This is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to say, so I’ll be blunt. I almost took my life last night. I’m a fairly private person, so I won’t go into too many details, but I was basically in (and still am, I guess) a pretty bad state mentally and things just reached a boiling point last night. It took every ounce of strength and the kind words of one of my closest friends to stop me from pulling that trigger last night and ending it all. And though I wish I could say that I won’t ever want to choose to end my life again, I cannot, considering this is the third time I have had these thoughts in my life. The first, in 2010, after my father had passed and my ex girlfriend and I had split, the second in late 2011, when I felt all alone in a foreign country, and last night. I can say that I hope to God that I will never feel this way again, I can say that I believe I am strong enough to dissuade these terrible thoughts that constantly pop into my head, but like I said, I cannot in good conscience swear that I will never consider suicide. I can say that what ultimately convinced me last night was the thought of what would happen as a result of me going through with the act. My friend reminded me of what my family would think, how my mom, my brother, my cousins, and everyone else would think of me if I ended my life last night, and how I couldn’t bear to let that happen. Even at my most selfish moment, all I could think about was everyone else. Really the reason I’m actually writing this is in hopes that someone, even just one person, can reflect back on this if they’re ever contemplating ending it all and remember to not go through it. Because it isn’t worth the trouble. Because you are. No matter how terrible you may think your life is, there is bound to be at least one reason to not do it, whether it be family, like me, or simply because, at least in my opinion, no life is pointless. No one, even at their worst, deserves to die that way. There are genuine people out there that care about you, even if you don’t believe it to be so. Life is too damn precious to let it go to waste by ending it all. Last night I almost ended it all because I thought I was alone in the world. I was wrong.  

So, as I alluded to before, Christmas morning came and went. I exchanged gifts with my family and headed back to the hospital with Casey and the surprises in tow. We totally caught the security at the hospital by surprise as well, almost ruining everything before Cole or his mom could come out to see it.
“What in heavens is all this?” Cole’s mom asked, coming out to the large crowd we had drawn to the hospital.
“We just wanted to show you guys that you weren’t alone this Christmas. That people in this town really did give a damn about Faith, even if we sometimes didn’t show it. Casey answered.
“Well, we really appreciate it everyone. It is definitely a difficult time right now, but at least you are all here to keep us company. And on Christmas morning, nonetheless!” She continued.
“Can we see her? How is she doing?” I questioned.
“Well… she’s back in the ICU.” Casey’s mom revealed.
“What? I thought she was okay last night?” Casey replied.
“She was… but after you two left she got worse again. I’ve been with her almost ever since, only came out here to catch some fresh air. Poor Cole is taking it worse than I am. He’s really struggling with his sister’s illness. He always has ever since it started, I mean, but these past few hours… I worry about him.” Cole’s mom finished.
“You want me to talk to him?” I asked.
“”If you think you can get through to him, then by all means. I’ve tried to get him to come to terms with this, I already have, but I don’t think he can.” She responded.
“Come to terms?” I inquired.
“Let’s just say it’s a good thing you all came here to see Faith this morning.” She hesitantly answered.
“Is that a mob forming outside of the hospital, or am I going crazy?” - Cole
“Lol, we’re all here for your sister, dummy. Come outside!” - Lexi
“Eh, you come inside, it’s too cold, and I’ve been wearing the same thin hoodie for three days now.” - Cole
So I headed inside to the waiting room, per Mr. “too cold” Salinas’s text, and was greeted with a very warm hug. Temperature wise.
“So how are you holding up?”  I asked.
“I’m good.” He answered.
“Oh come on, be serious.” I added.
“I guess you can already see through my lying, huh?” he replied.
“I don’t need to have known you that long to know when you are.” I responded.
“Honestly, I can’t handle this. I know, I know, it sounds horrible, and I know I keeps saying it, but I just don’t want to live in a world where my little sister is dead and I’m alive. I don’t deserve it. What have I done that entitles me to a longer life than my sister? Lexi, I love you but I…” Cole revealed.
“Don’t say that. You are an amazing person, Nicholas Salinas, don’t ever let anyone, even yourself, say otherwise. I thank God everyday for sending you back into my life.” I insisted.
“I just… you’ve seen what I’ve done with my sister just being sick. My arms have more scars than a Papa Roach song. I don’t want… this.” He continued.
“I don’t think anyone wants whats happened to Faith to be a thing, but it’s life sometimes. Not everyone gets to have a long, fulfilling life.” I tried to say.
“I can’t do this Lexi. I can’t stand-” He began.
“Cole, I am going to be by your side for as long as it takes to get you to snap out of this. I get it, you’re upset, as you very well should be, but this will pass. I won’t give up on you, ever.” I finished.
“Um… I am clearly walking in on a serious moment, so forget I was even here.” Noah added, walking backwards.
“Wait, Noah, I want to ask you to do something.” Cole said, stopping Noah.
“Anything, mate.” He replied.
“If something were to ever happen to me, please take care of Lexi. I’d like to know that she has someone in this world, even if that someone isn’t me.” Cole revealed.
“I will of course do that, Cole, but aren’t you being overdramatic? I thought your sister was the one in ICU, not you.” Noah questioned.
“Overdramatic? Says the guy who told my girlfriend that he’s gay, when clearly he’s not? C’mon Noah, it doesn’t take a genius to know that you are definitely not “batting for the other team.” I mean I get it, you had to save face, to not seem like a total asshole for trying to swoop in on Lexi when I was already taking her to the dance, but don’t try and mince words. You are in love with Lexi just like I am.” Cole vented.
“Cole, come on, don’t be like that.” I interjected.
“Oh I forgot to say Merry Christmas to you Lexi. You too, Noah.” Cole said, a lot calmer.
“Back… back at ya, bud.” Noah awkwardly answered.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I was out of turn.” Cole said, even calmer.
“No worries, mate. You yell at me as much as you want.” Noah replied.
“You should take a walk outside, to calm yourself down. See everyone that came out for your sister.” I added.
“Maybe later. I gotta use the restroom first. Be right back. Can you hold my hoodie really quick?” Cole asked, as he headed for said restroom.
“Look Alexis, I’m gonna go outside again before I cause any more disturbance between you two.” Noah began.
“Cole isn’t wrong, is he?” I asked.
“About what?” He replied.
“About… you. He may have been out of line, but he was right, wasn’t he? I mean, everything kinda makes sense if so.” I continued.
“Alexis…” He tried to say.
“Just tell me, Noah.” I insisted.
“Look I… did you hear that sound? Sounded like glass shattering.” Noah questioned.
“Glass? …Cole! Nonononono!” I yelled, as I sprinted towards the hospital restrooms.
“The door is jammed! How in the world… can we get some help over here!” Noah shouted, as the two of us tried to pry the door open.
“What’s going on?” Mr. Salinas asked, emerging from the nearby cafeteria.
“Cole jammed the door from the other side, and we heard broken glass.” Noah answere.
“What! Cole! Open this door!” Mr. Salinas yelled.
… We must’ve tried opening the door for a couple more minutes until security was able to force it open. But when we did… All I had to see was the shards of glass strewn with blood. I froze. Between the screaming, the rushing of people outside, I couldn’t do anything. I only let my guard down for a second, but that was all that Cole needed. After all that talk of me saying that I would never leave his side until he snapped out of his depression, I hesitated. I broke my promise. The rest of that day was a blur. I couldn’t function at all. It took the combined strength of my parents, Casey, Cole’s parents, Noah, and Moni just to get me to eat anything for the rest of the day. What was supposed an amazing day filled with love and gift giving turned into just… bleh.
The next couple of days weren’t all that better either. I mean, I felt like I had let Cole down, heck, I felt like I had let everyone down. All I wanted to do was lay in bed and stay there until school started again. Unfortunately, the thorn in my side that was Noah decided against that with a simple phone call
“Alexis, please don’t hang up this time.” Noah pleaded.
“Noah, I don’t really want to talk right now.” I said, sighing.
“That’s completely fine. Just hear me out, if you will.” He insisted.
“Fine. Talk away.” I replied.
“Look Alexis, I know that you’re feeling down right now, who wouldn’t be. And I know that there probably isn’t anything I, nor anyone else, can say to make you feel better.” He began.
“Then why are you calling me at one in the morning?” I asked.
“I just wanted to make sure that you are-” He tried to say.
“Noah, I’m fine.” I interrupted.
“Yes, but in case you’re not-” He kept on.
“I’m FINE, Noah. I’m just… tired.” I said, sighing.
“I um… I also called because I felt like we ended our last conversation at the hospital abruptly, and that we needed to finish it.” He continued.
“What conversation?” I asked.
“Cole was right. I have said before that while everyone has this preconceived notion of me, I personally have no idea what or who I am. I do know one thing though, and that is that I am undeniably in love with you Alexis McCall.” Noah admitted.
“Are… are you serious?” I said, shocked.
“Yes. I cannot stop thinking about you Alexis, and it is driving me bonkers right now.” He continued.
“I don’t need this right now Noah. I have no idea why you would think that telling me that you’re in love with me when you know how I’m feeling right now helps, but it doesn’t.” I argued.
“I… I know. it comes off as douche-y but-” He tried to say.
“No. you don’t need to explain yourself anymore. Goodbye, Noah.” I finished, abruptly ending the call.
Like, who says THAT to a girl when she’s… ugh.
I tried to take my mind off the matter of Noah when my dad decided to give me the weirdest conversation I had had recently, which really says a lot, when you think about it.
“Honey, can I come in?” My dad asked.
“Do you have to?” I replied.
“So uh, what do you want for dinner?” He questioned.
“Aren’t you supposed to ask me how I’m doing first?” I answered.
“Well, your mom, sister and I have been asking you that for a couple of days now and you don’t seem interested in answering that, so no.” He responded.
“Then why are you in here?” I continued.
“Because I genuinely want to know what you want for dinner. I mean, it’s a tough choice. We can have chicken, or beef, or even fish. I’m leaning towards beef, but I’m open for a debate.” He seemingly joked.
“We just had beef stew yesterday.” I pointed out.
“Oh yeah? I guess I forgot. Are you tired of beef, then?” He inquired.
“I don’t know. Maybe we can have something different today.” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“Oh yeah, you’re right. Beef is old hotness. Chicken is what’s in now!” He chuckled.
“Ugh, why…” I lamented.
“So chicken it is, then?” He asked.
“Dad, I don’t care what we have for dinner.” I replied.
“Sure you do. It’s a very important matter.” He insisted.
“No it isn’t.” I said, shaking my head.
“Come on, I value your opinion, just pick one!” He persistently asked.
“Look, fine, let’s eat beef again.” I begrudgingly responded.
“Okay, good enough. I think we should have enough for everyone. Um… ” He added.
“OH MY GOD DAD JUST COOK CHICKEN THEN!” I yelled.
“No you’re right. I like beef better. I can under cook beef, but I can’t under cook chicken. Well, I guess I could, but… yeah.” He said, still trying to get a smile out of me.
“If you wanted to cook beef this whole time, then why did you even ask me?” I asked, calming down.
“Because I still wanted your opinion.” He insisted.
“Even if it didn’t matter in the long run?” I asked.
“Well, I wouldn’t say that it didn’t matter. Just because you already have your mind set on something doesn’t mean that you can’t change it. Even if you get beef for dinner, it doesn’t make chicken less important. The world isn’t always black and white. Good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people, and all that really matters at the end of the day is whether or not you left the world a better place than you started at.” He said, more serious in tone.
“I think this conversation has made me a vegetarian.” I joked.
“Honey, it’s not the end of the world when one person dies. It may sound like I’m belittling someone’s life when I say that, but it’s the truth. Not everyone gets to have a happy and fulfilling life. But it doesn’t make that life any less meaningful than those that do. Cole wouldn’t want you to lay here moping around for the rest of your life, would he?” He asked.
“No. I guess not.” I replied.
Then don’t. Come downstairs, help me cook dinner, and move on with your life. Stop being such a Negative Nancy.” He finished.
“How did we get from talking about beef and chicken to this, again?” I said, finally smiling.        
Yeah, my dad is weird. But I guess he was right. I didn’t need to mope around for the rest of my life. That’s not how I was before this whole ordeal, and that’s not how I want to be remembered as.
“Hey, is that the necklace that Cole gave you?” Dad asked, pointing to the small box on my dresser.
“Oh, yeah. I haven’t opened it again yet.” I answered.
“Why not? Well, that’s none of my business. … Say, did you ever give him your present?” He questioned.
“No. I had it with me when… wait, the hoodie!” I said, jumping out of bed.
“What hoodie?” He replied.
“Cole’s hoodie, he made me hang on to it when he went to the restroom. There was something inside of it!” I said, remembering the pockets of it.
I searched Cole’s hoodie and found the thing that I had remembered feeling when I put it on as I left the hospital.
“It’s a USB drive. And… a note?” I said, showing the items to my dad.
“A note? what does it say?” He asked.
Dear Lexi,
I am so sorry for all of this. I feel a little two faced telling you that you mean so much to me, yet here I am about to do the stupidest thing ever. I am so sorry, from the bottom of my heart, I don’t want to do this to you, but I don’t want to go on living anymore. I can’t go on living on this Earth knowing that my sister won’t be either. I know she’s going to die soon, and that is something that is still eating away at me inside, that I can’t shake off. I don’t think I ever will. I know that I got you a present already for Christmas, but I wanted to give you something else. I think I once told you that I was a bit of a writer. Well, I’ve kinda been keeping a diary of all the days I’ve spent with you. I… made it into a book attatched on this USB drive. I know it’s not that great and all, but I did my best to make it kinda cool. It may not ever even sniff a best selling anything list, but if one day, someone reads it and can at least partly understand it, can relate to it at all, and dare I say, affect someone’s life just like you have done with mine, then it was all worth it. I love you, Alexis McCall.
Cole

