I can't pretend that I wasn't staring. Sure, I looked shocked at what she had just done, but I was definitely staring at her. There she was just standing on the stage….completely naked. She was trying to prove something by taking her purple dress off. She was trying to make a statement and all I could do was stare and gasp. But, that's when I remembered she was standing up there naked in front of the whole school!

So, I ran up there grabbed a poster and folded it around her. How I could feel my arms across her breasts to hold the poster up. Just to think she was naked underneath. I just wanted to drop this poster to get another look. But, what am I thinking? This is my best friend. My best friend since preschool. She is always there for me, always being awesome. I can't think about her like this.

But, I am thinking about her like this. I am glad I just saw her naked. Why? I have no idea. I've dated guys before, I can't be a lesbian. Well there is the possibility of being bisexual. Which is okay right?

"Manny…..Manny!" I heard Emma yell to snap me out of my trance.

"Oh, sorry. Let's get you to the locker room to get some clothes on!" I answered as we both sidestepped off the stage toward the locker room. Still with my arms across her chest holding up that damn poster.

We enter the locker room and I hand her her clothes for her to change into. She doesn't bother going into a stall to change since we have changed in front of each other a million times before. If only she knew what I had been thinking just five minutes ago, then she wouldn't be out here in the open changing in front of me while I stare without her knowing.

"Em, you really need to find a better way to express your feelings. This was I little too far." I said and laughed trying to get these thoughts to escape my mind.

"I know! I'm so embarrassed, everyone saw me naked now! But, I had to prove to that purple dragon witch that she was wrong." She answered still fired up.

"We should probably head back to class now." I said starting to walk out of the room.

We get to class I start to think on past years trying to see if I ever had these feelings before.

In grade seven I remember having jealousy every time she would mention Sean Cameron. It would sting my heart, but back then I just thought that's how a best friend was supposed to feel when their friend gets a boyfriend. In grade nine when we had our gymnastics class together, even though we were in a huge fight I couldn't help but stare at her on those bars swinging away. In grade ten when I found out Rick almost shot her, I was the happiest person in the world to find out he was dead. Then, she fooled around with Jay and my heart felt ripped in half. I thought it was just because I hated Jay and didn't want her to get hurt by him. And so many other times I've had these thoughts, I just never paid attention to them…..until now.

The bell rang and I accompanied Emma on the walk home that day. We had small conversation. But, when we came to her house we said good bye and I just had to kiss her. I was in great need of it all day and perhaps my whole life. As soon as I did it I ran away. Knowing that she would disapprove. Emma Nelson would never love me.

I have been in love with Emma Nelson, since the day I met her….