"Explain to me again how you ended up there in your pajamas?" Jeremy asked. A little time had passed; Candace had bade Vanessa a hasty goodbye and she and Jeremy were now well on their way back to the Flynn-Fletcher home. "It's a long story," was the girl's weary reply.

Jeremy decided not to press the matter and instead ask Phineas about it later. "I was looking for you, actually," he began, his voice bearing a hint of concern. "We need to talk." The phrase set off every relationship drama-related alarm bell in Candace's head. But before she could comment, Jeremy added, "First, I have to ask.. are you okay? You haven't been answering my texts all day and I don't think it's ever taken you more than 5 minutes."

"Yeah, well, funny you should mention that.." Candace mumbled sheepishly. "I have something to tell you too." Jeremy gives her a look, stopping the girl in her tracks. "So.. how are we gonna do this?" he says with a bit of a nervous chuckle. "Oh I know: I'll count to three, and we'll both say what we want to say. It's less painful like that. Like ripping off a bandaid in one go."

"Alright," Candace replies with a grimace, swallowing hard. Guess this is it then.

"One.."

"Two.."

"Three.."

"I'm moving away for college-"
"I LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE!"

They both fall silent, expecting the other to start explaining first. Then Jeremy cracks a smile. "I.. I guess the universe has a funny way of fixing these things, huh.." he begins. Candace just nods vaguely. "I know long-distance relationships probably aren't for us," Jeremy continues, "so I was going to suggest we'd take a break. But I guess a break-up would be more appropriate now."

"It's not like I stopped liking you!" Candace interrupts, guilt setting in. "I so still like you, but.. differently? Different than before. I hope that somehow makes sense to you because I can barely understand myself right now."

Jeremy laughs, shaking his head. "That doesn't have to mean we can never hang out again! We'll always be friends, that's not gonna change. Who knows, we might even work better if you don't constantly have to worry about what I think of you."

Candace couldn't argue with that. Jeremy grabbed her by the hand, and awkwardly ruffled his hair with his free hand. He gave her a squeeze. "Before I let you go, I have to ask: who did you like?"

All the embarrassment she'd felt the whole day rushed back at once. "Are you sure you wanna know?" she replied with a pained chuckle.

"I guess you're right, it's probably better if I don't. I'll see you around, Candace. Don't forget to come visit me!"And with that, he's off.

Candace is alone once again.
Whatever today was, she'll probably need some time to recover from it. Luckily she has all summer to do so.

-

Iiiiiiiii finished it! Hope you'll appreciate. This has been a lot of fun, once again a big thank you to all who left feedback!
And don't forget to stay tuned for the epilogue. :