Thursday October 20, 1994

3:50 p.m

Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring

"Remember to read chapter 4! Have a good day everyone!" Everyone got up ignoring the teacher's words to try to be the first one out of the room. I frantically shoved all my books into my bag, and hurried to the growing crowd of people blocking the door to get into the hallway. I somehow managed to squeeze to the front and sprinted towards my locker. When I arrived I sighed in relief, opened it and grabbed my gym bag, and slammed the door shut.

"Hey Becca! Are we still on for tonight or are you tutoring someone for history?" I jumped at the voice and lightly punched the guy the voice belonged to.

"Gerard, don't scare me like that!" Gerard laughed at my reaction which made me laugh as well, and cool down to collect my thoughts.

"No history tutoring until next week. So we're still on but I may be a little late. Tennis practice has been going on longer than expected this whole week." We started walking the long journey to the tennis court engaging in conversation.

"Aww can't you skip just this once. Please, for me!" Gerard gave me a look a child would give their parents asking for candy.

"As much as I would love to skip practice, I can't. I have that big tournament Saturday morning." Gerard frowned in defeat. Causing me to feel bad.

"Can you at least stay the night? We could skip school tomorrow and you could practice at the court across from my house?" I thought about it for a while. Gerard and I never missed school and vacation wasn't for another month. We also didn't have tests tomorrow. I nodded my head at him.

"Sure thing! But I'm gonna need to grab an extra pair of clothes and pjs from my house."

"I can go pick them up for you, to save you the drive. Your mom shouldn't mind."

"Mind? She'll talk you into staying and make me go get your clothes." We both laughed at the truth of our circumstances.

Gerard's mom and my mom became best friends when my family moved into his neighborhood fifteenish years ago. As a result of that Gerard and I were taken everywhere with them from the age of two onwards. We grew closer from those outings becoming best friends to our mothers' happiness.

"That sounds like Linda for you but with your tournament coming up I doubt she'll do it," Gerard said, shaking his head.

"I bet you driving the golf cart to get your clothes if she makes you stay," Gerard looked horrified. The golf cart was my dad's most prized possession. He wouldn't let anyone drive it beside himself. Gerard thought for a moment and gave me a devilish smile.

"Fine but if I win then you have to clean Mikey's fish tank." I nearly gagged at that thought. I love fish and aquatic life but Mikey and fish don't mix. His tank smelled terrible and no one knew why as the fish was still alive.

"Deal then." I ran ahead of him waiting for him to catch up.

"Oh my gosh was Becca talking to that nerd?"

"Why's that douchebag around Becca doesn't he know his place?"

"Hey, nerd the dumpsters that way!"

I looked towards Gerard and saw his head was down with a look of defeat. I gave death glares towards the people calling him names and mouthed, 'fuck you' to them. Ever since I joined the tennis team people have been treating me as a "popular girl". It also didn't help that my history teacher appointed me to become the tutor for history due to my stellar grades. Guys would purposely flunk to come see me which annoyed me. I would reject their flirting and plead to go out with me resulting in them bullying Gerard, because he was the only guy I would hang out with. If only they would give him a chance would they see the incredible guy he is.

"I'm so sorry Gerard."

"I'm not a douchebag."

"Of course you aren't! You're my best friend. They are the douchebag or should I say dickbags." Gerard smiled lightly at me and mouthed 'thank you'. We walked in silence until we passed the gym. Gerard stopped causing me to as well and then ran ahead of me.

"It's payback time!" He turned around and stuck his tongue out at me.

"Hey, wait for me!" I ran towards him, catching up.

We finally made it to the tennis court that sat next to the student parking lot, and parted our ways. I watched him get into his car and waved bye to him.

"I'll see you in a couple hours!" I yelled and waved like a maniac. He displayed his signature lopsided smile, waved at me pulling his car out of the parking spot and drove towards the direction of our neighborhood. I sighed and pushed my long blonde hair behind my ear as the image of his car disappeared into the distance.

