~"Keryn's bridge"~

"NO NO NO! Dawson!" Keryn whined at the television. "If I can't have you then you can get with Joey. Not the blond chick" Kayla looked at Keryn and laughed. "No! Urgh. Dawson, do that one more time and I will dis-own you".

"You've got it bad girl."

"Well, it is my favourite show and in case you have forgotten I am almost bed ridden and I have no life. So I will move in with Dawson and his creek."

"Why does he have his own creek?" Kayla said with a confused look on her face.

"I don't know. Good question."

"Well, I want a hill. 'Kayla's hill'"

Keryn laughed. "Then I can have a bridge. That would be cool"

"Ha ha. We are crazy, you know that?"

"Yep!" Both girls sat and watched the end credits of Dawson's Creek roll. "What's the time?"

Kayla looked at her watch. "Ahh...it's about twenty to nine."

"Wanna watch a video?"

"Oh, Keryn, I can't. I am going to watch Con Air with the guys"

"Fun" Keryn sighed. "I wish I could watch it."

"I know. But you know you can't"

"So what if Ike and Tay get the chicken pox" she got up off the bed. She knew that Taylor had every chance and reason to have it, but Kayla would not find out that.

"Nothing would be achieved if you gave them the chicken pox. Then you just wouldn't be able to hang around healthily together for ages."

"Kaayyyllaaaaaaa. I thought you were on my side."

"You are crazy dude."

"I think there is a weird chip in my brain when I am sick. Nothing serious."

"Yes, I figured that." Kayla got up and joined Keryn, who was taking out the tape she had just recorded of Dawson and his creek. "I am going to have to go now."

"Yep, thats cool. Do you think I could watch from the end of the room"

"I don't know. I never thought of that."

"Oh, it's okay. I don't really want to see it anyway."

"But, while we are in the family room you can explore the house. You don't have to stay in here."

"Oh cool."

"Oh! That's right!" Kayla jumped back to Keryn and fished a crumpled envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Keryn.

"What is this?" Keryn said examining the object in her hand.

"Letter from Taylor."

"Oh...cool" Oh my God, Oh my God, he made contact, Oh my God "I will just put it here and save it for later" she said putting the letter on top of the TV.

"Okies then, I am going. Bye dude, have fun"

"Bye bye. Come and visit later if you want."

"Okay, I shall, depends how late it is" Kayla said walking towards the door.

"Have fun" Kayla had now left the room.

Keryn stared at the crumpled paper on top of she the television. She had no idea at all what would be in that letter when she opened it. Keryn got the letter and went over and sat on the bed. She examined the the sticky tape seal and ran her fingers across the crinkles. She turned the envelope over and saw Keryn carefully written on the front. Ahh, what am I going to do? No. Keryn stopped. She thought for a moment. She knew what she had to do. And she hoped, she really hoped, that the letter would confirm that Taylor felt the same.

Keryn listened in the other room she could hear the beginnings of the movie. "I need silence" she whispered. And with that she pulled herself off the bed and left the room.




"Ooh. I like this bit" Kayla exclaimed as the movie past it's first two minutes.

"I would prefer no commentary" Zac said from his position on the floor.

"Hey....don't talk, mister-I-know-Titanic-word-for-word"

"I do not!" he shot back at Kayla.

"Whatever Zaccy-poops" Zac cringed.

"Shut up." Taylor snapped. Not that it really bothered him because he wasn't watching the movie.

"Just watch the movie. Come on." Ike commanded.

"Kayla started it"

Kayla looked at Zac and stuck her tongue out. "Ner"

Taylor just sat there and stared through the screen. He was still baffled as to what had happened the previous day, but he had given Keryn a letter, which she was probably reading right at this moment. Oh no, she's reading it. What if.....no....I was serious I think....but, what if I wasn't....but what if she wants it and what if I want it and I made a mistake. She is going to think I am an idiot. Oh no

"Tayyyyyyy" he snapped back into reality.

"What Zac?"

"How many times have you seen this?"

"Four."

"See! We should have chosen another movie!"

