Best Friends and Bad Boys

You find yourself sitting in a cozy corner of the library, drinking some coffee (or tea, or whatever hot comforting drink you might like), texting (because, well, you just never stop texting) and reading an amazing YA book. Suddenly, BAM! You come to an instantaneous conclusion. You realize, "Damn…the main character in this book really should end up with Best Friend instead of Bad Boy (or vice versa)." From that moment on, you are inexplicably Team Best Friend, or Team Bad Boy. 

Do not panic, this happens to all of us. It's called Chooseateamitis and its a severe medical condition that makes us choose between two fictional guy characters in a book. Most commonly, these two guys are competing for a young girl's sweet love. Despite many protests, the girl almost always falls in love with the 'bad' guy, and the best friend is left behind, brokenhearted. Of course, the bad boy is hotter, and more exciting, and might have a slight drinking problem, but come on! The poor best friend shouldn't be discarded as one discards garbage. Most times, he isn't even considered seriously. And this makes me mad.

I'm sorry, but I have a strong belief in the best friend. The guy that has known her for ages, and has secretly harboured a crush on her? That's so very cute!!! He has stayed with the girl through her good and bad times, always sticking up for her, flirting nervously (occasionally) and just being plain sweet. Who wouldn't want a guy like that? Apparently, seven-eights of the heroine population.

I just don't understand what it is about bad boys that's so endearing. I get it that when something is forbidden, you want it all the more, but that doesn't mean it's the right fit for you. Of course, you can't help who you fall in love with either,  but that doesn't mean that the 'bad' guy should always get the girl. Also, he usually brings tons of paranormal problems to the girl. This happens in possibly most of the YA romantic fantasy books. I'm thinking we need a change from all this. It's becoming way too common and often turns a potentially great book into a good book, because it ends up being so predictable.

I think that if our heroines occasionally fall in love with the best friend, it wouldn't be so bad. It doesn't necessarily mean the book will be more boring.