A Faint Heart Never Won a Fair Maiden

The Best family moved into their suburban house with two small boys. The family stayed there ever since. Mr. Best died a few years ago, leaving his wife Clara, a widow. The older son, now a young man, moved away about a year ago, leaving the younger son, Herbie, with his mum, Clara. Herbie is now about twenty. 

Next door has been the Li family for all of that time. Herbie has grown up with Alice Li and they view each other as brother and sister. She is a year younger. Herbie starts to see Alice as more than just a friend, but wonders how he can broach the subject.

It's a sunny Saturday morning. Alice is doing some weeding in their front garden. Herbie looks out the window and admires how diligent and industrious she is. Of course, her prettiness is the icing on the cake. He decides to check the mailbox, knowing there isn't any as he saw the mailman pass by half an hour earlier and didn't stop to deliver anything.

Herbie: Oh, Hi Alice. How are you? He walks across to where she is working.

Alice looks up with a bright, dusty smile, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her forehead with a soil-covered gardening glove: Oh! Hello Herbie. I'm doing great, just trying to win the battle against these stubborn dandelions before they take over the whole yard.
Herbie: It's nice that you help your parents with the gardening. Many young ones today would be lying on the best, endlessly checking social media.
Alice: Well, I actually like gardening. It's peaceful, and I like seeing the flowers bloom.
Herbie smiling warmly: Well, it says a lot about you to put such things ahead of getting 'likes' from strangers.
Alice feels self conscious: You're making me sound far more noble than I actually am. Now, what brings you out here? 
Herbie: Just checked the mail. He hesitates. Fancy going out for drink later?
Alice nonchalantly: Oh, that's so nice of you to ask, but I have something else on.
Herbie: Really? Mind me asking what you are doing?
Alice: A young man at the job I recently got has asked me out for lunch. Tim's his name.
Herbie's heart sinks: That will be nice.
Alice notices his negative tone: Is everything okay, Herbie? You are happy for me? I know that as my de facto brother, you are very protective, but Tim seems very nice. When he drops me back home this afternoon, I'll bring him over to meet you. I just know you two will get along.
Herbie: I'm not sure what I'll be doing. I was planning on a bike ride, so maybe...maybe another time.
Alice expresses disappointed: Oh, what a shame. I really wanted you to meet him but enjoy your ride.
Herbie: I will. He watches her go back to her weeding, feeling deflated. He realizes that if he doesn't act soon, he might lose his place in her life. Have a good lunch, Alice.

Alice: Thanks, Herbie. I will.

Herbie goes inside and sits at the dining table, looking dejected. His mother, Clara, notices.
Clara: I saw you and Alice chatting outside. Everything okay?
Herbie: Yeah.
Clara: You don't look okay.
Herbie draws a deep breath: Alice now has a boyfriend. A guy she met at her new job. Tim's his name.
Herbie looks down and Clara walks over and sits next to him.
Clara: I told you to let her know how you felt.
Herbie with a frustrated tone: It's hard to go from childhood friends to expressing romantic feelings. I was scared she could only see me as a friend. She didn't give me any indication she saw me as anything else.
Clara: Maybe she was scared that you would see her the same way, as just a friend. She puts her hands reassuringly on his hand and his shoulder. Sometimes you have to take the chance and risk rejection. A faint heart never won a fair maiden.
Herbie: Do you think I should tell her how I feel?
Clara: Now that she has this Tim asking her out, the timing may not be good. Why not wait and see if it goes anywhere and if it cools, then express how you feel?
Herbie: And if it blossoms into a full romance, then I missed my chance.
Clara: Then it's a lesson learned. Now I'll get lunch on. Then afterwards, do something to get your mind off Alice.

He goes for a spirited bike ride to work off his frustration but he can't stop the negative thoughts from racing in his head as he cycles through the neighborhood and along a forest track. He says little at dinner and then heads to his bedroom. Lying on his back, staring at the ceiling, he reenacts how he could tell Alice how he feels. He then gets ready for bed, a tear or two is shed before he disappears into sleep.

Sunday arrives and Alice comes over to the house. Herbie's mum Clara is in the kitchen, but Herbie is still in bed, not sleeping but sadly reflecting.

Alice: Hello Mrs. Best. Is Herbie about?

Clara: Hello Alice. He's still in bed.
Alice: Oh, I just wanted to bring some cupcakes that I made yesterday. I thought you both might like them.
Clara: We'll love them. Thank you. I'll let him know you're here. Clara goes to Herbie's bedroom. Alice is here Herbie, and she brought cupcakes. So up you get.
Herbie getting up: Okay, okay.

