You Should be Here

Tyler

Henry looked awful this morning. When we showed up to the party he grabbed a cold one and sat in the corner. Everyone asked how he was doing. Like I was his babysitter. Of course we were best friends but he's acting like he was the only one who cared about Anastasia. That's not true! I cared more than anyone thinks!

Anastasia and I were on personal terms I guess you could say. I was the only one that knew she hated Cynthia Beams, I was the only one who knew she would miss choir every day in high school, and I was also the only one who knew she didn't want to marry Henry.

She felt pressured. They were grade school sweethearts. Her parents loved him. He studied law, he would provide for her and her family. He was perfect. But she didn't love him. She loved another. She loved me.

**********

"Can I tell you something?" Anastasia asked.

"Of course," I said as we sat on the roof of her house. She moved an inch closer and set her head on my shoulder.

"When I met you in eighth grade, when you transferred, I had the biggest crush on you," she said.

"Ha, get out of here," I laughed.

"I still do. I love your laugh. Your smile. I love that you treat me right. I love you, Tyler," she whispered looking at me. There were tears welling up in her eyes.

To be honest, I was waiting so long to hear those words. I was head over heels for Anastasia. She was beautiful and smart and wonderful. What should I do? Should I kiss her?

I leaned in, placing my hand on her soft cheek. Our lips brushed together ever so slightly. It was seamless.

She pulled away and grabbed my hand.

"What about Henry?" I asked, suddenly feeling guilty.

"Don't worry about him," she said pulling me through her open window.

"But..." I was cut off by her kissing me. Her clothes were off, then mine...It was perfect.

*********

That was our senior year of high school. Now I was 21 years old. I snuck around with Anastasia for about 3 years. I was with her right before she died. She was at my apartment. We had just watched a movie. I begged her to stay that night with me but she had to rush home. There was a storm rolling in. I got the call in the morning from Henry saying she hadn't come home that night. Then I learned what happened. I was devastated.

I wasn't happy that I betrayed my best friend. I loved her. It shouldn't be a crime to love someone. Even if they belong to someone else.