• I just kept walking, getting wetter each step I take in the rain. Who cares if I come home a little wet? It’s not like mom will be home, and dad is probably at his apartment asleep on the couch. But hey, I don’t have any homework, I could call Ian. I walk up the driveway and through the door. After I throw my backpack beside the door I flip out my phone and dial Ian’s number. I tap my foot impatiently as it rings slowly and he picks up on the third ring, “Hey Ames, what’s up?” “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out for a bit, you free?” I asked hoping with my fingers crossed. “Sure! I’ll come pick you up, does the bike sound good?” he asked, “Sure” and he hung up before I could even say, “see ya in a bit.”
    I’ve known Ian forever, we’re best friends. He’s 17 and I’m 16 but otherwise we go to the same school and live in the same district. Ian is a tall, skinny, choppy black-haired, average A and B high-school student. I ran to the front window when I heard his Yamaha pulling up on the curb. I clicked open the door and smiled at him through the rain, he grinned back and waved me to come on. I grabbed a few snacks, ran out the door, and jumped on the bike behind him with my arms wrapped around his torso. He laughed, “Excited are we?” he asked. “Why wouldn’t I?” I answered smiling. I suddenly remembered that I had my iPod in my back pocket, before we took off from the curb I plugged one earphone in my left ear and the other in his. He shot away from the curb grinning like a fool from the exhilaration with me behind clinging for my life.
    We drove all the way to the south-side beach laughing and I fell off the bike into the sand still giggling a bit. “That never gets old does it?” Ian asked pulling me to my feet and lingering with his fingers still on my arm before pulling his hand away, embarrassed. I have always thought that Ian had a bit of a crush on me since we were about 12 years old, but I believe that, that crush has begun to grow steadily the more we’ve been hanging out. I have never truly thought of myself as ‘pretty’ I’m a lean, brunette haired, kinda tall girl. I just don’t feel pretty through my eyes, and thinking of how Ian sees makes me want to know how he feels.
    I snapped from my thoughtful state and grinned slyly at Ian. His eyes grew bigger and he started to back away, “don’t you dare, Amy, you know what will happen.” I just kept grinning and walking towards him. Suddenly I jumped at him and tickled him enough to get him laughing loudly and I ran for my life. He stumbled to his feet and started after me in a quick sprint and I sped up a bit. After a few minutes of running he finally tackled me and pinned me down on my back.
    We were both breathing heavily and laughing. He rolled over to my side while holding my hand and lay beside me. He then asked me a question, “Hey Ames, what if I told you I liked this girl?” I thought for a second before answering, “who?” he was silent for a few slight seconds before answering my question, he sighed then, “someone I have known for a long time.” I froze and my muscles locked in place. “Amy?” he asked. “yes?” I struggled to speak. “I love you, I always have more than like a friend, do you love me like I love you?” I choked out the words after thinking a bit. He was so perfect, I don’t deserve him, but I do love him the way I do, but I hid it so I couldn’t hurt him. So I answered, “Yes, I do Ian, I love you like you love me.”
    He sat up silently and I did too.He turned to face me and looked into my eyes as if searching for lie. I looked back into his. I guess he decided there was no lie in my eyes since he started to lean in. I did too as a reaction, our lips were then interlocked. His hand slid to the back of my neck and my hand to his side. After lip-locking for about 7 long seconds I pulled away. “I’m sorry,” he almost whispered and started for his bike. “No, Ian!” I called out and ran over to grab his shoulder. “There’s no need to leave, I’m fine with us being more than friends,” I spoke softly. He smiled tinily down at me and kissed my forehead and hugged me. “We should get home,” He spoke through my hair. “Fine but lets make sure we see each other in school tomorrow.” I answered. We drove home slowly and silently both thoughtful....