Rocky suddenly lunged forward, though not on his own but by force. Emily grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him to her. She hugged him tightly for a brief seven second count before shoving him back from her, and landing a firm slap to his cheek. Then she yanked him to her again for another hug.

"Rocky, I'm so sorry." She said over his shoulder. "If I'd known, then.." She shoved him away and punched his right shoulder. "If I had known then I wouldn't have gone on a date with someone else. How could you not tell me?"

'Because I lied.' He shook his head. He's at a loss for words. All he can hear is his own voice repeatedly saying the lie.

"Answer me. Why didn't you tell me?" She looked him in the eye. Eyes that were not present to see her gaze. Eyes of someone staring far, far away.

"I told you, the doctor said-.."

She cut him off. "And I told you, who cares what the doctor said. Don't you think by reading my diaries that I'll suddenly have a jarring moment? Nobody's stopping me from doing that. So, why didn't you tell me?"

'Because I lied.' He thought again. 'I'm a horrible person, trying to make my fantasy real.' He felt tears welling, but he kept them in by letting out a sigh. "Emily, I didn't know you'd have amnesia for this long. And, I wasn't exactly not acting like your boyfriend." Which was true. Anyone watching them would assume that the two of them are a couple.

Emily closed her eyes as an ache hit her. He was right about that. She definitely got boyfriend vibes from him. But when she asked her friends, they said "No." Even her parents. Unless they were all in on it.

"I didn't think you'd ever ask someone out or get asked out. I'm sorry." Rocky said. "I didn't know that you made a date, I would have told you right then otherwise."

"So, it's my fault?"

"It's not either of our fault."

Emily sniffled. "I feel so stupid." She crossed her arms. "I could have just asked you, but I didn't wanna embarrass you if it turned out we're just friends." She wrapped her arms around him again. "I read my diaries and I thought we were together, but I wasn't sure if you like me or if I liked you, and even if one of us did, what did it mean?"

"I really do like you, Emily." He smiled shyly. "Do you like me?"

"Of course I do. You're my best friend, and more, apparently."

'Apparently. Yeah.' He hugged her without letting her go, until he could calm his expression to neutral. If she was to see the manic panic there, he'd have to come clean. 'I should come clean. A ninja is honest and good. What I'm doing is... It's disgusting.'

"Um, Rocky, you can let me go now." She said over his shoulder. She took a step back once he let go of his hug.

'Am I really not gonna say anything?' Wondered the regretful ninja.

"I'm glad the air is cleared. I'm even more glad that nothing happened with Darren and me."

'You and me both.' He hated himself for asking, but he had to ask. "Did anything happen with you and Darren, well, besides the movie?"

"No."

Rocky was glad that he could breathe again. Who knew Darren wasn't a player? He would have figured the guy would have tried for a cheek kiss, but would wait and try to land it on Emily's lips.

"Seriously, Rocky, I really liked Darren and wanted to date him. We could have hurt our relationship because you decided to withhold the truth." Crossing her arms over her chest, she asked. "No more withholding. Is there anything else you're not telling me because of the amnesia?"

"Umm…" Rocky's gaze darted left. "No," he said too quickly. "I just remembered that I was supposed to go pick something up from the store for my mom. I gotta go."

Confused. Emily nodded. "Ok. I'll find my way home."

"No. I'll walk with you."

"I think I should go alone. I need to break up with Darren. We had plans to play mini golf this coming weekend. I have to take it back and dump him." She rocked on her heels. "It could be uncomfortable for you."

"Right. Um, sorry to put you in this situation."

"You should be." She retorted with a smile. "But, you can make it up to me because I still really would like to play mini golf."

"And I will take you."

"Good." Leaning forward she kissed him on the cheek.

She might have said something after leaning away before she left for home, but Rocky didn't hear it. He only heard the rapid sound of his heart, and a chime. A beautiful chime. A content smile spread across his face, becoming more and more pleased as he replayed the moment. The prettiest girl in school just kissed his cheek. The prettiest girl in school is his girlfriend. HIS girlfriend. Not Darren's or anyone else.

