"Lili, get up!"

I open my eyes, taking a deep breath. The clock in front of me reads 10:30. Successful night of sleep if you ask me.

"Lili, you've got a friend over," my mom calls. "Get down here."

"Who is it?" I tell back, voice cracking.

"It's me," I hear Brendan's voice call.

Well, crap.

I jump out of bed and rush to close the bedroom door. I grab a sweater and jeans from the closet and get dressed faster than I have in a long time. Then I brush out my knotted hair to tame it slightly. It'll have to do. I put on my converse and brush my teeth before heading downstairs.

Brendan stands in my doorway, wearing dark jeans and a grey v neck shirt. He smiles at me when he sees me.

"Hey," he says.

"Hi," I reply, watching my feet on the steps as I walk down. "What are you doing here?"

"I was told to come back today," he shrugs. "And I wasn't doing anything."

"I was," I say.

"Really? What?" He asks, looking curious.

"Sleeping," I shake my head.

"Wow. Sounds exciting to me. Maybe I should leave and let you head back up to bed," he smirks.

"Sounds good. Bye," I say. Then I turn around and start walking up the stairs. I only get up four steps before he stops me.

"I was kidding," he laughs.

"I was too," I turn back towards him and roll my eyes.

"Get down here," he tells me.

"Who do you think you are? My mother?" I ask, walking back down the length of the stairs I had climbed.

"What are you saying about me?" My mom calls from the kitchen.

"That you're super young and awesome," I yell back.

"What I thought," she says.

"So," I rock back on my heels, hands held together. "Do you want to come up to my room to talk?"

"Sure," he nods.

"Leave the door open, Lili!" My mom calls.

We head up the stairs and into my room, sitting in the same position as last night.

"I've thought about what you told me," I say after a moment.

He watches me intently, eyes bright and curious.

"I trust you," I say.

He lets out a breath of relief.

"I know you did what you did for my own good, even though it was not the right thing to do. I can forgive you for it," I tell him.

"Thank you, Lili," he smiles at me.

"I couldn't stay mad at you forever," I tell him.

"I would wait for you forever if I had to," he says to me.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I want your trust more than anything," he tells me.

"I don't understand," I shake my head.

"What is there to not understand? You're important to me," Brendan looks into my eyes, smiling slighty.

"You're important to me too, Brendan. I'm so lucky to have you as a friend," I smile back.

He looks away, frowning suddenly.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Nothing," he replies, shaking his head. Then he turns to me. "Would you care to go across the street to the park and get some fresh air?"

"That sounds nice," I nod.

We walk out the door one after another and then down the stairs. I open the front door and we both exit. I pull it closed then tug on my jacket, trying to shield out the cold. When I let my arms relax at my sides again, my hand accidentally brushes Brendan's. I take a quick breath then hold it as my arm tingles at the touch. Brendan either doesn't notice or pretends not to.

Brendan tries to lead us to the bench, but all I want to do is lay in the grass. So, I stop where I am and sit down on the cool ground.

"Okay then," Brendan laughs then sits down beside me in the grass.

We stay silent for a long time, just looking out at the trees. It isn't as cold out here any longer. Spring is coming. Blossoms are visible on the trees. I close my eyes and smile in the light breeze.

It's times like these where I feel like a nature loving hippy tree hugger, but I could sit here and listen to the sounds of wind and birds and smell the fresh air all day. The sun feels nice on my skin.

I feel a hand barely graze my cheek. I freeze at the simple touch, only to brush the stray hairs blowing in the wind behind my ear. But it shocks me, how affected I feel by it. I hold my breath, heart beating fast.

I can feel the smile spread across my face and I can't control it from happening. My body feels warm and I let out the breath I've been holding.

"Lili," Brendan says.

"Yes?" I ask, eyes still relaxed closed.

"You're so beautiful," he tells me quietly.

I feel shocked, unable to move. My cheeks fill with color and I don't know what to say. I freeze up, not knowing what to do.

"You don't have to doubt yourself," he tells me. "You truly are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever known."

My eyes open and I find him looking at me. I'm startled by the intense emotion behind his bright green eyes.

