Chapter Six



Well this is an interesting development, Francie commented as she surveyed sound asleep Sydney and Will in the same position they had been in when they first fell asleep.

Sydney woke up first. She did a double-take when she saw Francie and lightly elbowed Will. Wake up, Francie's home.

Francie crossed her arms over her chest. Will's eyes fluttered open.

he asked sleepily. he mumbled and quickly removed his arms from around Sydney who shivered. She was suddenly cold now that she didn't have Will's body pressed against hers.

Sydney got up as fast as her still-asleep legs would allow her. Will got up as well and stood next to Sydney.

What's going on, guys? Francie asked, her arms still crossed over her chest.





Sydney began, I came home and found Will looking for a pan and I decided to help him.

Francie frowned. So that merited him wrapping his arms around you and you guys both falling asleep?

Sydney looked down. She and Will still hadn't officially commenced any kind of relationship so she wasn't sure what explanation to give to Francie without Will appearing shocked, hurt, or the like. She decided to go the bitch' route.

What's it to you? Sydney snapped suddenly. Francie's eyes widened. So we fell asleep, so Goddamn what?

Hey look, I just wanted an answer, Francie shot back.

Well you weren't exactly kind about it, Sydney said angrily.

Francie narrowed her eyes and raised her voice. Is it too much to want to know if my two best friends decided to experiment with a romantic relationship? She stormed out of the room.

Sydney started to follow her but Will stopped her.

Don't, Syd, it's too soon. Let her think things over.

Too soon'? I'm leaving in— Sydney checked her watch, —one hour. If I don't talk to her now, she's going to hate me when I get back.

But you don't know what to tell her, Will insisted. About the relationship, I mean. Hell, we don't even know what's going on.

Sydney suddenly felt the urge to cry. Are you saying you don't know if you want to have a relationship with me?

I don't know what I want, Syd. I mean, we fell asleep, I don't know what this means, Will admitted.

Look, Will, Sydney began in a teary voice, do I have to spell out the fact that I like you?

Will's jaw almost hit the floor. You—you—you like me?

Yes—I do—and now I'm beginning to wonder why, Sydney snapped.



I have to go, Sydney told him as she wiped her eyes.

Wait, Syd, we need to talk. I didn't know that—

Well now you do. And now you also know that I realized how stupid I was for doing so. Good-bye. Sydney turned around and went for the door.

Sydney, come on, I'm sorry, all right? How was I supposed to know? It wasn't like you ever showed it, Will snapped.

Sydney spun around. And what about you? How was I supposed to know? It wasn't like you ever asked me out or anything.

The only reason I didn't was because I was afraid that you would reject me and then our friendship would be ruined because we'd be uncomfortable around each other. I kept looking for some kind of sign and I didn't really see anything until this morning in your room and this afternoon on the couch, Will told her.

Sydney didn't know what to say. I have to go. She went to the door.

You didn't pack, Will pointed out.

Great observation, Sydney said, rolling her eyes.

Will looked down, clearly hurt. So what happens now? With us?

I guess we stay friends until we work this out. I don't know. I don't even know if I want to do that now. I'll see you when I get back. She left the house and slammed the door behind her.

Will felt tears forming in his eyes. He might have lost the one person he loved more than anything in the world. He angrily threw a pan into the cupboard, then collapsed on the kitchen floor amongst the other pans, buried his face in his hands and cried.