She met him and through him met him. He went off for the summer, when anything could happen, between him and her. It was innocent, it was simple, there were no calculations involved. It happened on the beach, or was it during the bbq, that one get together, or that late walk home one night when he said it was too dark for her to be walking home alone?

This miscalculation on his part, such a betrayal, from him to him, that involved her - because sometimes it happened. Should he blame him for leaving? Should she blame him for having emotions? Should he blame her for being gay? Guilt set in at first, then shame, then, forgetting inhibitions and only thinking of the days, weeks, months ahead, he welcomed such ungodly, such unforgiving, feelings.

He was elated. He felt free. Every chance he had to see her, he would. They became friends, close friends, and then –

What next step could there possibly be? They would talk all night, they would watch movies together, ride around the island, ride around the city. In that summer they became dark, their skin becoming testimony to their time spent outdoors.

It ached him, yet it relieved him. His fingers would touch her accidentally. She’d pull away. His tongue would slip words, and she’d stop smiling. Because even though they were friends, close friends, that was it. There could be nothing more.

He knew she kept in contact with him, emailed him, talked over seas with him, he knew how they felt, touched, loved, laughed, and he wanted it. It hurt, he was angry, at him, at her, himself. What misery he would think of, what woes he would put himself through. Until he saw her again, forgetting the misery for that minute she’d laugh at his joke, forget it when she said his name, forget it that second their eyes met across the room.

She knew how he felt, but she had become dependent on him without him there. HE would always be sweet to her, saying all the right things, cherishing all the rare moments they spent together that summer, moments where she could say whatever was on her mind.

But he knew, they knew, everyone saw, that summer ended. He came back, he saw her with him and realized – things change, nothing stays the same. Friendships fall apart but lovers always love.