Gwen had been right the entire time. Ethan thought back to a few days ago when he had proposed to Gwen. It made sense that Theresa was so upset and then they had even asked her to help with the wedding. Suddenly everything started to make sense, all of the secret looks she gave him when she thought he wasn't paying attention, the ones he had convinced himself didn't mean anything. How clumsy she had been around him. Everything fell into place. Damn him for being so blind. He had hurt Theresa a lot. He kind of wished maybe that she had told him sooner and maybe... he didn't know what. He decided he needed a good night's rest.

"Theresa, did you hear that?" asked Whitney.
"Hear what?" asked Theresa wiping here tears.
"I could have sworn I heard a car in your driveway."
"Could you go see if anyone's there? I don't want to answer the door right now." Said Theresa.
"Sure Theresa, I'll be back in a minute." Said Whitney walking out of the door.
"Theresa, come here!" she heard Whitney call from the hallway.
Theresa got up and walked in to the hallway.
"Theresa, look at this." Said Whitney
Theresa bent down and picked up a piece of material. "Hey, this is my sweater. But I thought I left it at-" she stopped in mid-sentence. She then noticed the Teddy bear and picked it up. It was dark brown and medium sized. It had a little shirt with a smiley face on it. Attached to the bear's paw was a card. Theresa looked at the card. On the cover was a picture of her and Ethan at the ballet. Her heart stopped and she held her breath as she opened it.

Dear Theresa,
I know you have been upset lately and I'm sorry I upset you earlier. You are such a beautiful person inside and out and you deserve to be happy. I got this for you to cheer you up a bit. Have a good night.

PS. This little bear is here to brighten you up. Maybe you can tell him all of your problems.
Your friend always, Ethan

Theresa sat there holding the card to her heart. Tears spilling down her face. "Theresa, what's wrong?" asked Whitney concerned.
"What if he heard us. How could I let this happen?" she mumbled.
"What are you talking about?" asked Whitney.
"I think Ethan heard us talking. What if he hates me?"
"What? Why do you think that?" asked Whit.
"Well he brought me a present to make me happier." Said Theresa almost smiling. "See Whit, maybe he does care about me." She said hope making her eyes shine.
"Theresa, can I see the card?" said Whitney sighing.
"Sure, Whit." Whitney read the card.
"Theresa, it's sweet but I think you might be taking it the wrong way." Said Whitney trying to get through to Theresa.
Theresa ignored her. "Whitney can you please spend the night?"
"Probably, Simone and Mom are at the Bennett's'. So I'll go call her."
"Okay, great." said Theresa.
"Please don't get your hopes up about Ethan."
Theresa walked back into her room hugging the bear. "Oh I won't." she said with a smile.


Ethan lay in bed. He'd been trying to get to sleep for almost four hours now. He just couldn't stop thinking about Theresa. He remembered the day he proposed to Gwen. Pilar and Whitney had helped Theresa leave. He had been standing on the stairs watching them. Theresa had looked devastated, like her heart had been ripped out, her world destroyed. She was crying and she looked so sad. And all those tears were his fault.
Ethan knew he liked Theresa as a friend, she was bright, talented and the list went on. He needed to talk to her, he had to make sure she was all right. He picked up the phone and dialed her number even though it was an hour until midnight.
"Hello." He heard Theresa say.
"Hi, Theresa. It's Ethan."
"Ethan." said Theresa nervously although Ethan noticed a small quiver in her voice.
"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He said fidgeting with his bed covers.
"I am... Thank you for the bear and the card, it meant a lot to me."
"It did?" said Ethan his heart stepping up a pace although he didn't know why.
"Yes, it did. Why didn't you come in and say hi when you dropped it off?" she asked.
"I...I was in a hurry."
"Oh, well thank you for calling. I should go to bed now." Said Theresa so she wouldn't say something she would regret.
"Okay, Goodnight Theresa."
"Goodnight Ethan."
"Oh, Theresa." He said hurriedly before she hung up.
"Yes, Ethan." Said Theresa her heart pounding in her ears and she was sure he could hear it.
"Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow? Gwen is in Paris and I'd like some company." Said Ethan hesitantly.
Theresa paused. "All right, Ethan."
"I'll see you at noon, Sweet Dreams..."
"Bye, Ethan."

Theresa hung up the phone and lay down. Whitney was right. She had to get over him. Although the turn of recent events seemed promising she knew that Ethan would never leave Gwen Hotchkiss for the house-keepers daughter and even if her status didn't matter to him she knew his integrity did and he would never hurt Gwen. Whitney was already asleep and obviously dreaming by the smile on her face. Whitney turned over and whispered. "Oh Chad." Theresa smiled and laid down trying to go to sleep and to keep the tears from spilling out from under her eyelids.

Ethan lay down in bed. All he could do was think of Theresa. He honestly didn't want to hurt her but it seemed the more time she spent time with him the sadder she got. He just wanted to show her that he cared for her, even if it wasn't in that way. Actually he realized he just wanted to make her happy. He wanted to make her laugh, smile, he wanted to make her eyes light up. After an hour he finally went to sleep thinking and dreaming of her beautiful eyes.