AN: Below you will find the word “ya’ll’ve”. Now, some of you (southerners) might not need that translated, but some people may. So, for those that do it means ya’ll have. Ya’ll’ve just sounds better to me…Anyway, enjoy!!

Autumn walks from the bedroom, her head in her hand.

“Ug, my head.” She mutters.

I smile at her from the table, a small kernel of hope in my stomach.

“Coffee?” I ask, nodding to the mug I made for her sitting next to me on the table.

“Mhm.” She grunts, sinking into the chair and taking a drink.

Her hair is loose and crazy, swirling around her face now that the product she usually has in it is gone. Even with a major hangover she’s beautiful. I open my mouth, about to ask if she remembers last night.

“What happened last night? I don’t remember much past us making s’mores.” She asks me. She takes another swing of the coffee.

“Oh, not much. We continued drinking, played truth or dare. Cal had to undress and run into the lake.” I tell her, leaving out our kiss.

She nods and laughs softly, wincing has the movement hurts her head.

“That would explain why I feel so bad.” She groans, grabbing her mug again and lifting it to her lips.

“Oh, there are the two love birds. How was sharing a bed last night? After that kiss I can only imagine it was pretty enjoyable.” Carly says, winking at us.

Autumn chokes mid drink and sets the mug down, her eyes wide.

“What?” She asks, looking between Carly and I.

“Oh yea, you were so wasted, girl. However, they do say that drinking makes you honest…and damn was that kiss honest. I mean, seriously, it’s not like you two were fooling anyone. We’ve all known for years that ya’ll’ve had the hots for each other.” Carly continues, not noticing my wide eyes and subtle shakes of my head for her to stop talking.

I stop moving as Autunm looks to me. “We kissed?” She asks.

“Uh, yea. It was a dare. But don’t worry, that’s it. It was small, and nothing else happened.” I look to Carly. “Nothing else at all.”

Carly shrugs and grabs two mugs of coffee, taking them back to the room she and Cal were in.

“Okay.” Autumn nods, taking it in. “Gnome, I can’t believe I got so drunk.” She looks at me and smiles. “Thank you, for not…taking advantage of that.”

“It never even crossed my mind.” I smile back.

I want her to remember last night, to tell me she wasn’t doing those things just because she was drunk, so bad. I want to tell her how I feel. I want us to be together. I want to kiss her again without the taste of booze on both our breath and not have to wonder if it’s genuine.

“I’m serious. Thank you. You’re the best friend ever.” She smiles, standing and taking her empty mug to the sink.

At her words I realize how silly I’m being. She’s my best friend. We will never be like that, not in her mind. I pull my eyes from her pj clad figure and stare into my coffee cup.

“I’m going to take a shower.” She says, touching her hand to my shoulder as she walks past.

“Kay.” I say quietly, watching her walk away. How long could I go on without her knowing?