"Happy new year!"

"yeah, yeah. Happy new year to you as well."

"Anyway, there's something I wanted to discuss with you."

"What? Can't it wait? I'm kinda busy right now."

"No. Don't worry it won't take long. We can just take it over text."

"Fine…"

The two best friends were tapping away on their phones. Despite apparently being busy, it was a best friend's duty to help a friend in need.

"What are you doing anyway?"

"Oh, just some stuff. Out with the family."

"Oh, I'll hurry then. So, I was thinking about what you said about me needing to believe in myself more, as well as Amelia being so brave."

"Where are you going with this?"

"I think I should just jump into it. What's the worst that could happen?"

"RIGHT NOW????"

"Ehm, yeah…?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"What? You were the one who recommended it to me."

"I know, but maybe slow down a little? I really don't think you should do it right now."

"I need to do this. If I don't know what she'll answer, it'll just keep eating at me."

"Trust me. You shouldn't."

"I can't. I'll head over now."

Chris hurriedly put his phone into his pocket and got out of his bed. There was nothing stopping him now. Despite feeling his pocket vibrating continuously, he ignored it and moved forward. He was though, quite surprised by Adam's reaction, since it originally was his idea to just confess.

Luckily, Lilly's house was rather close to Chris', like most childhood friends. His phone had finally quieted down, and he could focus on the task ahead. It was now or never, and he would finally know the outcome of his crush for the last years.

Moving with haste through the white landscape and beyond the countless warm houses, he finally ended up in front of his target. Lilly's house.

It wasn't until he actually looked at it, that he realized what he was about to do. His hands were trembling, and despite the cold, he was burning up. Our relationship may never be the same after this. Is it really worth it?

He took a deep breath and walked up to the front door, but before he could knock, the door slammed open. Chris stood in shock as he was faced with a realization. That fucker. He could never have guessed what face would have met him in the doorway.

"I told you not to do it Chris…"

Chris couldn't even answer him as his nervousness was replaced by a mixture of both sadness and rage. He couldn't even look at his so called "best friend" and chose instead to bend his head forward to hide his face.

Finally, he managed to get out a small "w-why…". He couldn't even finish his sentence. There were so many questions on his mind.

"Look, I really didn't want you to find out this way." Adam started as a second person emerged from behind him. Chris instantly recognized Lilly, but her presence only hurt him more.

"You're right to be angry. I-I should have told you really, but there was never the right time."

"F-for how long?" Chris managed to let out.

"It's only been a little over a month…"

"So you did this, knowing fully well how I felt!" Chris stared daggers at Chris, rivers running down from his eyes.

"Please! Just come in and let us explain properly…"

"There's nothing to explain!" Chris shouted at them both as he quickly turned around.

"Chris, please. You know we care about you!" Lilly said, tears also running down her soft cheeks. She carefully stretched out a hand, trying to calm Chris. But before they could stop him, Chris dashed off into the darkness.

"Chris!" They both shouted to no avail.

Running aimlessly through the dark, Chris couldn't even think straight. The tears didn't stop, no matter how hard he tried.

At his pace, he quickly covered the space between their homes and the city, and the sounds of Christmas surrounded him. But that didn’t stop him. Being new year, the streets were empty. No one could see the helpless boy in his broken state.

He didn't fully realize just how far and for how long he had been running before he suddenly stood in front of the snowy lions in front of the theatre. It was a distance he usually would take the bus, but he had run the distance without even realizing it.

Chris looked around himself. Complete darkness. Being so far from home, he knew of only one place he could gather his thoughts.

The light jogging continued once more. Past shops and Christmas lights. Past gates and trees and onto a gravel road. Past everything that reminded him of reality.

Chris finally stopped by a snow-filled bench and streetlight. The infinite darkness of the woods surrounded him once more. He did not dare move any further, as he would have to face the frozen fountain once more.

He fell down onto the snow, holding around his legs. The silence soothed his mind, and he could finally think straight. Chris recalled the events, trying to make sense of his situation, but it only doubled the tears rolling down his face.

How could it have ended like this? He was left with no one. Amelia was gone, she didn't even read his messages. Adam and Lilly had betrayed him. He was simply back to being that helpless crybaby he was before meeting Lilly.

Chris sat there for what felt like an eternity, and he had no intention of walking home either.

"C-C-Chris???"

Suddenly, the softest of voices reached his ears and pulled him out of the darkness. Chris' head jumped up and faced in the direction it came from.

In front of him, a petite, timid girl stood. The light from the streetlight spread out from behind her, truly making it an almost angelic sight to behold. Her brown hair waved slightly in the cold winter wind. Her face however, was formed into an expression he had never seen anybody give him. An expression of true worry and surprise.

Like light in the darkness, Amelia had appeared before Chris as a ray of hope.

"What are you doing here??" She said as she ran up to him. She tugged at him with full force to get him to stand up. Chris however, couldn’t muster the courage to answer. His tears were still rolling as Amelia shoved of all the snow from the bench and sat them both down on it.

It quickly became quiet however, as they both realized that it was usually Chris who kept the conversation going between them. But suddenly, a handkerchief appeared in front of Chris.

"Here, for your face…"

Chris was surprised by the gesture, but obliged. He grabbed the handkerchief and wiped his tears.

"Y-you know. You never answered my question…"

"W-what?" Chris replied.

"You never answered what you're doing here."

"Its's…complicated."

"Talking about what happened is a good coping mechanism." Amelia said, before quickly adding "B-but if you don't want to..." in embarrassment. Then she suddenly grabbed Chris' hand. "But I want you to know I'm here for you." They both locked eyes as Amelia went on.

Quickly realizing how cheesy it was, they both pulled away from each other.

"I… was rejected."

Amelia almost jumped in surprise.

"And she apparently is dating my best friend…"

Amelia couldn't contain it anymore. She flew of the bench as she screamed "WHAT????". Like her nature however, she quickly became embarrassed by the sudden burst in energy and hurriedly sat down once again.

Her reaction, however over the top it was, made Chris let through a small smile. Seeing this, Amelia couldn't help but smile as well.

It became quiet once more. But suddenly, Chris felt a warm embrace. He looked over his shoulder and saw Amelia cling onto him. The random gesture made Chris turn red in embarrassment.

"I know you tried so hard…" Amelia started. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."

"I-It's fine. Really. I guess it just wasn't meant to be."

While answering, Chris heard a quiet sulking. Amelia slowly looked up at Chris. Now it was her turn to shed a few tears. Chris didn't know how to even react.

"W-why are you crying?"

Amelia quickly wiped her tears as she answered. "I…don't know. I just felt so sorry for you."

"What?? Really, you shouldn't cry for me." Chris started. "You really do care too much about other, you know that?"

They both shared a small laugh as they locked eyes. They were both encapsulated by each other's eyes. They simply couldn't look away, no matter how hard they tried. No words being shared.

Like a magnet, the two of them were attracted to each other as Chris suddenly held around Amelia in return. His face slowly moving towards Amelia's.

Slowly closing in, their eyes closed. Then, Chris felt a soft touch on his lips. A softness that could not be compared to anything in Chris' mind. It was like nothing he had felt before. His heart jumped into overdrive as his entire body suddenly felt hot.

They both slowly moved away again and they both started giggling.

"Amelia…"

"What?" Amelia said, smiling.

"I love you."