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STEFAN

I had put on a hoodie on to muffle my cries, but I soon heard a knock on the
door. No...no...it's Ashley...he's going to question me...and...s**t! What am I
supposed to say? "Hey Ashley I love you and I want you to love me back." These
things raced through the my mind as the door creaked open. It was Dru.

I scrunched up in the smallest ball I could and tried to hold in every tear that
slipped from my eyes. He walked over to me, looks of sympathy spreading like a
virus. "Stefan...what's wrong bro? Tell me what's troubling you. I care about
you and I want to help." That made me weep more. I didn't-I couldn't speak. He
sat down next to me and put his hand on my shoulder. Then he hugged me gently. I
finally decided to speak. "I love someone...and I don't...I don't know if they
love me back." Silence. Then Dru said, "Aw, s'okay, Stef. We'll help you through
this." He sat there with his arm over my shoulder, patted me, then got up. "I'll
get you some water." He said. Part of me wishes he had stayed.

A few moments later-I don't know how long-I heard footsteps coming back up the
stairs. Dru was back with that water. But my heart sank when I saw that it was
Ashley.


ASHLEY

When Dru came down, he told me that Stefan loved someone who he claimed didn't
love him back. "Did he tell you who it was?" I wondered. "No. And I didn't want
to push him for it." Dru said shakily. "I'm going to talk to him about it. Maybe
I can help." "Get him a glass of water on your way up, too." "No problem" I made
my way up the staircase, going slowly and carefully so the water wouldn't spill.
When I entered the room, surely enough, there was Stefan, shriviled up in a
corner, tears rolling down his red cheeks. "Stef...I brought you some water. I'm
here to help. Will you tell me what's bothering you?" I spoke softly and
tenderly, as I didn't want to further upset him. I put one hand on his cheek and
laid his head on my lap, stroking his hair sympathetically. I wanted him to know
that I was there and I wanted to help solve his love problem. Of course, I
couldn't get someone else to love him, but I would definately try.

After a few minutes, Stefan decided to speak. "There's this person I
l-love...and I'm afraid if I t-tell that person...that person will h-hate m-me."
I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. But I did tell him, "It'll be okay
Stef. Shhhhhh..." I could feel his tears soak through my jeans. But I didn't
care. I just wanted Stefan to be happy. I cuddled him, embracing him to the best
of my best ability. "Stefan...will you tell me who this person is?" I spoke
gently, not wanting to stir up his emotions. Silence.


STEFAN

There were no real words to describe what I was feeling when my head touched
Ashley's lap. Everything happened in slow motion. His beautiful words,
poetically making me look like a fool. I went stiff when he started stroking my
hair, his fingers sliding through my dark curls, like five snakes in deep grass.
I loved it. This was it. I knew it. I never thought I would admit something as
impacting as this. I never it would be him either. I rose when he asked me. I
turned to face him. My tears blurred my vision, and my voice barely emitted any
sound. But I uttered three words. "Ashley.....
...
...

it's you...."