"No thank you," I said as the waiter came to my table, "I'm just thinking." I watched the waiter bow and then leave. When he was no longer in sight, I heaved a sigh, leaned back in my chair and stared up at the sky miserably. It's been two months, I thought to myself, and she's nowhere. Where could she be? Horrifying thoughts entered my mind as I closed my eyes. She could have died and I wouldn't even know it. I felt my heart break in half with that thought. It would've been all my fault. I didn't try to save her, instead I cowered in my room refusing to help my loyal friends. Not like I would've helped anyway, they didn't find her.

Then, I felt something splash onto my face. Opening my eyes, I watched as rain began sprinkling from the sky. Strange. Just a moment ago it had been warm and sunny. Now it was absolutely dark with rain clouds hovering in the sky. I looked around as people struggled with their umbrellas and ran for shelter. As I scanned the surroundings something caught my eye. Or more like someone. A girl. Could it be? No it couldn't be, could it? I blinked and then she turned around and we locked eyes. It was her! I nearly tipped the chair over I got up so fast. "Emma," I whispered.

Shooting me a glare, the girl spun around and shot off. Without a moment's hesitation I was running after her. I called out her name but she never stopped, once. She was ignoring me, I thought with dismay. I felt burdened at that thought for she had a damn right to. After all, I hadn't looked for her.

I followed her past the town ignoring the rain that splashed onto my face and the wind that tried to make me stop. "Emma," I cried. I had to talk to her. I had to explain. "Emma!" I jumped a fence and sprinted towards her. My heart began racing as I ran onto a bridge, close behind her. I reached out and grabbed her arm, refusing to let go. "You're alive," I said breathlessly. Realizing she couldn't run, Emma stopped struggling.

"Emma," I said awkwardly. I loosened my grip and blinked in shock as she ripped her hand out of my grip. "Emma," I said again desperately. Now that she had stopped, I had no idea what to say to her. The rain was pouring extremely hard drenching the both of us but I didn't care. I just wanted to talk to her and explain. As I struggled to formulate sentences inside my head, Emma unexpectedly spun around and demanded, "Why Tancred?"

"Wh… what?" I took a step back at the sudden outburst.

"Why are you here?"

"I…" I swallowed hard and said, "I wanted to see you." It was the truth. I wanted to see her so badly. I stared into her eyes and felt my heart rip in half. Her eyes were icy blue, filled with coldness. Where had all her gentleness gone? I quickly scanned her body and saw that although her eyes were cold, her body was certainly not. Her hair was matted, her clothes ripped. Her face was covered in dirt and her body was badly bruised. I couldn't help but notice her vulnerability as she stood there, barefooted and battered.

"But why?" she said softly.

"Because," I took a breath and stared into her eyes, "because I love you." I took a step forward but felt a wave of disappointment when she retreated back. Neither of us said anything but those words seemed to have struck a chord inside Emma. I watched her, waiting anxiously for her response.

Finally, Emma looked away and said quietly "You say you love me." I nodded slightly. "But still, you didn't come to rescue me." She looked up and I felt my stomach tighten. This wasn't meant to happen. She was suppose to love me back.

"I," I stopped. What could I say? She wouldn't believe me. The rain began running down my face or was it tears? It didn't matter. I turned away and quickly brushed my arm against my face.

"Why?" I heard Emma ask quietly, "Tell me why you didn't come?"

I couldn't bear to face her so instead, I stayed turned around and quietly answered, "You don't have to know." It sounded cruel and I felt my stomach flip as I said those words. I had no choice though, I couldn't tell her.

"Why can't you tell me?" I turned my head at the sudden gentleness in her voice. Her eyes were no longer cold, at least for now. Instead they were filled with concern – for what – me?

"I can't tell you," I said again. I watched her swallow the words and as she did so, her eyes began to harden.

"Why not?" she asked, her eyes locked onto me. The rain pelted down my face as I cried out, "Because I can't! All right? I just can't" I felt horrible. I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to be forgiven so badly but I knew I wouldn't. I couldn't even forgive myself for what I did.

"Then why lie to me?"

"I didn't."

Emma looked up into my eyes and said curtly, "You said you loved me."

"And I do," I took a step towards her. She didn't move. Instead she said, "Then why didn't you go with the others?" I bit my lip. It looked like she was determined to know. I couldn't help but smile under this bleak situation. She was so much stronger then she was before.

I took a breath and closed my eyes. "I didn't want to see you hurt." I squeezed my eyes waiting for an answer. When it didn't come, I continued quickly. I could see everything happening as I spoke, "I was scared Em. I didn't know what they had done to you. I knew you were alive, because Rhia told us but I didn't know what they did to you." Now that I was speaking, I couldn't stop myself. I spilled the entire story to her, "I went to rescue Rhia and what I saw… scared me. Rhia was battered and bruised. There was blood all over her. I imagined it to be you. I would've done something stupid if I went with them. I couldn't do it, Em. I'm sorry I'm such a coward. I only stayed behind because… I love you."