Herbie goes to wash his face and then dresses himself in casual clothes. He is nervous about seeing Alice after hearing about Tim. He enters the lounge and sees Alice chatting in the kitchen with his mum and they stop as he enters the room. Alice comes over to him and Clara stays in the kitchen. 
Herbie: Hi Alice.
Alice gives him a bright smile: Hi Herbie. Good morning. I hope you slept well.
Herbie: Yes, I did. Thank you for the cupcakes.
Alice: You're welcome. Alice looks at Herbie with curiosity. You look tired.You did sleep well?
Herbie: Yeah, everything's fine. Just had a lot on my mind lately.
Alice: Do you want to talk about it?
Herbie: Maybe later. What about you? How was your date with Tim?
Alice casually replies: Oh, it was nice. He's a very sweet guy. But... she pauses and looks at him ...he's not quite like you, Herbie.
Herbie feels a spark of hope: What do you mean by that?
Alice acts coyly: You'll have to figure that out for yourself. Anyway, I thought we could go for a walk in the park. The flowers are in full bloom and it's a beautiful day. Would you like to come?
Herbie smiles: I'd love to. Let me just grab my shoes.

They leave the house and walk towards the park, their conversation flowing naturally, though there's an underlying tension of unspoken words. As they walk, Herbie notices how Alice's hand occasionally brushes against his. Each time it happens, he feels a jolt of electricity. He wonders if she's doing it on purpose or if it's just a coincidence. He wants to reach out and hold her hand, but he's not sure if it's too soon.
Alice looks around at the blooming flowers: Isn't it wonderful, Herbie? Everything is so vibrant and full of life.
Herbie is looking at her instead of the flowers: Yeah, it really is.
Alice tilts her head slightly: Why are you looking at me like that?
Herbie with a soft smile: Because you're the most beautiful thing in the park.
Alice smiles: Oh, Herbie... you're so sweet.

They continue walking, the silence between them now filled with a new, exciting energy. Herbie feels like he's finally making progress. He just hopes that he doesn't mess it up.
Herbie stops walking: Look, I know this Tim guy is now in your life and I've left things too late, but...he hesitates.
Alice looks expectantly: But what, Herbie?
Herbie takes a deep breath: I've come to see you as more than just a friend. I've wanted to tell you, but I was scared.
Alice frowns: Scared of what?
Herbie: Scared that you didn't feel the same way. That I was just the 'brother' figure in your life.
Alice steps closer to him, her voice a gentle whisper: And what makes you think I only saw you that way?
Herbie is stunned: What do you mean?
Alice looks into his eyes: I've been waiting for you to say something, Herbie. I sensed your feelings but I wondered at times, was I seeing something that wasn't there?
Herbie feels a wave of relief: Really? You've felt the same way?
Alice nods: Yes. I just didn't want to push you if you weren't ready.
Herbie smiles broadly: Well, I'm ready now.
Alice giggles: I'm glad you finally stopped being a coward.
Herbie laughs: Hey! I'm not a coward!
Alice: Sure you aren't. Now, what are you going to do about it?

Herbie: For starters... he reaches out and gently takes her hand in his ...I'm never letting go of your hand again.
Alice squeezes his hand back: Good. Because I don't want you to.

They stop and stand there for a moment, enveloped in the warmth of the sun and the joy of their mutual feelings. The world seems brighter, more colourful.
Alice: So, what happens now?
Herbie: How are you going to tell Tim that he's not on your radar romantically?
Alice laughs: I think we both decided there was nothing there, even though neither of us said so. We haven't even arranged for another date.
Herbie mops his brow theatrically: That's a relief.
Alice leans her head on his shoulder: I talked to your mum briefly this morning while you were getting up. I said I liked you and did you feel the same? She assured me you did so that gave me the confidence to ask you to come for a walk with me.
Herbie: Maybe we both were struggling with the transition from childhood friends to something more serious.
Alice: I guess so. But we've jumped that hurdle now.
Herbie: True. From now on, no more awkwardness or uncertainty. We can see where it leads us and hopefully to a happy place.
Alice: I agree. I can't wait to find out.

They continue their walk through the park, smiling and laughing, their fingers intertwined. They talk about their future, their hopes and dreams, and the memories of their shared childhood. For the first time in a long while, Herbie feels completely at peace. He knows that no matter what happens, he has Alice by his side. And that's all that matters.