A/N: Thank you so much for your continued support. Here is the next chapter for you all and I hope you enjoy it x

"...I am not sure entirely"

All I can say is I am stunned. What kind of answer is that. She isn't sure entirely?

I am confused. Does that mean yes I do but I don't want to admit that I could love you or no I think I don't like you but I might.

For someone who is decisive about other things in her life, she isn't very decisive about this.

As I am sat thinking, avoiding making contact with her eyes and watching her nervously twirl that ring around her finger I wonder if maybe I should pick the conversation back up or just give her time to follow on. If she has anything else more to say of course.

We sit in that awkward silence again a little longer and then I start to mumble.

"So you..."

Just as she starts to mumble to.

"I...mean"

I stop and look up at her and wait to see if she carries on.

"Oh sorry, you go first" She offers.

I quickly shake my head, more eager to know what she was going to say.

"Oh no please you carry on" I encourage.

"I...well, alright I suppose..." she mutters somewhat quietly and I sit patiently and wait.

"Well I mean, friends. I like you as a friend." she states and I notice a little blush on her cheeks.

As a friend. I let that sentence rattle around quietly in my head for a few moments even though I am unconsciously nodding to show my understanding of her words. That is all they are though, words. They don't really have meaning or feeling but at least she said friends and not acquaintances. To have been demoted to that would have been a real blow.

She looks back up and I quickly look away. I am not upset. I am ok, just can't really look at her right now. Lately I have been wearing all my feelings on my sleeve. I let her break down that brick wall I had spent years building up and yeah she didn't knock it down gently she smashed right through it and I care. I care about her so much it makes my heart hurt.

"Please, just friends at the moment" she states boldly and reaches out placing her hand over mine, which is sweating away nervously against my lap.

She is touching me, its only my hand but its a sign of affection.

Do not freak out. Do not freak out.

I look up and find myself nodding. My mind is blank but my subconscious is far from that. It is screaming at me to progress this interaction, act on impulse, stop talking and just show her but I can't, I really can't. This, accepting we are still friends is acknowledgement enough for now. Its a big achievement.

I smile to reassure her that I am, well we are ok but I am far from that.

She smiles back!

Be still my beating heart! That is a thing of rare and utter beauty. Her smile it is just so perfect and heart warming.

I tell myself now to remember not to be selfish. Do not act upon your urges. Do not squeeze her hand back or try to hold it. Just stay calm. Do not turn this moment into another one of those disaster moments. Leave the ball in her court, let her have the control.

What is meant to be will be.

I swallow but can't stay quiet.

"I'm glad you still want to be friends"

Her smile fades, but luckily only for a moment and she smiles again.

"Thank you for understanding and I am glad too"

Only a kiss and fairytale movie ending would make this moment perfect, but I know this is no fairytale and that those kind of things only happen in the movies, or literature written centuries ago. In reality, good things take time and the best things develop without warning. That is what I need to do, let this blossom.

That is how I have to look at life now.

So I leave it there, don't broach the subject anymore with her at this time and share a drink with her. Admittedly we share a drink with awkward conversation but after a while it feels odd like we fell out but like neither of us want it to stay that way. Unfortunately it is difficult to shake the atmosphere and odd feelings but that is ok, as long as we keep progressing and get back to where we were that is success enough in my eyes.

I stay a while and although I feel slightly uncomfortable still I don't mind as much. We are getting along and talking, so that is good but when it comes to the time when I might be outstaying my welcome I have to admit I am saddened.

We exchange a slightly difficult goodbye and then she escorts me to the door.

Its all very formal suddenly and I give her a smile and nod as I step out onto the path. She smiles too, not a full smile like earlier but a quirk of her lips. I turn away and start walking, controlling my urge to grin when I hear her call out.

"I'll see you soon"

I'm not sure if it is a question or a statement but I keep walking only glancing back and acknowledging with a nod and smile. Then as I reach the gate and hear the door click closed quietly behind me, I can't help but smile brightly.

Things are starting to look up.