"Masterson! Stop drooling over your boyfriend and get changed!" I looked towards the direction of my coach and rolled my eyes walking to the court's locker room to change. I wish he was my boyfriend.

I've had a crush on Gerard since the 6th grade. As much as our mothers would be thrilled to know this I couldn't tell them or him. I couldn't risk losing our friendship over some silly feelings. Besides who's to say he has the same feelings for me. I walked out of the locker room in my white tennis uniform and sat on the bench. I still have this year with Gerard and then we'll be going to college together in Boston. I smiled at the thought of having more time with him.

"Everyone we're doing singles today so I need Masterson and Prescott up here!" I smiled at my coach's words and grabbed my racket. Since I was going first I could leave earlier. I got into place and stared at my teammate across the court. I watched her toss the ball up into the air, swinging her racket which sent the ball my way. I smiled as it came near me, gripping my racket tighter and swung.

6:30 p.m.

"Masterson, great job out there. I expect good things from you come Saturday."

"Really?"

"Yes really! Now go home." I smiled at my coach's words and ran to the locker room showers. After drying off I changed into some new clothes consisting of a purple long sleeve top, flared dark blue jeans, and black converse; and walked out to my car. I got in and pulled my bulky cell phone out calling Gerard.

"Hello?"

"Hello! So what's the verdict?"

"So you were right and your mom's currently making me food." He sounded embarrassed which made me laugh.

"I told you so! I'll be there in 7 minutes."

"See you!" He hung up allowing me to throw my cellphone in the passenger seat.

I buckled up and pulled out of my parking space and drove out of the parking lot to the main road. I drove until I could see my house come into view and slowed down to pull into the driveway. I parked next to Gerard's car, grabbed my bags and headed to the front door. I opened the door, throwing my bags on the bench next to it.

"Becca, honey is that you?" I heard my mom calling as I was locking up.

"Yeah it's me!" I walked into the kitchen and saw Gerard and my mom talking at the table. I smiled and walked towards them hugging my mom from behind.

"Hey mom. I see you have very dashing company," I said in a fake southern accent. Gerard gave me a confused look but decided to play along.

"That would be me and who might this delightful gal be?" We started laughing while my mom rolled her eyes.

"You two and your jokes. Becca, honey I had your dad pull out the air mattress it's in your room. Gerard, you can sleep there and I'll lay out bedding for you in a little while." My mom smiled at both of us, and got up walking to the stove to steer her chili.

"Thanks mom!"

"Thanks Linda!" Gerard and I got up and walked upstairs to my bedroom. We collapsed on my bed and just layed like that for a moment in silence.

"Gerard, it seems I won the bet." I turned my head to look at him and smiled.

"Yes, you did and now Dan is going to hate me forever."

"I don't think he will. He sees you as the son he's never had."

"You really think so?" He turned his head towards me with hopeful eyes.

"Hmm let me think. He lets you drive his car if you need it. He's teaching you to play guitar. He lets you sleep in the same room as his daughter. And he gets excited when good things happen to you and sad when you get hurt. I think my dad likes you."

"I guess you're right." He smiled back at me.

"So when are we going out then?" I got up to grab a blanket and wrapped it around me falling back into bed next to him.

"When it gets dark it'll be more fun." Gerard looked at me and started laughing.

"You look like E.T. with the blanket wrapped around you like that." I looked at him confused and sprinted to my dresser's mirror. To my dismay I did look like E.T. I threw my blanket at Gerard.

"Now I don't look like E.T." I turned to him and stuck my tongue out. He lightly laughed at me and got off my bed to look at my bookcase filled with VHS tapes.

"I never realized how many tapes you had."

"My dad and you got me most of them."

"I have to stop doing that as often. You have too many."

"Let's watch 16 Candles!" I exclaimed sitting next to him holding the tape's box. He looked as if he was disgusted.

"Fine, no 16 Candles. What genre is it tonight?" I placed the tape back and turned to him.

