"I like you."

He chuckled. "I like you, too."

"No, Kobe... I like you like you."

He blinked, staring at me for the longest time. "Oh..."

I took a deep breath. "Yeah..."

He looked away, stared at the ground, and didn't speak for a while. I turned my attention to our beloved town below us. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to confess at the water tower. I couldn't run away easily.

A part of me wanted to take back my words, but the other part of me held my ground. It was already out there. There was no going back.

Kobe sighed, and finally said, "Mead, you're one of the most important people in my life... I care about you a lot. I'd do anything for you."

There it was. The soft blow before he delivered the real one.

"But... you don't feel the same way," I finished for him, because I didn't want to hear it come out from his mouth. I nodded, before letting out a forced smile. "It's okay, I understand."

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

I shook my head, my eyes wandering to my tangled hands. "Don't be."

Awkward silence engulfed us. I didn't know what else to say. I didn't know what else to do. How did we go from here? Did I just ruin our friendship?

"What would you even like about me, anyway?"

I shrugged, before looking at him. "You're just you."

He stared at me, concern in his eyes. "Are we cool?"

I put out my best reassuring smile. "Yeah."

That was what I said.

But then right after that, I avoided him like the plague and made up excuses not to see him. I spent almost all of my free time at the center for most of the summer that it was Sunshine who became my go-to vent person.

Still, Kobe's last words that night played in my mind for weeks.

"When you find the person you're meant for, you'll thank me."

Ha, what a load of bull. That was just what they all said right after they rejected someone. As if I'd find the person I was meant to be with at sixteen.

Not everyone was that lucky.

I needed to stop thinking about him. I needed to busy myself and be productive with my time. I was a strong young lady.

So why on earth was I still staring at my ceiling, thinking about Anders and how he was doing with his high society friends? Why couldn't I stop thinking how he always made me laugh this summer? Why didn't I want it to end?

"Knock knock."

I sat up straight, instantly recognizing the voice. With my eyes widened, I stared at the person who suddenly showed up at my doorway. Just like old times.

"Kobe!"

Kobe rubbed the back of his neck, looking unusually lost. "Nana let me in."

Of course, she did. He was practically family.

"So," he started, "it's about time we have that talk."

I looked down on my lap and nodded. I could feel him slowly entering my room, sitting at the end of the bed, before clasping his hands together and resting them on his legs. He kept his eyes on his hands, while I hugged my knees to myself.

"I thought we were cool," he said.

I didn't reply.

"I figured you needed space so I stayed away." He looked at me, hanging his head. "But I miss my best friend."

I remembered all the times he had my back, the times he sneaked me out just so we could hang out running around town while everyone else was asleep, the times when both of us would cry when our play dates were over, and the times he was always there in every big moment in my life.

It didn't matter that he rejected my feelings. It didn't matter that we almost had a falling out this last couple of months. It didn't even matter that our worlds didn't revolve around each other like it used to.

He had always been a part of my life – a part of me. We'd always have a bond that no disagreement, nor a misunderstanding would break.

My forehead creased, and I mumbled, "I miss you, too."

He reached out and brushed his knuckles on my arm, cocking his head to the side before asking, "Are you done avoiding me now?"

Teary-eyed, I nodded.

He started to smile. "We've been through so much, Meadow. I don't want to lose you."

"I'm always here."

"Except you practically disappeared on me this summer."

I was quiet for a while, feeling guilty.

I couldn't help but reminisce about the old days – what we did every summer, both of us being inseparable, and him trying to include me in all his new interests.

This season used to be our thing.

"Summer's not over yet," I told him.

"Aren't you preoccupied with a certain celebrity?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes. "He's not a celebrity, his sister is."

"Same difference."

I sighed. "I think I need to take a step back from him, anyway."

"Why?"

I shrugged, not saying anything.

"Oh, you're keeping secrets now?"

I shot him a look.

He laughed. "C'mon, tell me."

I bit my lip, hesitating. "I think... I... kinda... like... him..."

Kobe smiled and looked away. "Can't say I'm surprised."

I scoffed, and lightly pushed him.

"Oh, please." He laughed. "He gets you to do stuff I can't even convince you to do no matter how hard I beg."

I glared at my best friend. "He does not."

Kobe met my eyes head on. "Don't make me list them down."

I pouted.

"He's good for you," he stated.

I gave him a skeptical look. "That is so cliché."

