Kimberly didn’t understand her homework. Why did Dr. Yale have to assign this much math? She threw her pencil down on the desk in frustration. Maybe college just wasn’t for her, she wasn’t doing too well in many of her classes.

*I know who I can ask for help.* She told herself as she picked up her phone. She dialed a number she knew by heart. The other line rang twice before someone picked up.

“Hello?” a male voice said.

“Hey it me.”

“Oh Kim! How are you?”

“Not too good. I’m having a lot of problems with Math. Can you come help me? I mean I know you are busy with your own stuff, but you know.. If you get the time.”

“No problem at all Kimberly. I’ll be right over.”

Kim hung her phone up and waited for her friend to come help her. She wished there was someone else she could have asked to help her, especially because she wanted this one friend to be more than just a friend.

The doorbell chimed shortly after she had hung up. Kim went to the door and let her friend into the small apartment. As he walked by her, she smelled his cologne and had to refrain herself from pushing him to the ground and kissing him senseless.

“So what is the math problem?” He asked.

*Is everything always right down to business for you?* “It’s my trig class. I’m not following this chapter at all.” She explained as she lead him to her study room. She handed him the book. He looked over a few pages and sighed.

“Kim, I helped you do this same stuff last week.”

“I know and I still don’t get it.”

“Okay well, let’s get some snacks and I’ll show you how to work these again.”

“Thank you so much.” She said as she went back to kitchen with him right on her heels. “So what kind of snacks do you want?”

*A piece of Kimberly would be great* He thought to himself, but instead he replied with a simple shrug.

“Okay then I will choose.” She smiled as she pulled a cheesecake out of the fridge. She heard him groan and knew he was rolling his eyes too. “You didn’t pick anything so I choose my favorite thing.” She said without turning to face him. “Plus you can’t complain till you’ve tried a piece of this. I made it myself.” She turned back to face him with a small piece of her cheesecake in her hand.

“You made that?! Now I know I don’t want a piece. He teased.” She rolled her eyes and took a step toward him. She trust the cake towards his face. Without thinking he opened his mouth and let her put the small piece of sweetness in his mouth.

“There, good huh?” She asked. He smiled and nodded.

“Man Kim that was great, better than store bought.” She grinned even bigger than before at that compliment. “One more piece and we’ll get to work on that math.” she rolled her eyes and nodded.

Soon they were sitting at the table with her math book going over some problems. “There I think I got it!” Kim exclaimed. She smiled at him. “Thanks for your help.”

“Well if your all done then I should get going. I have to go to work in the morning.”

“Okay,” she said hesitantly. *Why do I always chicken out before I say anything?* “I’ll see you to the door.” She said as she stood. She walked beside him to the door. She wanted to reach out and grab his hand with her much smaller one.

She grabbed the door handle to open the door for him. “Thanks again. Night.” Kimberly decided to be brave and kiss his cheek. She went up on her tiptoes, but just before she met his cheek he turned slightly and she planted a light peck right on his lips. She backed away embarrassed and excited all at the same time. “I’m sorry, I was going to kiss your cheek and then you moved. I didn’t mean to…” She rambled on. He smiled at her.

“It’s alright Kimberly.” *Should I tell her that I moved on purpose? Yes! Go for it!* “Kim, I moved on purpose.” He admitted with a blush.

“You… Meant for me… to kiss you?”

“Yeah, I’ve been hiding something from you. I really like you Kimberly. I’ve had a crush on you for a long time.” She stared at him with a blank look. He took that as a bad sign and made his get away. “I’m sorry Kim. I better be going.” He dashed out the door before she could say anything.

Once outside he mentally kicked himself for telling her the truth. Why didn’t he just let if go with telling her that it was okay? He fumbled with the keys to his car. He heard a door slam and her voice calling his name. He turned to see her running with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Kimberly, why are you crying?” He said as she came up in front of him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, please don’t leave. I…I… Like you too. I’ve known for a while when I moved to Florida and got away from Tommy I realized that I was in love with you. I used Tommy to hide those feelings. I thought that you would never return those feelings. I’m so sorry for making you feel awkward.” Once again she was rambling. He had notice she only did that when they were alone.

*Wait! She said she was in love with me!* “Kim, hold on a sec. You are in love with me?!”

“Yes, have been for a while. I just was too scared to admit it to anyone.” She smiled as he reached out and hugged her.

“You don’t know how long I have dreamed of hearing those words from your mouth.” He kissed the top of her head.

“About as long as I have wanted to hear that you liked me.” She said as she buried her head into his chest breathing in his scent.

“So does this mean, we are together now?” He asked as he tilted her head up to met his eyes. She smiled and nodded. He pressed his lips to hers for the first time.

“Am I dreaming?” Kimberly asked as she opened her eyes again.

“No, but I think that our dreams have just come true.” He replied.

“I’m so glad that I caught you before you left. I was afraid that you wouldn’t come back after that.”

“I’d never leave you for good Kim. Even after something awkward.”

“Either way. I’m glad I caught you tonight. You’ve just made me the happiest person in the world. Thank you for everything Billy.”

“Your welcome Kim, and thank you for loving me and giving me a chance.” Billy said before he kissed her cheek again. He unlocked his car and left for his apartment. He sat down on the couch and looked at a picture sitting on the coffee table.

He picked it up. It was a picture of his best friend and him. His beautiful Trini. She had been dead for two years now and he missed her sorely. He touched her face and recalled one of his last conversations with her. She had been trying to convince him to ask Kimberly out. Billy had refused saying that Kim didn’t like him like that. Trini would just groan and tell him that he would never know if he didn’t ask. Trini must have known about each of their hidden feelings.

“You wee right Trini. She does like me the way I like her. Somehow you always knew didn’t you?” Billy thought he was seeing things because he was so tired, but he saw Trini wink from the picture. He shook his head and set the picture down. He wanted to get some sleep so that tomorrow he could take Kimberly out on their first real date.