This is a little oneshot for the book The Girlfriend Project by Robin Friedman. It's an alternate version of when Ronnie kisses Reed on the cheek and he hugs her. What if he did that something braver that he mentioned? Here it is. Please review if you read it.

I'm hugging her, and I feel I should do something. The way I feel about her… I know it's different than friendship. She sighs slightly and leans against my chest. "Ronnie…" I murmur her name.

"Reed, I have to meet Jonathan at the mall…" she says it almost sadly.

"Forget Jonathan," I whisper, without really thinking.

"What?" Her voice is muffled against my chest.

"Forget him for a while, Ronnie. I need you here."

"But I promised I would be there, Reed." She lifts her head to look at me.

"Ronnie…" It's all I can think of to say. She's right there, so close. I can feel her breath lightly on my face.

She starts to pull away a little. "I gotta go."

"Please, Ronnie." Before I realize what I'm doing, I put my hand on the back of her neck and press my lips against hers. She makes a small noise of protest, but doesn't pull away.

Kissing her just seems to come naturally. I start to deepen the kiss, and it feels so good. I realize this is what I want with Ronnie. She's a wonderful girl, and if what she's been saying is true, I'm a pretty good guy. I want this so much with her, to be able to kiss her whenever I want, to hold her hand, to hold her.

She's been kissing me back, but she suddenly pulls away. "I can't do this, Reed."

"But, Ronnie—"

"I can't do this to Jonathan. I have to go to the mall." She disentangles herself from my arms and stands, straightening her skirt. She looks almost like she's going to cry.

"Ronnie, I'm sorry. I just…"

She nods curtly. "We can't do that. Sorry, Reed. Bye." And she walks to the door.

"Please, wait!" She shuts the door and I listen to her footsteps going down the stairs.

I sigh, pushing my hair out of my eyes. The ones she said were like honey.

I've really screwed up now. Ronnie probably won't want to ever see me. How could I be so stupid? Ronnie's such a good person. She's too good for me. I'm just a geek with no love-related future who will continually be rejected by girls. I'm such a loser.

I stand and go to the window, just in time to watch Ronnie fast-walk down the street. Is she crying? I guess I'll never know.

REVIEWREVIEWREVIEW. Please.