Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait... This chapter was difficult for me to write and I was unsure of how to tackle it until, well, Friday. And it's quite short, so sorry for that :(

ALSO: This is the last normal chapter, you could say. The next will be an epilogue of sorts, and I promise it won't take quite as long because I have it all sorted out in my head. :) I'm going to miss this story, though it'll be nice to finally be free to tackle the plot bunnies of my rather insane mind!

So here you go! Enjoy, darlings!

Chapter 11: Confrontation

Gazzy POV:

"We need to talk."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Talk? There's no need to talk."

"Shut up before I hurt you. We need to talk."

Damn it. Well, at least I tried.

"Uh, well, I guess I should explain then," I finally said. "Can I start off by apologizing? Because I was really stupid and I know you have a boyfriend and I know you probably told you and he probably wants me dead. You probably want me dead too. Who just goes and kisses someone? An idiot. I'm an idiot, Nudge. I really hope Fredrick isn't mad at you because if he makes you happy that's all I could ever want for you. Crap! I'm rambling, I'm so sorry! Gosh, I'm so stupid."

I turned away from Nudge completely, not even wanting to see her facial expression. She probably hated me.

"Gazzy, look at me," She demanded and I finally looked at her. Instead of the vitriolic glare I was expecting, Nudge's visage was anxious. "I'm not mad at you. Neither is Fredrick. Quite the contrary, actually."

"Do explain," I said, attempting to keep calm.

"Turns out Fredrick's gay. Yeah, I'm honestly not all that surprised though." Nudge began with a weak smile. "Now, Gazzy, I'm going to make this easy on you. I'm going to ask you a few questions and I just want you to answer honestly. No lying or skirting around the answer. Why did you run away after you kissed me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I began. "You have, well had, a boyfriend. You're one of my best friends. You're the epitome of perfection while I'm that weird guy with Power Ranger boxers who likes to blow stuff up with his blind best friend. How could I ever have a chance with you? I panicked, afraid of the consequences for my pure stupidity. Wow, that might just be the deepest thing I've said out loud." Key words being out loud.

Nudge smiled softly. "What makes you think you don't have a chance with me?"

"Oh, just the fact that you're funny, smart, beautiful. Wait, am I saying this out loud?" I was pretty sure my face was the color of a tomato, or a lobster, or something else red.

"Yeah, you are," Nudge said, also slightly red. "Gazzy, I'm not perfect. Far from it actually. And I don't think you give yourself enough credit. My wit pales in comparison to yours, and I don't think I've met anyone else so full of random facts about everything. Not to mention that you're definitely easy on the eyes," She added, suddenly quite interested in the floor.

We sat in silence for a few moments, not quite sure of what to say. When Nudge finally looked up at me again, she looked a little scared.

"Thank you," Nudge whispered, almost too quietly for me to hear.

"For what?" I asked. "I've always been thoughtless, immature, and slightly insane. What is there to thank me for?"

"You've always been there for me no matter what," Nudge seized my hand and my heart soared, cheesy as that is. "Whether it was a breakup or chemistry homework, you were always the one who could help me through it. I've never thanked you enough for everything you've done for me." She cupped my face with her hands and smiled nervously.

As her lips met mine, my heart exploded. What was happening? She was kissing me. Kissing. Me. Nudge. Me. Kissing.

When our lips parted, I was unable to form a coherent sentence. Nudge smirked, probably at my shocked expression.

"So?" She said, obviously trying not to laugh at my face.

"Wait a second while I try to process what just happened," I said, studying her now nervous features. "Did you just…?"

"Yes," Nudge smiled once more and I finally had a grasp on the situation. "And, Gazzy, there's something I need to tell you." I nodded and she continued. "I think, well, actually, I know, I'm in love with you."

"I love you too," I said, and it felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off of my chest. "Damn, that feels good to say."

"Yeah," She said, squeezing my hand that I hadn't realized she was holding. "Yeah it does."

For a while we just sat there, enjoying the silent company of each other.

I don't know how long we were there, but the silence was only broken by Nudge's murmur of "Maybe this will work out after all."