*Alternate Epilogue*
“And so, as I wrap up this speech, I’d like to leave you with a couple of parting statements that I hold dear to my heart. Always be true to one another. Never take time for granted, for it can be the most precious thing we need. Let us cherish the moments we have with one another while we still can. If people were as kind hearted as Cole, we’d be living in a better world. May he always be a beacon of light unto this world.  Thank you.”
Admittedly, I feel I may have tried too hard in that speech.  I tried too hard to make it sound better than it really did, and I think it showed. But I suppose that it really didn’t matter what others thought about it. The important thing was that I persevered and delivered a speech I never in a million years would think I’d give. But after all that time I spent with Cole, I guess it’s only fair that I did.
“Good Job, honey!”
“I didn’t think you had it in you!  Well, I mean, I had hoped, but… uh…”
“Thanks mom, dad.”
The cool breeze picked up again after I had stepped down from that podium. December was here again. It was a little bittersweet thinking about Christmas nowadays, on one hand I wanted to feel happy, but after the events that had transpired just a couple of years ago… it was hard. It almost felt, well, wrong. Like I couldn’t celebrate, not without…
“That was a really amazing Speech, Lexi. I loved it.”
“Thanks, Faith. I’m glad you liked it.”
“I’m glad I was around long enough to hear it.”
“Hey, that’s not funny. You’re in remission now.”
“Yeah, but it could always come back.”
“And if it ever does, you’ll be there to kick its ass again. C’mon you have more things to worry about than Cancer anyways. You’re about to graduate high school!”
“Yeah, that’s true. And then I get to move out to L.A. and see your sister again!”
“Hah. Well, I’m sure that she can’t wait to see you again, either.”
“Well, I gotta go, my parents are calling me.”
So um… yeah. Faith pulled through that night, and eventually was treated and her cancer even went into remission. I guess you could say that everything that Cole did was all for naught, but… that’d be mean.
“Miss Alexis McCall.”
“Mister Noah Evans. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“That was a fantastic speech.”
“Thanks. I was totally nervous the entire time.”
“Although if I may, your words made me come off as a little crass. As if I was the villain of this story.”
“Well, to be fair, you did try to steal me away from Cole.”
“I did NOT.”
“Yeah… you did.”
“Well… you try and tell me what a person is to do when someone else steals the love of your life from under you.”
“We were seventeen, Noah. You really thought I was the love of your life back then?”
“Oh, there’s no past tense, Alexis. I am STILL madly in love with you.”
“Then why haven’t we spoken in seven years?”
“Because you aren’t returning my phone calls.”
“You could have technically come to my house. Showed a little more effort.”
“Alexis… we graduated from high school. I went to Yale. That would be some trip!”
“We didn’t graduate right away from school, Noah. there were five entire months you could’ve said something.”
“Like I didn’t try? Alexis, after Cole passed, you were harder to get to than Area 51! I tried! I called your mother every damn day to see how you were! You. Would. Not.”
“I can’t do it again, Noah! Cole was my one and only. I’m a lost cause.”
“Not to me you’re not. Look, Alexis… you can be mad at me, you can be mad at yourself, you can be mad at practically anyone at all, and I wouldn’t fault you. But there has to be a time when you realize that you have to move on, that you’re still in your mid twenties and you can in fact fall for someone again. I will admit that this someone may not be me, but if you can’t get over Cole’s death seven years later… what are you still doing here?”
“Goodbye Noah.”
“Goodbye Alexis. I hope you find your peace within soon, cause quite honestly, it kills me to see you like this.”
“Noah, what are you-”
“Show me your wrists, tell me you’re not cutting yourself like Cole was before he died!”
“So what?”
“You cannot keep putting on this act, Alexis! You smile for others and for the camera, but deep down, you’re unhappy. I won’t say you were always the happiest girl back in high school, but… you were better than this. Cole knew you were better than this.”
“Well what do you expect me to do, mister know it all?”
“Are you insane? How many people do you come across asking for coffee and advice? How many people have you helped out by giving them some caffeine and a moment of your time? You don’t want to talk to me, fine. But talk to someone. Get over this, cause clearly, that specch didn’t help.”
“You think I need a shrink? What makes you an expert?”
“That PhD I have hanging on my wall.”
“What?”
“Ha, you don’t know? What do you think I went to Uni for? Sports? I got my degree so I can help people, Alexis. People like you. But I can’t do anything unless you ask for it.”
“Fine Mister Evans. You think you can help me?”
“I know I can.”
“Then let’s dance.”  

