And there she was sitting on a chair beside me, glancing by her beautiful eyes. She wasn't paying attention to our professor who was discussing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Well, there were only few of my classmates who were really into Miss Beth's discussion; the rest including me, was feeling boring and tired after the acquaintance party last night-and the way how Miss Beth talked about Romeo and Juliet was boring either. I'm not sure if she was also not into the boring subject. She was peeking on me. I started to sweat on my forehead-was it because it was humid inside the class or it was the result of knowing that the girl who had a crush on you is looking on you with a very seductive smile. I could take the hot classroom but it was her beautiful face I couldn't take everytime our eyes met; whenever it happens, I melted.

I didn't like to think that she's in love with me-that would be silly-but the signs were there, and that's what her friends told me-that she liked me. I was melting over half an hour. My heart was beating so fast that I didn't know what's happening inside me. She was consuming me and I don't know what to do.

After half an hour of feeling "crazy infatuation", that's what we knew that we will be Romeo and Juliet in a play. I never heard them talking about a play. Should I blame her? My heart was beating again so fast not because I will act in front of a huge audience but because she will be my partner-I will be Romeo and she will be Juliet. I started to think of the kissing scenes and scenes higher than kissing scenes with her.

Miss Beth slammed the script on my armchair. It was that thick. The boys started teasing me with Abigail. I looked at her and I could tell that she too is nervous, uncomfortable, maybe thinking of what will happen on practice month.

The bell rang and class ended I never felt exhausted before. Everytime she looked at me, I felt that she's taking all of my energy. Every night as I went to sleep, she's the last thought in my mind and every morning, the first. I didn't know why I was feeling that way and it made me wish that time would turn backwards. I started to like Abigail.

On practice, we always made mistakes. My friends teased us, and when they did it just made me fall even more in love with her. Love kicked out liking in my heart and took over. I set a place inside just for her. We made mistakes on practice and Miss Beth couldn't find another way than to have overtime with us. I started to feel ease with play, maybe Abigail was a contributing factor for that. Abigail was a reason for everything in my life. She provides air for me to breathe and everything that I need. She's the one who made me whole.

Practice concluded on 8:40 that night. Miss Beth never forgot to give us reminders about how we should play Romeo and Juliet. And since it was too late, I decided to take her home by my car. She smiled at me and I smiled at her-don't know why. I felt "cold electricity" on my feet raising up to my legs. It was really late. I was hungry-I know she too. So we ate dinner at Louie's. She had beer that night. I didn't make a big fuss out of it.

She was feeling tipsy on our way. She was talkative-maybe because of the beer-and I liked that. We shared jokes and laugh at it though it ain't funny. She got a call from her mom and apologized for being late. She was really tipsy and was feeling of vomiting. I stopped the car. She didn't vomit. She was really dizzy. I took her inside the car and gave her a bottled drink. She was tired.

I held the key to start the car to get her home as fast as I could. But she stopped me I turned to her. I never expected that she will do that. She touched my lips by her lips and wrapped her arms around my neck. I tired refuse but it's no use. I can't. The sweetest downfall I made was that I kissed her back. We pulled our clothes from each other and softly we trembled. Her body was hot, she's in fever. we were both sweating-cold sweet-and our body had never been close before. She could feel pain-her breath escapes from her lungs- whenever she feels mine. I didn't wanted the night to end. My lips was hanging on her lips. Her kiss was sweet. She breathed," I love you, James", on my ear. I wish that night never ended so she's still here beside me.

Practice day came again, and she not present. I was thinking that maybe she's resting because of her fever. I wanted to talk to her, apologize about last night. I wanted to tell her what I feel for her. It's not because we had an experience but because I loved her.

Abigail was present on the next practice. I didn't know why, But I began to feel uncomfortable. I was like ashamed of what happened last night. I wanted to apologize to her but she looked tired because she was silent lately, maybe the day had been a long day for her.

