AN: First of all, I'd like to say thank you for all the faves, follows, and reviews. It's been years since the last time I wrote a multi-chapter fic and all of your feedbacks really warms my heart and means a lot to me. hehehe Thanks, guys. :') BTW, I made this chapter in Artie's POV. :D :))

I stared down blankly on my laptop as her words filled my head. "Why are you acting so strange lately? Is there something I don't know? Are you hiding something from me?" To be honest, I don't even know the answers. I wasn't really avoiding Tina. I just don't know what to say to her. It's like I'm always running out of words whenever we talk. I couldn't stop thinking about her all week. If only I could tell her how much she really drives me insane. I can't even finish writing my scripts because she's always on my mind. Why does she have this affect on me? Ugh. Get your head in the game, Abrams. Tina is just your best friend. Yeah, she's just my best friend. She's only my best friend. Get that in your head, Artie.

As much as I want to ask her out, I know that we couldn't be more than just best friends again. I already blew my chance with her years ago. I don't think that there would be a second chance for us. This is the closest that I could get to be with her now, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I don't want her to go away from my life. I don't think I can let her go away.

I could still remember the day that she broke up with me. I could still remember the first time I saw her holding Mike's hand along the hallway. I could still remember all the pain, all those nights when I'd cry myself to sleep, all those nightmares, everything. I don't think I can handle another heartbreak like that this time around. Tina and I have been more closer after we broke up, and what we have right now is already enough for me. Yes, among all the girls that I've dated in the past, Tina was the one that I really loved the most. Which is why she was also the worst heartbreak I've ever had. But I guess time really does heal all wounds.

What if Tina finds a guy and marries him? Well, that's up to her. I can't control her choices.
Are you sure you're not going to get hurt? I don't know. I guess I'd be too dumb if I'd say that I won't get hurt.
Then why don't you ask her out? I'm scared that she might reject me, or what if that would affect our friendship? I don't want to ruin what we have right now.
Man up, Abrams. Don't be such a martyr. ...Well, I'd rather love her in silence. Because in silence, there would be no rejection, and no one is going to own her but me.
You're so stupid, Artie. No, YOU'RE stupid, Artie.

Sometimes, I really should stop talking to myself.

Since I couldn't go back to writing again, I decided to shut down my laptop and brew myself some coffee. While the coffee was brewing, I heard a weird noise. I thought it was just the coffee maker, but when I wheeled towards my room, it was Tina. She was crying all along, and I swear my heart sank when I heard her sob.

"Tee, are you alright?" I knocked on the door. "Can I come in?" She replied an audible 'yeah' and I went inside. "Hey, why are you crying? Is everything alright?"

"Shouldn't I be the one who's asking you that?" She uncovered her head from the duvet and sat up. "Artie, I don't know what I have done to you, but I couldn't stand you being too distant from me...it really hurts me a lot." She said, wiping her tears. "Did I do something wrong? We were doing okay last week, and then within just a snap, you've been ignoring me. What happened, Artie? Tell me, please. I need to know because this is really driving me nuts."

I could feel my heart shatter into pieces as I watch the tears continue to flow down her beautiful angelic face. She's crying again because of me. "Tina, please don't cry. I'm sorry." I wiped her tears gently. "I'm so sorry. My head's all over the place lately and I just needed to get my shit together. But I swear I'm okay now. I promise I won't do that again. I'm really, really sorry, Tina."

"You know, I can manage not to talk to most of my friends for a long time. But you, Artie, I can't stand a week without talking to you. What we have is different from any of my friends. You were my very first true friend, and I don't want our friendship to change. We've been through so much, Artie. And if there's one person in this world that knows me too well, that would be you. Even my parents don't know me well." She smiled.

Hearing those words somehow made my heart sank a little. Told you, she only sees me as a friend. Don't lose your cool, Abrams. Don't lose your cool. "Don't worry, Tina. It won't happen again. I'm really sorry." She extended her arms and reached out to me for a hug. I wrapped my arms around her and returned the favour, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, hoping that she won't feel the rapid pace that my heart was making. "Hey, I'm making coffee. You want one?"

"Sure," she smiled again at me.

We both went out to the living room and I wheeled towards the kitchen and poured coffee for the both of us while she sat on the couch. "Here you go, Tee, one cup of freshly brewed coffee from Cafe Abrams." I joked as I gave the cup to her.

"Thanks, barista." She giggled. I'm so glad to see her smile again. It's really not hard to make Tina smile. To be honest, that's the reason why I love her. She's so sweet, so nice, so down-to-earth, and not to mention, she's also sexy as hell. It's really not difficult to fall in love with her. I'm sure Mike can also attest to that.

As we were having our usual chit chat, my phone suddenly buzzed. "Whoa, it's already late. Why is she still awake?" I laughed as I read the text.

"Why? Who's that?" she inquired.

"It's my partner, Ashley. She's inviting me to have coffee with her tomorrow morning so that we could talk about our upcoming project for school. You know, since you're here, you should come with me. I'll introduce you to her. She's one of my closest friends in film school. I'm sure you'll like her." I smiled.

"I don't know, Artie. Wouldn't that be awkward?" she crinkled her nose.

"No! I'm sure she won't mind. Don't worry, she loves meeting new people and she's also nice. I'm sure you two would really get along. Plus, our meeting won't take too long. She'll just show something to me, and if I'll approve it, we'll put it in our film. So, what do you say? C'mon, Tina, it will be fun!" I laughed.

"Fine, how can I say no to you?" she laughed along, "Well, if we're going to meet her tomorrow morning, then we should hit the sack now and call it a day. I don't want to leave a bad impression to your friend. I don't want her to think that I'm stressed at life." She giggled.

"Don't worry, Tee, you're already perfect the way you are." I smiled at her and took her cup. "Okay, I'll put this in the dishwasher and let's call it a day."

"Shut up, Abrams. You're making me blush." She giggled.

"But I ain't no lying, girl." I smiled.

"If you say so then, thank you. Good night, Artie." She said with a smile and went her way to the bedroom. "Sweet dreams."

"Good night, Tina. Sweet dreams to you also." I replied.

As I was lying on the couch, I could not help not to recollect our conversation. It was like nothing has happened. I think it's better if we would just be like this. It would be better if I'd just keep my feelings to myself, so that none of would get hurt in the long run, or maybe if there's someone who's going to get hurt between the two of us, that would be me. I don't want to see Tina get hurt. I'd rather get hurt, than to see her cry. I'd give up my life just for her. That's how much I love Tina Cohen-Chang.

Thoughts? :D