It was Christmas Eve.  I know that the day before had already been pretty amazing, but I had a feeling that this one would top it. I mean, come on, it was Christmas freaking Eve! Holiday music was blaring, Christmas lights were glaring, and joyful people were… um… staring? Anyways, the morning had already been eventful, My whole family had mingled with others at the Town Center Christmas Extravaganza®. People all around town had been dying to know how good ol’ Casey McCall was doing out in Hollywood. Of course, no one else in this family was doing anything even remotely topical right now. No one was graduating in six months, no one had a few thousand people following them on YouTube, no one just began dating the greatest guy she’s ever met… It was just Casey. We met with people all throughout the morning, and into the early afternoon before we finally made our way back home. I was just about to call Cole to see what he had planned for the evening when he decided to call me first.
“Lexi, um… You need to come over. Like, right now.” He instructed, with a serious tone in his voice.
“What’s wrong, you sound like you’re in trouble or something?” I questioned.
“Um… Faith. She’s being rushed to the hospital.” He tried to let out.
“What? Like, right now?” I replied.
“Y…yeah. Can you meet me there on second thought?” He insisted.
“Of course. Are you okay?” I said, worried.
“I don’t know.” He finished.
That was the first time I had ever heard Cole sound so unsure of himself. Yeah, he was nervous as hell when he wanted to ask me out, but even that wasn’t even near as close as what I heard over the phone. I’ve described countless times in the past how Cole loved his sister, and that he’d always say that he didn’t know if he could handle her death. I had never been sure what to take from that, if Cole was saying that because he didn’t really know what he’d do without his sister, or whatever, but I knew that I had to be there. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that no matter what happened, I had to be there for Cole, for Faith, and for their entire family. Casey kinda felt that way too, so she tagged along. We headed over to the nearby hospital, and were met with a frantically pacing Cole in the lobby.
“So, how is she?” I began.
“I don’t know. She seemed okay last night, right?” He questioned.
“Yeah, of course.” I answered.
“You know what the crazy part about all of this is? When they loaded her into the ambulance, she… looked peaceful. Like she was at… at…” Cole said, trying to hide his clearly flushed cheeks.
“Don’t even say that! She’ll fight this, don’t you worry Cole!” Casey exclaimed.
“And if she doesn’t?” Cole replied.
“She will!” Casey insisted.
“I just… I don’t want to be too optimistic. Things have been going way too well recently to assume everything will always be okay.” Cole argued..
“Damnit Cole, stop thinking about yourself for a change! Your sister is in the ER, and all you can think is how you’ll feel if she goes?” I yelled.
“You know what, I am just going to find your parents, Cole.” Casey said, awkwardly walking away.
“You think that this is all about me? You think that I’m not worried about my sister? That I’m out here perfectly fine and she’s in there, trying to be resuscitated? You think that I’m worried more about what will happen to me than what is happening to my sister right now? That couldn’t be further from the truth, Lex. It’s all I’m thinking about. And I can’t stop thinking about it. That’s the problem.” Cole vented.
“Cole, C’mon, let’s not fight. Not right now. Just have faith in your sister, no pun intended.” I said, trying to ease the mood.
“I’m not really feeling faithful at the moment. Hell, I don’t know what to believe in right now. Everything’s so fucked up, I don’t know how to make heads or tails of the situation.” Cole continued, beginning to tear up.
“I know it’s hard to really do anything right now. But I’m here for you. Whatever you need, if you need someone beat up, I’m your gal.” I joked.
“Lex, I love you, but I think you may have made the wrong decision in agreeing to go out with me. I’m not in a very consoling mood right now, I’m… I’m…” Cole tried to say.
“Cole I swear to God, if you say “I’m a grenade right now…” Look, I knew what I was getting into when we started dating. I knew it wasn’t going to be all ice skating and moonlight gazing, that there could come a day that you would be at your worst. You’ve told me time and time again that up to now, you’ve always felt that you were alone in your life. Well, I’m here to show you that you’re not.” I said, trying to console him.
“I don’t… I don’t want to be that guy, you know? I don’t want to be that guy who everybody treats nice all because his sister died. Like doing that would somehow make everything better for me or something. I get that I sound a little conceited at times, that it sounds like I’m more worried about myself than my sister when it comes to the big “C” word, but the truth of the matter is that I just don’t want to be treated any more special than her. You don’t need to feel sorry for me, I’m not the one dying.” Cole finished.
“I know babe, I know. Let me get you something from the cafeteria, you look like you haven’t had anything to drink in days.” I responded.
“You think they have sugar sticks?” He answered, cheering up a bit.
“Haha, if they don’t, I’ll go and get some.” I replied.
“Nah, don’t. I want you to be here. You know, in case.” He hinted at.  
I made my way to the hospital café and got Cole, my sister, and myself drinks. When I came back, Cole and Casey seemed to be having their own heart to heart conversation.
“Thank God you were able to plan all of that stuff yesterday with Faith. If, you know, she’ll be happy knowing that at least she met her idol.” Cole began.
“You know, I actually wanted to come earlier than I did. I wanted to cheer her up the moment I found out about her. I remember when she was three or four, we’d leave Sunday service trying to figure out where to go for lunch, and I’d see a little girl running around in circles asking everyone what communion tasted like.” Casey quipped.
“Haha, oh wow, I remember that. She’d asked everyone so much, that my mom eventually gave her a fake version with tortilla bread and grape juice.” Cole added.
“Hey, I got you two drinks.” I said, passing them their respective beverages.
“Ooo, two and two, right?” Casey asked.
“Of course, just like always.” I replied.
“Hey, this isn’t coffee.” Cole complained.
“I know, it’s green tea. I thought it would help calm you down a bit.” I replied.
“Um, Lex, I was talking with Casey when you were gone, and I really think that you should go wherever you want after you graduate. You shouldn’t just wait for me, that doesn’t make sense.” Cole insisted.
“Cole, I’m fine with moving wherever you go, we’ve been over this!” I argued.
“That’s just it. What if I don’t move at all? Heck, what if I don’t even get into college and I’m stuck here in Sugar Land for the rest of my life?” He pressed on.
“Then I’ll be right here by your side.” I replied.
“But that’s not fair for you or anyone else! Look, I know that technically, you don’t need to be based in L.A. to be a huge Youtube star like your sister, but I also don’t think that you can be what I know you can be here in Bumfuck, Texas. I think you definitely need to get out of this town. All it’s gonna do is hold you back, when you need to spread your wings, as cliche as that sounds.” Cole responded.
“And you don’t?” I questioned.
“I still need to figure out some stuff on my own. Seeing my sister like this, it’s really been eye opening. I think I need some time to collect myself after graduation, especially if… tonight goes south.” He answered.
As the two of us chatted on, Cole’s mom finally came outside to us and gave us an update.
“Cole, your sister is awake.” Cole’s mom spoke up.
Can I go see her?“ He immediately asked.
"Definitely. We don’t know if… if…” She replied, trying to hold back her tears.
Cole hesitated to go at first, looking at me like I had to go with him or something.
“What are you waiting for, go say hi to your sister for me!” I shouted, pushing him towards the room.
“And give her a hug for me.” Casey added.
As Cole left with his mom to be with his sister, I could barely collect my thoughts before Casey was at bat. Err, I mean spoke up.
“I know that Cole wants you to leave him after you graduate, but can you? I mean, he already seems like a mess, and that’s with you around. If faith… you know.” Casey began.
“That’s exactly why I don’t want to leave him. I’m not going to pretend that Cole and I have been best friends forever, that I know him inside and out, but in the time that I have really gotten to know him, I learned enough to know not to leave him alone in a time of need. I know that Cole won’t be okay when Faith dies, whether it’s today or down the road. Cole was lonely enough as it was before the bus incident, God forbid Faith dies tonight and I leave him after graduating. I’m definitely worried about him.” I spout off to her.
“You think he’ll go off the deep end?” Casey asked.
“He already did once before.” I said, sighing.
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“I know that you can’t really see it now because of the cold weather, and because he wears hoodies all the time as a result…but Cole cuts himself. I’ve seen the scars on his wrists. I’ve tried to get him to stop ever since we started dating, but he just won’t consistently stop. He’ll stop for a couple of days or so, but then he’ll get back to it. I don’t think that Cole wants to live in a world where he lives and his sister dies. It’s definitely going to take a turn for the worse thanks to recent events.” I revealed.  
“Holy… no wonder you want to stay with him after high school.” Casey replied.
“Case, I love Cole. I know we’ve only really talked to each other for a couple of months now, but I already know that I’ll love him for the rest of my life. I’m not about to let him kill himself, even if that means giving up on everything I have.” I insisted.
“How old are you again? Sometimes I think that you’re more mature than I am.” She joked.
“Well, you do still play with legos.” I joked back
“You know, I was supposed to tell you, mom and dad over dinner tonight, but I’m kinda seeing someone at the moment.” She informed me.
“What, really? Casey McCall, YouTuber extraordinare, has a boyfriend? …Where do you find the time?” I questioned.
“Well, to be honest, we actually met through YouTube.” She continued.
“Why am I not surprised?” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“I know that you and Cole haven’t beem together for that long, but I know that you two are totally in love. If I can have even half of what you two have, I’d be ecstatic.” She finished.
“My sister is fine. For now, at least.” Cole said, rejoining us.
“See, I told  you that your sister is a fighter.” I answered.
“That’s great news.” Casey added.
“Um, I don’t know how much longer we’re gonna be here. We could be here all night. You girls should go home. You know, spend Christmas morning with your family.” Cole suggested.
“We’ll do that. Go home, sleep, eat breakfast, and come back. I’m sure that our parents would love to visit Faith as well.” Casey replied.
“Oh you don’t need to come back. it’s Christmas, spend the day with your family.” Cole insisted.
“We can still spend the day with our family here. You guys shouldn’t be alone, especially on Christmas,” I responded.
“Are you sure?” He questioned.
“Definitely. Besides, this way, I can go home and give you your present tomorrow.” I kept on.
“You got me something?” He asked.
“Of course, it’s our first Christmas together. Don’t worry, you don’t need to get me anything.” I replied.
“Well… I already did. I was going to come over tonight, but well, this happened.” He revealed.
“Aww, Cole. You didn’t need to… I mean, with things going on with your sister, a present for me should be the last thing on your mind.” I said, blushing.
“It’s an arrow necklace. Kind of a metaphor, if you will. Wear it when you’re feeling down, because like an arrow, no matter how far down you may feel, how far behind you are in life, eventually you, and this arrow, can only move forward.” He revealed.
“I love it. I’ll wear it all the time.” I said, blushing.
"Go home and get some sleep. I can handle it from here.” Cole suggested.
“Are you really sure? I mean, I can always stay. I don’t want to leave you like this.” I said, pouting.
“Lex, I’ll be fine. Faith is fine. It’s like, almost 2 A.M., so go home.” He insisted.
“Well, okay. We’ll be back soon.” I relented, kissing Cole on the cheek.
So Casey and I went home for the night. I was counting on Cole telling the truth, that he really was okay. As Casey hinted at earlier, our parents were totally okay with going to the hospital on Christmas, especially since it was Faith that we were seeing. But it wasn’t exactly just us who wanted to visit Faith on Christmas, it was… well… let’s just say that Casey sure has some sway in town.

So I might’ve forgotten about this thing. Whoops. Anyways, I was thinking of posting a short story on here for lent, and then I realized that I already posted a majority of On the 8th Day on here already. Genius. So I figure that I’ll post the last two and a half chapters on here, and then… well… we’ll see.

Bringing this thing back for Lent, yo.

Chapter 6 – Christmas Eve Eve

     December 23^rd. It was two days before Christmas, and well, I like to think I have changed a lot over the past month and a half. I actually began going back to church again, sometimes even more than once a week. Probably the biggest thing was that a guy I had known for most of my life, but never had the chance to really talk to until last month was now the biggest part of my life. Cole Salinas was now my boyfriend. It still shocked me just saying it. We went on our date not long after Cole and Moni’s fake date, and well, we were going even stronger than we ever had been up to that point. I mean, of course we kind of had to, all things considered, but I digress.

     Anyways, the 23^rd had finally arrived, and that meant that my sister was finally arriving in town, and that Faith would finally get her winter wonderland. Yes, it sounded like something straight out of a holiday movie, but who didn’t want to skate along a frozen lake to “let it snow” with snowflakes falling to the ground? Scrooge McDuck, that’s who, also known as Noah Evans.

     “I just don’t understand why I’m needed. You seem to have enough people going, and I definitely don’t want to be a third wheel.” Noah complained over the phone.

     “C’mon, you have to go! If I can convince my boyfriend, I can convince you! Besides, you wouldn’t be a third wheel, I’m inviting Moni.” I argued.

     “So the girl who was devastated to hear that I’m gay is supposed to be some kind of consolation? I don’t think either of us are up for that.” Noah replied.

     So in between Galveston and now, Moni kept on pressuring Noah on a date, so he finally told her that he was gay, which honestly, was not as heartbreaking for Moni as I thought it would be. She took it pretty well, I think.

     “C’mon I know Faith really likes you!” I kept on.

