A/N: Oh wow. Less than a week left of school. That means in less than a week, this story is ending!

Chapter 8

Rudy POV

Dear Man-Journal,

Would you call writing a love poem for a girl you really, really like, romantic?

I think it is.

See, the purpose of writing a poem to Liesel was to let her know that I'm totally, hopelessly in love with her.

I didn't want to propose my love to her in public! It would totally destroy my reputation! Do you know how long I've made my reputation a good one? Do you? Good. Then you know.

All I could think about for the past few days was what Liesel's thought on the poem.

Shock? Love? Disappointment? I doubt it would be happiness. Besides, why would she? She has been ignoring for more than a month!

I hope her mind change on what she thinks of me.

Yes, yes, yes.

Her mind changed!

Yes, yes, yes.

What else should I tell you, Man-Journal?

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

OK! You there! Yes, you! The one in the blue shirt! Yes, you! How many times do I have to tell you, "Yes, you?"? Pardon? I didn't hear it. Could you repeat it? OK, OK. I'll answer it.

Q: Do you love Liesel?

A: I've never felt it before. It's a feeling like no other. It's good and dangerous at the same time. I mean, I don't even know if it's really love. It could be just infatuation. It's what we teenagers call our love is. Anyway, whatever love it is, I love her. Yes, I love her.

Other questions?

OK, you! The one in the flower-pattern shirt! Yeah, you! What?

Q: Do you think she loves you back?

A: Why did you even ask me that, Man-Journal? Why do you think her mind changed about me? What are you thinking?

Any other questions that doesn't involve love? Anyone? Anyone? Any volunteers?

Fine, I'll tell you how her mind changed.

It was just yesterday. I was taking a nap after jogging for almost five miles when she burst in my room. I thought she was my mom at first.

"Mom, go away. And no, I'm not taking out the trash or even rub your wrinkly feet. Let Dad do it. I'm tired enough to sleep for five days. Now leave me alone to sleep." I closed my eyes and almost drifted to sleep.

"I wish. But I don't think I want you to sleep yet," said Liesel, with amusement in her voice.

My eyes suddenly snapped open. I sat up and looked at her flushed face. "Hi." She smiled.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in here? Did Mom let you in? Why are you-" Her hand clamped my mouth shut. Her skin smelled of lavender.

"I want you to shut up and let me talk. Can you do that?" I nodded. "Good." She sat beside me and twined her fingers with mine. "You do know that your my best friend, right?" She asked me, almost inaudibly.

I nodded, just looking at our joined hands. "Why me?" She asked. "Why? Why not any other girl? Why me, Rudy? Tell me why." I looked up and saw that her eyes are swimming.

"Because I chose you. I want you. You. Damn it, Liesel. I can't explain it. It's just... I don't know. All I know is that it's you I want. I need. I love. You're the one I fell in love with, Liesel. I can't change my feelings for you. It started way too long ago to even shut it out. Or to even deny it," She turned her head away. I took her face with both my hands. "Liesel, look at me. Look at me," She looked at me with her wet brown eyes. "I love you. Only you. I don't care if you don't love me back. I can wait. Even if that will take hundreds of years. I will wait."

She shook her head. "Saukerl. You are so stupid. You really are. Don't you see? Why do you think I'm here, crying?"

"Saumensch. Do you love me back?" I have to know.

She nodded. "No, I want you to say it, Liesel. Say it."

She looked straight in my eyes. "I love you. And I hate it."

I found my first smile that afternoon. "Me or what you're feeling?"

"A little of both. I'm not liking this feeling. I hate it. It's making me..." I waited for her to continue. She didn't.

"It's making you what, Liesel?" My voice hinted amusement.

She looked down, embarrassed. "A girl. Goddamn it! I don't like it!"

"Well, I think you should get used to it," She looked up, confused. "What? You think that's just it? Wow, Liesel. You really don't know anything about this, right?"

She narrowed her eyes. "And you do?"

"No. But I'll experiment."

She shook her head. "Why did I fall for you and not a stupid quarterback?"

I smiled. I took a sheet of paper and scribbled something in it. When I was done, I put in an envelope and sealed it. I gave it to Liesel. "What is this?" She asked.

"Something you'll get to read on the 28th."

"Why not now?"

"Because I said so."

She sighed. "Again, why did I fall for you?" She stood up. "I have to go. Dad doesn't know I'm here." She turned to the door.

"Wait!" I bolted upright. I took her in my arms and kissed her. I pulled away before she can even kiss me back. "That is the reason why you fell for me."

She grinned and left.

Wanna know what was on the paper?

You'll know on the 28th.

-Rudy

A/N: Seriously. You'll know on the 28th. RnR?