I finally finished the story. Woo hoo! I just wanted to say a special thanks to each and everyone of you who read and review my stories even though it's not that great. I can never convey how much it means to me that you take the time out of your busy schedule to do so.

A special thanks goes to all my reviewers: LasVegan, rckrbaby04, Susanna, THEROX4EVER03, katie09, svata2004, Brody-101, lildevilchicka, britney123, awtrpartygurl16, charmgirl, anna, keladry9, Tara, Na'Cole, daughterofcokie, arya9, AdamBrody Marry Me, OCReject, yah-same one from in denial and blessing in disguise, Lori, justnet1200, BabyBash, hi, and sweetie pie. If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry.

Please R/R. It always makes me happy to find out what people think.

Ch. 27

Theresa was taking a sip of Pepsi, when a five dollar bill was placed in front of her. Looking up to tell the person that the event was already over, she saw someone that almost caused her to choke and knock the breath out of her at the same time.

"We're sold out," Theresa managed to say. "Besides, the last person already ran out to the bathroom. You should check to see if she's able to handle one more kiss."

"Actually the person I want a kiss from is standing right in front of me."

Theresa felt the warmth rise up to her face. Trying not to let Fox see her blush, she looked down, pretending to be preoccupied with counting the money.

Fox took the money and put it in the moneybox, then handed it over to another ASB member standing by. "Would you please count the money and turn it in to Ms. Joyce?"

"Sure Fox."

"Thanks Dean."

Turning his attention back at a stunned Theresa, he took her hand and led her out of the auditorium.

"Where are you taking me?" Fox didn't respond, wanting to wait until they arrived at their destination. Theresa remembered the last time he took her to an unknown destination. She couldn't help but form a smile in her lips, which Fox noticed. It took all his will power to not pull her into a passionate kiss; one he'd been dreaming about since the time he met her. The memory of their last kiss never left his mind. He could still taste her lovely, delicate lips on his. Mmmm....

When they finally stopped walking, Theresa saw someone get out of a black jaguar. "Michael! What's going on?" asked Theresa in a trembling voice, confused and concerned about why the two men in her life that caused her terrible heartache was standing before her.

"Look Theresa, Fox and I have to let you know what really happened."

"W-" Theresa started to say before Fox interrupted her. "Terry was the one behind the whole scheme. She was jealous that I liked you and wanted to break us up."

"It's true Theresa. She's plain vicious and spiteful. I would never try to hurt or use you Theresa. I think I'm falling for you and it's the honest truth."

Trying to take all this information in, her head began to reel, which caused her to sit on one of the parking bumps.

"Terry was the one who wrote the note. She was after you the whole time Theresa. Don't you believe us?" questioned Fox, concerned about the affect the news was having on Theresa. His pulse began to race as he watched for any indications about how Theresa would respond to the entire situation.

It was the manipulative b Terry. Although Theresa wanted to slap Terry in the face so hard that she'd wish she was never born, she still couldn't help but feel sorry for Terry. Her family must not have shown her any love in order for her to turn into such a conniving and hurtful person. So if Terry was to blame, Fox and Michael weren't using her. They liked her. Her. The person who had nothing to offer to these two such amazing specimens who were interested in her. It was almost too good to be true. She closed her eyes, thinking that she would wake up to find out that it was all a dream. It had to be. But when she opened them, she saw too sets of eyes staring at her; afraid of how she would respond to the revelation. Rubbing her eyes, still not believing this was reality, she continued to find herself in the current predicament. The entire experience was surreal. She felt as if she was in a soap opera, forced to choose between two guys. But it wasn't a soap opera. It was real life. Her life and she had to make a choice. And she didn't have to think twice before revealing her answer.

"Wow. I'm dumbfounded that you both like me! If I didn't know better, I would think this was a cruel joke because there's nothing special about me. I'm still not sure you're talking to the right girl?" She raised her hand to stop them from interrupting. "But since this isn't a joke, I've made my choice. Michael, may I speak to you first...alone?"

"Sure." He motioned for her to sit in his car.

"Please wait here so I can talk to you afterwards," Theresa said before following Michael to his car.

Fox shook his head in understanding. Although she just went to talk to Michael, his heart already ached, thinking she might have chosen his best friend over him. But he would accept her decision as long as she chose the person that she loved and would make her happy.

"Michael, you are such a sweetheart. I never thought in a million years that you'd look my way. And to be honest with you, I had the hugest crush on you."