     “We’ve barely even met! I’ve said, like, one line to her in the past!” He continued.

     “She doesn’t really have that many friends. Who knows who will actually show up today.” I added.

     “Fine, fine, I’ll do it. But you owe me.” He said, defeated.

     “Great. Sticks lake at 4p.m., okay?” I said, ending our call.

     So after that groveling, I finally convinced Noah to come. Everything really was set now. We had the lake behind Sticks frozen and raring to go, some of Faith’s classmates had agreed to come, and Casey was probably grabbing her luggage as I talked with Noah. Four P.M. came, and things finally began.

     “It’s nice to finally see you in person, Faith. How are you?” Casey asked, as the two hugged.

     “Well, probably not as good as I’ll feel at the end of the day!” Faith answered.

     “Haha, I don’t doubt it.” Casey said, laughing.

     “So is this how it feels in New York?” Faith questioned.

     “Well, close enough. I mean, aside from the giant tree, I guess.” I added.

     “I just hope that I don’t fall too much.” Faith said, pouting.

     “Ha, between you and me, I fell plenty of times when I learned how to skate, so don’t feel too bad if you do.” Casey whispered.

     “Wow, really?” She asked.

     “Pinky swear!” Casey exclaimed.

     As Casey and Faith got acquainted to the ice, Cole and I had a heart to heart.

     “Can I ask you something?” Cole began.

     “Sure.” I said.

     “Why did you say yes to me?” He asked.    

     “What do you mean?” I replied.

     “You clearly were traveling around with Noah when you stumbled upon Moni and me in Galveston, so what gives? How come you didn’t ask out Noah instead? I mean, you were about to go to the dance with him. Why am I so special?” Cole went on.

     “C’mon Cole…” I sighed.

     “I just want to know. It’d ease my mind. But if you don’t want to tell me, it’s fine.” He added.

     “Noah is not what you think he is. He is, and always has been, just a friend, nothing more. It’s not like you.” I tried to explain.

     “Lex, I’m not jealous or anything. I know you’re spending a lot of time with him, I just-” Cole said, trying to defend himself.

     “Cole, Noah bats for the other team.” I revealed.

     “Wait, what?” He said, shocked.

     “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but Noah is gay. He told me back at the dance.” I informed.

     “And you’ve kept this a secret until now?” He asked.

     “Uh-huh.” I answered.

     “Are you sure?” He pressed on.

     “Sure that I’ve kept it a secret?” I said, puzzled.

     “Sure that he’s gay.” Cole insisted.

     “Well, I didn’t bring my gaydar that day, but I’m pretty sure he is.” I joked.

     “I just would never guess that he is. Who knew?” He said, shrugging his shoulders.

     “Yeah, it’s been kind of a big secret to keep from everyone.” I continued.

     “Who else knows?” He asked.    

     “Moni knows.” I revealed.

     “You told Moni before me?” Cole complained.

     “Well, she is my best friend.” I argued.

     “Yeah, but… she blabbes about everybody.” He replied.

     “Also, I didn’t tell her, Noah told her himself. He kinda had to with her trying to basically force herself on him for the last month.” I explained.

     “Oh. That makes sense.” Cole said.

     “Please don’t tell Noah I told you.” I pleaded.

     “Why?” He asked.

     “Because he trusts me with that information, and that was the first time I talked about it.” I answered.

     “If you say so, consider it hidden.” Cole replied.

     “C’mon, it’s a big deal. Be serious.” I complained.

     “Yeah, I get it. I won’t say a thing, Lex.” He insisted.

     “Say a thing about what?” Noah asked, as he came upon the two of us talking.

     “Lexi needs… something, and doesn’t want anyone to know.” Cole said, trying to save face.

     “Ah, say no more.” Noah responded.

     “How are you, Noah?” Cole asked, trying to be pleasant.

     “Good, and you Cole?” Noah replied.

     “Awesome. Well, I have to go get that thing that Lex wants so I’ll see you later!” Cole said, awkwardly walking away.

     “Is your boyfriend okay?” Noah questioned.

     “Yeah, he’s just… uh, embarrassed. You know, having to get that thing that I need.” I answered.

     “Oh I don’t doubt it. Heck, I’d be embarrassed to get something like that. Having to walk down that aisle… ugh.” Noah said, shuddering.

     “Wait, what do you think I asked Cole to get me?” I asked.

     “Well, you know, girl things. Starts with a T, rhymes with, um, ramp-on?” He suggested.

     “Wh… n… no! Not… oh lord, not that! Yeah, I wouldn’t doubt that he’d be embarrassed to get that. He’s uh, getting me a PSL from sticks. I was, uh, craving one, so…” I mumbled through.

     “Then why the secrecy? Sticks is right there. He won’t even be gone that long. What, are you still scared to be seen together or something?” Noah questioned.

     “No, just… it’s complicated. Just let it be.” I insisted.

     “Fine. Well, shall we?” Noah asked, extending his hand to mine.

     “Shall we what?” I replied.

     “Skate, silly. Don’t you know how?” He responded.

     “Well, yeah. I just didn’t know that you did as well.” I said, confused.

     “Then why would you invite me to a frozen lake? To ponder at the scenery?” He pointed out.

     “I don’t know. Yeah, we can skate. I’ve been dying to break in these new skates that I bought, and I don’t know how long Cole is gonna be.” I finished.

     “Well then, come on, Nancy Kerrigan, the evening is still young.” Noah said, taking my hand as we headed out to the middle of the lake.

     As Noah and I skated, I kind of felt that I was cheating or something on Cole. I know, I know, I wasn’t, but the way that Noah and I danced along that ice, you’d think that… nah.

     “Anyway, Noah and I danced around the lake for a good forty minutes before Cole came back, and when he came back with nothing at all, we had to come up with some alibi to keep Noah from guessing that anything was amiss at all. It felt weird, keeping the fact that I had revealed his secret, well, a secret. I sort of felt that things could’ve definitely fallen apart on a dime, that this thing I had going, keeping Cole and Noah friends, could’ve come undone at a moment’s notice.

     “Aww, you should’ve texted me, I could’ve gone inside to get some drinks when I came back.” Cole sadly stated, after explaining that I told Noah that he had gone to Sticks.

     “Where did you go, anyways?” I asked.

     “I went to Town Center to walk around for a bit. You know, to collect my thoughts.” He revealed.

     “You are one weird individual, Cole Salinas.” I said, laughing.

     “At least I’m not the one in love with a weird individual.” Cole shot back.

     “You think that now…” I joked.

     “So what did you do when I was gone?” He questioned.

     “I danced with Noah for a while.” I explained.

     “Ooh, that must’ve been fun. Skated with Mr. World Class himself?” Cole went on.

     “What do you mean?” I asked.

     “Oh come on, don’t tell me that you didn’t know about Noah and how he competed at the junior world championships the other year! It was huge news at school. If I were him, I’d boast about that win to everyone I knew!” Cole informed.

     “Wait, really? Have I been living under a rock this entire time?” I questioned, pouting.

     “I’m afraid so, Patrick.” Cole laughed.

     “Come to think of it, he did seem quite agile when we skated.” I pointed out.

     “Maybe you should’ve asked him to teach my sister instead of Casey.” Cole suggested.

     “I don’t think Faith likes Noah as much as she likes Casey. World Class figure skater or not.” I replied.

     “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He responded.

     “You know, I’m a little surprised.” I began.

     “About what?” Cole asked.

     “The fact that you don’t even bat an eye when you hear that your girlfriend danced with another guy.” I explained.

     “Skated with another guy. And who cares? C’mon Lex, even if Noah was straight, I still wouldn’t care.

     “The fact of the matter is, if you liked someone else, then you probably wouldn’t be dating me. At the end of the day, I’m your boyfriend, and he isn’t.” He answered.

     “Mhmm, busting out the big stuff already, huh?” I said, joking.

     “I don’t mind you skating with another guy, Hazel Grace. It would be an honor to have my heart broken by you.” He said, with a big smirk on his face.

     “These are where my tears would be if I hadn’t read that line over a billion times already. Or if it wasn’t like, twenty degrees outside.” I replied.

      “Yeah, who knew that southeast Texas could even have this kind of weather? I mean, hell has literally frozen over today.” Cole added.

     “And not a moment too soon wasn’t it like 80 degrees last year on Christmas?” I responded.

     “Hey, I never got the chance to really thank you, you know, for everything you and your sister have done for Faith. I know my parents appreciate it and have said it, and my sister obviously did, but I haven’t said it yet.” He gratefully said.

     “Hey C’mon Cole, don’t get all teary eyed on me already!” I joked.

     “You know it’s hard for me to say stuff like that. I could barely muster up the courage to ask you out. Saying… this is even harder.” He tried to say.

     “You know that you don’t need to thank me or my sister, anyways. Faith is an amazing girl. Casey and I would do what we’ve done a million times over if we had the chance.” I responded, hugging Cole.

     “Aww shucks, these are where MY tears would be if, you know, I wasn’t a guy.” He said, pretending to wipe away a tear.

     “Hmm, I seem to remember sitting next to someone bawling their eyes out at the end of the TFioS movie the other day.” I pointed out.

     “That must’ve been Noah, cause I sure didn’t cry.” He fought.

     “I don’t even think Noah has seen the movie, so…” I egged on.

     “Alright, so what? It was a sad movie. Maybe I shed a manly tear. It wouldn’t be the first time. Field of Dreams, Lion King, Grave of the Fireflies… Oh God, the pain…” Cole said, shaking his head.

     “Yeah, that one part in The Notebook where it’s pouring rain… My heart still grieves.” I added.

     “Eh, I never cried at that part, probably cause had sex afterwards. It was all good to me.” Cole argued.

     “But… but, he didn’t write back! She waited! Fine, whatever.” I tried to say.

     “Bygones be bygones?” He asked, as he extended his hand.

     “What? You want to skate?” I questioned.

     “Yeah, we haven’t gotten around to it yet, and the sun is gonna set soon.” He replied.

     “Okay. Just know that it’ll be hard to outskate Noah.” I joked.

     “Oh man, why don’t you just marry him?” He laughed back.

     “Well, lead the way then.” I said, taking his hand as we headed towards the ice.

     “Between dancing… err… skating with Cole and Noah, I mean, Noah was obviously the better skater, but Cole just had… it. There was that magic in the air when Cole and I skated on that frozen lake that just wasn’t there with Noah and I. It was… to be perfectly honest, and I know I go too much into references, but it was Amsterdam. Gus and Hazel tasting the stars… that’s how it felt with Cole. Like nothing could go wrong. At least not until Cole spoke up again.

