"Are you going to tell him?" Kayla asked.

I twirled my fingers as my hands laid in my lap. "Um, probably not."

"Are you sure? This will be your last chance." She said with concern.

"I think it might be better that way. If he didn't know." I said looking up from my textbook in front of me.

We were currently in my living room trying to study for our upcoming exam. Key word, trying.

Something was looming above us for the past couple of weeks and that was the fact that Nate, our best friend, was moving to Florida.

He wasn't just our best friend.

He is my first love.

Every since we were in the kindergarten up until now we've always been close. Inseparable you could say. I don't know when it turned into love, but one day I looked at him and knew that I was in love. I think a part of me always liked him, but I just brushed it off till I couldn't anymore.

"You know he's leaving tomorrow morning, right? This is literally your last chance." Kayla added.

I groaned and slammed my head into my textbook. "I should tell him, shouldn't I?"

"At least you would get it off your chest and if he rejects you we can always hang in upside down on that huge oak tree in the park."

I chuckled.

"Who knows, he might just feel the same." Kayla added.

Could he?

Maybe?

I was lost in my thoughts for a few moments until car keys landed in front of me.

Kayla didn't say anything, but just nodded towards the door.

The only way to find out is to confess myself.

All these feelings I've had for such a long time.

I grabbed the keys and my wallet. "I'll be back soon!" I yelled from the door entrance.

"Come back with your man!" Kayla yelled back as I closed the front door.

I shook my head in amusement at her remark and hopped into the car.

A few minutes later and I pulled up to the Rylan's house. Parked in front were two huge moving trucks. Workers were loading items onto them.

I walked up towards the front door only to come face to face with Nate and a box.

"Whoa, careful." He said as he looked over to me. "Leah, what are you doing here?"

Nate's light brown hair was brushed across his forehead and slightly damped from sweat. His sweatshirt was rolled up to his elbows showing off his tan forearms.

"Just came over to see if you guys were all set with the move since you're leaving tomorrow. Looks like everyone is hard at work."

Nate placed box down next the truck. "Yeah, we're almost finished."

An awkward silence filled the air.

"Do you need any help?" I asked to break the silence.

"No no, we have enough as you can see." He said gesturing to the load of workers.

Another awkward silence.

Why is it like this?

It's never like this.

Nate cleared his throat. "Let's go for a walk. I think they have it handled here."

I nodded as we walked down the cobblestone walkway. We walked side by side into the huge backyard.

"Are you excited to move to Florida?"

Nate let out a soft chuckle. "Not really."

"Why not? You have all the beaches, hot weather and Disney World over there." I mentioned.

"Disney is overrated."

I gasped.

"No way! Disney is iconic." I defended.

Nate smiled. " I guess so. But it's no fun if I don't have my best friends over there with me."

"Yeah, I can understand that. But we're one call away" I added trying to cheer him up.

We walked over to the old outdoor playground. It was huge. Three different types of slides, monkey bars and swings.

I sat on one of the swings and Nate did the same.

"I can't believe you guys still have this thing." I told him.

"Yeah, me too. I thought mom would have gotten rid of it awhile ago, but I think she kept if for the memories."

"Remember when I bet you to jump off the the top of the monkey bars and you landed face first into sand?"

Nate laughed. "Yeah, that's how I lost one of tooth. Thanks by the way."

"What are friends for?" I teased.

"I'm gonna miss this." Nate said.

I nodded. "Me too."

I bit my bottom lip. It's now or never.

"I'm gonna miss you." I told Nate.

He looked over to me. "I'm gonna miss you too, Leah."

I could feel all my emotions bubbling up and all of sudden tears start to form in my eyes.

Concern filled Nate's face. "Leah, don't cry." He kneeled right in front of me me and tucked my hair behind my ear. "Like you said, one call away."

"Nate." I said softly.

"Mhm." He hummed softly as he wiped away the builded up tears.

Now or never.

"I like you."

Nate froze. His eyes met mine. So many emotions filled his eyes. I couldn't tell what he was feeling.

Then it settled.

Guilt filled his face.

At that moment, I knew.

Nate didn't feel the same.

"Leah, I'm sorry. But-" He started but I cut him off.

"No, no it's okay. You don't feel the same. I get it." I said fighting back my tears.

"Leah, it's not-" He started once more, but I didn't want hear it.

I stood up and he followed.

"It's okay, Nate. You don't have to say anything." I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek one last time. "Enjoy Florida."

I walked away from him standing there on the playground with my heart crushed in pieces on the ground in front of him. Tears fell from eyes as I literally sprinted to my car.

Thank god he's going to Florida tomorrow, I couldn't face him again. Knowing he doesn't feel the same.

Now or never.

It should have been never.

—

"Leah, I like you."

I stood froze in place.

"Leah, sweetheart. Say something." Nate said softly.

"No, no way. You don't." I said breaking away from him.

"Leah." Nate said as he reach towards me.

I moved out of his reach. I started to feel suffocated. I needed to get out of here.

This can't be real.

I grabbed my purse and literally sprinted to the front door.

"Leah!" Nate called out.

I made it out to my car when I felt a strong hand grab my arm.

Nate spun me around to face him. "No, I let you walk away from me once before, I'm not letting you do it again."

"Why? Why now?" I asked. "If you felt the same when I confessed why didn't you say that!" I was close to yelling at this point. "Do you know the heartbreak I went through?! I had to learn to mend my heart over these past two years! To move on from you. Do you know how hard that was?!"

I felt tears starting to form in my eyes. Nate placed his hands on both sides of my head and pulled me close to him. He rested his forehead against mine for a moment.

"How could I?" He asked softly as he pulled away and looked directly into my eyes. "How could I tell you I like you and then leave the next day? I would break your heart either way. I didn't know what to do. But Leah, I came back. I'm here. I never stopped liking you. Those two years apart grew my feelings even more."

I shook my head. This can't be true.

"No." I pulled away and took a step back. "No, it's too late. You're too late, Nate."

Nate shook his head. "No, I'll prove it to you Leah. It's not too late."

Nate took a step forward and leaned down. He pressed his lips against my own softly and gently.

I froze in shock.

I stood there and didn't know what to do.

Nate was kissing me. He was kissing me.

Before I could fully register what happened, he pulled away and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I will prove it to you that it's not too late."

I didn't know what to say. I was speechless.

All I know is that I had to get out of here.

"I-I need to go." I stuttered out.

Before Nate could say anything or stop me, I was already in the driver's seat and backing out of his driveway.

Once I made it on the main road, I felt my shoulder relax a bit.

What the hell just happened??

Did Nate really just confessed that he likes me? And that he always has?

This is unreal.

And did he actually just kissed me!?

Oh dear lord.

Am I in a parallel universe??

I pulled into my driveway and parked my car. Cutting off the engine, I rest my head on the headrest and try to gather my thoughts. So much as happened.

Too much.

I let a sigh out just as I heard my phone ring. I grabbed it to see who was calling and I literally froze and felt my heart in throat.

Jace. My phone screen read.

Perfect timing.

I didn't know if I should answer. I know I haven't heard from him in a bit and I was concern about him especially what happened in the parking lot the other day.

My mind was reeling.

Before I could make a decision about answering or not, a knock on my window scared me out of my thoughts.

I looked over to see who it was and if I had to gun it out of here or not.

I was met with familiar hazel eyes.

This is just not my day.

****

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