Ferris walked Wynona back to the car and although Andrea had offered to take him home, he refused. Yes, he wanted to be around Wynona longer, but he needed to run a quick errand. A very important errand. Once the car was out of sight he got on his skateboard and raced through the streets. 

It did not take long for him to arrive and he quickly ran up the pavement and pounded his fist on the door. It was late, but he knew he was awake. He knew he would answer. He always answered. Ferris kept knocking until finally the door opened.

"Dude, why?" Cole rubbed the sleep from his eyes. His hair was a mess and he was in a t-shirt and shorts. "My parents are pissed. Go home, Wheels."

Ferris pushed himself inside and fell onto the couch. "Cole, I screwed up so bad."

He closed the door and turned to Ferris. "What are you talking about now?"

"You were right, dude. You were so right. I was such an idiot. I screwed everything up. I should've listened to you." Ferris covered his face with his hands. "I have no idea what I'm going to do, Cole." 

"Huh?" He sat down beside Ferris and yawned. "Right about what?"

Ferris sat up and looked at Cole. "I had no self control."

Cole raised his eyebrows. "You didn't…"

"I was an idiot, Cole." Ferris rubbed his face. "She asked me out."

"You said no, right?" Cole's eyes widened.

Ferris was quiet.

Cole's eyes widened even more. "You at least told her the truth, right?"

Ferris slumped into the couch. 

"For the love of God, Ferris…" Cole rubbed his temple. "You have to tell her as soon as possible before this gets worse."

"I know, but if I do she might leave." Ferris dropped his hands at his side.

Cole stared at him, obviously annoyed. "Ferris. The longer you wait the more likely she's gonna leave." He crossed his arms over his chest. "You have to tell her, Ferris."

He nodded. "I know I do. I will, I swear. I'll tell her tomorrow. I'll invite her over and tell her the truth."

"Good." Cole sighed.

Ferris got up and pulled off his beanie. "I should get home."

"Nah," Cole grabbed his shoulder. "Just spend the night."

"Alright," Ferris groaned and looked down at the floor. "I really messed this up, huh?"

Cole slapped his shoulder. "You did. You really messed this up, Wheels, big time." He led him toward the hall. "Just sleep on it for now."

Ferris did not want to sleep on it. He wanted to bury it and forget about it. If Wynona never found out then they could both be happy. He could be happy. But if she found out on her own it would crush her. He really did not want to hurt her, but it seemed inevitable. There was no winning in this situation anymore. 

The next morning, Ferris left Cole's house fairly early. Of course, before he left Cole pestered him about telling Wynona the truth, which Ferris planned on doing. He had already texted her to meet him at his house. Wynona did not answer right away, but when she did she agreed to go. 

Ferris was riding on his skateboard, still in his clothes from the day before. He got to his house before Wynona, thankfully, and took a very quick shower. He changed into black shorts and a large graphic tee. He had also taken out his contacts. As he stepped out of the shower, trying to dry his hair, he heard the doorbell.

He immediately threw the towel back in the bathroom and rushed to the door. Ferris opened the door, his hair still damp. Immediately, a smile grew on his face. "Hey."

Wynona looked at him and smiled back. "Hi." She looked amazing. She was wearing a striped turtleneck, brown pants, and black sneakers. Her curls were pulled back into a ponytail with a white bow, giving her a preppy look. Her emerald eyes seemed brighter than the day before. He wanted to kiss her so badly. 

Ferris draped his arm over Wynona's shoulders and led her inside. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good, although, I didn't expect to see you so soon." She laughed and sat down on the couch with him. "Is there a reason you wanted to meet up ?"

"Uh," Ferris was already nervous, but now he was panicking. He had no idea how to bring up his mistake or how to tell her. "There was something I needed to tell you."

She placed her hand on his knee and smiled gently. "Okay. What's up?"