     “Hey, Lex… have you thought about what we’re gonna do once we graduate? I know we just got together, and it’s still a few months away, but come May… what are we going to do?” He asked.

     “Didn’t you want this day to be fun and nice? Way to put a damper on it.” I replied.

     “I don’t want to sound like a downer, I’m just asking. Alright, I guess we can talk about this some other day.” Cole stated, frowning.

     “Well, since you asked, I have thought about it. Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do after high school. I could stay here, build up my channel, or I could do that somewhere else. I have options.” I began.

     “You don’t want to move out to LA like your sister?” He questioned.

     “I mean, it’s whatever. I’ll move to wherever you want to go.” I responded.

     “Whoa, that’s uh… that’s a bold statement. What if I want to go to college, say, in Europe or something?” He questioned.

     “Well, then I hope that their wi-fi is awesome, cause I’d have to bash some heads in if it weren’t.” I joked.

     “Are you really okay with coming with me?” Cole reiterated.

     “C’mon Cole, if I wasn’t okay with moving with out, then I’d be a shitty girlfriend.” I argued.

     “I’d think you’d just be a normal person. But then again, neither one of us are, huh?” He said, laughing.

     “That is for damn sure.” I replied.

     “I just don’t want you to regret it, to just come begrudgingly with me because you think it’s the only way.” He continued, more serious in tone.

     “I won’t regret a thing. And do you know why?” I responded.

     “Why?” He asked.

     *Kiss*

     “Because some people are just worth following. Some people’s infinities-” I tried to say.

     “Are bigger than other infinities. Yeah, I get that Van Houten, but I mean, I know we technically have known each other for years now, but we still don’t really KNOW each other that well. I don’t know if I’d feel okay with asking you to come with me, if I even leave this place.” He said, interrupting me.

     “Well, what are you asking me to do, then?” I questioned.

     “I don’t know. I guess I’m just saying that you should really think about what you want first. Take a look at us objectively and think about whether or not we can stay together after graduating.” He insisted.

     “Okay. And who knows, maybe you’ll get into a school in LA and we can both go there.” I chuckled.

     “I don’t think LA would know what hit it if that happened.” He finished.

     So Cole and I skated on that rink for a little bit longer, and Faith finally learned how to skate. Noah, in all his glory, even shared a skate with her. The night went pretty smoothly, we all had some hot chocolate, and made the 23^rd a Christmas Eve Eve to remember. Also, cole and I totally shared our first kiss. Check that off my bucket list.   

Chapter 5 – Jamie and Landon and Augustus and Hazel

     If things between Cole and I hadn’t already changed after the dance, then it sure as hell changed after the other day.  And the funny thing was, I didn’t care. …About other people’s feelings, that is.  Hell, this wasn’t even me trying to make things right anymore. I actually began to like hanging out with Cole. By mid-December, I had basically began a habit of venturing over to Cole’s place to see him. …And his sister, of course, not… not just him. There was just something about Faith that drew me in. The little time I had spent with her up to then helped me realized that she still intended to live life to the fullest, regardless of her condition. She had, funny enough, faith in the future unlike anyone else I had met before. It made me feel like I had taken so many things for granted that I really shouldn’t have.   

     But back to the matters at hand. Just the other day, Cole had told me how he had a crush on Moni, and ever since then, it’s been eating away at me. I thought it was because I didn’t like the idea of the two being together, but well, after a talk with one Noah Evans, it became clear to me what it really was all about.

     “Miss Alexis McCall.” He began.

     “Mister Noah Evans. How can I help you?” I responded.

     “Are you busy?” He asked.

     “Not really.” I replied.

     “Can we continue this conversation on Skype instead of a phone so I don’t waste my poor mother’s minutes?” He questioned.

     “Uh, sure.” I answered.

     “So, I need to ask a favor from you.” He said, as his face took encompassed the entirety of my laptop screen.

     “Well, I hope I can help you out.” I went on.

     “I need you to help me let down Moni gently. The poor sob has been head over heels in love with me since the dance, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve tried everything!” He complained.

     “You can always just tell her that you’re gay.” I pointed out.

     “Yeah, or I could say something that wouldn’t be revealed to the entire student body in five minutes.” He replied.

     “What do you want me to do, exactly?” I questioned.

     “I don’t know, you’re a girl, you know what girls need to be told to stop them from ogling boys.” He insisted.

     “I don’t even… that entire sentence was offen… look. I might have an idea on how to get her off of your back.” I said, confused at first.

     “Yeah? What is it? Keep in mind, I am definitely willing to change schools if need be.” He joked.

     “Cole is in love with Moni. He told me himself the other day. …I mean, he told me in secret, so I probably shouldn’t be telling you, but then again, you told me… anyways, I can do something with that.” I suggested.

     “What? Cole told you that he likes your best friend, and you’re okay with that?” Noah asked, shocked.

     “Why wouldn’t I be?” I replied.

     “Well, I dunno Alexis, I mean, if I were in love with someone, I’d be a little upset if they told me that they liked my best friend and not me.” He argued.

     “But I’m not…” I tried to say.

     “I can see it in your eyes. You are undeniably in love with Nicholas Salinas. Whether you want to admit it is your business, but for the sake of time, let’s just call it what it is, okay?” He bluntly stated.

     “Noah, c’mon, I am not in love with-” I kept on.

     “Then why did you look so sickened when Cole and Moni initially went to the dance together?” He asked.

     “I didn’t… I wasn’t…” I mumbled through.

     “I know we’re on a Skype call, and my internet connection is spotty at best, but I can totally see you’re blushing bright red cheeks on my screen. Now will you stop wasting my time?” He questioned.

     “It’s… it’s not that obvious, is it?” I said, defeated.

     “C’mon, I’ve been there before. You try to deny your feelings, push them down into the deep chasms of your insides, but you just can’t change the fact that you’re in love with someone. And it eats away at you that you can’t tell them how you feel, especially once that someone falls for someone else. Granted, that someone else isn’t my best friend, so I don’t know how that part feels, but…” Noah rambled on.    

     There wasn’t really any denying it anymore. Noah was right. I might not have thought that way at first, but the fact that just thinking about the idea of Cole and Moni being together made me queasy probably made it clear. It wasn’t so much that I didn’t want them to date because they were two of my best friends, it was the fact that I liked one of them. Like, I love Moni to death, she is still and always will be my best friend, but why in the world would someone like Cole like someone like her? I didn’t get it.

     “Well, what do you expect me to do? Tell Cole not to ask out Moni? That’d sound pretty awkward coming from me. I just gave him my blessing the other day.” I asked.

     “Come on Alexis, you can totally stop him He’d give up on Moni if you asked him to.” Noah insisted.

     “No way. He straight up told me that he liked her, and that he wanted to ask her out. I don’t think me saying “don’t do it” would change anything.” I argued.

     “Well, let me ask you this, who has he spent more time with, you or Moni? Who did he teach before the dance, you or Moni? Maybe it’s not as straightforward as you think. Maybe it was just him begging you to take a hint for once.” He pointed out.

     “C’mon Noah, this is Cole Salinas we’re talking about. He doesn’t have that many layers to him. If he liked me, I think I’d know by now. He’d probably be avoiding me like the plague.” I continued.

     “I’m not so sure. Cole Salinas is more than meets the eye. I don’t think he’s as simple as you may think.” He insisted.

     “What, do you think he has some kind of slick, Augustus Waters vibe to him? The only thing slick about Cole is his dance moves.” I added.

     “Hey, I’m just trying to help you. But if you don’t want my help…” Noah said, shrugging his shoulders.

     “Well, let’s say that you’re right, that he wants me to say something to him to stop him from asking Moni out. What exactly would he have to win if I didn’t say anything? Would he really just go out on a date with Moni?” I asked.

     “Maybe he’s trying to pull the classic “getting to know the best friend” routine. Maybe Cole wouldn’t mind going out to a restaurant with Moni so that he can get to know you better.” He suggested.

     “But he’d be better off just asking me. Cole and Moni aren’t friends. Cole and I are.” I argued.

     “That’d take all the fun out of it, though. Besides, there are some thing that a boy just can’t seem to ask a girl, especially if he likes her like I think he likes you.” He replied.

     “Maybe I should ask Cole about all this. You know, get him to tell the truth.” I insisted.

     “No way. He’d never tell you, Lexi. He’s a guy, it doesn’t matter whether he likes you or not, he wouldn’t tell you in a million years.” He debated.

     “Then what exactly do you suggest I do? I’m getting mixed signals here.” I complained.

     “Look, let him go on this supposed date with Moni. Find out where they’re going, and… well… you know.” Noah began.

     “You want me to spy on them?” I said, shocked at the idea.

     “No. I want us to spy on them.” He insisted.

     “What? Why would you want to come along?” I asked.

     “Well, I did ask you to help me out at first, but after all you’ve said, I have to see how all of this turns out. It’s like watching a live action soap opera!” He joked.

     “Alright, fine. But if things go south, and they see us, this was your idea.” I begrudgingly put.

     “Fair enough.” He finished.

     So, like Noah suggested, I let this situation play out a bit, and sure enough, Cole asked Moni out on a “date.” He was taking her to Galveston island, to the fisherman’s wharf area, and then they’d go shopping at the nearby strand. …don’t ask how I found out. (But if you must know, Faith told me.) So Noah and I secretly planned to meet up on the island to be the best spies we could be. Because this totally would never blow up in our faces.   

     “Where have you been?  It’s five ‘till, I said quarter ‘till!”  I nagged.

     “I’m sorry princess, I needed to make sure my mom and dad didn’t see me driving off. If they knew I was driving without a license, they’d kill me.” Noah apologized.

     “How do you not already have your license? We’re seniors!… whatever, I don’t care.  Let’s just get inside.”  I sighed.

     “What?  We’re going inside? What for?”  Noah said, shocked.

     “To spy on them, duh.” I scoffed.

     “Uh, wouldn’t… you know, wouldn’t people get the wrong idea?  Walking into that restaurant together, I mean.”  Noah nervously asked.

     “Get your rear end inside before I drag it in myself! We’re already here, so we might as well go balls out for this.” I yelled.

     “Yes ma’am.” Noah said, quietly shutting up.

     As we headed inside the restaurant to stake out the place, Noah decided to play twenty questions even more.

     “Hey, what if they get a table outside? What, are we just going to walk outside for some fresh air every five minutes or something? People would think that we’re crazy or something.” Noah complained.

