Rose sauntered down the street on her way back from school. She adored everything about autumn: the way some of the leaves matched her hair, the aroma of apple cider, the crisp weather... Everything was perfect. Rose walked slowly, savoring each moment of the season and inhaling the clear air.

From the corner of her eye, Rose noticed a shimmer of golden hair and immediately turned, knowing who it was. She darted toward the blonde figure and ended up jumping on his back to surprise him. Rose covered his eyes so he couldn't see her. It was Jack, her best friend.

"Rose," Jack spoke, confident in his assumption. He turned his head to see a smiling Rose, her cheeks a blushing pink. "I knew it, you shithead."

"Of course you did, idiot! What other girl tackles you whenever she sees you?" Rose let out a small laugh but her smile soon withered. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"I know," Jack's uttered sorrowfully. "I miss you."

She nodded, tucking a piece of wavy red hair behind her ear. The atmosphere suddenly started to feel heartbreaking. They went to separate schools and Jack was a grade ahead, so it was hard to keep in touch. Rose had her friends, Jack had his. That was the way it was and they both couldn't stand it.

"Have you been avoiding me?" Rose asked in a saddening voice.

Jack didn't respond. Rose looked as though she was crestfallen. She couldn't live without him.

"Are you mad now?" Jack asked sharply, approaching her in a brisk motion.

Rose tried to hold back her tears and shook her head, "No."

He stared in to her eyes trying to keep himself together. "Dammit, Rose..." Jack said softly, concealing his true affection. He turned his head in a swift motion, not able to look at her any more but he felt his cheek being turned.

Rose gazed at him and opened her mouth to speak, "Jack, I-"

"Don't you do that, Rose!"

She shot him a perplexed look. "What do you mean?"

"Don't fucking look at me that way! Jesus..." Jack spun around and leaned against a tree, closing his eyes. He pounded the bark furiously a few times and then groaned at the pain.

"Jack, what the hell has gotten in to you?"

Jack lifted up his chin, coming face-to-face with her. He looked infuriated, like he was hiding something. "Really, Rose? You haven't figured it out already?!"

Rose was extremely concerned. "What? Jack, you're frightening me now..."

"Listen, Rose..." Jack stood up straight and took a deep breath. "You just don't understand... T-The way I feel about you. You'll never know."

"How is that?"

"Because you don't feel the same way!" Jack retorted angrily.

Rose's eyes widened, "What makes you think that? Of course I do. You're my best friend, Jack."

"Wow, I guess you really don't understand." He turned around once again, keeping the pain hidden. "You know, Rose... You wanna know why I've been avoiding you? I've been avoiding you because I think that maybe if I don't see you, it won't hurt as much."

Rose turned to face him and placed her fingers on his neck, pressing her forehead to his. She felt the lushness of his hair and the warmth of his body to hers. He smelled like a burning fire, that comforting, beautiful smell that brings back the happiest memories.

Both of them knew what was going to happen next. Rose leaned in close to his lips, afraid to go any further. Jack tilted his head slightly, taking her hand and kissed her slowly.

As they broke away from the kiss, Rose spoke, "So, how do you feel about me?"

"I love you, shithead."