"Horror." I got excited at his words but didn't want to pick something that scary since we'd be going out later.

"I want it to be a little scary. Since we still have to go to your place and get your clothes." Gerard thought for a minute and had an ah ha moment.

"You wanna watch Carrie?" Gerard pulled the tape out and turned towards me with a questionable look. I nodded my head getting up and walked over to the TV to get it set up. I changed the channel to 3 and turned the VCR on. Gerard placed the tape in and hit play as I turned the lights off and ran to my bed to escape the fake monsters. I wrapped the blanket around me again making sure to keep it on my shoulders instead of my head. Gerard took a seat next to me and motioned for some blanket which I allowed. The blanket was wrapped around us and we laid back watching the movie, commenting here and there on the decisions some of the teens made. I eventually heard snoring half way through and turned my head to see Gerard asleep. I shook my head and turned my lamp on.

Knock-Knock

"Becca?" My door opened revealing my mom.

"Dinners ready honey." My mom then noticed Gerard was passed out.

"Okay mom. We'll be down in a minute."

"Becca, honey we need to talk." My mom motioned for me to come into the hallway. I walked out, closing the door and took a seat on the bench next to her.

"What's going on?" I was nervous and scared at what she was going to say.

"Becca, I know Gerard and you are friends." Oh another plead for us to date, I relaxed.

"But do you know if you two will start dating?" I looked down, shaking my head.

"Mom, no. I can't."

"Why can't you?"

"Mom." I lowered my head and frowned.

"Mom, if we start dating and it doesn't work out, I will lose him." I got teary eyed and wiped them away.

"Becca, you two have been best friends for 16 years. I've seen the way you two act around each other and it's closer than friends." I looked up at her wide eyed.

"What do you mean?"

"You guys are always at Donna's or our house. When you two have a school project and it's a partner one, you always pair up. You two sleep in the same room when you're over to stay the night. For home coming the past two years you both went together and came home pretty late."

"Mom, we're just real good friends." My mom shook her head at my response.

"When I went over to their house Monday to help get Mikey situated after his wisdom teeth got pulled, he mentioned something. He was very out of it from the medicine and was speaking truthfully. He mentioned to Donna and I about how Gerard is a chicken for not asking you out already. We asked him what he meant and he said Gerard has liked you since 5th grade." My eyes grew wide and my heart started going a mile a minute.

"Mom."

"Becca, You two love each other. You need to tell him soon. Donna mentioned he's going to college in New York." I was still in shock and slightly mad and hurt he never told me his college plans changed. I just nodded my head. My mom smiled at me and got up to tell my dad dinner was ready. I just sat there taking in what she said. I tried to shake those thoughts away to no success and walked back into my room leaving the door open. I walked over to Gerard and started shaking him.

"Hey, it's dinner time." I said in a low voice. He moved his head and groaned a bit. His eyes opened slightly to suddenly close back up viewing the light from the hallway. He turned around and started to stretch followed by a yawn.

"Okay, hold on." His voice sounded groggy which made my heart speed up. He lazily got up from my bed and yawned again following me out of my room. We walked down the stairs, passed through the living room and into the kitchen sitting in our usual seats.

"There you two are." My mother smiled at Gerard and me.

"They finally came out of her cave." My dad looked at Gerard and me with a fake shocked expression.

"Dad!" I was embarrassed at his remark. Gerard laughed at my dad's comment allowing me to relax. We ate with small conversations here and there. Once dinner ended we helped clean up and then ran back upstairs to my room.

8:21 P.M.

"Your mom's chili is the best. She needs to give my mom her recipe." Gerard sat on the floor blowing the last bit of the air mattress up.

"Right? I'd like to taste Donna's version. She always makes changes making it her own." I pulled the fitted sheet out and started placing it on the bed.

"That's my mom for you." Gerard rolled his eyes and grabbed the flat sheet and comforter placing it on the mattress. I pulled a pillow off my bed and placed it on the mattress. We looked over his "bed" for the night and felt something was missing. I turned to my bed and grabbed one of my teddy bears and placed it on his bed.

