• "Max, I love you. I need to know if you love me, too." Sam's words echoed the room, taking me by surprise.
    All I could do was stand there shivering in the dress I had so carefully picked out for this special night. Everything had went according to plan. That is, until now. Sam wasn't supposed to be here. But he is. And now the whole room was hushed waiting for my answer. What am I supposed to say?
    "Do you, um, love me back, Max?" Now Sam was standing there like an idiot. I guess that would be my doing. I still haven't answered him yet. I don't know how much time has passed. It could have been five minutes since he spoke and it wouldn't have made a difference.
    I know I needed to answer him. Three years ago, I would have screamed "Yes!" without blinking an eye, but, like I said, that was three years ago. I've wanted Sam since forever ago. I mean, he's cute. Handsome, even. he has chocolate brown eyes like me, and light brown hair. He has a tiny little scar on the back of his neck from when he got brain surgery. All his friends used to make fun of him for the small cleft in his chin, calling it "a butt-chin," but I always thought it was adorable.
    He was athletic, yet had a nerdy, book worm side. I liked him, all right. But did I love him? I couldn't very well have said, "Let me think about it."
    I thought of the time when I would have jumped at the chance to date Sam. I've had a crush on him since eighth grade. But is that all it was, a crush?
    Suddenly I realize my mouth was hanging open. I quickly shut it.
    Now I knew the answer. As much as I wanted to say yes, my heart told me no. If my answer was truly a yes, I wouldn't have had to contemplate it like I did. Sam turned me down so many times in high school, and I knew we'd be better off as friends.
    I have my answer, but how do I tell Sam? I think of the first time I admitted to him I liked him. He tried to guess who I liked by going through everyone in our history class. When he finally guessed everyone but himself, he made the connections. Sorry, was all he had said.
    "Sam..." I started, but my voice cut off. I reached on the nearest table for a drink and downed it. "Sorry," I croaked, then ran out of the room.