Waves wash against the sandy shore and wood smoke floats through the air. Jane laughs from across the crackling fire. She's smiling as she puts her long back hair behind her ear. God, I love that smile. I reach for my beer, taking another sip. It's the last summer before college and she has no idea how I feel about her.

"Move over, bro," Alex says, sitting down.

"Sure," I respond, sliding over as he begins tuning his guitar.

"You gonna tell her?" he asks too loud for my liking.

"Dude," I grit my teeth, "shut up!"

In a lower tone, he says, "I'm not here to tell you how to live your life, Carl. But this is a speak now or forever hold your peace kinda situation."

I shake my head and take another sip of beer, "she's not getting married—"

"You know what I mean," Alex responds, "do what you want, man. But do you really wanna wake up every day wondering what would have happened if you had told Jane—"

"Spare me the speech," I cut him off, "I'll—"

"Tell me what?" Jane asked looking down at me with those gorgeous brown eyes.

I reach for my beer, immediately putting it to my lips.

Alex smiled knowingly, "Carlos was just telling me that he wanted to go for a walk with you."

That son of a bitch. I shot daggers at him.

"A walk actually sounds good right about now," she says, looking at me expectantly.

"Uh, great," I answer, springing to my feet, beer in hand, "let's head over there," I point towards the cliffs.

She smiles and walks past me. I shoot Alex another disapproving glare before following Jane—he gives me a thumbs up.

We walk in silence for a bit. My heart beats like a drum. Despite that, I break the silence, "so you're going to UBC in a few weeks, right?"

She smiles, "yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. And you're going to Simon Fraser, right?"

I couldn't believe she remembered. I smiled, "yeah."

"We'll have to figure out a way to see each other since we'll be so close," she says.

"Yeah, of course."

"Good," she replies.

It's quiet again, save for the waves on the shore. My stomach feels like mangled knots. But It's now or never; I have to tell her.

"Jane," I begin, "there's something I have to tell you." I pause.

"Yes?"

I take a swing of my beer, "I'm in love with you," I blurt out.

Her eyes search my face. Then she says, "Carlos...I don't know what to say."

My heart's racing. I feel warm. There's a lump in my throat. "I had to tell you—I've loved you since eleventh grade. I loved you, even more, when you kicked my ass at Mario Kart—"

I freeze feeling her soft lips pressing against mine. Her hand wraps around my neck, pulling me deeper into her kiss; I don't resist.