"No, Ike likes it and Kayla likes it and you like it Zac so just watch it." The room went silent again. Taylor started to feel a bit weird. He thought again about yesterday. I did it. I kissed her, she didn't, well, she did. But I started it. If I started it, why did I start it? Oh no. Why did I start it? There must've been a reason. Oh my God. No. Arrghhhh! I don't know what is going on. I am going to watch the movie now. Concentrate Taylor.

Taylor started humming the theme song to Con Air. "Without yooooooooou.....there'd be no........."

"TAYLOR SHUT UP!" Ike shouted.

"I still think they should've given it to Leanne Rimes."

"Who cares?"

Taylor shuffled in his seat. Simply, he did not want to watch the movie. He looked up at the door when he heard a noise in the hall. Keryn flew by. Oh my God, she hates me. Taylor looked at the others. Despite his little soundtrack before they were deeply into the movie. He slipped out of the chair and went in the direction of Keryn. What's the point. She hates me. Taylor stopped at the kitchen for something to drink. He pulled a bottle of Coke out of the fridge and started to pour it down his throat. He ran his hands through the front of his hair, which was tied back and looked out towards the back door.




Keryn stood out the back. She stared hard at the unopened letter that was in her hands. "Come on. This is easy. All I have to do is open it" listening to her whispers, she ripped open the envelope and unraveled the letter.

Dear Keryn,
Well, how's it been since I seen you last? Remember what happened last time we saw each other? I do.
I really don't know how to start this letter. Finish it. I don't know. I don't even know if I will give it to you. But I just want to try and get to the point.
We have known each other since we were very young. And you are and always will be my best friend. You know that. I love you heaps.
Ever since you came back there has been something there. I have to tell you this. There has been something that I have felt. Something different to before you left. You felt it too, didn't you? But after last night I think it has been resolved. I think we were just curious. You are my best friend, and I don't ever want to change that.
I think that you and me both know that there is nothing more there.
I am deeply sorry if I had disappointed you. Hehe....considering I am a totally irresistible human being. But, sorry about yesterday. It was my fault and I shouldn't have started it. I think it was just a weird moment. I will give this to someone to give to you now. I love you,
Taylor


Keryn stared into the night. Taylor is right. Taylor is so right. She sat on the grass that was below her and skimmed through the letter again. "Thanks Taylor" she whispered. She smiled and folded the letter into it's original position. This is right. It has to be. Keryn's thoughts were interrupted by a noise behind her.




Taylor burst out the back door and looked into the darkness. He kept walking then he saw her, she was next to the tree with her back to him.

"Here we go. She hates me." he whispered to himself. Taylor got closer to the figure on the grass. "Hey?"

Keryn expectantly turned around. "Hey." she smiled.

Taylor went and sat down next to her. "Sorry."

"For what?" Taylor looked down at the letter in Keryn's hands. "Oh."

"I'm sorry."

"Taylor. It's for the best, like you said. We are best friends. Nothing can change that." Taylor thought for a moment. He could feel the hard flood of thoughts rushing through his head. There was nothing to say. He reached his arms out and took her in a hug.

"Ha ha. Taylor, you are the best."

"I know." he said smiling. "Friends?"

"Yep, friends."

"So, did you tell anyone about it?"

Keryn shuffled out of Taylor's hug, they both seemed uncomfortable on the subject, but had to talk anyway. "Nup, you?"

"No. No one would have understood."

"Yeah. They would have thought something by it, you know?"

"Yeah, that's true. And there isn't is there?"

"No. Definitely not."

"Yeah. That's what I thought." Taylor laid back onto the grass and looked up at the stars. "So?"

"So what?"

"Nothing."

"Okay." There was an uncomfortable silence between the two. Taylor kept focused on the stars while Keryn just sat there and focused on Taylor's face. He could feel that she was watching him. Any moment now he could feel that his face would break into a grin. He bit his tongue. Stop looking at me. Stop looking at me. Why is she looking at me? Awww..Look at the pretty stars. Ha ha! Why is she looking at me? Taylor couldn't take it anymore. It was like his face broke and a smile appeared. He looked at Keryn.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"I wasn't!"

"Yes you were!" he said laughing. "I could feel it!"

"It's because........because you have something on your face!" Keryn lied.

"Whatever Keryn. You were staring at me because you think.......I am hot!"

Keryn laughed and laid next to Taylor. "Very funny Tay."

