Give Your HeartA Break

By: Mary L. MirandaAB-Comm 1a

“Do you remember the day we first met, Emma?” Thayer asked as he looked at her.

“Yes.” She smiled. “We ran into each other at a party… then you asked for my number… and the rest is history… Why?”

“Nothing. Just checking your memory… How’s everything with Ethan?” Thayer said, hiding his jealousy.

“Everything is okay… but sometimes I feel like I’m not that happy when I am with him… like there’s something missing…” Emma said, looking away from Thayer.

“I hope you don’t feel like that when you are with me…” Thayer suddenly looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

Emma giggled. “No. Never. I love us…”

Thayer and Emma have been best friends since forever. They do almost everything together, share everything together and now they are both 17 and

finishing high school together…

“I forgot the password for my laptop again…” Emma said while waiting for Thayer to unlock her laptop.“Haha. What would you do without me?” Thayer said as he successfully unlocked her laptop.

Throughout their journey together as bestfriends… Thayer never imagined that he would fall in love with Emma. Love, for him, in a new form because Thayer had always loved Emma as a bestfriend and sister but never like this….

He even remembers the day they swore that they would marry each other in the future. They were young and

innocent back then and they loved each other platonically…

Thayer and Emma never imagined a life without each other. That is why both of them were depressed when Emma and her family had to move to Las Vegas because of her dad’s job.

She was devastated because she had to leave her life in Phoenix. But saying goodbye to Thayer was the hardest

part of leaving. She didn’t know how to live a new life without her best friend beside her.

“Thay… I’m leaving…” Emma said crying her eyes out. “I wish I could take you with me…”

“Emma…” Thayer said as he hugged Emma tightly, never wanting to let her go. “You’ll always have me…”

Even though Emma was in Las Vegas, Thayer still loved her and communicated with her daily through internet chatting & texting…

He counted every day they were apart and waited patiently for them to be reunited. He has also made the decision to carefully plan his big revelation to her…

And now… after 2 years of living in Las Vegas, Emma decided to spend the summer in Phoenix so that she could be with Thayer…

But her return is not the only thing that will surprise Thayer…

On the day of Emma’s return, Thayer planned to tell her that he loved her. He has everything planned and ready for a whole day with her. He even thought that Emma would feel the same way and that they would be the happiest couple in the world.

“Emma…” Thayer paused as he looked at Emma, lovingly. “Welcome home.” He smiled brightly as tears start to form.

“It’s good to be home!” Emma said as she hugged him tightly. “I missed you, Thay!”

“You know Emmz, I have the whole summer planned for the two of us! We would go to the beach then visit the new natural museum and-” Emma interrupted him, with a smiling stare.

“Thay, I have to tell you something…” Emma said timidly. “It’s not just the two of us this summer… I brought my boyfriend with me…

“You brought your boyfriend? Why? I thought the reason why you came home was to spend time with me?” Thayer said. He was not shocked but rather hurt.

“I know.” She sighed. “Ethan has been my boyfriend for a year now and I brought him here with me so that you could get to know him and so that I could be with two of the best men in life this summer…”

“What if we don’t get along? What if we become enemies? What if he is a jerk like all of your other ex-boyfriends?” Thayer said wishing for Emma to break up with this guy.

“Don’t think like that! You will love him! You two are compatible, really! Ethan is amazing!” Emma said, wanting Thayer to agree with her plan.

“Thayer, promise me you’ll be nice to him?” Emma said smiling but then she realized what Thayer might be feeling towards the whole thing. “Are you mad at me, Thay?”

Thayer looked at her with forgiving and understanding eyes. “No, Emma. I can never be mad at you…” Even though he was hurt. He smiled weakly then said, “Now, let’s go meet Ethan…”

Ethan was patiently waiting for the two to finish talking when Thayer and Emma emerged.

Thayer quickly observed Ethan. He was doing a swift analysis of Emma’s new boyfriend. “He was good-looking but Emma is obviously too good for this guy…” Thayer thought.Emma then introduced them to each other. After eating snacks

and getting to know each other, Emma and Ethan started retelling their lovestory…

Apparently, Emma and Ethan are schoolmates and both of them are part of the dance club and they were assigned partners. Then they started hanging out as friends and then Ethan asked Emma to the prom.