"And yet..." he trailed off, laying down on my bed. "It's true."

I stared blankly at the space between us.

"You're good for him, too."

I frowned. "How do you know?"

He smiled softly at me. "'Cause you're good for everybody. It's like a superpower." He pinched my nose. "You just make everyone around you feel better."

I tried to prevent the impending tears by forcing out a small laugh. "Wow, what a compliment. Are you bribing me?"

"Maybe."

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

"You down to hang out at the water tower?" He grinned, sitting up and wiggling his eyebrows at me. "Just like old times."

I gazed at my best friend, glad to have him back to his usual sunny self. It sucked when we walked on eggshells around each other. I missed this version of us.

"Sure."

"Awesome, let's go."

Right after the last word, he jumped off the bed.

I looked up at him. "Right now?"

"Yeah, dude. No better time than the present."

I checked my phone. Still no texts.

"Are you waiting for someone?" Kobe asked.

"No." I shook my head and put down my phone.

He crossed his arms. "I heard his friends are in town."

I looked at him curiously. "How did you know that?"

"One of them caused a scene at the diner. Alfie O'neal set him straight."

My eyes widened. "Oh, my God. Alfie O'neal beat him up?"

"Nah, just reamed the guy's ass." Kobe laughed, tilting his head in total wonder. "Imagine that, one of the most notorious troublemakers in all of the history of this town actually scolded someone."

I still couldn't believe it. "What happened exactly?"

"I think the guy said some pretty nasty stuff about Wendy." He shook his head, as he stepped out of my bedroom. "Asshole."

Was that why Anders didn't invite me to go with them? He didn't want his friends to judge me? So that was why he suddenly acted kinda off.

"Yo, time's ticking," Kobe called, running down the stairs. "Leggo!"

I followed him down and grabbed my jacket from the coat rack.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" I asked.

"I wanna catch the sunset," he said, opening the door.

"Is this your first time seeing one?"

"This summer, with you? Heck yeah."

I laughed at his excited face.

"I hate to interrupt."

I blinked in surprise, quickly turning to the direction of the voice. Anders stood tall on the porch, right in front of us. Our eyes locked, and my heartbeat suddenly raced.

I swear, having feelings for someone is never healthy for the heart.

Kobe nodded to Anders, before saying to me, "You know what, I'm gonna say bye to Nana." And then, he headed inside without another word.

"I'm going back to the city," Anders announced, when Kobe was gone.

I glanced at his blue convertible, where his beautiful blonde friend was sitting on the passenger's seat. She was watching us, but I couldn't tell whether she was bored or impatient. I got to say, she looked like a pin up girl from the early twentieth century.

"I dropped by to say goodbye," Anders continued.

I gazed at him. "You're not coming back?"

"I am. It's only for the weekend." But he didn't look too sure. He nodded inside, and added, "I see you made up with him."

"Yeah," I breathed out.

Why did it feel like we were being careful with each other?

He nodded slowly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

We stared at each other for a while, as if we wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words. It was like we were even afraid to speak.

"I'm glad I met you, Meadow."

Why?

Why did it feel like we weren't gonna see each other again after this? Why did my chest hurt at the idea that this might be the last time I was gonna be around him?

"You made me see life from another standpoint," Anders continued, looking like he meant it. "I managed to slow down and live in the moment."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

A gentle smile stretched across his lips. "I think so."

I cocked my head to the side. "You don't sound sure."

"I need more time to figure it out."

I nodded. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks."

He stared at me some more, until his blonde friend pressed the horn from his car. Anders closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed. When he looked at me again, his expression was resigned.

"I have to go."

I wanted to step forward and hug him, but all I could do was smile and say, "See you around, Anders."

"See you."

He walked backwards on the lawn for several steps, refusing to break eye contact with me, before finally turning around and heading to the driver's side of his car. He stopped and looked at me one last time, waving a hand.

I returned it with a small wave of my hand. He sent me a small smile, climbed in, and turned on the engine. And then, I watched him go.

It wasn't until the car disappeared down the road before I let the tears escape. It wasn't until I was alone on the porch did I let myself feel. It wasn't until Kobe showed up by my side and put an arm around me, comforting me, did I realize how much Anders' had affected me – in more ways than one.

I didn't even know why I was crying so much like this. He'd be back next week. It wasn't like I wouldn't see him again, right?

So then...

Why did it feel like I just said goodbye to my soulmate?