"So fine. You think I am ugly. I think that you are ugly."

"I did not say that you were ugly. Thanks. Now I know how you feel!"

"You think I'm hot?"

"Oh my God Taylor. What are you going on about? How did this start?"

"You didn't answer my question. Answer it now." he laughed and rolled onto his elbow to look at Keryn.

"I am not answering pointless questions. Besides, you came out and said that I was ugly. I should not even be talking to you."

"Don't be like that. I was only joking. I know I'm hot!"

"Taylor, Taylor, Taylor, I don't want to hear it."

"Fine. You didn't know what you are missing out on when you said you didn't want me."

"What?" Oops, he thought. Well, that was a dumb thing to say. What is she missing out on. For crying out loud, what the hell am I going on about? "Are you saying that I chose this now Taylor"

"Did you?"

"Huh? You are the one that sent me the letter" she said lifting the letter to his face.

"I know. I am just......confused. Nothing. Don't worry. I just said something stupid." He looked down at her. He wanted to do what he did the day before. But he couldn't bring himself to it. They were just friends and he didn't want to change that. He quickly tried to change the subject. "Hey?"

"Hmmmmm?" Keryn seemed to be drifting into space.

"What do you think Ike and Kayla will say if I get chicken pox."

"Ooop, I forgot about that!"

"Doesn't matter."

"Mmm..I spose so." she drifted back into space. "Hey, are you going to tell Ike?"

"About what?" Taylor wasn't thinking.

"Taylor!"

"Oh!"

"Yes, oh!"

"No, I don't think so. He has more things to worry about. Do you think those two will ever get together?"

"Oh, I don't know. They are crazy about each other. I don't think Kayla is ready though. But, yeah, they are practically in love with each other." she looked at Taylor.

"Yeah," he started "love." he drifted off again.

"Taylor, don't go all deep on me now. What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, I don't know." He looked at Keryn again. "Hang on. I just have to get something off my chest."

"Umm....Go for it" she said warily.

"Do you think I. Well, we, did the right thing?"

"Oh, I don't know Taylor" she said with some release in her voice. "I am confused. What do you think?"

"I don't know. This is so hard." Taylor laid back down on the ground.

"I know" she whispered.

"Don't say anything to anyone. We will just see what happens over the next few days." He leant over and gently kissed her on the forehead. He drifted down and brushed his lips against hers.

"Okay" she shakily said.

Taylor got up and pulled Keryn after him. "Keryn?"

"Yeah?" she said as she moved along the path to the house.

"I am truly confused."

"So am I." They got to the house and snuck down the hall to Keryn's bedroom door. "Wanna come in and watch the tape of Dawson's Creek?

"Nah, I'll be right. I have heard that you are obsessed."

"Well, I do think that Dawson and Joey should get together Tay!"

"Are they the best friends are they?" Silence.




Keryn realised what she had just started. Yes Taylor, they are the best friends, they are the best friends that are in love with each other. "Oh, yes. They are, I think" Keryn lied.

"They are." he looked at her. The same way he looked at her the other night. Ahh...life is so hard, she thought to herself What does he mean by 'next few days'? What will happen? Keryn could feel tears of frustration forming in her eyes.

"No Taylor. There is no next few days. Sorry. This is not going to work. I do not want to lose our friendship. Because.....because when we realise that we don't work as a couple what will happen then Taylor? What will happen?" Taylor just stood there. "See? I am not going to take that risk. I do love you Taylor." she choked, taking his hand. "I do."

"But?"

"You know it won't work. We are friends, not a couple." The tears were now freely falling down her face. He started to wipe them away. "Don't Taylor. Just please. No."

"Keryn, it might. It might"

"No Taylor." She brought his hand up to her face and kissed it gently. "I will see you in a few days."

"Does it have to be like this? Let me say something." Keryn looked at him, ready to let him speak. But he just stood there. Waiting. Waiting for something to come into his head. Keryn turned and started to walk into her room and left Taylor to stand there.

"Go Tay. Sorry. We both feel this, see?"

"Mmm. Yeah, I suppose it's for the best." he leant over to kiss her on the forehead again but she pulled away.

"Bye." she closed the door and fell onto the bed in tears. Nothing could stop them, ever.


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