That’s it. I’m gonna do it today. I muster my courage as I stare at myself in the mirror. I was going to confess my love to my childhood friend, Ryan. I loved being around him. I loved everything about him. His dimples, his warm brown eyes, shaggy hair, and even his humour. Especially his humour. He was the funniest person I have known. Other than my Dad, who passed away 10 years ago. Ever since then, Ryan has always looked out for me and always been super protective of me. I have grown to like him so much more than just a friend. I walk out of the bathroom, taking a deep breath. I rehearse what I am going to tell him, so i don’t stutter. I was going to tell him that I liked him, then ask him out to prom. I was so sure that he’d accept. I was sure that he liked me too. I see him standing against his locker, talking with his friends when i approach him.

“ Hey Ryan,” I say nervously.

“ Oh, hey Amara!” He says, a smile creeping up his face. I take another breath, trying to calm my nerves.

“ I have something to tell you.”

“ Um. . Okay. Go ahead” He turns to me completely, waving his friends good-bye.

“ Look. . . I have known you since I was 5, and you have always been there for me. ANd, I have grown to like you. More than a friend.” I survey his face, scanning his facial expressions. His eyes widen and his cheeks turn a shade of red. Before He can say anything else, I continue.

“ ANd, I know this is wired, but I was kind of hoping that you could go to prom with me? I mean, if you want to. But you like me too, right? And i will be super hyped-“

“ Amara, stop.” He silences me by putting his hands on my shoulders. I stop. He sighs. “ Amara. . . I don’t know how to tell you this. I mean, you are my closest friend too. And Honestly, I care for you. But. . . I don’t think of you like that.”

I don’t understand. I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion.

“ Amara, What I’m trying to say is. . . I only think of you as my little sister. Nothing more than that.”

I stop breathing. No. NO. I cover my mouth, as tears flood my eyes. I pull away and run to the bathroom. I sit in a stall, trying to calm myself down. Had i misread all the signs? Or was this a prank? I was just a sister to him? Nothing more than that? I shake my head. I was a idiot! A moron! How could I? I bite my lip in agony and embarrassment. Why the hell did i want to confess? Now, I lost a friend. I could never show my face to him again! Great job, moron! Let’s just hope my mom agrees to change schools.