"Mako-chan?", wonders a very worried and even saddened Ami, "what's the matter? Tell me why your crying". She wipes Makoto's tears with her fingertips.
"Stop, Ami! Just stop this!", screams a flustered Makoto through her tears, "I love you, Ami, but I don't love you that much". She begins to weep softly.
Suddenly ashamed and horrified for what she had done, Ami places here hands over her mouth, her own eyes filling with tears, "Mako-chan, I didn't", Ami trembles fearfully, "I didn't mean to just-"
"Just what, Ami?", interupted Makoto tearfully, "how could you come on to me that way? You should be ashamed! How can you misinterpret my mutual affections toward you?"
"I-I-I-I am...so...ashamed, Makoto", whimpers Ami, overcomed with shame and guilt, tears rolling down her face, "I'm s-s-s-so sorry, Makoto. I'm very...sorry..." Ami places her arms across her breasts, starting to cry. "P-p-please don't hate me".
"Aw, Ami, I don't hate you. I could never hate you", replies Makoto with a bit of sympathy in her voice, "all it was is a big misunderstanding, and I just wasn't ready for it".
"Oh, Makoto", Ami whispers, then weeps bitterly, "please, forgive me". She covers her face with her hands as she continues crying.
"Ami, I do forgive you", answers Makoto as walks toward Ami, wiping her own tears from her face, "Ami, I still love you, and we're still the best of friends".
Ami looks up at Makoto sadly, tears still falling, "How can you say that? After what I just put you through, and you still forgive me".
Makoto lifts Ami off from the floor and holds her gently in her arms. "I'm your friend, Ami", whispers Makoto, "and best friends always forgive each other, no matter how bad they hurt each other".
"I love you for being my best friend, Makoto", whimpers Ami as she wipes the tears from her face, "and I thank you for forgiving me".
"I figured you totally misunderstood my affections, Ami", assures Makoto, softly running her nails through Ami's back, "it's really no big deal. You just caught me totally off guard, and I just didn't know what to expect, or how to handle it" She runs her hand through Ami's hair, "My first impulse was to slug you, to knock you out. But I could never bring myself to do that. I could never hurt you, Ami, and I'll make sure nobody will ever hurt you".
"I'm so happy you feel that way towards me, Makoto", smiles Ami as she continues to rest her head on Makoto's shoulders. Makoto takes her hand and tickles Ami's belly. Ami giggles happily. "Oh, Makoto, that's my ticklish spot, especially around my belly button".
"Now I know your sensitive spot, Ami", grins Makoto, holding her tightly.
"I was, or tried to, be honest with my feelings for you", wonders Ami, "I never thought I would go too far. Maybe i'm just going through the motions, or feeling the effects of studying too hard. I just just don't want to lose you as my best friend".
"You won't, Ami", assures Makoto, "I do admire your honesty, even if it was a bit off base". She brushes the hair from Ami's eyes and kisses her forehead, then places Ami's head back on her shoulder, "I treasure you too much to ever lose our friendship".
"And I treasure you as well, Mako-chan", smiles Ami, "I feel so safe when your hugging me. It feels like a coat or a blanket around me, and I don't feel so naked, or well, nude. Can I stay like this just a little longer?"
"I don't mind at all, Ami", smiles Makoto as she tenderly runs her nails on the back of Ami's neck, "this is the first time you ever made a pass at me. Sure i've had guys, past boyfriends, even a girl or two, make a hit on me. But my best friend? But if you were a guy, I would definately date you. You really do have a lot of heart".
"You really think so?", blushes Ami happily, "that's so flattering of you. But you know my heart will always belong to Greg. I do appreciate the thought, and if I were a guy, I would accept your offer.
"And my heart will always belong to Ken", assures Makoto as she places both hands on Ami's shoulders, "I really meant what I said, but I wouldn't marry you. We're like, you know, already related".
"Yeah, you're right", blushes Ami, "we are indirectly releated. But lately, I have been growing my hair a little longer, so I won't look so much like a boy. See, It's actually touching my shoulders".
"Your hair looks really great a little bit longer", compliments Makoto as she run her hand through Ami's hair, " besides, how would your mom react if she walked in right now and saw this?"
"It's really not a problem", assures Ami, "this is the week mother works late. so she won't be home till like 11".
"But what if she needs to contact you, or what about the phone?" wonders Makoto.
"The phone is connected to my computer", says Ami, " the only way the phone can activate is when I turn on my computer. I have a seperate phone line for the internet, so it won't interfere with the telephone. And in case mother needs to contact me and the computer is off, she gives me her beeper and let's me know that way".
"Oh, I get it now", grins Makoto, "besides, shouldn't you get some clothes on? You must be feeling a bit chilly by now".
"You know, come to think of it, I am a bit chilly", smiles Ami, "I better get some clothes on now. Thank you for looking out for me. I'm so happy to have a friend like you". Ami then plants a kiss on the tip of Makoto's nose. Makoto blushes a bit.
"And I'm happy to have a friend like you, too, Ami", assures Makoto. Ami goes into her dresser and puts on a pair of sweatpants and a turtleneck sweater. Makoto places both hands on her face, still blushing. She thinks to herself, "you know, if she was a guy, she could remind me of one of my old boyfriends".