At prom, Ethan told Emma that he likes her and it so happens that Emma likes him too. When Emma and Ethan danced, he kissed her. And the rest is obviously history.

The rest of the days were complete torture for Thayer. The three of them were always together.

But sometimes it seemed as if the world was only revolving around Emma and Ethan…

Thayer was jealous of them. “This was supposed to be OUR summer…” He thought. He knew he that he had already lost Emma to Ethan. So he decided to tell her the truth…

“Emma! Wait!” Thayer said as he grabbed Emma’s hand.

“I can’t talk right now, Thay! Ethan needs me!” Emma said in a hurry.

“Ethan doesn’t need your help. I was the one who sent the text… I just really need to talk to you… it’s important…” Thayer said pleadingly.

Emma looked hard at Thayer then sighed. “Okay.” She said.

Thayer took Emma to the old cabin where they used to play together.

“Emmz, remember this place? It was very magical here… This was our place…” Thayer said as he remembered the day both of them swore they would marry each other.

“Okay, we’re here. Now, what did you want to tell me?” Emma sat down on the couch as she looked at Thayer..

“You haven’t changed. You are still the funny, sweet and fun-loving girl I irrevocably fell in love with…Emma smiled bashfully.

Emma was surprised at what he said. She had always thought that SHE was never good enough for Thayer. She thought that Thayer was too good for her.

“I love you Emma Becker since the first time and I was afraid to tell you how I feel because… first I was scared of losing you forever…

“And second I knew I wasn’t worthy of you… You were too perfect.”

“But I know in my heart that I already

lost you… and… you and I can never be

together. Still, I want to be the one to

catch you when you fall…”

“And…I know all of the things that make you who you are. But I always knew that you belonged to someone else and Ethan was there for you… ” Thayer said as he remembered the photo of Emma and Ethan that he saw.

“But Emma, I still love you…so much and I want you to know that whatever happens… I’ll still be there for you.” Thayer said as he held her hand.

Emma looked at Thayer. It wasn’t shock that she felt… it was understanding and fear. She loves Thayer but not in that way… How do you break up with your bestfriend??? Emma thought.

“Thayer… I love you. But not the way you do.” She wanted to let him down gently. He was his bestfriend… the brother she never had… now… she was about to loose him… she was afraid that might’ve already lost him…

“This sucks…” Emma said, frowning hard. “I wish I could be in love with you the way you are with me… I wish I could hold you and tell you…” Emma paused and closed her eyes. “I wish you could still be mine…” Emma said, almost crying.

Thayer looked at her and contemplated on what she said. He loved her so much and it hurt him to see her devastated. Unconsciously, he took her in his arms and slowly… kissed her.

It was a bittersweet act of letting go. It’s the first and last time… Thayer sadly thought.

“I understand that you love Ethan. You can’t have everything, right?” He smiled a little. “Thayer… I hope you don’t hate me…” Emma finally said. “I can never hate you…” Thayer said sadly.

Emma stared at Thayer. He kissed me… Emma thought. It was magically sad.

Emma did not hate him for kissing her… actually it left her wanting more. But then guilt filled her… I love Ethan… right?

“Let’s go home?” Thayer then stood up and held Emma’s hand urging her to stand and leave… “I can’t loose you…” Emma said as they were leaving. “No.

Not yet.”

After Thayer took Emma home, Emma called Ethan and asked him to meet her… She wanted someone to talk to… Thayer’s revelation was too much for her to bear…

“Emma, what’s wrong?” Ethan said worriedly.

