The doorbell rang at 3AM. I jolted upright as the silence that crowded the house shattered. My covers lay flat on the floor beside my bed and I glanced over at the alarm clock resting on my bedside table. It read 3:01AM.

Who on God's green earth bothers me at 3AM on a Saturday? Man, they must have a lot of nerve because when I'm done with them, they won't be able to sit for a week.

As I walked unsteadily over to the stairs my thoughts wandered to the dream, or as I thought, nightmare, I'd just been awoken from. The dream started out the same each night; Kendall telling me to run for cover and the look in his eyes reminded me how I abandoned him. When he kissed my cheek, it went into slow motion. The feeling also lingered in my mind even after I woke up. Yet each night, it ended differently; last night he died in front of me, the night before that rubble pinned me down as well as we both died. However, tonight I dreamt he somehow escaped Fabio's clutches. Just thinking about the stupid but funny name he gave the tornado made my heart ache. Wow that sounded cheesy.

I thumped down the last few steps and faltered at the immediate pressure to my knees. My socks caused me to slip a tiny bit, but I regained my balance after I waved my arms around. I steadied myself and flipped the switch for the outside lights. When I unlocked the front door, I half expected to see my mom and dad standing there in their robes. A small yawn escaped me, but I never regained my breath.

"K-K-K-Kendall?" I choked out that one word.

My palms started to sweat, my head started rushing, and the world began to spin. My knees shook violently, threatening to collapse. I didn't need this right now. I already went through all the drama at the 'loss' of my friend, and now he decides to come tell me he survived?

He stared at me, right eyebrow raised. His thumbs just peeked out from the pockets of his jeans, whilst his hands hid beneath the fabric. His green eyes shone brightly in the dark. How could he be so calm?

The room spun and I started feeling dizzy Blackness enveloped me as my body couldn't handle all of what was happening to me.

I groaned at the pain in my head. I opened an eye to survey where I currently was. I propped myself up onto my elbows. Somehow I'd been returned to my room. Kendall must've brought me up here. How sweet!

He didn't notice my stirring, so I just observed his actions. He seemed intrigued with all my basketball trophies, plaques, medals and certificates. They were all piled onto a wooden bookshelf in order from when I got them. Softballs in glass cases also littered the shelf. I remember hitting all of the balls over the various fences and then going on adventures to uncover them. Signed baseball caps, ribbons and yearbooks were strewn everywhere and I was surprised he could see each individual thing.

He stepped back, taking in the rest of the room. The walls were painted purple, but little to none of the paint could be seen with all the posters up. They varied from sports, like lacrosse, basketball, baseball, and football to cute dogs. Any remaining space on my walls was filled with various works of art from my early years to a few years ago.

"So, are you taking it all in?" I couldn't take the silence anymore.

He jumped back in a defensive position and almost knocked over my championship basketball trophy from 9th grade.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay."

A silence passed between us, but it felt comforting just to know he stood right next to me. He stuffed his hands back in his pockets like he didn't know what else to do with them.

"You know, you can sit down if you want."

He placed a hand cautiously on the corner of the bed and when he realized nothing would eat him, he sat down.

"I guess I owe you a 'thank you'. For not letting me lay on a cold, wooden floor." I said sheepishly.

"Yeah sure. No problem." He blushed four shades of red and rubbed his neck.

"I do have one question," I said.

"Shoot."

"How did you, ya know, survive the tornado?"

I didn't want to come across as intrusive or pushy, but he did answer my question. He told me how the wind's speed quadrupled and caused the debris around him to ascend into the swirling vortex. He then hobbled over as fast as he could manage to a nearby house. He explained how it was deserted and the foundation looked solid. He also added how the wind knocked around the house with ease. He remembered waking up the next day with a headache, a swollen foot, and in a hospital bed. It turns out, the owner of the house slept through the disaster and found Kendall passed out on the floor.

"Wow." I didn't expect him to be this open.

"So yeah. That's it. Sorry if I bored you."

He flopped back on the bed and blew a few stray hairs out of his face. He seemed more relaxed and gentle. I remember before how he would carelessly joke around with me, but now, it's as if we haven't seen each other in a lifetime and he wants to cherish it by not fighting and arguing.

I flopped on my back, landing right beside him. I glanced over at his smiling face. He seemed to radiate happiness, like he was just happy to be alive. Ooh, bad word choice.

"Why do you keep smiling?" I playfully teased him.

I nudged his shoulder but it didn't seem to faze him. He nudged me back and added, "I like smiling. You should smile more."

"I smile just like you do, but mine isn't as creepy."

He laughed like the statement was preposterous. I nudged him a little harder for that comment but apparently I used more force than I intended.

THUNK! His butt hit the floor hard. Instead of helping him up, I exploded with laughter. I didn't even care that he might be hurt. I just kept on laughing. My stomach started cramping up on me from all my cackling. So I wrapped my arms around my torso to subdue the slight pain.

He pulled himself back up on the bed and joined in with a small chuckle.

I rolled over onto my stomach and my laughing was toned down because of the comforter. My whole body racked with laughter. Although I did feel a kind, warm hand press against my shoulder. This just proved my point; Kendall is a changed person.

I rolled over onto my back and he relinquished his hand. I gazed up at him and he smiled down at me. Kendall offered me a hand, which I gladly accepted. He pulled me to my feet, but we landed a few inches apart. I could feel his hot breath on my face.

In a low voice I asked, "Why do you seem calmer and gentler? You seem almost…changed."

He seemed to brighten up at my comment like he was expecting me to bring this up.

"When you go through a life changing situation, you view things differently; you cherish every moment you have because you don't know if it's your last."

He paused to let it sink in, but he wasn't finished.

"You focus on the important things in life." He lifted my chin with his finger so that we were staring into each other's eyes, "and the most important people."

Did this mean he like likes me? Do I like him like that? I think so because through everything, I haven't stayed mad at him and I truly and sincerely missed him. If he liked or even loved me, I wouldn't deny my feelings for him.

He slowly leaned forward and I followed. Our foreheads touched lightly and I held his gaze. With 1 inch between us, I knew he did in fact like or even love me. This would be my first kiss.

Panic flooded my body. Oh no! Would I mess this up? He might think I'm a loser for messing up the simplest of things!

Yet with all my doubt, when we in locked lips, I didn't remember anything at all. It was like my mind melted and I focused all my energy into the kiss.

The sweet kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it showed the two young adults that love has a way of working things out. Although, I don't think they lived happily ever after because true love never ends!

Fin

thnx please reveiw!