We were left again for practice. We always come home late. She's really talkative which I missed during practice breaks. I was uncomfortable with her during practice but when we're alone together, it's completely different. I can't explain why and how. I felt that we're just friends but deep inside I love her-only I didn't admit to her the feeling that could take us higher than being friends.

And the night for the play came. Miss Beth was glad because everyone put on a good show. The crew decided to make a celebration at Louie's. I decided to myself to tell Abigail what I really feel for her. I wanted to give her a gift. The guys were really fun and I got drunk. I forgot that Abigail should get home before seven. Since I couldn't take Abigail home, Mike and Stephanie took Abigail home. I didn't knew what happened next.

I woke up in Duke's house. I drove back home. I was preparing for dad. I was expecting dad to get mad, maybe hit me on my face for getting drunk. Dad changed ever since mom died when I was still a kid. He wanted me to concentrate on my studies. I never understood why dad limits me on everything I does. I just didn't know that he did that because he cares for me. After dad's lecture I went up to my room, throw myself on bed. I got a call from Stephanie-Abigail's friend- but it was the doctor saying that she was in the hospital, critical.

Dad met me on the stairs, angry and asked me where I was going. I didn't answer him. Dad was furious. I told him that I was going to see Abigail.

"Who's Abigail? The new girl?"

I didn't answer, even I heard what dad said. I went straight to the door.

"Don't ever try to walk out from that door James. You have a college test to attend to."

I wanted to see Abigail. I didn't want to go to college without knowing that she's fine. College would mean nothing without her.

"Is this what you want to give to your mom James? Come back here James!"

I went back to him.

"You know dad, if mom's still here she will let me do what I want because that's what she wants. Dad, you're choking me. I need freedom, dad."

"Alright, go! And remember this James! Don't ever come back."

"I won't come back here. I swear", I replied.

"Ok dude! I'll just put your clothes outside the door whenever you're going to get it. At least, I won't see your face inside this stupid house again", dad said.

I never mind if I had still a house where I could return to. I wanted to see Abigail.

When I got there, I couldn't see Abigail. I looked for Stephanie. I found her in a room; she's in critical condition. I asked her where's Abigail but she burst in tears.

"I'm sorry, James.", Stephanie Said.

She continued to cry.

I laughed because I thought that it was a joke but I realized that it's not. I could not believe that I lost my bestfriend and the girl I loved.

"What happened?", I asked Stephanie.

She told me everything. I didn't know how to react. My heart was shattered in knowing the truth that Abigail was Mike's girlfriend. Abigail was always silent and never talked to me during practice was because Mike warned her that if she keeps on talking to me he would take me out from the football team since Mike is head of the team. I couldn't believe it because it was Mike I asked helped to set us up so that I could tell Abigail that I loved her. Stephanie told me that they were fighting inside the car when Mike lose control of the wheels and hit the coming truck. She was lucky, she survived.

I couldn't accept that Abigail was gone. I returned to the car, unconscious of the things around. It was hard to breathe and I felt that I was walking on nothing. It felt very weak and didn't know how all of that happened to me.

Abigail was everything to me. She gave me light, water if I'm thirsty. She helped me everytime I fell. She's my life. I love her, nevertheless I was blinded from all the signs that we're not meant for each other.

I missed Mike. He was my bestfriend.

I really couldn't believe everything that happened. My life was in chaos. I remembered that I got to get my things from the house. I didn't knew where to go back. It only added to the confusion inside my head. I felt that I was standing in the middle of a cold rain. I asked myself why didn't I fell for another girl. From all the girls why should it be Abigail? I wondered if my heart thinks or did I made the right decision of falling in love with her. I wondered why I keep on holding on her. My heart keeps on beating even though it's already broken. But the worst case is that I didn't choose to fall for her. My heart chose her and that I didn't have control over my heart. My heart beats for only Abigail.

Falling in love with her comes with a price. The rain was getting colder, and if Abigail was still alive, she would keep me warm. If Abigail was still alive, I would tell her "I love you." If Abigail was still alive...I don't want to know that she's gone.

I can't retreat from this love.