True Feelings

"You know that's not true Ron." Kim backed away from Ron and picked up the crumpled paper, placing it quietly into her purse. She stepped around his sitting form and stood in front of him.

He raised his head to look at her. "Why?"

The weak voiced question she didn't want to answer. "Well you have a lot of qualities that some people would find…"

Ron stood up and interrupted her. "No…Why did you decide to come on this date?"

"I…you…" Ron, she couldn't deny her feelings for him, he was her best friend. He deserved an honest answer. She just couldn't bring herself to give it to him, it would be too hurtful.

"Well?" He was waiting for her answer.

Her voice shook with emotion. "You're my friend Ron, you know that…and I…"

Ron seemed to tower over her now, angry. "You what? Felt sorry for me? Took pity on me? What?!"

Kim suddenly felt very small. She turned away and stepped off a bit. Struggling with herself to put into words how much he meant to her, as a friend. "I don't know. I…"

He grabbed hold of her shoulder and turned her to face him. "If we weren't friends, would you have even considered going out with me?"

"Yes." Kim answered, but it took her a little too long, she was lying.

"Liar." His voice eerily calm and steady. Damn him for knowing her so well.

She had tears forming in her eyes when she answered truthfully. "No."

He lifted her chin and looked deep into her emerald eyes. "And why not?"

Kim couldn't bring herself to say that word, not when it was Ron she would be describing. She began to cry.

Ron didn't have any trouble saying it. He lived it everyday. "Because I'm a loser…we both know it! A pity date from my friend is the best I can do." Sadness filled his voice as it trailed off. "Do you have any idea how that feels…"

Kim didn't know how it felt, she had always been popular. She never had to worry about being alone on a Friday night. Not like Ron. This had been his, once shining, moment of triumph, now tarnished by the truth.

"Ron…I" Kim didn't dare to say anything for fear of making him feel even worse.

"Why didn't you just stick with no." He was the one that turned away now. "I would have gotten over it."

She knew how hard it must have been for him to work up the nerve to ask her. Especially considering he knew how she felt about them dating. "I never meant to hurt you…"

The long silence that followed was almost too much for Kim to bear. She knew Ron must be devastated, to learn that his supposed best friend thought he was a loser.

"…go home Kim." His voice was steady but weak.

Kim stepped up to Ron, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"No…just go."

She started to turn him toward her. "Ron please lets…"

The hot slap of Ron's hand on her face was the last thing she expected. "I said go home!"

To Be Continued…