They were sitting on the couch watching a movie.  Maine's legs were stretched out on the cushions, while her back was leaning against his chest.  Alden's arm was loosely wrapped around her waist The position screamed "in a relationship" but truthfully they were just really close and comfortable with each other.  But closeness can change the way we see other people.  Sometimes we just want something more.

As Maine watched the screen intently, Alden looked at her and again silently admitted to himself that he had completely fallen for this girl.

A rush of emotion came over him and leaned in closer to her.  "I love you," he whispered.

"You're doing it again," she pulled away and bit her lip.

"I wasn't asking you to say it back." He looked at her intently, "is it wrong for me to put my feelings out there?"

"No." She shifted away from him and started picking at imaginary lint on her jeans. "But everytime you say it, I feel so pressured."

"Pressured?" His mouth pressed into a line. "Would you rather I didn't say anything?"

"Maybe?" She shrugged "I don't know. It just makes me feel bad knowing you're expecting me to say something."

"Wow! I make you feel bad?" he exploded. "I think it's unfair of you to tell me that."  

She cringed at his outburst. "That's not what I meant,"  she sighed. "If you're not willing to wait, then I think we might need some space."

"I'm not willing to wait?" He shouted. "What have I been doing the past months?  It's been weeks since I first asked you if you were ready."

He rubbed his face exasperatedly, "I'm just here waiting for an answer from you. I don't know when I'll get it, so I'm just waiting! Thinking! Is what I'm giving enough? Enough for her to eventually answer me?"

"I'm sorry!" she covered her face with her hands "I can't answer you...because...because I want to be honest with you." "And right now, the best answer I can give you is I'm not ready."

Alden felt her frustration and gently took hold of her hands, moving them away from her face.  "Hey.  I'm sorry too.  I didn't mean for you to take it that way." He squeezed her hands, "I just wanted to remind you, make sure you know just how much I feel for you."

Maine sighed and gave a small nod, "I know."

"I'll wait for your answer." He sighed, "I just hope by the time you're ready to give it, I'm still willing to hear it."

With that last sentence, Maine hugged him hard, eliminating all space between them, as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.