     “They’re not going to get a table outside, Noah. Why are you getting such cold feet, anyways? This was your plan!” I assured him.

     “I’m just making sure we don’t get seen is all! Also, what makes you think that they don’t want an outside table, anyways?”  Noah questioned on.

     “Well, there’s a drizzle outside, and I don’t think Cole or Moni would really care for a smoke or two, do you?” I questioned.

     “A smoke? Oh a cigarette! No, I suppose you’re right.”  Noah said, hesitating at first.

     “Just lay low and we won’t draw attention to ourselves. We don’t have to hide behind a hat and a trench coat now.” I ordred Noah.

     “Well, I’d think I wouldn’t want attention, considering the first thing they’d notice is the two of us sitting at a restaurant by ourselves.”  Noah joked.

     “Are you two ready to order?” The waiter asked the two of us.

     “Um, I’ll just have a glass of water.” I quietly answered.

     “Do you guys have a soup or fish of the day or something?” Noah asked him.

     “Noah!  We’re not here to stuff our faces! Why are you ordering food?” I asked in disbelief.

     “Well, we don’t know how long we’re going to wait, so I figured I’d eat a little. Besides, I’ve barely eaten all day so I’m starving.” Noah explained.

     “Shh!  There’s Cole!  That’ll be all sir, thank you.” I whispered, shooing off the waiter.

     …I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Cole walking hand in hand with his date.

     “Moni sure took her time to get all dolled up… Are you really sure Cole doesn’t want to date Moni?” I gasped.

     “Well, Cole may be simply trying to get information on you, but I never said Monica would just oblige. Maybe she’s making Cole earn it.”  Noah whispered.

     “Oh God, what if Cole really does just like Moni? What have I done? I never should’ve… damnit.” I said, frustrated.

     “Calm down Alexis! They’re going to hear us if you keep yelling.” He argued.

     “Sorry, you’re right. I guess we’re both a little on edge right now. Let’s just see what happens.” I said, mainly to myself.

     “I hope no one we know can see us here. It’d be kind of embarrassing to have to explain that we’re spying on our friends, you know what I mean?” Noah chuckled.

     “Good, they can’t see us from where they’re sitting.” I said, relieved.

     “Who in the world…?” Noah asked, as another pair of kids joined with Cole and Moni at their table.

     “I don’t… Oh it’s Randall! And I don’t know who that other girl is.” I honestly answered.

     “Wait… Beatrice Davis, she’s a sophomore in school! Are Randall and her on a date? …There’s no way?”  Noah added, raising his voice.

     “Oh man, he has a date and I don’t? Sheesh, this day better hurry up and just end. I’m afraid I won’t be able to get through it.” I sighed.

     “Well, we can further the date along by running into them. …Umm, separately, maybe. Together would… yeah.” He suggested.

     “And say what? Tell them that we were spying on them?  Do you know how bad that sounds, Noah? How do you even know who that other girl is?” I said, trying to calm him down.

     “The jackass thinks he can take my ex-girlfriend from me without a fight, huh?  I’ll show him…” Noah went on, clenching his fist.

     “Good Lord, calm down Noah! This doesn’t even make sense, when did you even date her! …and why would you care now, anyways?”  I scolded him.

     As I sat there watching Noah get emotional over his “ex-girlfriend,” I realized that as crazy as he seemed, I wasn’t much better. Maybe the two of us were wrong for spying on Cole and Moni.  What they were doing without us was really none of our business.

     “Looks like Monica is already making her move. Damn, she works fast.”  Noah whispered.

     Or… it was sort of my business. I mean, friend or not, if Miss Monica Dewhurst thinks she can just waltz in and usurp Cole into doing things with her…

     “Wow, you have that look like you want to punch someone or something.”  Noah said, staring at me.

     “Well… maybe.  I don’t want to impede on my best friends respective love lives, but I mean, when it’s potentially each other, I have to. It sucks. I don’t want them dating, but I don’t want them to be mad at me, either” I said, pouting.

     “Hey, you know… you had your shot at Cole. I mean, it wasn’t that long of a window, but still. You shouldn’t really blame Monica. She just did what you wouldn’t. Take Cole out on a date.”  Noah pointed out.

     “Oh? Did you not just tell me to basically put myself in the middle of them? Besides, you don’t look to happy that this girl is going out with Randall, either. Are you sure you’re gay?”  I snapped back.

     “I’m just saying that things could be worse. Also, I’m one hundred percent sure that I am not interested in girls. Beatrice Davis just so happens to be the reason why.”  Noah answered.

     “Aww, was there a bad break up or something? Did she cheat on you with someone else? It wasn’t Carl Wadsworth, was it? Cause I heard-” I tried to say.

     “That’s enough! We’re here to help you, not talk about my past.”  Noah balked.

     “Oh don’t play that game. I can see it in your eyes, you’re pretty mad about Randall and Beatrice. Just tell me what happened so I can stop you from doing something that’ll get both of us in trouble.”  I argued.

     “She… sort of walked in on me and Ben Newton in an awkward position. I swear, nothing happened, cause Ben isn’t even gay!”  Noah shot back.

     “Awkward position? How awkward? …never mind, I don’t want to know.” I added.

     “Look, ever since then, she’s had it out for me! I have told you that I am in fact gay, but not everyone knows yet, and I sure as hell don’t want them to find out from the mouth of Beatrice freaking Davis. Can we just get back to the matter at hand? I’m fine.” Noah said, peeved.

     “Wait, where’s Cole?”  I said, shifting my focus back at the other table.

     “I don’t know. That’s a good question.” Noah answered.

     “Okay, we have a grilled tilapia and a house salad. Do you two need anything else?” The waiter said, returning with Noah’s food.

     “We’re good, Thanks.”  Noah answered. 

     “Word of advice, you might want to give a bit of your food to girlfriend over there. Don’t let her get too hungry, you know?”  The waiter whispered to Noah.

     “Huh? Oh, she’s not my girlfriend. We’re not on a date, if that’s what you mean.”  Noah insisted.

     “Sure… you’re not. You’re just two friends who’ve been arguing for the past ten minutes” The waiter finished, walking away.

     “Wow, eavesdrop much? …You want to eat some? I mean, even for me, I think I ordered a bit more than I can chew.” Noah asked me.

     “No thanks, I’m fine. Where in the world did Cole and Moni go?”  I questioned, almost crying.

     “Relax, I’m sure they… well, if they’re doing what I think they are, then maybe you shouldn’t relax…” Noah thought out loud to himself.

     “Uh oh.” I gasped.

     “What?” Noah replied.

     “Randall and his date are getting up.  Quick, blend in!”  I said, hiding myself behind the drink menu.

     “Damnit, just when I start eating…” Noah complained.

     “…Noah?  Alexis?” Beatrice said, as she saw through our ruse.

     “Uh, hi Bea, how are you?” Noah awkwardly acknowledged.

     “What… what are you two doing here?” She questioned.

     “We’re um…uh…” Noah tried to say, panicking.

     “My dad invited his parents out to lunch. They know each other. You know, from church.” I added.

     “Oh?  Where are they?” Beatrice prodded on.

     “Outside. There’s something wrong with the validation parking I think.” Noah instinctively answered.

     “O…kay.” Beatrice shrugged.

     “What are you doing here?” Noah added, playing coy.

     “Oh, um, I’m here on a date. This is um…”  Beatrice squirmed through.

     “Randall.  Randall Perry. Nice to meet you, Noah I already know Lexi, she’s only been hangin’ out with my best friend for the past month. What’s up?” Randall asked, extending his hand.

     “Nothing much. How… how are you?” I said, trying to play nice.

     “Oh, just dandy. You know, you just missed Cole. He and Moni were with us.”  Randall answered.

     “You don’t say? Any idea on where they are now?”  Noah politely asked.

     “Cole and Moni went shopping ahead of us. They already ate, so they were just getting a little bit of dessert with us. Although to be fair, neither of us was really hungry, so we could’ve just gone with them.” Beatrice replied.

     “Yeah, can we bum a ride from you and your parents when you’re done? They were kinda our ride.” Randall questioned.

     “No problem, I’m just finishing up my dinner, and then we can leave.”  Noah replied.

     “Where are your parents again?” Beatrice prodded.

     “It doesn’t matter.  I drove, I can take you guys there.” Noah insisted.

     “Well, hurry up then, Noah.” I added.

     “Hey, um, Lexi, can you come with me to the bathroom while we wait for Noah?”  Beatrice urged.

     “Um, okay.” I hesitantly replied.

     As we walked to the restroom, I could see out of the corner of my eye that Noah was fishing for words to say to his new competition, but just couldn’t find them.

     “Hey, I uh… if you two are going out, I don’t… you don’t have to keep it from me. I can keep a secret.”  Beatrice suggested.

     “What? Noah and I? Hell no. I mean, I know that you and Noah used to be a thing, but… no. Don’t worry.”  I said, balking at the idea.

     “Oh. Sorry, I didn’t want to offend your or anything. I just thought… I don’t know.”  Beatrice apologized.

     “Is there something bothering you?  You look a little sad.”  I inquired.

     “Well, to tell you the truth, I didn’t really expect Noah to be here. Cause… well, I know that we broke up over the summer, but he’s the kind of guy who takes like, a year for his next girlfriend.”  Beatrice confessed.

     “Did he not tell you? I swear to God that he said he did.”  I asked.

     “He told you that I walked in on him and Ben, huh?”  Beatrice replied.

     “Well, yeah. And that you got the hint that he… you know, isn’t looking for a girlfriend.” I responded.

     “Look, I don’t know how much you think you know about Noah Evans, but believe me, I spent six months dating him. I know for a fact that he isn’t gay, Ben or not.” Beatrice revealed.

     “Then why would you break up with him?” I bluntly questioned.

     “I didn’t. Did he tell you that I did? He broke up with me.” Beatrice explained.

     “What? Why?” I said, shocked at the reveal.

     “I don’t know. Maybe he’d been waiting for the right moment to break up with me, maybe he had wanted to for a while. All I know is that I accidentally walked in on him and Ben, and all of a sudden, he says that he’s gay, and that he doesn’t want to be with me anymore. I’d say that there was another girl, but he hasn’t really talked to anyone at school since our break up. Well, aside from you.” Beatrice informed me.

     …Beatrice wasn’t… she was just really just concerned for Noah. All this time… I thought it was one sided, but now, I don’t know. I don’t know what to say to Noah now.

     “You really don’t know where Cole is?”  I sighed.

