Cassie went over to her dresser and pulled out a drawer. It was full of old memories. One in particular was her favorite. For her 15th birthday, Cassie had asked for her and Nick to go to this theme park together. They were the best of friends then. She had a picture of them standing in front of the entrance gate. Her wish was to have Nick with her always. That's all she wanted. All she has ever wanted.

Cassie waited and waited all night. By ten o' clock, he still wasn't back. She thought maybe he was just running a little late. At ten-thirty, he finally sauntered in the door.

"Nick, what took so long?" she asked.

"I can't leave her," he said coldly. he walked over to the fireplace and looked at the fire. "Cass, you will always be with me. No matter where I am, you live in my heart. But, it doesn't feel right for us to be together like that."

"It seemed all right before. You were kissing me."

"I shouldn't have. There are other feelings to consider here."

"What about mine? Don't mine mean anything to you?"

"Yes! They mean everything to me. You mean everything to me!"

"Then am I just missing something here?"

Nick put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

"You are my best friend. My friend! How can I be like that with my friend? It's too weird. I just can't do this. Me and you are friends!"

"Keep telling yourself that, Nick. Maybe you'll actually convince yourself of it after a while," Cassie said.

"What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"Tell me, Nick. Are you really acting like this because you can't be like that with a friend, or is it because you are scared of what might happen if you gave in to me and you and I being more?"

"I just can't, Cassie."

"Fine. Just one piece of advice before you leave. Don't do what you don't feel."

"Me and you are still friends, right?"

"I don't know. I think we need to take some time away from each other so all these feelings can get worked out."

"But, I want us to be friends."

"Maybe we will be again one day. I just think it's best this way for now.."

"So this is it?" Nick said.

"I think so."

"I guess I'll see you around then."

Nick left and Cassie collapsed into tears. She knew it was the right thing to do. If she and Nick stayed in touch with each other while she still had these feelings for him, then it would only cause problems.