"That's not important right now..."

Jeremy watched her reaction to his question. The blush started at her cheeks and worked its way down to her neck, and Jeremy suspected even beyond her smooth thin neck. Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth moved as though she was trying to speak but no words left her mouth.

Finally she cleared her throat and smiled up at him again, "That's not important right now. We need to talk. It's reeeally important. Okay?"

"Yeah sure no problem." Jeremy said gently.

Courtney took his hand and led her into her room. She sat on her unmade bed, and gently tugged him to sit next to her. "Okay...how to put this." Jeremy waited for her to continue, and when she did it came out in a nervous blurt. "Can I be your girlfriend? Please? I know this may be sudden, and I'm pretty sure that you don't want me and all that. What with Sharon being more experienced and all that, but I really like you and I want to be with you and..." The need for air made her pause. Her eyes were on his, searching hopefully.

In his shock Jeremy forgot how to speak. Then as Courtney's eyes went from hopeful to embarrassed and hurt he found his voice. "Are you sure?"

Her tone was sad as she answered, probably resigning herself to a lonely summer. "Yes...I mean...I...I don't know anymore. Everything is so confusing. I...I don't know how you do this to me. I...I'm always so sure of myself...except around you. I think about you all day long. I think I dream about you too, but I never remember my dreams so I can't be sure. There are times when you say something to me that makes me think you like me that way, and then there are times when you almost ignore me." Jeremy blinked, wondering how his words had escaped his mind and fled to Courtney's. Courtney was staring at the floor when she continued, looking as though she was barely able to contain the tears. "And..I know I'm not pretty enough for you...but I thought that as one of my best friends you'd slum with me for a bit. But obviously I..." She stopped as Jeremy gently cupped her cheek and pulled her face up from her eyelock with the floor. "What are you..."

"Courtney. I have just one question. And please answer me honestly."

"Anything."

"Would you...would you be my girlfriend?"

"What'd you just say?" She asked him in a hushed tone.

"You heard me. And honestly I'm saying girlfriend because I can't afford a ring right now. You have been my anchor for the last five years. You have also confused the everliving hell out of me on many, many, many occasions. Every time, and I mean every time, I think you were opening yourself up to a relationship beyond friendship with me you slammed the door shut."

"I was nervous." Courtney said, he voice seemingly in a state of shock. "Do...do you really like me?"

"Courtney, baby...I want you to be the mother of my kids. Not yet mind you...but...you'd make an excellent mommy."

Courtney closed her eyes sighing as Jeremy stroked her face with his thumb. "I want your kids too, you know." She peeked at Jeremy with one eye. "So is this an 'unofficial' proposal?"