Michael saw the love Theresa had in her eyes as she looked out the tinted window towards Fox. Michael smiled half-heartedly and said, "You don't have to go on. Although it devastates me to know that you don't love me, I completely understand. You can't choose the person you fall in love with. My only concern is your happiness. I'll leave the two of you alone." With that said, he kissed Theresa tenderly on the cheek and waited until Theresa got out of the car and walked towards her soul mate, as he experienced an agonizing feeling of his heart being ripped out of his chest. He now knew where her heart belonged and as much as it pained him to do so, he decided to let her go, even if it meant he would lose the only girl he ever developed true feelings for. He could see that his two friends loved one another. A love he had for Theresa, a love he hoped he shared with her, but it wasn't meant to be. She didn't love him that way. And even if she was willing to be with him, he couldn't allow her to not follow her heart, as much as it killed him to walk away from the one person he knew could truly make her happy.

Fox's heart broke when he saw Michael kissing Theresa. He knew that she made her choice and it wasn't him. Trying to think of what to say to Theresa and to not break down in front of her, his mind went blank as his, no, Michael's angel approached him. He tried to remember the way she looked as she moved towards her; the way her hips swayed delicately and the sunlight caused a halo affect on their hair. Although he was amazed once again by her inner and outer beauty, his mind told him to run away, but his heart wouldn't allow it. Even if it destroyed him, his heart needed to hear what she had to tell him, no matter how numb he would feel afterwards.

Both Theresa and Fox watched Michael step into his car and speed off. Theresa's heart went out to Michael. She knew how it felt to love someone who didn't love her. But she knew it was for the best. She always knew, but was too afraid to admit it that she fell in love. She could no longer lie to Fox about her true feelings; feelings that she refused to admit to even herself, until now that was.

"Fox, before you say anything, I have to tell you that you're the one I wanted to be with. The one I always knew I wanted to be with. When I found that fake letter, it almost destroyed me. It made me wish I could disappear. I never felt so much hurt, anger and pain as I did then and the time Terry confronted us. I'm sorry that I thought you purposely tried to hurt me. I have only one regret in my life, and that's it. I'm sorry and I hope you can forgive me." Theresa continued to speak quickly for fear that Fox may realize that he made a mistake in wanting to think he wanted to be with her. "But even though I had to experience so much anguish, it was worth it because I found you. The person who accepts me for me, no matter how boring I am. And that means a lot to me. I want to say thank you for seeing the nonexistent beauty in me."

"No...I should thank you. Theresa, you are so different from all the girls I've ever known or met. You were able to accept me and like me for the person I am. You tore away at my exterior mask until you saw the real person standing before you. You possess an inner beauty so magical that it makes everyone who took the time to get to know you to love you. The talents you possess are amazing, but what's more amazing is that you don't see the real beauty inside yourself. You have a heart of gold and I'm lucky I found you. You're my angel. All this and so much more makes you different....special."

Smiling she took Fox's hands in hers and held them, letting him know that he captivated her. After a few minutes of staying in this position, Fox led Theresa to his car. Theresa didn't question Fox this time. She trusted him whole-heartedly. She would go anywhere with him. She would climb up the Himalayas Mountain, as long as he was by her side. She, Theresa, actually liked a person who liked her back. Feeling elated during the drive, Theresa couldn't help but smile until her mouth hurt so much she couldn't stop smiling.

Pulling up to the park where they had their first and only date, he got out of the car and led her to the same spot where they had their picnic. Overwhelmed, Theresa let a tear stream down her face. Concerned, Fox wiped away the tear, wondering why she was crying. "What is it Theresa? Don't you like it?"

"No," Fox heart dropped as the words came out of her mouth, "I love it." She motioned to the setup before them.

Before her was a blanket covering with pink and yellow rose petals. Soft music was playing in the radio. A disposable camera was nestled in a hands of an adorable, large pooh bear stuff animal.

"This is too much Fox."

"Not for my girl. Besides, we never got to finish the picnic we started. And I never leave anything incomplete."

"Well then, in that case, I think you owe me a kiss Nicholas Foxworth Crane." Theresa crashed her lips upon Fox, desire filling both of them. Once again, they were sent to a world where only the two of them existed. This would always be how Theresa felt when Fox kissed her. Fox. Her Fox. There was no use denying it because every time she looked into those amazing blue eyes, emotions that she never knew existed entered her. Breaking away from the intense kiss, Theresa stated "I...I love you Fox." And as strange as it seemed, after the short amount of time knowing him, he was a part of her; mind, body and soul.

"I love you too." And they continued to hold each other, treasuring the moment and their closeness.