Marcus shimmied up the drainpipe, flung his torso over the window sill, and heaved himself into Kip Winter's bedroom. Kip eyed him warily, gave a mighty yawn, and returned to glaring at the computer screen.
Marcus melodramatically smoothed the wrinkles from his neon-pink hoodie, which read, "All My Black Shirts Are Dirty" in bold font. He cleared his throat, booming, "Winters, I appreciate that you're a member of the Strong, Silent Type, sort of a John Wayne meets Sherlock Holmes, but face it pal… Your James Bond Skillz totally blow! It's like you're Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, and Aria's the bomb telling you there's one second left to take action. So what it's gonna be? Do you save the world, or do you get your ass blown up for doing nothing… like you have the last five years."
Kip glared at his mouse, eyebrows furrowed in intense concentration. "And who exactly is this "world" that I'm supposed to be saving?"
Marcus threw himself at Kip's feet, softening Kip's grim expression with his most heartbreaking puppy-face, whimpering pitifully, "Me, Man! I'm the world! Aria's been a complete wreck since she dumped you, and I can't handle watching my best friend put herself through hell over you anymore. You have to convince her to take the plunge, like she should have done at nineteen. Just, put two and two together already and figure out that you and Aria need to hook up because MY sex life and MY sanity are depending on you." Slapping Kip on the shoulder, Marcus left him alone with his computer.
Fingers trembling spastically, gnawing on his lower lip, Kip finally sent Aria this e-mail:
Aria,
A little bird told me, well, actually, an abnormally large bird, the kind of bird who is taller than most basketball players, told me that the time has come for us to be honest with each other. I may have taken things too fast before by proposing, so I'd like to make it up to you by being the first to apologize and to explain my actions.
What it all comes down to is that I love you. I have loved you since the first time I saw you. I had stopped by the Mini Mansion to ask directions to my brother's house, when I noticed you up in your tree. Time stopped. All I was aware of was how peaceful and free you seemed. Being with you always gives me that sense of peace and freedom I've never found with anyone else. I was sure you felt an instant connection as well, so when you turned me down (TWICE), I figured you only thought of me as a casual fling. Then, I became pissed off that you would let people who weren't involved in our relationship dictate what we did with OUR lives.
But now, I know I should have given you the chance to think about all the dreams we never would have realized, should you refuse me. I'd say we've both had enough time to be certain that the only decision left to make is to give us another try. If you're ready, meet me at the gazebo at Midnight on the night of the party for Hope-Catherine.
All my love,
Kip Winters
P.S. I know you swooned over Mr. Bruno's ability to quote movies, so I decided to borrow his method of hitting on you. "You had me at hello," "You complete me," and "I'm taking THIS fish" are the only lines I know from Jerry McGuire.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, this chapter is short, but I believe that everything that needed to be said, has been said. Also, shout-out to my cousin (like a billion times removed) Caleb, whose shirt inspired Marcus's hoodie! Caleb's wardrobe also includes such classic T-shirts as "Spear Brittney" and "One by one, the penguins steal my sanity" and "Can't sleep! The clowns will eat me!" and "I was schizophrenic, but we're okay now!"