Ferris looked down at her hand and panicked more. He wanted desperately to keep things the way they were, no matter how short lived they were. But he also knew he needed to fess up if he wanted this to work. "Um, I needed to tell you about–"

"Ferris!"

He jumped and removed his arm from around Wynona. He turned around and saw Nonna shuffling out of the hall. "Nonna? Is something wrong?'

Her eyes darted between Ferris and Wynona. "I need o talk to you about something." She turned to Wynona and smiled gently. "Hi, Wynnie, how are you?"

"I'm good, thank you for asking." Wynona smiled back and waved.

Ferris rolled his eyes and cut in, "What did you want to tell me?"

"I've been getting a lot of calls from the penitentiary." 

Ferris's heart dropped and his eyes quickly darted to Wynona. "W–Wait–"

Nonna ignored him. "Apparantly, your father keeps asking for you. According to the supervisor he's better. He really wants to see you and I think it'll be good for you."

"Nonna I–"

"So, I made an appointment for us to go next Saturday, okay?"

Ferris froze. His heart was pounding in his chest. His mind was flooded with unwanted memories. The air in his lungs became cold and chest tightened. "Why…Why would you do that? I–I don't want to see him!"

Nonna looked surprised by his outburst. "Ferris, you haven't gone in four years. I've been very patient–"

"Stop! I told you I never wanted to go back! You knew I didn't want to see him!" He stood up, his hands clammy and shaky. "Cancel the appointment, I'm not going."

"Excuse me? You're going." Nonna crossed her arms over her chest. "He's your father, you need to see him."

"No! I don't want to see him! I told you this!" He looked around the room unsure of what to do with himself. "After everything he's done to me! Everything he's done to you! He's not a good person so stop trying to paint him as one! I'm not seven anymore!" Ferris ran his shaky fingers through his hair. "Cancel the–"

"Dammit Ferris," Nonna snapped. "I will not let you cut him out of your life! He is your father!"

"You don't get to make that decision for me!" He was finding it hard to breathe. His mind was spinning with racing thoughts. I can't see him! I can't go back! I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! 

He glanced around the room and stopped on Wynona. She was looking up at him with this startled expression. Why did this have to happen in front of her? She said something, but he did not hear her. The room was starting to spin and there was this loud ringing in his ears.

Ferris panicked and stormed away. He brushed past Nonna, avoiding her glare. He hid his room, slamming the door shut. Ferris leaned against it and slowly slid onto the floor. He hid his face in his knees, trying to clear his mind. He could not catch his breath and his hands were trembling too much.

There was a knock on the door.

He panicked and stumbled to his feet. Ferris wrapped his arms around himself, trying to calm down. Every breath he took came in and out as short gasps that hurt his chest. He placed his hand over his chest and sat down on his bed. 

Slowly the door opened. 

Ferris placed his hands on the sides of his head and looked down. "Get out, Nonna. I don't want to talk."

The door closed.

He shut his eyes trying to slow everything down. Suddenly, he was embraced by something warm. Ferris slowly opened his eyes and saw black sneakers in front of him. All at once his mind stopped racing. Ferris quickly wrapped his arms around Wynona's waist, hiding his face in her chest.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Her voice was gentle and quiet. 

Ferris did not want to talk at all. He just wanted to sit there and forget everything. He wanted to get lost in Wynona's embrace and bury the unwanted memories. He wanted all of the torturous thoughts to leave him alone. Be a man! His thoughts were screaming at him. Be a man, dammit! Pathetic piece of–

"It's okay, Ferris." Wynona held him tighter. "You can talk to me."

He did not say anything.

She must have picked up on the hint. She kissed the top of his head gently. "That's fine. We can talk later."

They were like that for a while. Every now and then his thoughts would become louder and overwhelming, but Wynona's voice would drive them away. Her presence took away any pressure or stress. He never wanted her to let go so he held on as tight as he could, hoping it would never end. Hoping he could hide in her embrace a little longer. He had no idea how exhausted he was, but at some point he fell asleep.