She sat in front of her computer. She'd known the guy for almost three years now, and she'd known she'd loved him for almost two. All she had to do was say so. But…it was too hard.
2cool4school: Wanna know something?
Bballer14: Why not?
2cool4school: I love you.
There was no reply. It seemed he'd drawn a blank. So, instead of writing something else, she panicked and signed off. She remained signed off for several days. She avoided seeing him. She didn't want to know how he'd taken the news.
Two weeks later, she signed on again. She had at least a dozen offline messages asking why she wasn't online, but nothing on the issue at hand. It was like it had disappeared. A message window popped up on her screen.
Bballer14 has invited you to chat. Accept or Decline?
She hit accept. She knew she'd regret it if she didn't. Although she also knew she'd probably regret it if she didn't.
Bballer14: Where've u been? I've been trying 2 talk 2 u for weeks.
2cool4school: Oh, u know. Busy.
Bballer14: Well, don't do that again. U scared me.
2cool4school: Try not to. :D
Bballer14: So, what's this about u playing golf last weekend without yours truly?
Their conversation went pleasantly on for about two hours, until his mother made him sign off. She sighed, and signed off as well. It was like the incident had slipped from his head.
Four Weeks Later
She hurried to her locker at school. She wanted to make a fast getaway from his locker. She'd left him another note saying she loved him. She still wasn't sure why she wanted him to know so bad, but she did. It was like she was torn between several emotions. The most burning one was being in love with someone who would never love her back. The second most burning one was being terrified of losing him as a friend. He was like her best friend in the whole wide world and she couldn't lose him. He was almost like the only friend she had. The only real friend, anyway.
The next day, he tracked her down at her locker.
"You've been avoiding me again," he said.
"Sorry," she said, smiling brightly. "I've been busy."
"I thought you weren't going to do that anymore."
"I said I'd try not to."
He walked her to English. It was like the incident had slipped from his mind again.
Three Months Later
She sat at her computer again. It seemed like the only thing she did these days. She'd sent him several more notes and such of the most amiable nature informing him of her love. She wanted to make sure the point got across. He was either ignoring them or really, really dense.
Bballer14: So, u going 2 Prom with me?
2cool4school: Really?
Her heart caught in her throat. She waited for a response. Maybe this time the message had gotten through.
Bballer14: Yeah. What are friends for?
Her heart fell. It was official. He was either really stupid, or he just didn't like her that way.
2cool4school: Of course. Best friends 4 lyfe.
Bballer14: U got it.
She tried to forget about liking him like that, but the feelings just wouldn't go away. She'd tried doing that before, of course, to no avail.
Three Weeks Later
When Prom night finally came, he picked her up at her house, and drove them to the school. The Prom was being held in the gym.
"So, this is fancy, huh?" he asked. She nodded. It was the only thing she could do. "You want to dance?"
"Sure," she said. He checked her coat and they went to the dance floor. A slow song came on. They started dancing.
"So, I know," he said.
"Know what?"
"About you."
"Me?"
"You love me," he said.
"I do?" She feigned innocence.
"Yeah," he said. "Or someone else has been leaving me love notes for five months."
"Must have been," she lied.
"Come on," he said. He bent his head a little to the side and captured her lips in a kiss.
"Okay, you got me," she murmured through it. "What are you going to do about it?"
"This work for you?" he asked, pulling a white piece of plastic out of his pocket. She glanced at it, and nodded. He stashed the hotel room key back in his pocket, and they finished the dance.
When the Prom was over, he escorted her back to the car and then hurried across town to the hotel. He opened the door to their room. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"Wow. You did all this for me?" she asked.
"Yeah. I just wanted it to be perfect," he said.
"It is," she said. "It is." She slipped her jacket off again, and kicked her high heels into a corner. She fell back onto the bed and sighed. He shook his jacket and shoes off as well and joined her.
"So…" he began.
"You're not expecting anything tonight, are you?" she interrupted, rolling over to look at him.
"No," he said, quickly, "why do you ask?"
"Because you booked one of the nicest hotels in the neighborhood. It must have cost a fortune."
"There is no expense too great than to sprinkle on thee."
"Aw, that's sweet." She captured his lips in yet another kiss. "What took you so long?" she asked.
"So long what?" he asked.
"So long to answer my notes and stuff." He paused.
"Nothing," he said. "I was just…waiting for the opportune moment." He kissed her again.
"Well, you got it," she said. They kissed some more. Then, she stopped.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing, that's just it," she said.
"What do you mean, nothing?" he asked.
"Nothing," she repeated. "Nothing. There's nothing."
"You don't love me anymore?"
"No, but I so, so want to."
"Maybe I can help," he said, starting to untie his tie.
"No, Troy," she said. "There's nothing you can do." And with that she pinked up her jacket and her shoes, and walked out of the hotel room.
A/N: So, there's one half the story. It actually is based on a true story. I'd rather not talk about the true story. So, thanks for reading and please review. I don't own anything. Samantha.