Hello all! Sorry this chapter is a little short, but I really, really, REALLY think you'll like it! I'm really excited for your reviews. I hope you enjoy it.

For the first time in days, Mark and Cory had fun together. They made plans to go out and maybe shoot some more things around the city for Mark's new film. But it got so cold, that after an hour, the two went back inside the apartment. The entire night, Mark and Cory talked like old times. Even though it was a week since they'd actually been together, talking, laughing, and hanging out, it seemed like forever.

Mark cherished every minute he and Cory spent together the night before. He knew as he sat there listening to her talk on and on about Dave, that his relationship with Cory was about to change drastically—even more drastically than it has.

The morning after, Mark and Cory both found themselves in a position that both of them had been in many times before. But this time was different. When he woke up, Mark looked down at Cory who'd fallen asleep in his arms. The fingers in his right hand were linked in with hers. With his left hand, Mark stroked the shiny, silky red hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. She stirred a little, opened her eyes and smiled at Mark.

"Morning," he whispered.

She nuzzled up against him and shut her eyes again, "morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," was all she said, but she kept smiling. He looked at her with her eyes shut, smiling. Right now, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her more than anything. He didn't know why, but he was scared now more than ever. He hated to do this, but he wiggled his way out from underneath her.

"Marky, what are you doing?" Cory whined, rubbing her eyes.

"Sorry, I got too hot I guess."

"Hot? It's freezing in here."

"Are you cold? Because I can get you another blanket. Do you need a sweatshirt?" Mark said in his "mom" voice.

"No Mark. I'm fine," she said as she pulled her blanket up over her shoulders. "I had fun last night."

"Me too," he said looking away.

"It feels like it's been forever since we've hung out ya know?"Cory said, surprising Mark.

"It's only been a week."

"Yeah. I know. But it just seems like forever," Cory was now fiddling with her blanket. She and Mark sat alone in silence for a minute or so until she broke the silence again, "what's wrong with you Mark?"

"What?"

"You've been acting really weird lately. Ever since, well ever since I met Dave." Mark could feel his face turn bright red as he avoided Cory's eyes.

"I'm fine. I love Dave. He's a great guy."

"Right."

"No. He is I like him. He makes you happy. That's what matters most right?"

"What do you mean?" Cory asked confused. What was Mark trying to say?

"I mean, you're my best friend Cory and I want you to be happy. Seeing you happy makes me happy." Mark was starting to feel sick to his stomach.

"Because we're friends?" She said in a more matter of fact tone, than a question.

"Yeah. Friends."

"Mark?"

"Yeah Cory?" Maybe it was because Mark hadn't eaten yet. That was why he felt sick.

"You promise you're not lying to me? About the whole Dave thing?" Nope, it wasn't because he hadn't eaten.

"Cory—"

"Because I'd rather you tell me the truth than lie to me." He had to breath in a few times before he could actually speak. Cory noticed the color in his face start fading a little.

"You really want to know the truth?" Mark finally muttered after a few moments of silence.

"Yeah." Cory looked serious, and now she was getting a little scared. What was it that Mark was going to say?

He sighed and went on, "the truth is . . . I really don't like Dave."

"What? Why?"

"Because, well because—" did Mark actually have a real reason for hating Dave? "—because he's an ass hole."

"What? Why would you call him an ass hole?"Cory stood up next to the couch. She was starting to look really angry.

"He just is Cory. I don't know. Something about him makes me . . . well, he creeps me out."

"You're the ass hole Mark! You don't want to see me happy!"

"Cory, what in the hell makes you say that?" Mark was now standing, still feeling sick.

"Because, you—you just want me to be there with you all the time. Like some sick little puppy slave!"

"Bullshit Cory. Just because I want you with me all the time doesn't mean that I don't want to see you happy. You're my best friend. I want to see you happy."

"Oh really? Then why don't you like Dave?"

"Because he's an asshole!"

"You're an asshole!"

"Cory . . ."

"Tell me one good reason Mark, one good reason why I should break up with Dave. Tell me. And then maybe I'll consider it." Mark just stood there. This was it. This was the perfect time to tell Cory.

"Cory," he said in a calmer voice, "do you love Dave?" This question came as a shock to Cory. She wasn't expecting Mark to ask her a question like this. It was sort of . . . random. She had to think about it for a second.

"Yeah. I–Ido." The sickening feeling in Mark's stomach got stronger.

"You do?"

"Yeah. Can't you see Mark? I haven't felt like this in a long time. Ever since Ray. I mean, Dave is so much different from Ray. He's sweeter and he doesn't pressure me. He understands my morals, and respects them. He's not pressuring me to sleep with him like Ray always did. He's . . . amazing."

"You really love this guy?"

"Yes."

"And he loves you?"

"Yes Mark! Why is that so fucking hard to understand?"

"It's just," Mark sighed in frustration, wondering how he and Cory ever got into this argument. "So you haven't slept with him yet?"

"No. Not yet. Why?"

"I was just wondering." Mark sat back down on the couch. He felt stupid for even arguing with her. He was never going to win anyway. That was one thing about Cory that frustrated him, she would never give up an argument about ANYTHING. Then again, maybe that was just one of things that he loved about her. Wait, that's it! Love. I love Cory. I love Cory. What in the hell am I going to do? I can't tell her. She loves Dave. Then, Mark suddenly remembered something Roger had said to him a few months before. "Why are you so damn stupid Mark? The girl loves you. She's loved you for years and you're too blind to see it." At the time, Mark thought Roger was just crazy. But now, it sort of makes since. She was always looking at him weird—the way he now looks at her. But then, there were a lot of things that she would do that were just normal Cory things, like hugging him, and linking arms with him, brushing the snow out of his hair, buttoning the top button on his coat, but again, it would make since. Maybe she does love me. Should I risk it? Should I say something? What if she does love me too, and something happens, but we date and then break up. We'd not only loose each other's love, but we'd loose each other's friendship. And that alone was just too risky to loose. Mark turned his back to Cory and started walking away, but Cory stepped in front of him.

"Oh my God Mark. You are being so weird. I know you too well. I've known you since we were eight years old. I know when you're hiding something. So spill. You're hiding something!"

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are. Just tell me. We're best friends. Tell me what you're hiding."

"Cory—" Mark began.

"What?"

"Cory I—" The sickening feeling in his stomach had gone away and was now placed with fear. A lot of fear. His face got hot and he was afraid if he spoke, it'd only come out in a small whisper.

"What is Mark? Tell me! What the fuck are you hiding?" Just then, on some sort of impulse, with his hands beginning to shake, he put one hand on Cory's hip, and the other up to her face and gently, slowly leaned down and kissed her. He pulled away and stared into a deep, watery pool of purple. Seeing Cory cry made Mark start to tear up. He wanted to rewind what he had just done and stop himself before he did it, but it was too late. Just as he was about to turn away again, He felt Cory's cold hand in his. He turned back to face her and was pulled in to another, long, sweet kiss.