"Really?" Gerard jokingly asked.

"What Mr. Fuzzy bear will protect you." I replied in a childlike manner. Gerard laughed at me and smiled.

"I know you've had him forever it seems."

"Of course I do. You won him for me back at the fair." I looked away so he wouldn't see my blush and smiled.

"I didn't think you'd keep him but I'm glad you did." Gerard smiled at me and sat on my bed. I laid next to him still full from dinner. He crawled next to me and poked my cheek.

"Becca, you wanna go now?" I nodded my head enthusiastically and got up.

"Yes, let's go!"

"First, let me mourn the life I had before your dad kills me" I rolled my eyes at his words.

"My dad loves you. I doubt he'll be mad." Gerard just shook his head and grabbed a spear jacket he left in my closet.

We shoved our shoes on and slowly walked down the stairs. My parents were nowhere in sight so we bolted to the garage door and opened it. It was colder than expected so I grabbed my winter coat and made Gerard wear one of my dad's so he wouldn't freeze to death. I opened the door to the garage again and grabbed the golf cart's key from the key hook, and handed it to Gerard. Thankfully, my dad was just out in the cart giving us the advantage of a clear driveway and open garage.

We climbed into the cart and buckled up. Gerard nervously placed the keys in and started the cart up and backed out. He smoothly got us on the road and turned the radio on which relaxed him a bit. Gerard's house was about 6 minutes away by car so we'd be there soon. I looked down at the radio and turned it to the alternative station.

"Becca look!" My head snapped up and looked where Gerard was pointing and my eyes went wide. A lot of the houses were fully decorated in lights and props for Halloween. I felt like a child again seeing the lights just made me forget about everything. I could tell Gerard felt the same way as he was driving slower than usual. He looked adorable with that goofy lopsided smile of his. My heart started to pound again and I felt a blush on my cheeks. Thankfully the cold weather could excuse it.

"Becca it feels like Christmas!" He was right; it felt like we walked into one of those parks that displayed Christmas lights everywhere. Sure we could have seen this in our car but nothing could beat the feeling we had right then. The cold autumn air hitting our face, the adrenalin we got from making turns that moved our body slightly out of the cart, and the music and lights making us feel like the main character in a movie.

"Gerard, it's beautiful!" I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness but it quickly went away as we pulled into Gerard's driveway.

He turned the cart off and unbuckled his seat belt.

"You coming?" I nodded my head and unbuckled my seat belt following him into the house. We walked down the basement stairs to Gerard's room where he started shoving his clothes in a duffel bag, which led me to think about the conversation I had earlier with my mom. ""You guys are closer than friends. Gerard has liked you since the 5th grade. Donna said he's going to a college in New York."" I looked at Gerard and frowned. I didn't want to be stuck as just his best friend. Especially since he'd be going to New York for school. The thought of another girl being with him made my blood boil. I had to tell him before he left. I was terrified but my mother's words reassured me.

"You ready?" He turned back to me with a questionable stare.

"Gerard, there's something I want to talk to you about." Gerard looked worried and took a seat on his bed which I followed.

"Did I say something wrong?" He sounded worried.

"No you didn't. I just. I." This is way harder than I thought it'd be. I looked down taking a deep breath in and out.

"Becca?" He lowered his head and lifted my face so he could see me.

"Why didn't you tell me about going to college in New York instead of Boston?" He looked shocked and embarrassed.

"Becca I-I was gonna tell you but you had your heart set on Boston. I didn't want you to change your mind because of me. That tennis program is perfect for you and you're bound to be scouted there." I understood what he meant but it still hurt he didn't tell me.

"What's in New York?" I was scared of the answer being a girl.

"The art program is amazing there. You know I love drawing comics. I feel I can do more with that than the math program at Boston. The college has connections with big animation and publishing companies too."

