I leaned back against the dead log, staring absent-mindedly into the bonfire. The flames were moving this way and that licking against the dead wood, consuming it. Almost as though it was alive. I half smiled shaking my head. Everything across the border, over here, was alive. Breathing, flesh and blood. I inhaled deeply retrieving from my thoughts and turned to the chuckling guy to the left. One of my only true friends.

"Jake," I breathed quietly attempting to not draw any attention to myself.
His laughed rolled loudly from his mouth, oblivious to me or anything I would say. Nudging him with the palm of my hand I willed him to listen to me.  
"Jake?"  I kept my eyes trained on his face waiting for him to turn his head in my direction. No such luck.  "Jake!" I growled impatiently.

Everyone's heads turned at once their faces all trained on mine. Shrinking back against the rough bark I winced. Attention was not something I enjoyed. Oops. I blushed slightly looking down at the ground uncomfortably. I shifted my gaze up to Jake who was now looking at me quizzically. Along with everyone else.

"Yeah?" He asked tilting his head slightly now interested in what I had to say.

"Uh-um..I was just wondering, if you," I twirled a piece of hair around my fingers clearing my throat. "If you could-uh, take me back. You know home."  

"Oh yeah. Not a problem." He stood up holding a hand out towards me. I inhaled deeply, reaching up and grasping his callused hands. Smiling towards the silent group of people I waved my hand awkwardly. Everyone remained motionless except for one, who stood up and bolted towards me. Seth's face became visible the closer he got. He smiled, his arms wrapping around me in a bear hug as he spun me in circles. I laughed as my feet met the ground once more. Seth was all too innocent and way to chirpy. Sometimes it was adorable, sometimes it was annoying.

"Thanks for joining us Nessie." Seth grinned looking down at me with his deep brown eyes.
I smiled sheepishly looking back up at him,
"Thanks for letting me." Jake cleared his throat looking over us, his eyes clouded with annoyance. Rolling my eyes I made my way over towards him. Jake had a tendency to hate boys that had the 'nerve' to glance over at me; apparently they all stare with lust filled eyes. I laughed inwardly. He got way too paranoid, even if it was someone as harmless as Seth. Jake had walked further out into the woods, glancing back to see if I was following along. Running up next to him I shoved his arm playfully.
"Mr. Bipolar over here. One minute you're laughing the next you're storming away." Jake looked over at me his walk coming to a stop.

"Are you serious?" He asked his eyebrows furrowed and his face unreadable. I stood in front of him tilting my head.

"Uh yeah." What was his problem? Jake placed his hands on my shoulders his eyes searching mine. I shrunk back against his scrutinizing gaze. He sighed his hands loosening against my shoulders as he relaxed his grip.

"I have been waiting. Patiently. But it's like the idea has never even crossed your mind. I mean haven't you even considered…" His voice trailed off as he dropped his arms to his side. I looked at him furrowing my eyebrows.

"Considered what?" I questioned, Jake's chocolate brown eyes meeting mine, He opened his mouth hesitating. Running his tongue across his lips his voice was barely audible,

"Us."  
                        *********************************
My heart beat sped up registering the word as they left his lips. My face turned a bright red that I hoped was shielded by the darkness of the night. Chewing the inside of my lips I dropped my gaze to the ground.  
"You mean…" I looked back up at his face my sentence trailing off. He stepped closer his eyes meeting mine. He leaned in stopping a couple inches from my face. This was happening all too fast, all of the pros and cons of this, us, fled into my mind as his hand brushed a stray piece of my hair behind my ear.

"I love you." He whispered. My head started to spin when his lips brushing against mine. I could lose him forever. I reminded myself bringing my hand up around his neck, my lips moving in sync with his. If I did this then screwed this all up, what would I have? A shadow of a best friend? My lips parted as he deepened the kiss. I don't want to lose him.
He pulled away gently are eyes meeting once more. I leaned my head into the crook of his shoulder contemplating my options. It seems if I decided we shouldn't be more than friends I would lose him, But if I let myself fall in love, if I messed up. It seems I would lose him as well. I wrapped my arms around his waist.  I guess I had already made my choice, the moment I allowed his lips to meet mine.