     “Cole and Moni just walked out. They looked at the menu, but didn’t even order anything, so it’s not like they were going to dine and dash on the place. Cole probably just had his spur of the moment type thing, you know? Lots of guys do that on the first date. Take you to a random place cause they just had an idea.” Beatrice explained.

     “You don’t think they’re… you know. Bumping uglies, do you?” I added, grossed out at the idea.

     “What? Cole and Moni? No. I mean, yeah, they could, maybe, but I don’t think Cole’s the kind of guy that would do that so quickly. Also I think Moni’s dad would probably make Cole shit his pants if he even tried to do anything with her.”  Beatrice assured me.

     “Oh, you don’t have to say that to me, I know him personally.”  I sighed, relieved.

     “So, um… how did you meet Randall anyways? I know he’s pretty quiet in town, so did Moni or Cole introduce you?”  I said, changing the subject.

     “Actually, Randall and I are next door neighbors. We’ve known each other for a while, but he’s never really talked to me. At least not until recently.”  Beatrice explained.

     “I see. Well, we should get back out there, we don’t want to keep the boys waiting too long, now.” I said, wrapping up our small talk in front of the mirrors.

     “Welp, I’m stuffed, are you all ready to go now?”  Noah asked, as Beatrice and I made our way back to the table.

     “Lead the way Mr. Evans. Come on Randall.”  Beatrice answered, taking Randall’s hand.

     As the four of us headed towards Noah’s car, I started to become even more worried about Cole and Moni’s whereabouts. I mean, I think Beatrice was right, they probably weren’t doing anything too… you know, but why would Cole just up and leave Randall and Beatrice in the middle of a restaurant? It doesn’t make sense. Anyways, the four of us headed to The Strand so Beatrice could show her new boy…uh…friend around like she said she wanted to.

     “Why don’t we split up and look for Cole and Moni? The Strand is a big area, so dividing in two makes sense.” Beatrice suggested.

     “Yeah, okay. Do you still have Noah’s number in case we find them?” I answered.

     “Um… yeah, of course.” Beatrice hesitantly answered.

     And just as fast as we got together, the four of us split up again in hopes that we could find Cole and Moni.

     “You think they’re here?” Noah asked.

     “Maybe. Moni has been looking to do a haul video for a while. …Poor Cole.” I replied.

     “You know, you and Bea were in the restroom for a while back at the restaurant.” Noah pointed out.

     “Yeah, about that…” I began.

     “Oh no.” Noah quipped.

     “Beatrice told me what happened between you two.” I continued.

     “And you believe her?” He argued.

     “Well, her explanation was more concrete than yours was.” I pointed out.

     “Can we talk about this later?” He asked.

     “Not if you want to still be friends.” I answered.

     “What do you mean?” He added.

     “You come randomly into my life, ask me out to the winter dance, make me go with you instead of the guy I wanted to go with, tell me that you’re gay and want to be friends, and yet, you still keep secrets from me. When were you going to tell me about Beatrice? Is there anything else you’d like to tell me before I find out about it? Are you a serial killer?” I rambled on.

     “Okay, okay, I’m sorry I haven’t been completely honest with you. The truth is, my name is Noah Evans, and I don’t really know what I am. And I don’t even just mean my sexual orientation, I mean in general. Everyone around me thinks I’m this mythical creature that should be put in a museum for everyone to be amazed at. My own damn teachers are scared to talk to me because they think that I’ll get them fired or something. I get it, I come from a rich family, people think I’m good looking, I might never have to work a hard day’s night in my life, but I’m still a human being. I do have faults. You are the only person in the world that can just talk to me completely unbiased and unabridged. Everyone else in the world is just a yes person, and that includes my ex-girlfriend, miss Beatrice Roxanne Davis. I hated going out with her, so I had to come up with a way get out of it to save my sanity in a world that I believe may eventually come crashing down on me soon. I’m sorry.” Noah vented.

     “Um… so, are you still gay?” I stupidly asked.

     “Can we just find Cole, and put this bloody day behind us? I’m tired.” He answered.

     “You can always go home. We did take separate cars. Although I guess I left mine near the wharf.” I pointed out.

     “No, I’ve already been through most of this, might as well go through all of it. You still need a way to split Cole and Moni anyways.” Noah said, sighing.

     The two of us walked in silence after that exchange for a good thirty minutes, and probably rightfully so. I still don’t understand Noah completely, but it didn’t matter, cause he wasn’t the one I was after, anyways. I could always deal with him on a later day. Anyways, after about an hour or so of trekking through Galveston, we finally found Cole and Moni sitting under a tree. Thankfully, they weren’t k-i-s-s-i-n-g.

     “Noah, Lexi! Fancy meeting you here!” Cole exclaimed, as we walked up towards the pair.

     I mean, for all intents and purposes, the sneaking was over. It’s not like it was going to do any good anyways, Cole spotted us from a while aways.

     “We were just talking about you, you know.” Moni added.

     “We’ve actually been looking for you for a while now. Do you know you left Randall and Bea high and dry back at the wharf?” Noah pointed out.

     “Oh. Shit, I knew we forgot something when we left!” Cole said, feeling guilt.

     “We were going to come back to get them, don’t worry.” Moni continued.

     “So what are you two doing here, anyways?” I asked.

     “Well, we…” Cole tried to say.

     “Jeez Cole, do I have to do everything? He needed some tips on what to do on an actual date.” Moni explained.

     “Tips? On what?” I questioned on.

     “He wants to ask you out, silly. He just didn’t know how to ask. The boy can ask her best friend out to lunch so that he can get the inside scoop on her, but he can’t even close the deal. Sheesh. You didn’t think that I would actually go out with him did you? He’s yours Lexi, I know that.” Moni revealed.

     “What? You… oh.” I said, secretly relieved.

     “I love it when I’m right. And you were all like “No, Noah, Cole really likes Moni! He wants to break my fragile heart in two because no one loves me! Waah!” I didn’t realize we came from the Twilight universe.” Noah said, mocking me.

     “You’re an ass, you know that?” I quickly added.

     “So… um, if it’s all the same to you, will you… um…” Cole said, shaking.

     “I swear to God, if you don’t say yes…” Noah threatened.

     “Yeah, of course. Next time, you should probably just ask straight up instead of going through all of these hoops. We all wasted an entire day on… Wait, if you went to lunch, when did you meet up with Randall, then?” I said, shifting focus midway through my sentence.

     “In the early afternoon. Why?” Cole questioned.

     “Just… why bring him all the way here?” I continued.

     “He wanted to. Randall said that he wanted to take Bea out to something exotic, and I didn’t have a full tank in my car, so I said Galveston it was. I mean, I can’t blame the guy. Have you seen Bea? She has, um, wait…” Cole tried to explain.

     “What?” I asked.

     “Noah, you used to date… whoops. Sorry. I don’t want this to be awkward.” Cole said, apologizing.

     “I don’t think you could make this any more awkward than it already is, my friend.” Noah replied.

     “What do you mean?” Cole inquired.

     “Nothing. Something you can ask your date down the road. Can we all just go home now? I’m starving.” Noah insisted.

     “Uh, you just ate at the restaurant.” I pointed out.

     “I know. But my metabolism is through the roof, so I can always eat more. And I do!” Noah said, laughing.

     And so, what turned out to be the most pointless day ever, um, wait, I don’t know how to end that. We were finally back to how everything should have been. I mean, you know, aside from the whole Noah situation, what Cole and I would be doing on our date, and well, a lot of things. 

*Worry not, I didn’t abandon O8D just yet, in fact, I’ve been done with it for a while. I just haven’t edited and typed it out on my computer. But with November, and NaNoWriMo upon us again, I figured I had to get it out. So be ready for an influx of posts from here for the rest of the night.*

Chapter 4 – Tubed

     After the dance, things seemed to finally hit a groove. Things between Cole and I were finally at ease, I didn’t feel like I owed him anything anymore. Heck, I’d go as far as to say we were good friends now. Moni and I were good too, especially after I let her use me as a guinea pig for one of her makeup videos she did after the dance. Finally, for whatever reason, Noah and I were on speaking terms, which was definitely not the case with Noah and, well, really anyone else at school to be honest. I mean, I can’t really complain, I get it, I knew his secret, and because of that, he had to talk to me about everything, but I’m just saying…

     Anyways, with the dance finally behind us, and Cole’s dance lessons finished, the two of us grasped at straws as to what exactly we could do now when we hung out.

     “Uh, I’ve never seen you shoot any of your videos.” Cole began.

     “You want to see me talk to the camera? It’s not like I act any different than in real life. Not that I know of at least. But I guess you can hide behind it while I shoot.” I replied.

     “That’s what she said?” Cole added.

     “Um… you want to come over tomorrow? I’m gonna do a couple of videos before Christmas rolls around.” I asked, pondering to myself.

     “Sure. What are you doing? House tour? Favorite holiday drinks?  Ooh, favorite John Green novels?” He answered, trying to guess the answer.

     “Uh, I’m not sure just yet, I’ll let you know before you come over.” I admitted.

     “Really? Don’t you have that stuff planned out in advance? What kind of YouTuber are you? What if these videos take too long to upload to the internet? Your fans will be devastated!” Cole joked.

     “Yeah yeah, I know, I’m the bane of the universe. I did have stuff planned out for the longest time, but the dance stuff threw me out of wack. Now that I have time again, I’m procrastinating a little bit, so sue me.” I argued.

     “Hey, do you mind if I bring my sister? My parents are busy tomorrow with Church stuff so I gotta take care of her.” Cole questioned.

     “Yeah, no problem. Heck, your sister can be in my video for all I care. I can’t remember the last time I actually talked to her in person. It’s weird, the two of us have become fast friends over this past month talking about your sister, but never actually with her anywhere around us.” I responded.

     “I mean, she would probably rather be in your sister’s videos, but hey, you’re a good consolation prize!” Cole joked.

     “Maybe I can get my sister to talk to her while you two are here. Let me give her a call.” I continued.

     “She could definitely use it. Some of the kids at her school are giving her flack for her condition. I mean, seriously? Can I call a kid an asshole without offending someone?” Cole ranted.

     “Yeah, kids can be jerks sometimes.” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

     “Hell, it’s not limited to kids. Everyone can be like that. Stupid-ness does not come with an age limit.” Cole added, calming down a bit.

     “Let me call Casey right now. She shouldn’t be too busy.” I said, changing the subject.

     And before you could say Abracadabra, Casey’s face once again filled my computer screen.

