As the fantasy ended, Anette realized she was crying. She never cried like this unless she was heartbroken or her artwork got destroyed.
Anette always thought of herself as an independent and sensible young woman, but now, she never felt so pathetic- or "moldy" as Fred would say- in her whole life.
Maybe it really was too late...
At that very moment, Anette heard the basement door open. She quickly wiped her tears and ducked behind the couch.
She heard three pairs of footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Nobody's here," said a familiar voice, "Moldy."
It was Fred!
"Because, I really wanted to see Anette and I think I finally had the guts to tell her."
Anette couldn't believe it. "Tell me what?"
She sat up and saw Fred, GG, and Fabienne standing on the stairway. She smiled at them.
"Anette?" Fred gasped.
The two teens walked up to each other until they were face-to-face.
Fabienne and GG shared surprised glances as if they didn't know what was going to happen.
"Anette, I think about you all the time," said Fred, "You're always in my dreams, I… love you."
Those were the exact words Anette wanted to hear, and she should've been happy, but still...
"Why?" asked Anette, "After all those times I shunned you and pushed you aside, unaware of your feelings for me, I thought by now you'd see me as a completely dense and emotionless ice queen."
Fred looked in startelement and concern as more tears ran down Anette's cheeks.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I must seem so 'moldy' right now, don't I? You deserve better, someone with a more colorful exterior, like Tamara."
After a short pause, Fred lifted Anette's chin, smiled, and said, "I think not."
"B-but…", Anette started to say, but was cut off by Fred's finger on her lips.
"I made mistakes, alright?" he said, "You had every right to be mad at me. Sure you may have used your frustration to jump to conclusions, but that doesn't make you cold or apathetic, it's just common sense."
Anette, relieved albeit surprised, smiled back.
"Exactly," said Fabienne to her best female friend, "If you really were a 'completely dense and emotionless ice queen', you wouldn't be regretting it right now, would you?"
"I...guess not," replied Anette, "But I shouldn't be forgiven easily just because I feel bad."
"Forgiven for what?" said GG, "You should be glad you got mad at Fred. He always told me how much he loves girls with common sense."
Fred blushed a little. Anette did too.
"Anyway," said Fred, "You could've given me a thousand dirty looks, and I'd still never give up on you. Do you know why? Because I've always known that underneath that seemingly numb exterior is a nice, caring, intelligent, talented, beautiful young woman. I-I mean, I know it sounds kinda corny, but it's true."
Anette wiped her tears and stared into Fred's dark eyes.
Fred Leblanc was always known for being blas'e and cynical, yet he was also sensitive, understanding, and cared about his friends.
"I love you Anette Freeze-Dright," he said, "And you're not emotionless. Don't you ever forget that."
Maybe this is what Anette needed; someone with a similar moody disposition who can understand her and open up her emotions.
Anette put her head to Fred's ear and said, "Mai bhee aap se pyaar karthee hoon*. Happy Birthday, Fred."
Fred stared back at Anette and stroked her hair.
("What the heck are you doing?" said Fabienne to GG who turned on a radio to "Youri" by Les Trois Accords, "Turn that music down!"
"Out of the question!" cried GG, "This is just like in the movies!")
Slowly, Fred and Anette embraced each other, then kissed.
This was truly the best sweet sixteen surprise of both Fred and Anette's lives.
THE END
Thought of the day
Anette: Whenever you feel you have a frozen heart, just remember...
Fred: (Puts his arm around Anette) There's always someone there to freeze-dry it out.
(They smirk at each other and kiss)
*Hindi: मई भी आप से प्यार करती हूँ -I love you too.