Author's note: Here it is, next chapter. Sorry it took a while, I was working on another fanfic, too. This one is a lot longer then my last one because I had to fit a lot of the plot in it.

The Choice

Chap. 6 Secrets

It had been about four months since Rika and Henry started dating. Now, everyone was getting prepared for heading off to college…But, Henry had a different idea…..

"Takato?" Henry asked him one day, "What do you think about college?"

"College? I think it sounds great!...Why?"

"Um…what do you think about not going, and….."

"…'and' what?"

"You know…just…..staying here."

Takato wondered, "What do you mean by 'staying here' exactly?"

"Well…I was wondering….."

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Jeri and Rika were downtown shopping. As Rika was flipping through clothes, Jeri asked, "Rika, have you been thinking about school lately?"

"School…You mean, like, college?"

"Yeah, have you decided on one yet?"

"Actually, I was thinking I might not go to college at all."

Meanwhile, Henry and Takato turned around a corner and saw the two girls walk out of a store. Seeing Rika, Henry immediately started to turn away.

"Oh, no, you don't-" said Takato as he turned him back, "You have to…"

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do!"

"No, I don't!"

Takato pushed him forward, "Go tell her!"

Henry sighed, but walked slowly toward them, Takato following.

"Uh…Hey, Rika," he waved to her.

"Henry!" she ran to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "Where have you been? It's like I haven't seen you for days!"

"Oh, around…"

Takato gestured toward Jeri and said, "Jeri, come over to the other side of the street…"

"What for?"

"I just…Oh, c'mon!" he pulled her away as he winked at Henry.

"So, uh…Rika, how are you lately?"

"Ok, I guess. I'm just shopping for some decent clothes. My mom bought me the ugliest stuff yesterday!"

Henry's hand rested in his pocket as he thought, C'mon! You can do it!

"Hey, Rika?"

"Yes?..."

"I, uh…uh," he hesitated for a while, "Can I…ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"I…um…" he paused. He just couldn't say it, "Uh…what did you get?"

"Oh, I bought some new shirts…jeans."

"That's nice…"

"I wonder why Takato was acting so funny just now. It was quite strange."

"Yeah, it was…..Well, I'm gonna go."

"Ok, see ya later," she kissed him goodbye.

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That night, Henry sat on his bed with his hand in his pocket again.

Takato's right…I have to ask Rika…..before it's too late.

With that, he went out to his car and started the engine. On his way down the street, he grabbed his cell phone and dialed Rika's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Rika, it's Henry."

"Hi, Henry. What's up?"

"Rika, I'm coming over. I'm driving to your house right now."

"Ok…but, now? Do you know how late it is?"

"Yes, but it's really important. I have to ask you-"

The line suddenly cut and there was dead silence.

"Henry?...Henry!" Rika hung up the phone and ran out the door.

Author's note: There you go! A first cliffhanger ending! (if you haven't already guessed what Henry was going to ask Rika, you'll have to find out next time) Next chapter will come in only a few days, cuz, I've already started on it. :)