     “Yeah, I can talk to her. Heck, I can talk to her in person too when I come home for Christmas. Jeez, who in the heck gives a girl shit for having cancer? What dicks.” Casey complained.

     “Thanks. Faith’s really gonna be ecstatic when I tell her she can meet her idol. She’s seen every video of yours like, ten times. Heck, she has a room full of your posters and pictures.” Cole replied.

     “Well, you can tell “Stan” that I’ll be there on the 23^rd and that I’ll do a special video with her as my special guest.” Casey added.

     “Ooh, a special guest in both of our videos? Careful she doesn’t die of excitement!  …Wait, shit! I did not mean to say it like that! …You know what I mean, right?” I accidentally blurted out.

     “I’m gonna go home now. I’ll see you tomorrow.

     Genius, Lexi, gen-freaking-ius.

     Anyways, despite me running my stupid mouth off again, Cole and Faith came over about a day later to help me with my video.

     “Wow, you even have that umbrella thingy like those professionals use!” Faith gleefully exclaimed, as she looked around my room.

     “Uh huh. I mean, I didn’t pay for it, it’s a hand me down from Casey, but it’s still good.” I replied.

     “So how many subscribers do you have?” She asked.

     “Almost seventy five thousand.” I answered.

     “And your sister?” She went on.

     “Um… four million I think?” I responded.

     “And you do this for a living?” She pressed on.

     “Well, I’m still in high school, so it’s not really for a living yet. But I guess you can say that I do.” I replied.

     “Dang! This one time, I had trouble talking in front of my class, and that’s only 20 kids! Seventy five thousand!  Wow.” Faith said, finally finished with her questions.

     I have to admit, it was kind of cool to see Faith so mesmerized by something as simple as a camera in a well lit room. Being in front of a camera, recording something for thousands of people to watch was cool, but having someone physically in front of me kinda felt daunting. I never really had faces to put in front of people who watched my stuff. So with Cole and Faith behind the camera, I knew it was different.

     “So, yesterday I asked you guys to give me some questions for me and a special guest to answer, and you all came up with some really good ones. And without further ado, My special guest will draw them from random out of this hat that I have, and, well, you know. This is Faith Salinas. Say hi, Faith!” I began.

     “Um… hi?” She shyfully answered.

     “Faith is one of my good friend’s sister. Okay Faith, why don’t you pick out the first question?” I continued.

     “Okay. This says “Lexi, how does it feel to have Moni Dew as a best friend? She’s so great, and I love how-””Faith tried to say.

     “Um, who is that from?” I interrupted.

     “It just says a concerned friend.” She replied.

     “…Thanks Moni. Why don’t you pick something else for me to answer?” I asked.

     “Okay. This one is from PixelFairy99. It says “Lexi, do you have a boyfriend?”” Faith continued.

     “Um… haha. I get this one pretty often, actually. No I don’t have one, but if you know someone…” I answered.

     “I thought Cole was your boyfriend?” She blurted out.

     “What? Who told you that?” I questioned.

     “Don’t look at me.” Cole added.

     “Mommy said that you and Lexi were always spending time together, that she was sure you two were dating.” She revealed.

     “I think mom was just speculating with dad. We’re just friends, Faith.” Cole replied.

     “But mommy said you two spent more time with each other than her and daddy. She said you two were probably just waiting until our dinner together with both families to tell us.” Faith continued.

     “Wait, what dinner?” Cole questioned.

     “Oh. I might’ve suggested to my mom that we all have dinner together when Casey is in town.” I admitted.

     “Why?” He went on.

     “Well, I mean, we’re pretty good friends now. I figured we should get together and clear the air with our parents. Also, your mom suggested it when I first came over on Thanksgiving.” I revealed.

     “Huh, my mom never said anything about this.” He pointed out.

     “You’re not mad or anything, are you?” I asked.

     “Nah, I just wish I knew about this sooner.” He said, shrugging his shoulders.

     “I mean, Casey doesn’t come home for a few more days anyways, so you do know ahead of time. You do now, at least.” I argued.

     “Well, whatever. We should probably keep going, this question has gone on for a while now, I don’t think your subscribers need to hear about this.” He finished.

     “It’s okay, I turned off the camera when Faith first said something.” I answered.

     “Okay, this next one is from able_thumper. “How come you never have any guests on your channel? You’ve been on Moni’s channel a few times, and Casey’s once, but no one ever comes on your channel.”” Faith eagerly said.

     “Well, I mean, Faith is helping me with this one, and my good friend Cole is behind the camera… I dunno, what do you all think? Leave a comment below and let me know if I should have more people on here.” I answered.

     “I think you should let Cole be on your next video since I’m on this one.” Faith added.

     “Duly noted. Maybe I will.” I replied.

     “I don’t think I have a good face for the camera.” Cole admitted.

     “I didn’t think I did either when I first started these videos, but here we are.” I revealed.

     “Alright, next question.” Cole said, changing the subject.

     “Hey, I’m supposed to say that!” I said, pouting.

     “Then say it.” He said, egging me on.

     “Just pull another question, Faith.” I muttered.

     “Okay… Noahoftime88 wants to know if… wait, you already answered if you have a boyfriend.” Faith said, already answering my question.

     “Yeah, pick again.” I quickly said.

     “Ooh! bellaxedward4ever wants to know what you want to do when you graduate.” She asked.

     “Hmm… I mean, I’d love to be able to just make videos for a living like I’m doing now but… I suppose if that doesn’t work out then I’d love to be a veterinarian. There’s just something about animals that pulls at my heart, especially if they’re sick.” I revealed.

     “Wow, me too! …oops, sorry.” She apologized.

     “It’s okay, it’s definitely a cool job in my opinion.” I insisted.

     Anways, to save time, the rest of the afternoon went by with no real problem. I answered a couple more questions for my video, and then had a heart to heart with Faith about her wanting to be a vet. It kinda bothered me how Faith kept on saying that she’d love to do that job IF she grew up, and not when. I mean, I could hear it in her heart that she basically conceded that she wasn’t long for this world. To have that mindset at eleven… I didn’t exactly make things better when I asked her this stupid question:

     “So, if you could have one wish before you die, what would it be?”

     “Well, I’d wish to spend a day at Disneyland. But I already got that, just like Hazel did in The Fault in Our Stars.” Faith revealed.

     I probably could’ve guessed that. I mean, if it wasn’t that, it’d probably be Amsterdam. Faith does kind of idolize Hazel Grace Lancaster.

     “Well, I meant on a slightly smaller scale. You know, something you could do here.” I added.

     “Well… I’ve always wanted to skate at Rockefeller Center. But I don’t know how to skate.” Faith admitted.

     “I don’t know if I can help you with the Rockefeller part, but I can help you with the skating.” I began.

     “Do you know how to skate?” She questioned.

     “Well, yes, but I had someone else in mind that can teach you.” I continued.

     “Who?” She eagerly went on.

     “A certain someone named Casey McCall.” I revealed.

     “Wow, really!? Casey would teach me how to skate?” She asked, grinning from ear to ear.

     “Of course. She comes in to town next week. I’m sure she’d be delighted to teach you.” I finished.

     “I’d be soo grateful if she did!” She gleefully said.

     “Okay, but you have to promise me one thing!” I insisted.

     “Anything!” She exclaimed.

     “You have to teach me how to skate after Casey teaches you.” I instructed.

     “But… can’t you just ask Casey to teach you? You are sisters…” She pointed out.

     “Ah ah, promise me!” I kept on.

     “Okay, I promise, I promise!” She finished.

     “Do you really not know how to skate?” Cole asked, whispering in my ear.

     The wink I gave him hopefully told him that I did. …or that I wanted him.  Which, I mean, was preposterous.

     “Wait, who’s texting you?” I questioned, as Cole’s phone vibrated louder than… never mind.

     “Um… we’re good friends now, right? You can keep a secret?” He responded.

     “C’mon Cole, just tell me!” I insisted.

     “I uh… I’m texting Moni.” He revealed.

     “Oh. Why were you so scared to say that?” I asked.

     “Well, I… kinda have a thing for her. I’m trying to muster up the courage to ask her out, but so far it’s just been small talk.” He informed me.

     “Uh, okay…” I said, puzzled.

     “That’s not weird to you, is it?” He questioned.

     “Weird that you like my best friend, and totally don’t want me to tell her? It kinda is.” I pointed out.

     “Well then, forget I said anything.” He insisted.

     “Kinda hard to do that now.” I replied.

     “I’m sorry, then. It’s just out in the open, now.” He answered.

     “Well, how long have you liked her?” I inquired.

     “I dunno. Since the dance?” He responded.

     “Okay, look, in theory, it’s none of my business on who you date, but then again, it sorta is since who that is happens to be my best friend.” I bluntly put.

     “Soo… what do you think she would want to do if she agreed to go on a date with me? Is dinner and a movie too cliché?” Cole continued.    

     “Ugh, it’s definitely too cliché.” I replied.

     As I tried to think up of a good idea for a date, it came to me just how much I’d gotten Cole to open up. I mean, this time last month we’d never have shared the time of day with one another, and now… To be honest, I really didn’t know how I felt about the prospect of Cole and Moni dating. I mean, as the link between them both, what would happen if they got into a fight? I’d be like the little kid in the middle of mommy and daddy divorcing, and I didn’t want to be a part of that. I already almost had that with my actual parents, heaven knows what would’ve happened if Cole and Moni dated and had a horrible breakup.

     “Cole, c’mon! I want to go home now.” Faith said, complaining.

     “Yeah, we should probably get going. My mom will worry sick if Faith and I aren’t home for dinner.” He added.

     “Okay, well I’ll see you both later, then.” I replied.

     “Can I just say one more thing to Lexi?” Faith asked.

     “Sure.” Cole answered.

     “Alone?” She added.

     “Fine, I’ll be outside.” He said, walking out.

     “Lexi, I like you. Don’t let Cole date your friend, I don’t like her videos.” Faith insisted.

     “Well, I mean, I don’t think I can control what your brother does. I don’t really like him, anyways as more than a friend, Faith.” I replied.

     “But… okay.” She finished, defeated.

     I get that Faith really liked everything that I did and that she liked me, but asking me to butt in between Cole and Moni was a bit much, even if I didn’t like the pairing.

     Anyways, after Cole and Faith left, I went off to bed, pondering the entire night whether or not Cole really would ask Moni out on a date, and if she would say yes.  I swear, at that point, I was wondering if I could sell my life to MTV since it basically felt like a crazy reality show by then. And we haven’t even gotten to the good part, yet.