'Uh....uh....*cough*'

I was stunned. Not only that she asked me that, but that she sounded like she wanted a yes. And I tried to give it to her, I really did. But somehow I couldn't find the words.

"Well....uh, Stacy, that's....I mean it's...um..."

She gave me that reassurng smile that I loved so much. "If not, that's ok. I guess that's for the best. Friends who become more don't usually work out anyway." She smiled sadly and dug something else out of my bag. "What's this?"

I think I hid my disappointment well. I spent about an hour explaining my various belongings to her, though my thoughts were on something else...