I stared at the oak wood door in front of Adrien’s house. After what seemed like forever staring at the door, I raised my hand to the door and knocked.

There was barking and the sound of movement coming from inside the house as someone unlocked the door and opened it.

A lady that I hadn’t seen in a while, who looked like a mix of Rowan and Adrien, opened the door. She had blonde straight hair pulled back in a high ponytail with hazel colored eyes. She wore a workout top and pants with sneakers as if she was just about to leave to go to the gym. She held a large golden retriever by the collar with one hand as she held the other door open with her other.

“Hello, Dahlia,” The lady said.

“Hello, Mrs. Carter,” I said with a smile. “Is Adrien home?”

“Yes, he’s in his room right now,” Mrs. Carter said with a smile. “Please, come inside and make yourself comfortable.”

Mrs. Carter moved to the side of the door as I stepped in through the door. Mrs. Carter shut the door and guided the dog to the backyard.

“Did you get a dog?” I asked.

“Yes. We just got him a month ago. His name is Scout. He’s a rescue,” Mrs. Carter explained.

“Oh. That’s cool,” I said.

Mrs. Carter nodded and then said, “Well, I have to head to the gym, Adrien is in his room.”

“Thank you,” I said as Mrs. Carter walked out the front door holding a water bottle, purse, and car keys.

The door then shut and I was left alone in the hallway.

I walked to Adrien’s room and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” A familiar voice said inside.

I opened the door to see Adrien sitting up on his bed looking at his phone.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey,” Adrien said, turning off his phone and setting it next to his side. “Please, sit down.” Adrien gestured to the seat next to him.

I then climbed onto the bed and sat next to him.

“What are you doing here?” Adrien asked. “Not that I don’t want you to be here or anything, it’s just…you haven’t been to my house since we were kids.”

“Yeah. I’m guessing your Mom never remarried?” I asked.

Adrien’s Mom was a single Mom of two sons, Adrien and Rowan. Adrien’s Mom was married to his Dad, but his Dad later cheated on his Mom in sixth grade. His Mom and Dad then divorced and his Dad decided he didn’t want anything to do with his kids. Adrien and Rowan haven't heard from their Dad since.

“No,” Adrien said.

“What about your…,” I started.

“No,” Adrien said before I could finish. He had an icy tone covering his voice filled with years worth of hurt.

I stared at Adrien, feeling sorry for him.

“Anyway, what is it that you wanted to talk about?” Adrien asked, changing the subject.

“I wanted to talk about us,” I said. “I know we talked about it yesterday, but I really want to make sure that what we have is real.”

Adrien watched me carefully as I talked.

“I want to make sure that you aren’t playing with my feelings. I know you aren’t, but…,” I said.

“I get it,” Adrien said. “I’m not playing with your feelings. I really like you, Dahlia. It’s just that I need more time. It’s just that I’m…I’ve…never felt this way with anyone before…and I…” Adrien started stumbling on his words as if he didn’t know what to say.

He looked really cute nervous.

“It’s okay. I understand,” I said, taking his hand in mine and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“No you don’t,” Adrien said, almost yelling as he ripped his hand from mine.

I flinched back, moving my hands close to my chest.

“Sorry,” Adrien apologized. “It’s just that I…”

I stared at Adrien, seeing the hurt in his eyes as he stumbled on what to say.

“I can’t,” Adrien said. “I’m sorry. I can’t. We can’t.”

I watched as Adrien choked on his words.

“We can’t do this anymore,” Adrien finally made out.

My heart started hurting as if it had never hurt before. It was as if someone dropped my heart, made of glass, out of a flying helicopter from one hundred feet in the sky. Making it shatter into a billion tiny pieces. My eyes started tearing up.

“What are you saying?” I asked, my voice quivering.

“I’m saying that we can’t be together. No more kissing. No more holding hands. No more anything,” Adrien said, looking hurt.

I recoiled back. His words stung like a third degree burn.

“If that’s what you want,” I said, swinging my legs off the bed, turning my back to Adrien. “I’ll see you at school.”

“I don’t think I can necessarily be friends with you either,” Adrien said, his voice full of even more hurt.

I turned back to Adrien, tears running down my face. I nodded as Adrien looked hurt seeing me cry. He started to get up to comfort me and then stopped right in front of me with his arms halfway in the air. He recoiled them back as if I stung him.

“I gotta go,” I said, turning around to leave.

“Bye,” Adrien said, his words empty and meaningless.