"I know you've always loved drawing. It's just I wish you told me sooner." I lowered my head looking down trying to think straight. The realization of this being our last year together hit me and I couldn't hold back my tears. Gerard pulled me into a hug and started rocking me.

"Becca we'll still be friends." Hearing him say friends snapped me back to my mother's words. I took a deep in and out and looked up at Gerard.

"Gerard, there's something I need to tell you. Promise me things won't change." Gerard looked confused but nodded his head.

"Gerard, I really like you." I stared at his face trying to figure out a response by his facial expressions. He smiled.

"Becca, I like you too. That's why we're best friends." My stomach and my expression dropped.

"No Gerard, I like you more than a best friend. I love you." I held my breath waiting on his response. His eyes went wide and mouth dropped. I allowed myself to breathe seeing his lopsided smile appear on his face.

"Really?" Gerard questioned and looked down at me.

"Yes, I've liked you since 6th grade." Gerard lowered his head to me pressing his forehead against mine.

"Gerard?"

"Becca." My face turned red. Gerard moved his head closer and pressed his lips against mine. I instantly felt a jolt of electricity go throughout my body. This felt so right. I kissed back, wrapping my arms around his neck pulling him closer. I felt him smirk as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me on top of him falling back onto his bed. We lightly giggled at the sudden fall and continued kissing. This eventually turned into a make out session that was disturbed by the door swinging open.

"Gerard do you-." Gerard and I pulled apart and sat on opposite sides of the bed with red faces.

"Nevermind." Mikey's face turned red from embarrassment and walked out of the room, closing the door. Gerard crawled towards me and wrapped his arms around me pulling me closer to him. I laid my head back relaxing into him and the bed. I never wanted this feeling to go away. We sat there for a minute in silence taking in what just happened.

"Becca, will you be my girlfriend?" My cheeks went red and my heart fluttered. I nodded my head enthusiastically.

"Of course so!" I broke away from his hug and turned around to kiss him. We fell back into a make out session but kept it short.

"We should get back to your place before Dan freak's out." I nodded my head and got off the bed with him. Gerard grabbed his bag and took my hand in his and walked up the stairs. When we got to the top of the stairs we heard Donna call for him.

"Gerard, are you home?" Gerard looked down at me and whispered, "stay here and wait till I tell her who's here to come up." I was confused since Donna loved it when I came over. He opened the door and walked into the kitchen where his mom was.

"Yeah mom?"

"Gerard, is Becca here? Dan's golf cart is here and I know he doesn't let anyone use it," Donna sounded skeptical and worried.

"Becca? Oh you mean my girlfriend." I felt that was my cue to walk up. I pushed the door open and walked into the kitchen and hugged Gerard. My eyes met a wide eyed Donna. Her lips curved into a smile and her eyes filled with excitement.

"Becca, is this true?" I nodded my head and kissed Gerard's cheek. Donna ran to us and hugged us saying how happy she was that one of her boys won my heart.

"I'm happy for you both. I'm guessing you have to leave since your dad's golf cart is here."

"Unfortunately yes." I felt embarrassed on how she even knew my dad's rule.

"Well, be careful getting home. Gerard, are you staying over or coming home?"

"I'll be home tomorrow." He motioned to his bag.

"Well again be careful you two." Donna walked us both out and made sure we got on the road safely. We drove away waving bye and passed a couple houses before we heard a voice in the distance.

"Gerard, make sure to use protection!" Our faces went red and Gerard avoided eye contact with me until we started passing the houses with lights.

"Um sorry about that."

"It's okay. She's just looking out for us." Gerard slowed the cart down to take in the lights again.

"This really is beautiful. Can you imagine what they'll do for Christmas?" Gerard turned to face me displaying his cute lopsided smile. I giggled at him and shook my head side to side.

"No I can't but I know what we're going to do in December." We rode through the street of lights eventually speeding up once the lights disappeared.

