Ugh! I did it again!

So sorry, everyone. I've been under a tail-load of stress lately, but I think most of it has been resolved by now.

But enough about me; you wanna read the story. Enjoy!

…

The Best Thing That's Ever Been Mine

They say there's a first time for everything, and Thatch and Carly's relationship is no exception. First date, first kiss…

First fight.

"Could you maybe ease up on the teasing when we're around your friends," Carly suggested one night, "I'm getting kinda tired of washing rotten apple mush out of my hair."

"Well, I don't want them to be suspicious," Thatch said, "and everyone knows I have a reputation to uphold."

"Are you saying your reputation is more important than me," exclaimed Carly, tears welling up in her eyes.

Instantly, Thatch realized he had made a mistake with his word choice. It made him sound arrogant, self-centered…just like something he would say.

"You know what," Carly said when he didn't respond, "don't even bother answering."

When she took off running, he fought himself for the right thing to say to her. And he was running out of time, because she was heading for the rowboat.

"Carly, wait," he called, "I know I just hurt your feelings, but it hurts me even more to see you cry. Sometimes, I hate being who I am."

Despite his efforts, her pace didn't slow. So, surprising both her and himself, he reached down into the deepest, darkest, depths of his heart.

"When I first met you, a little part of me changed. Being with you, I've done so many things I would never be caught dead doing otherwise. You're my best friend, Carly, and…I love you."

She finally forced herself to turn around and meet his eyes, now glinting slightly with tears. In the time they've been together, this was the first time he'd ever actually told her, word for word, that he loved her.

That was all it took for her to run back into his arms. She began sobbing about how she loved him too, that she was sorry, that she overreacted.

"Shh, it's okay, Carly," Thatch told her, stroking her hair, "I'm not mad at you, and I'm glad you're not mad at me. I promise, I'll go easy on you from now on."

As they melted into each other, he no longer felt like the same Thatch who tripped Pumpkinhead during gym or who pushed Wolfie into Blodge just because he was in his way. He just felt like a vamp in love.