part three

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I got to her house all right, but I worried I may have been too late.

Could she have...no, I couldn't even bring myself to thing about it. If Emily did that, then, well, I'd have no one to blame but myself. She is my best friend. Or, was. She was also my girlfriend. And we had many great adventures over the months we dated. The carnival, I've skating, and even the accident with the baseball bat! (We don't talk about that, but we joke about it a lot.)

I got out of my car, leaving the engine running, because screw gas, I need to save a life! Running up to her door, I got to it, and tried the handle. Locked. I pounded on the door and rang the doorbell a million times.

"Emily!" I cried. "Emily!"

"What?"

I turned around surprised. There she was, right behind me, unharmed. Her eyes were red, and she wasn't looking so good. But she wasn't dead. That's all that mattered.

"Oh, thank god." I exhaled, relieved that she was okay.

"What are you doing here, Angela?" Emily said, not wanting to meet my eyes. "You said so yourself, you don't love me."

"No, Emily, I didn't mean it like that."

"Then how did you mean it? Huh! I spent months with you, thinking we were happy, that we were perfect for each other! And then it all comes crashing down because you said you don't love me like that. I love you, Angela. You have no idea how hard it was for me to find someone like you, who got my every need. And now you've left me. I have nothing anymore." Emily was tearing up again.

"But I haven't left you, Emily. I'm still here."

"Until I lock you out. Get out of my way. I'm going inside." Emily stepped forward.

"No. Not until you listen and promise me."

"Promise you what? That we'll be together forever? Made that mistake once already."

"Emily. I'm sorry. I really, really am. What I did was wrong, I should have told you when I found out-"

"Why did you wait? Why couldn't you tell me you were asexual aromantic?" She pressed. "Why did you have to lie to me?"

"Because I didn't want to hurt you. I knew you thought things were great between us, and for the first few days, they were. But I lost the feeling. I thought I was lesbian, I really did. I wanted to be with you. I would have given you everything. I still would! I just don't feel that way anymore. I still want to be with you, but as your friend. Your best friend."

Emily was quiet, she wiped her eyes, and kept her eyes on the ground just below my feet.

"I should be sorry." She said. "The way I acted was stupid and I should have heard you explain before running away. I'm so stupid. I just couldn't accept it, and that was selfish of me. I'm sorry, Angela. I shouldn't have done that to you. I'm a terrible friend."

"No, no you're not." I walked down the two steps and held her tightly in a hug. "You're s wonderful friend, and an amazing person. I mean who else could sing the entire Sword Art Online theme song in Japanese forwards and backwards? Definitely not Danny."

Emily laughed a little, and wrapped her arms around me.

"You are special, Emily. I wouldn't give you up for the world. I may not be able to love you like you love me, but I will always be there for you."

She sniffled. "And I will always be there for you. No matter who you say you are."

I smiled. " I love you, Emily. "

"I love you too, Angela."

~•~

One month later

~•~

Emily got a new girlfriend, and we rebuilt our fallen relationship with coffee and movies and sleepovers. Eventually, the awkwardness of our "break up" faded away, as most things should. Emily spent time with her new girlfriend, Stella, and I spent time alone, which was nice after all the time I spent with Emily. Though, I will admit that I kind of missed all the fun we had then.

I got a job working at a craft store, and Emily started working at the movie theater, so our time together became less and less, but we always treasured the time we had together. Because that's what friends should do. Treasure the time they have together.

And exactly one month ago, on this day, Emily and I had our moment. So I wasn't surprised when I got a text that morning asking if I wanted to go on a coffee date at the mall.

I said yes, and got myself ready.

Meeting up at the mall every month after that, we made sure to always be together. As friends, or course. Because nobody should be without a friend. Even if you do have those awkward fights, things will always get better.

They always do.

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