I stopped breathless and waited desperately for an answer. Feeling awkward I repeated, "I love you." I stepped towards her tentatively but she stepped back.

"But why?" she asked.

"Again with the whys," I said instinctively. "What do you mean?"

"Why, do you love me?" Now I stepped back in surprise. What kind of question was that?

"Love you?" I asked stupidly. I couldn't help it. I had no idea what she meant.

"Yes," Emma cried impatiently, "Of all the girls you've met why choose me?! I'm not pretty or smart. Why not choose Tracy or Melanie! Why me? I need to know why you chose me?!" Were those tears in her eyes? I wanted to comfort her so badly. Tell her it was all right, but it wasn't. What did attract me to her? I didn't know. I had never thought about it before.

"Because… because of the way you laugh at my jokes, even when they aren't funny. Because of how much passion you put into your drawings." I stepped towards her and when she didn't move, I moved closer and placed my hands on her shoulders. I looked into her eyes and continued, "Because you never want to cry, even when that's all you want to do." As I continued, I felt tears run down my face. I hadn't realized how much I missed her. I felt like a loser. "For two months, you've never left my thoughts. I saw you in my dreams, I saw you at school. Everywhere I went, I saw you. I mean, that's got to mean something right?" I dropped my hands to my side and stepped back several paces. I looked away and said softly, "And because… you've been the one thing that kept me going. Call me cheesy but it's true." I turned to face her and continued, "And because… you're going to get sick with pneumonia but if you need to know why I love you, I could go on all night."

I waited, for her to reply. It had grown chilly and I hugged myself waiting for an answer. For a moment she didn't say anything and I thought I had screwed up my last chance. I began to turn around, to head home, when suddenly I felt a hand grab my wrist. I turned around slowly and locked eyes with Emma.

I felt her close up on me and I felt my heart race. Her hands slowly went up around my neck. Looking down at her, I saw her smile and quietly say, "You did brilliant." I saw her draw nearer and before I could respond, I felt her soft lips on mine. I hesitated at first for I have never had a kiss like this, so soft and pure. I felt exhilarated. With the rain falling fiercely from the sky, I closed my eyes and began kissing back. As we kissed, I instinctively wrapped my arms around her waist and I felt her lift up onto her toes. It must have lasted for more than five seconds with her hand intertwined in my hair and mine in her long, soft, blond hair. Then I began feeling faint and I forced myself to pull away. With my arms around her neck I leaned against her head, looked down into her eyes and smiled, the first genuine smile in two months.

"What was that for?" I asked smiling. Emma returned my ghostly smile and replied, "I don't know." Still, even after the kiss, I felt uncomfortable. Guilt.

"Listen," I said seriously. I pulled her close and said, "I really didn't mean to hurt you. You know us boys, we're horrible with emotions. But, I really do love you." Emma nodded understandingly and said cheekily, "Yes, I have four best guy friends. I'm pretty sure I guessed from the start." I smiled secretly, and pressed my lips against her forehead. I felt a rush of blood and knew that I never wanted to let her go. Being with her felt so perfect, she was perfect. I closed my eyes gently in order to soak in everything. That's when it happened.

Suddenly, I heard a sharp scream of pain. My eyes shot open and I saw Emma collapse in my arms. "EMMA!" I cried in shock. All I received were gasps of pain. Giving another sharp shrill, Emma doubled over and I was forced onto the ground. Caressing her head, I watched her helpless. Her face screwed up in pain. "What's wrong Em?" I asked frightened. "Tell me, what's happening?"

Emma looked up into my eyes and said between gasps, "M…my…s…side. It… it hurts." She groaned in pain and closed her eyes tightly. I have to find help. "But where!" I shouted to the howling wind. "Tell me what to do!" Nothing. Heaving a sigh, I looked down at her. She had blacked out. She seemed so beautiful, so peaceful, as if she was sleeping. I was so tempted to press my lips against hers, to tell her I was here, but I couldn't, not when I knew she was suffering. I had to seek out help. Looking up, I scanned the surroundings and smiled relieved as I saw a house in the distance. It was my house. "Mom," I whispered. Of course, mom would be able to help. But then, I'd have to tell her everything. I couldn't. "I have no choice," I whispered to myself.

Lifting her head up slightly, I tucked my arms underneath her body and heaved her up into my arms. She was surprisingly light and I found it extremely easy to carry her. I glanced down into her face and couldn't help but feel a wave of regret. Pressing her close to my body, I brought my right hand out to quickly brush away a strand of hair. Adjusting her weight, I walked over the bridge carefully and set on returning to my house.