I opened my eyes suddenly. The clock beside me read ten forty two. I stared at the

ceiling, too tired to get up, listening to the fan. I started thinking if there was anything I

had to do today, and I then remembered that I'd told Heather I was going to go to her

apartment at eleven. It was then I remembered last night, how I kissed Heather. I didn't

want to get up; I didn't know how I could face her. Does she think I'm her boyfriend

now? This thought made me wonder, would that really be a bad thing? I stood up and sat

at the end of my bed. My hair was all swooshed forward, blinding me. The wind from the

fan was tossing it back and forth. I've known Heather for so long, but not once did I ever

think of this, and I don't understand why it never crossed my mind. We are such good

friends, we've been there for each other, but I never thought, what if I…love…her…. I

closed my eyes and shook my head. "I don't…know… what if I do…?" I slowly opened

my eyes. "What if…she does…?" I stood up and picked up a picture off my desk;

Heather was smiling in a school picture. All the signs she had been giving me, they all

suddenly became clear.



She always hated being alone. She would never say goodbye without a hug.

Whenever anything troubled her, she came to me to comfort her. She was never afraid of

what I thought, never hesitated to hold back tears.

Funny, I was the opposite. Never have I tried anything towards her, I would be

there to comfort her, but I never cried with her, about her issues or anything else for that

matter. I don't cry.



While these thoughts buzzed in my head, I slid on my jeans and gray t-shirt. I

glanced at my dusty mirror and quickly combed my hair with my hands, slipped on my

black and white sneakers, and left my room.



No sooner did I take a step, my mom got up from the table and walked slowly

towards me. She had a look in her eye. She studied my face, and then sighed. It was silent

for a moment before she spoke. "Kyle…what happened last night? I noticed a plate of

food on the table; it looked like it had been sitting there overnight. My mom pointed

towards the plate and looked at it. She spoke softly. "You didn't touch your dinner…"

I walked towards the table. A small note was placed neatly beside the plate.



"I didn't want to bother you, so I fixed you a plate. Don't stay up too late. Good

night, love you."



My mom sat down and looked at me. I could tell she wanted an answer from me.

What exactly was I supposed to say? "Sorry mom, I was too busy worrying about

Heather to eat." I looked at the plate, then her. She still wanted an answer. "Kyle." I

walked over to her. "Look at me." Mom was never this serious; she's always casual and

lighthearted with me. She looked into my eyes. "What happened last night? Are you and

Heather ok?" I sighed and shook my head. "Mom, nothing's wrong! She's fine!" I got up

quickly and started for the door. She stood up and followed me. "Kyle, look, what…" I

turned and snapped at her. "Geez, Mom! Why do you care all of a sudden! Nothing

happened, Heather's fine! What, do you think I'm mad at her!?" My mom gave me an

angry look and started yelling. "Don't you talk to me like that Kyle! You treat me with

respect!" I really wanted to snap back, but I held it in, mainly because I could tell she

really wanted to smack me, I could see her hand trembling. I held up my hand. "Mom,

Mom…ok…I'm sorry…" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, opening them

afterwards. "It's just that…you really looked worried last night. Is something wrong with

Heather?" I shook my head. "She had a little fight with Mr. Mason, but I talked to her,

she's ok." My mom breathed a sigh of relief. "So, she's ok?" I nodded my head. My

mom stepped away from me. "Well, ok…that's all I wanted to know…" I opened the

door and turned towards her. "I'll be back later, I'm going to Heather's." My mom smiled

and looked at me. "I know…"



I walked towards Heather's apartment. I could still picture last night vividly. I

could feel Heather holding me tightly; she didn't want to let go. I could feel her hair

graze my cheek and neck. I shook these thoughts away and knocked on the door. I heard

her call from inside. "Who is it?" I answered. "It's me!" I heard footsteps approach the

door. The door swung open.



Heather stood in front of me. She was wearing a navy t-shirt and gray shorts; the

shirt had wet blotches all over it. Heather's hair was dripping. She looked into my eyes,

smiling softly. She leaned forward and hugged me. I put my arms around her without

thinking and brought her closer. She rested her chin on my shoulder; her hair wet my face

and shirt. I could feel her skin was warm and damp. I stepped back. She then followed. I

still felt warm. She looked at my shirt, which was now slightly damp. She smiled at me.

