That night as I laid in my room listening to some music I found myself drifting off to sleep pretty early. Usually on a Tuesday night I would go and listen to some bands at First Avenue but I wasn't really up for going out. Mr. John and Andre were still downstairs keeping my mom company while I decided to be by myself and think about the day that I just had. One thing that got to me the most was that I beat the hell out of Prince like he was trying to rob me. I kinda feel bad.....maybe......just a little......eh not really. I knew he had it coming one of these days. I just didn't think it would have been coming from me. As I had drifted off to sleep for the fifth time in the last two hours there was a loud knock on my door that jolted me out of my bed.

  "Who is it?" I said frantically as I stood up from my bed and adjusting my shirt from being twisted around my body after tossing and turning.

The door came open and Andre peaked his head in.

"Hey! You cool mama?" He asked with a grin.

  "Oh! Hey! Yeah! I'm fine! What are you doing up here?"

"I just wanted to see if you were ok. How'd it go with Skip?"

"Well it....went.....I guess. He wants me to come back to Paisley on Friday night for some type of surprise or whatever."

"Sounds like he's trying to wise up."

"Or trying to set me up to get my feelings hurt. Andre.....what should I do? I want to go but at the same time......I don't want to get hurt again."

"Well what did he say before all that?"

Andre came in my room and closed the door behind him and sat down at my desk. I plopped down on my bed and looked up at the stars on my ceiling in confusion.

"He asked me what did he need to do to get my trust back."

"And what did you tell him?"

"That basically he needs to change. And....I felt better with us being friends."

Andre made a face of disapproval and shook his head. Scratching an eyebrow he stood up and walked over me. I sat up on the bed and let him sit next to me.

"Really? He was ok with that?"

"Well he kinda had to be because it's what I wanted. If he wants me to trust him he has to earn it. So....that's what I'm making him do."

"Mouse let me ask you something. Do you still love him?"

I thought about his question for a moment. I never really had the chance to think about that. Do I love him? Or even better.....does he love me? What if this is just one big joke to him and he does t care at all. I want to believe that's he wants to change but who's to say that he really will. I was finally ready to give Andre my honest answer.

  "I love prince more than anything in the world. We've been friends for a very long time and.....he's made me feel things that I never knew existed.....but....."

Andre looked as if he wanted me to drop bad news on him.

  "But...."

  "But that kiss between me and you......"

  "Yeah?"

  "Can.....we....do that again?"

Andre looked like he was ready to pass out. I bet in his mind he was thinking that he would have never lived to see the day where I'd ask him to kiss me. Truth be told I've been thinking about that kiss for a while. Then I've been thinking about a little more than just the kiss.

  "Regan.....I.....I don't know. I mean not that I don't want to it's just that....I thought you and Skip were trying to work things out."

  "Well we're gonna just stay friends for now. That's what I need him to be if he can't commit relationship wise. Prince is very sweet and loving when he wants to be but I need him to be the man I remember and not the jerk he's become. He has a lot to work on and a lot to prove. I don't want him to say he's committed to me when he's really not. You on the other hand.....have been the man I've been needing my whole life. I need you to stay that way."

I leaned closer to his face and whispered softly against his lips.

  "Cymone kiss me."

Andre was nearly in a cold sweat and was tripping over his words. His eyes were trying to scan my face hoping that this was for real.

  "Re-Regan-we-uh-I....."

I covered his lips with my index finger as my other hand was placed on his left leg.

  "Shhhhhh. Stop talking. You've wanted this for a long time. Haven't you?"

  "Well.....I have and I do b-but uhhhh.....wh-why-n-now?"

  "Why so many questions? If your the man I know you are you'd take me."

The shocked covered his face and filled his brown eyes instantly.

  "N-n-now????"

  "Yes Andre.....NOW! TAKE ME!"

He was trying his best to hide his desires and do what I said but he was really staying strong and loyal to his best friend.

  "Wh-what about S-Skip?"

  "DAMNIT IT ANDRE JUST TAKE ME! I want you so bad that I can't take it anymore! Please Andre take me!"

He was slowly breaking down as he looked in my eyes and took my hand.

  "You sure this is what you want?"

  "Yes! Yes baby! Do it! Please!"

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer to my body. He swallowed hard and his heart was pounding on my chest. He looked like he was ready to explode.

  "Ok. Then if this is what you want....." he said.

Andre leaned in close to me and was ready to kiss me when my doubled over laughing hysterically. He was confused at first but then finally figured it out.

  "GOD DAMNIT MOUSE! You ain't never gonna change!" He hissed as he jumped up from my bed.

  "Oh-oh Andre you should have seen the look on your face!" I laughed as I pointed at him.

  "Not cool Mouse! That was low!" He snapped.

  "Awwww Dre come on it was just kidding. You know we needed that laugh. Lighten up!" I giggled as I got up from the bed and met him on the other side of my room.

Andre looked like I just hurt his feelings but he soon laughed too.

  "I can't lie you really had me going!" He laughed at last.

  "I did didn't I? You needed it though! You've been so worried about me that I haven't seen you smile in weeks. I did that for you."

Andre smiled and he knew deep inside that I was right. Andre wood never show when he's worried about something but he's been worried about me so much that he was forgetting to live. I needed him to have a good time and not worry about everything else.

  "You know what that made me feel a lot better. Thanks Regan." He smiled as he took my hand.

  "You're welcome! I missed that smile of yours. Just promise me you won't lose it?"

  "If you can promise me that I won't lose you."

Our smiles slowly faded as the topic of our conversation was turning heavy.

  "Cymone I know where you're going with this and-"

  "So Prince had asked you too?"

I let out a deep sigh and nodded a simple yes.

  "Please Regan at least think about it. I will be there for you no matter what happens."

I could see the sadness growing in his eyes as he was nearly pleading with me to do the last thing that I wanted to do in my final days. It was weighing on me more and more as we stood silent.

  "Ok. I'll do it. I'll talk to my doctor about taking the chemo. IF and only if you and Skipper work thing out. Don't take too long because the clock is ticking."

  "Mouse really? What kind of ultimatum is that?"

  "Please Andre you and Prince both want me to do the treatments and I want you two to fix your friendship. Do this for me. I don't ask you guys for much."

He thought for a moment and let out a deep slow breath.

  "Alright. I'll do it for you. Just tell me when."

  "Tomorrow night at First Avenue. Prince will be there with the guys."

  "Wait how do you-"

  "Come on Cymone tomorrow is Wednesday where else do you think he's gonna go on a Wednesday night?"

  "True. Alright then I guess I'll see you tomorrow night."

  "Thank you! Finally!" I said excited.

Andre smiled and went to my door to opened when I pulled him back my the arm and kissed him on the cheek. He was so surprised that he blushed as he smiled back at me.

  "Get outta here Cymone!" I giggled.

He smiled at me and left out of the room still holding onto the kiss. We're slowing getting things back to the way they were before all the chaos.