. Click. The camera went off. "Thanks," I murmured, before taking back the camera and taking my leave. Now.. Where have they run off to? I thought to myself as I walked back to the tent.

  I should just probably sit here and wait for them to come back.. Man, that was sooooo embarrassing! Placing his arm over me like that.. It's not like we know each other or anything.. For someone that I have no relation with or someone who I do not have a crush on to do that to me was just.. Awkward. And weird. Did I mention uncomfortable? But even so, I had to admit that I was happy.. For that moment. "Yo!" Delilah greeted, appearing out of nowhere. "GAH!" I jumped from shock. "Seriously, you guys.. Don't scare me like that!" I complained. "Aw, we were walking in YOUR direction, how is that scaring you?" Yumi retaliated. I just narrowed my eyes at them and stared into space. "Get up, you lazybones. Let's go explore! Or take pictures of people! And take pictures of ourselves! It's our first time, don't you want to get the best experience out of this?" Delilah demanded. "Fine," I grumbled, getting up slowly and dusting my skirt.

  Thus, the three of us spent the rest of the festival observing how the other cosplayers went about, took many photos for our own benefits and finally settling down to grab a bite. It may not seem like much, but despite that, it was a really great experience for me, at least. Well.. I'm sure Delilah and Yumi had enjoyed themselves just as much, judging by their laughter and they seemed to be in really high spirits. Not before long, the three of us were all tired from the long day and got into Yumi's father's car. "Well, that was fun. Let's do it again some day!" I exhaled, contented with the interesting events that happened today. "Yeah, let's!" they sang in unison. "And maybe, you'll see him again," a voice rang in my ears. My eyes widened in shock, and I turned to face both of my girlfriends, but they had already slipped into a peaceful slumber. Oh well, who knows.. I replied to the voice in my head.