"Sorry, I just got out of the shower." I smiled slightly. "That's ok." I followed her inside

and closed the door. We both sat down at her table in the kitchen. I was feeling pretty

nervous, and I didn't need to, but last night kept playing in my head. I felt like she was

watching my every move. I sat across from her. Heather glanced around the apartment.

"Is she nervous too…?" I sighed to myself. "We're both nervous, because of me…all my

fault…" Heather broke the silence. She stood up. "Do you want some coffee?" I nodded

my head. "Sure." She poured me a cup and handed it over to me, and then poured herself

a cup. I wanted to ask her, if last night meant anything…but I didn't know what that

would lead to. I guess I was afraid, of what she would say. She still had that same glow in

her eyes, so it wasn't like it was a bad thing, but I still didn't know…why? How could

that one little kiss affect her so much? It's not like I was her first kiss, she's had

numerous boyfriends. I glanced at Heather; she was staring at her coffee, slowly stirring

it with her finger. "I guess it's on both of our minds right now…"

I took a sip from my cup. Heather spoke, her voice calm. "Kyle…" I looked at

her; she was still occupied with stirring the coffee. "Kyle…about last night…" I kept my

attention, looking into her eyes, although she wouldn't look at me. My heart was beating

rapidly, waiting for every word. I was still very uncertain about what I felt last night,

because of Heather's reaction. What did she think? Why did she feel so happy? She

slowly reached out and grabbed my hand, looking up at me. When she touched my hand,

I felt uneasy, I couldn't bring myself to look at her. "I know I can be moody sometimes,

and last night was no exception…" She then held my hand; I could feel her looking at

me. "It's just that…I've never seen my dad like this before…it's…terrible…" Her voice

started quivering. I looked up; her gaze was still on me. "I didn't want to see her upset

again, I never want to see her upset." I placed my other hand on top of hers. She looked

down at my hand, and then looked at me. It's almost as if she was talking to me through

her trembling hands. I could almost hear her speaking. "Kyle…please, help me…"

I pulled my hand away and stood up, walking over to Heather. She stood up

slowly and walked over to me. I stepped forward and hugged her; she lightly placed her

head on my shoulder. She was crying, but it was a light cry, she wasn't sobbing. I could

feel the tears hit my shoulders. "It's ok…" I repeated it over and over. Heather drew back

slowly. I grabbed a napkin off the table and handed to her. She wiped her face. "Thanks

Kyle…" I nodded my head. "No problem." I turned around to sit back into my chair. She

tossed the napkin onto the table. "No…I mean…thanks for…everything…" I stopped,

my back still to her. Heather sniffed. There was a long, uncomfortable moment of silence.

I could hear her stepping towards me slowly. "Kyle…why…did you… kiss me…?"

"Why did I kiss her, why did I…kiss her? Shit…I still didn't know…" Was it

because of pity? I closed my eyes. I knew damn well it was none of those reasons; I was

just making up some bullshit to mask my thoughts. I kissed her because I love her.



It was always in the back of my mind all these years; I just never wanted to face

it. Heather has always been special to me; I never wanted to screw it up with a

relationship. If things became bad, how could I still be friends with her, let alone face her

every day? The love for her, I guess it was always there, I just never showed it. She

always has…



I opened my eyes and turned around to face her. Heather was looking at me with

yearning, begging for an answer. It was tough, but I looked at her, face to face.

"Because…" I felt too nervous, so I started glancing around, delaying my answer. "Tell

her… stop denying it, tell her!" I soon brought my eyes back to her, but I closed my eyes

as I spoke. "Because…I…" I shook my head. "Shit…Heather… Heather….I love you…"

Right then, the weight was lifted from my shoulders. Heather knew, I knew, nothing

would hold us back. Heather stood there, staring at the ground, in silence. I looked at her,

but she wouldn't budge. I stood there, waiting. "Heather…?" She didn't respond, she

looked distant, staring at nothing. I reached my arms out and held her shoulders.

"Heather?" She finally raised her head slowly, her eyes shiny. "Kyle…" She slowly

hugged me, bringing her head onto my shoulder. A moment passed, but it was

comfortable. She finally spoke, forever changing our lives. "I love you too…"