****Copyrighted**** 'Tell me you don't feel it.' He whispered against my lips, and the trembling that had ceased at the feel of his lips against mine began again with renewed vigor. 'Tell me it's not what you want, and I'll go. You'll never have to see me again.' Swallowing, I looked up at the eyes that had entranced me from the start. I took in his every feature, slowly and deliberately. I thrilled at the feeling of his arms enfolding me, and I inhaled his familiar scent with a trembling breath. And then, then I did the most foolish thing imaginable: I flung my arms about his neck and kissed him with all that I had, almost losing myself in the safety and security I felt. But more than that, I ran. I took his moment of shock, the slight loosing of his arms about me, and tore myself away from him, shoving out the door and into the rain. I suppose I'll never know why he didn't follow me. It was the thing I feared most. I knew that if he came for me a second time, I wouldn't be able to say 'no'. I wouldn't be able to run. But I had to. I had to go. I couldn't let him be hurt because of me. He would live on now, and I would marry another. I had leased my last bit of passion in that one moment in his arms, and as I made my way through the dark streets, I felt myself become dull and lost like the creatures bound in the menagerie. **Much of this was written when I was younger and then I came back later and finished it. There will likely be mistakes. Lots of them.

Olivia Peters has always been the enthusiastic girl. But her entire life changes when she gets a computer and starts playing a game called Animal Jam as a ten year old. Before she knows it, she has some friends. But no, they are not just the online friends. Someday they are destined to meet. She only calls them by their normal user names: Cacoa, Øzzy, and Ghostofthepanther, Unpreviewed. But, as she turns 12, they bug her and Cacoa to get Skype. When she gets it, she realizes how much they are really good friends. Will Olivia meet Chloe, Alice, Vianetta, Eternity, and Calvin? Or will they just stay internet friends throughout the years? Maybe not even friends at all? But there is going to be drama. *True-ish story* (little twists and turns)