After work, I go home. And prepare myself for what I have to do.

I call Nora.

And luckily, she doesn't have Caller ID, because I know she would never have answered.

"Hello?"

"Nora, please don't hang 'p."

"What do you want." Her voice suddenly gets harsh, and I cringe.

"Whatever I did, please, 'm sorry. I want us t' be friends still. 'll do whatever 't takes."

She goes quiet for a minute. "It's my fault. I've been an ass. I can't tell you who to like. I'm sorry."

I pause, trying to find words. "Do you want to come over?"

"Sure. I'll be over in half an hour."

I try as hard as I can to make myself look presentable in those thirty minutes. And I guess I succeeded.

Someone knocks on my door, and I put down the food I was making.

"Bir..?"

I look up, and it's her. She barely peeks out from behind the door, holding her bag, and figeting.

"Come 'n." She looks at the floor as she comes inside. "I made fish... 'f ya want some.."

She shakes her head. "I just.. I want to talk.."

I nod. "We can go 'n m' room. 'f ya want."

Nora walks back to my bedroom without saying a word, and sits on my bed. I shut my door when I come in.

"What d'ya wanna talk about?" I sit beside her.

"You.. you weren't supposed to find out.." Her voice cracks and I tense up.

"Find out what..?"

"I love you.. m-more than a friend.."

I don't know what to say. I take a minute to think.

"'t was already kind 'f obvious."

She looks up, eyeliner dripping down her cheeks, but it's pretty, in a way. She leans in towards me, eyes half-lidded.

"I love you so much.. I can hardly stand it.."

Her hand finds its way to my cheek, and I close my eyes. "Nora.."

She brings her face close to mine, so close that I can smell her perfume, her shampoo, even her lipstick.

"I love you."

She gently kisses me. It was nothing like the other night, it was so sweet, a butterfly kiss.

"I love you more than life itself."

She kisses me again. And again. I don't fight back, her arms wrap around me, and I sink into them.

We slowly fall back onto the bed, she kisses me, I don't kiss back. But I still don't resist.

Nora gently bites at my lip, and I open my mouth a little, knowing. Her tongue finds its way in my mouth, touches mine, and I let it.

She pulls away. "You don't want this, do you."

I shake my head. "I don't know.. I like 't.. b-but.. I.. I want t' be friends.."

"We can still be friends!" She laughs. "A little kissing never hurt anyone!"

"But ya don't want t' stop at kissing, do you..?"

She tangles her fingers in my hair and pulls me close to her. "You're right.. I don't.. but it'll be enough if that's all you want.."

She presses her forehead to mine, and kisses my nose. "I'm happy with just this much.. to be able to touch you like this.. I.."

She kisses me again, and pulls away. "It's all I've wanted."

I lean forward, and just barely kiss her. Her eyes widen a little.

"I want t' be friends.. but I guess 's okay to do this.. 'f we can still.. be friends."

She laughs softly, and nods. "Yes.." Her hands hold the nape of my neck, pull me as close as I can get. "More kisses."

We kiss again. It's soft, and gentle. We kiss until we can't kiss anymore, and Nora falls over on my bed, smiling softly.

"I love you."

I snuggle up next to her, a tiny smile on my face. "I love ya too."