Page 123 of One Night

"No. Everything's great."

"Then what's the problem?"

"There's no problem. We're fine."

"Amber, I can tell when you're lying. So fess up."

I scoot to the end of the bed, dangling my feet off the side. "There's no such thing as fairy tales."

She looks confused. "Um, yeah. I kind of already knew that. What are you getting at?"

"There's no happily ever afters either." I circle my foot on the floor, my eyes following the movement. "And love is a joke. A cruel stupid joke meant to trick people into buying flowers and candy and engagement rings."

"Amber, just because your parents are divorcing doesn't mean love doesn't exist. I know you're upset but you've gotta stop thinking that way. It's not you. You're the most romantic person I know, with your love of old-fashioned romance. Romantic movies. Dating shows. Love letters. Love songs."

"Yeah, and it's shit. It's all lies. Love is temporary and when it goes away, you're left with a broken heart, anger, and resentment."

"That only happens to some people. Not everyone. My parents aren't like that. They still love each other."

I look at her. "When's the last time your parents went on a date? Or held hands? Or did something nice for each other?"

She shrugs. "Okay, fine, so they're not super romantic but they still love each other. If they didn't, they wouldn't be together."

"I'm not trying to pick on your parents. I'm just saying that love fades and eventually goes away. So why bother?"

"What are you saying? You're breaking up with Dylan?"

"Maybe," I mutter, my gaze falling to the floor.

"No." She gets up and stands in front of me. "You're not doing that, Amber. I won't let you. You and Dylan are great together. I'd even go so far as to say you two are in love, at least that's how it looks when I see you guys together. You're not giving that up just because you're upset about your parents."

"Why would I continue something that I know isn't going to end well?"

"You don't know how it's going to end, or if it'll end at all. For all you know, you could end up marrying him."

"And then years later, after a house and a couple kids, we'll decide we're no longer in love and get divorced. Or we'll stay together but live in a loveless marriage."

"If you're really thinking that way, then you need to get out of this house. Your parents are turning you into someone I don't even recognize. The Amber I know would never sound that hopeless. You've always been positive. The cheerleader. Always looking on the bright side."

"Yeah, well, when it comes to love, the bright side only lasts so long before it dims and eventually burns out."

"Amber, don't be like this." Kira sits down beside me. "And don't take your anger with your parents out on Dylan. He didn't do anything wrong. He's been a great boyfriend the entire time you guys have been dating." She goes to my desk and picks up an envelope. "And he's still writing you letters." She holds it up. "He writes you LETTERS, Amber. You know how much he must love you to keep doing that? Nobody writes letters, especially guys."

"I know," I say, feeling guilty at the thought of breaking up with him. "But I don't know if I can keep doing this." I close my eyes, then open them and look at her. "I love Dylan. I haven't told him that yet but I do. I love him, and I want us to keep dating, but right now, I feel like I can't be in a relationship. Like I shouldn't be because I'm not a hundred percent in. And that's not fair to Dylan."

Kira sets the letter down. "If you love him, you're not giving him up. I'm not even letting you consider it."

"It's not like this is going to last. We're too young and we have no idea what we're going to do with our lives."

"So figure it out together. That's what Austin and I are doing."

"You guys aren't planning the future."

"We don't have any definite plans but we talk about it. We love each other so we'll do what it takes to be together. You and Dylan need to do the same."

"I'm just not there yet."

"Were you there before you found out about your parents?"

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