As his palpitations calmed, he found his mobility and started for home. He took the long route to avoid bumping into Emily after telling her a lie about needing to go to the market. It wouldn't do to keep lying to her.

His feet skid to a slow stop. He lied to her. Twice. This kiss that has him feeling so good was earned falsely. 'I'm not better than someone who forces themself on someone. What have I done?'

...

"Well there you are," his mother said after the front door opened and Rocky entered. "I didn't think you'd be out so long. Did you get a chance to talk to Emily?"

"Yeah."

"How'd it go?"

"Good."

"Good?"

"She's not seeing Darren anymore."

"That is good news."

He nodded.

Jessica watched her son head for his bedroom. He looked deflated, defeated, and despaired. She wondered what could have happened.

At the Farmer home.

Emily is in her bedroom staring at her phone. She called Darren but got the voicemail. He must either be showering, bathroom needs, or doing an activity away from his phone because most people pick up their cell phone since it's always with them. She left a message and is now waiting for him to call back. Maybe it would be better if she kept waiting? She thought. She has no clue what to say to him. Oh, hey, remember that budding relationship? Yeah. Well, that's all done because it turns out she's already got a boyfriend. Tee-hee. Or, I can't date you because it turns out I forgot I already have a boyfriend due to amnesia.

If nothing else, that was the most kind way she could present it. Who wouldn't understand? She jumped when her phone rang. The words on the screen broke her heart a bit. My guy. She waited for the ringtone to just about reach the end before answering.

"Hi."

"Hey, what's up?" He asked. "You said we need to talk? Y'know, your voice sounds cute over voicemail - that's really rare."

"Is it? Thanks." She smiled. She squeezed her eyes shut. 'Stop with that tone. No flirting.' She ordered her fluttering heart to calm it down, too. "Umm, you see... I have some - huh?"

"I said I can't wait for our date. I figured after mini golf I can show you my cooking skills."

"You cook?" She made herself comfortable by laying on her stomach instead of sitting tensed up against the headboard.

"Well, I watch my little brother sometimes, I know how to throw stuff together."

"What would you make?"

"We would make pizza together."

She grinned. That is so adorable. She's never made a meal with a date before. At least, she doesn't think so. The situation came back to her, and she tried to gain control over the conversation. "That sounds great, but, I have some troubling news."

"What?"

She wet her drying lips. Closing her eyes, she said quietly. "I can't go out with you."

Darren had a pause, then spoke. "That's ok. Next time then,"

"No. I mean, not ever."

"Why not?" He answered his own question. "Don't tell me Douglas got to you?"

"Well, yes and no."

"I thought so. Stupid little rat." He grumbled. "That little as-.."

"No, Darren, he didn't tell me not to date you.. He came clean about us."

"What are you talking about?"

"Rocky, and I... It turns out we were dating. I didn't know because of the accident leaving me with amnesia."

Darren, again, was quiet. "Tch. Some boyfriend then. Maybe he didn't tell you because he wanted to break up with you, and found that your amnesia was an easy out." He snorted. "Yeah, and then when he found out about us, he all of a sudden remembers you two were together. That's bullshit"

"Don't be petty. He didn't tell me because of the doctors. They said jarring my memory on purpose could backfire." She sat up. The tension seemed to need a seated position to work its magic. "He was trying not to hurt me. But, yeah, us dating did freak him out so he had to say something. Wouldn't you, if your girlfriend was in the same situation as me?"

"No. I would have told her right away."

"It's different for everyone."

"So... that's just it?"

"Sorry. I'm really sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"Can we still be friends?" His silence said it all. "Darren?"

"...Yeah. I'd rather not. But, yeah. It's cool."

She breathed a sigh of relief. At least there's no bad blood between them. "Thanks. And, again, I'm sorry."

"Again, it's not your fault. Who knows, maybe someday you and him will split up and we can try again."

"Definitely." She corrected herself. "Not that I'm pushing for a breakup, but, you know what I mean."

Darren laughed. The reason is unclear. "So, just friend, let's talk for a little."

"Ok."

And they did. Just as friends. But, why was her heart still fluttering?