"Hey, when we get back to your place. Do you want to watch 16 Candles?" I smiled in amazement at him and nodded my head.

"Yes please! What made you want to watch it? I thought you hated romance movies."

"Well I just got an amazing girlfriend and I want to start showing her I care more about her interests. Plus I'm not that up to date on being romantic." He smiled shyly towards me causing me to giggle.

"Your girlfriend sounds amazing."

"I'm pretty sure you'd like her. She's just like you." I smiled at him and took his free hand in mine.

9:15 p.m.

When we got back to my house we were scolded by my dad for taking the golf cart out. However, it was quickly forgiven when we told my mom and him we were officially dating. My mom had tears in her eyes and pulled me aside to give me "the talk" and told me where she stored the condoms. My face was red from embarrassment and all I wanted to do was disappear. Whereas for Gerard, my father pulled him aside telling him to take care of me, and he'd alway be there for him if he needed anything.

We finally escaped my parents and ran up to my room to change for bed. While Gerard was changing in the bathroom I was freaking out on what to wear. I couldn't wear my normal matching pj set that looked like it belonged to my grandma. I tore my dresser apart until I found a cream silk set and threw it on. Gerard finally came out in a band tee and red checkered pants, while I put the last of my clothes back in the drawers.

"Are those new?" Gerard was confused and grabbed 16 Candles from the bookcase.

"Kind of." I turned the TV on and took the tape from his hand and placed it into the VCR. We crawled onto my bed and grabbed the blanket we had earlier placing it over us and laid back. I laid my head on his chest and wrapped my arm around his waist. He laid his head on mine and his hand on my arm. We stole kisses from each other every so often when the movie got a little dull.

Once the movie ended we turned everything off and Gerard moved to the air bed. I layed in bed under the cover missing his warmth and started tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep still thinking about his presence and the possibility of staying together, because of the school choice I made.

"Gerard, are you up?" I turned over and looked down to see if I could make out his figure.

"Yeah. I can't sleep."

"I can't either." We stayed silent for a minute.

"I'm coming up." I was confused by his statement and moved when I saw his figure coming towards me. He lifted the covers and slid into bed with something.

"I brought Mr. Fuzzy bear too." I got excited and took the bear into my arms hugging it and turned the other way facing away from Gerard.

"Hey, what about me?" Gerard sounded hurt so I turned around and laid in the same position we did earlier.

"Sorry, I'm here now." I looked up to meet his eyes and kissed him quickly.

"Come back here." He pulled me up to his level and kissed me over and over.

"Gerard?" He stopped and pulled back.

"Yeah?"

"What about college? I know New York will work best for you but Boston is so far away." I felt awful bringing the topic up again but I knew it would be hard to keep the relationship alive living 4 hours away from each other.

"We'll make it work Becca. I know we will." I nuzzled my head into his neck and sighed. Then something hit me. The tournament I had this Saturday would have scouts from the NCSA. If I get scouted by them then I could study history in New York. My face lit up and I jolted up scaring Gerard.

"Ah, what happened?"

"Gerard the NCSA will be there Saturday!"

"The what?"

"The National College Scouting Association. They help you connect to the best school in any state. Even if the school isn't known for the sport you pick, they'll help you get into programs to help you."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"But what will you study if you don't do tennis?"

"History, you know I love learning and reading about it."

"That's true and you're pretty damn good at it."

"Yes I am." I layed back down and nuzzled my head into his neck.

"Becca, please don't do this just for me. I don't want you to give up your dreams of tennis"

"I'm not. Besides, my mom said I should have a plan b just in case tennis didn't work out. Plus do you really think I could play tennis as a career my whole life?" Gerard shook his head no and pulled me closer kissing the top of my head.

"No, I don't see you doing that the rest of your life." Gerard started gently rubbing my arm.

"Hey Becca, I love you."

"I love you Gerard."

"Goodnight."

"Night."

We shared one last kiss before falling asleep in each other's arms.

-Becca Masterton has officially left the friend zone.-