"I'm not just talking about your outside qualities," he says. "You have an amazing personality."

I can't honestly say I know what kind of personality I have. I feel like I'm a little bit of a loudmouth with a bad temper. That cannot be a good thing.

"It's difficult to find a girl with a good sense of humor, you know that?" He says with a smile. "You're not afraid to fight for yourself. You're kind to everyone all the same. You're responsible. You're humble."

"I'm the furthest thing you'll find from nice and humble," I shake my head.

"That is not true," he tells me. "I've seen you in the hallways at school. You smile at everyone. Talk to everyone. Compliment everyone. It may not seem much to you, but I notice it."

I look away. I never thought anyone could possibly notice someone like me, let alone pick up on anything like that. I feel myself blush once again, seeing how he's paid attention to me.

I hear laughter in the distance. I look up and see further back in the park two figures walking along the trail. The girl wears her long silvery blonde hair back in a ponytail. She has on a lavender dress that falls to just above her knees. Her smile is stunning and her laugh is smooth. Mandy.

The boy beside her I immediately recognize as Drew. He smiles at her, holding onto her hand. They look so happy.

I feel burning inside me as they stop and whisper a few words to each other. Then they close the distance between each other, lips touching.

I force myself to look away.

It's not jealousy I feel. It's anger. I know I've forgiven Drew, but part of me is still upset by seeing the two of them together.

I cringe, closing my eyes. Those were lips I used to kiss. I used to believe his words when he expressed his feelings for me. That will not happen again.

Brendan move closer to me and takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. I look up, shocked, quickly taking in a breath.

"We can go," he says quietly.

I let out a breath. "I'm fine. I can handle it."

He nods. "Fair enough. Look, I know Drew was important to you. It's hard. But I promise he's not the only one out there."

I smile. "Thank you."

Drew and Mandy are almost up the trail now. Mandy sees me, but looks away quickly, seeming uncomfortable. I wonder if she knew all along what she was doing. Drew is looking the other direction.

But when he does see Brendan and I here, his smile drops. He must know I witnessed what just happened. He offers a single wave. I just nod in return. He looks away, leading Mandy down the sidewalk and out of sight behind the trees.

"They're happier together," I sigh.

"Hm?" Brendan asks, raising his eyebrows.

"They're happier than Drew and I were," I explain, focusing back on Brendan.

"Really?" He asks, eyebrows furrowed. All he ever saw, I realize, is the two of us happily walking around, hands clasped just as Mandy and Drew just were. We had good moments. But he never looked at me that way.

I nod my head. "But that's partially my fault."

"What?"

"I put too much trust in him. I was much too naive. I didn't really know what love is. I didn't ever truly have it with Drew," I say, looking back at him.

"Is that so?" For some reason, his green eyes soften as I explain this to him. He looks curious. Hopeful, maybe.

We stay quiet for a while. It isn't until he squeezes my hand slightly that I realize mine is still held in his.

"Lili," he says so quietly it's almost a whisper.

I meet his eyes, heart beating fast. He looks conflicted. It's as if he wants to say something to me.

"I don't think you even realize how much of an effect you have on me," he says, letting out a breath.

"What do you mean?" I ask, though I have an idea I might know.

"I find it difficult to control myself around you. I didn't realize it until recently... But I have never felt more certain in my life. I am insanely in love with you," he tells me.

He surprises me by pressing his lips to mine. It's not as soft as Drew was. It's as if he's been held back so long. He draws me closer to him, hand behind my head and tangled in my light hair.

I wrap my arms around his neck, moving even closer to him. He places one hand against my cheek and smiles before returning his lips to mine once more. I sink further and further into him until I don't feel like this is even reality any longer.

His hand falls from my cheek and grazes my jaw as he reaches down to grab my hand in his own. When I open my eyes, his bright green ones are staring back.

He presses his lips to my forehead and we stay there for a long time. I take deep breaths, finally letting this all come to reality. This is Brendan. This is the person that a year ago I would never in a million years think I could say as much as a kind word to.

But now, I find that I really do have feelings for him. These are stronger than anything I've felt. It's different from everything. It's absolutely wonderful.