“It’s Thayer…” Emma said as if she wasn’t sure what she was saying. “He told me that he loved me…”

“He took me to the cabin where we used to play when we were kids. Then he told me that he loved me…” Emma was shaking hard…

“I can’t loose him, Ethan. I just can’t! He’s always been there for me… He cared for me and understood me like no one else did. He loved me when I’m a success and loved me even more when I was a mess…

“Emma, everything is going to be okay… Maybe not now but it will…” Ethan said as he hugged her tightly…

“No, Ethan. Once your bestfriend falls in love with you… you can never be bestfriends ever again…” Emma said, still shaken by the idea of living without Thayer, her bestfriend.

“What were the reasons why he was your bestfriend?” Ethan said. Emma looked at him. “What?”

“Just answer the question, Emmz.” Ethan said using the nickname Thayer uses.

“Thayer is funny… he brings life where ever

he goes. He is understanding… he

never jumps to conclusions. He is patient… he never

complains...” Emma smiled as she trailed

off.

Ethan looked at her with understanding. Not because he understood the situation she was in but because he understood why Emma was acting this way… She was in love with Thayer and she doesn’t know it. She was torn.

“Emma, why don’t we have a picnic tomorrow… just the two of us? Just to get your mind of things…” Ethan said. “Okay. I’d like that.” Emma smiled as he sat next to Ethan.

“Okay, then.” Both of them stood up and they hugged each other tightly. “Now get some sleep… I’ll pick you up tomorrow…” Ethan said.

After Ethan left, Emma went to bed immediately. She was emotionally tired. Her head was still pounding and thoughts were swirling in her mind.

As she slept, she dreamt about Thayer… their memories together and the moment he told her he loved her…

After Ethan left Emma’s house, he didn’t go home. He went to Thayer’s house. He needed to talk to him about Emma.

“Thayer.” Ethan said as Thayer opened the door. “Ethan. It’s late. Emma’s not here.” Thayer said as Ethan stormed in. “I know. I’m here for you.”

“Okay… What’s up?” Thayer said. “You love Emma?” Ethan said. Thayer looked at him with enlarged eyes. “She told you?” Thayer replied. “She loves you…” Ethan said finally. It was what he wanted to tell Emma. “No. She loves you.” Thayer said not wanting to get his hopes up. “No, Thayer. She loves you… She didn’t even need to tell me…” Ethan said.

“Thayer, she was trembling at the idea of loosing you. That is not a normal reaction for her…” Ethan said. “I love her but from what I’ve experienced this summer… she loves you.” Thayer then stood up. “Ethan, I kissed Emma…” Ethan then looked at him with hard eyes.

“Ethan, I swear. I never wanted to break the two of you up. I just wanted to tell her how I feel because I just can’t live with myself without her knowing my true feelings…” Thayer said. He looked at Ethan with remorse.

Ethan suddenly approached a couple of picture frames an looked at them hard. They were pictures of Thayer and Emma.

Then Thayer picked up a picture of Emma. He remembered the day he took that picture. They were having a picnic near the cabin. It was the day they accidentally kissed.

“I loved her since the first day she came to my house to play with my sister. I loved everyday since then…” Thayer said still looking at the picture.

Ethan then started to leave. Thayer suddenly spun around. “Why are you doing this?” Ethan then looked at him once more. “Because I understand... Besides, I don’t want to get in the way of true love…”

Emma woke up with a heavy heart. She then turned on her laptop and opened photos of Thayer and her. She was crying because she missed him so. Then she thought about what Thayer had said and the possibility of her loving him…

After Ethan left, Thayer wanted to see Emma and discover if what Ethan said was true.

Thayer was, at that moment, looking at Emma. He saw how sad she was and how much she missed him. He felt sick… he never wanted her to be like this…

When Thayer was walking towards Emma’s house, he was thinking about everything they have been through…

Thayer knew that he and Emma’s relationship was never going to be same.

As Thayer reached Emma’s house, he saw the truth…

The next morning, Thayer then started driving… he didn’t know where he was going he just wanted to clear his head but all he could think of was his moments with Emma…

It’s going to be hard to let go of something I’ve held on for so long… Thayer thought.

That same morning, Emma got ready for her picnic with Ethan. All the while, she was thinking about Thayer and Ethan...

She thought about the time Ethan kissed her at their prom… then the moment Thayer kissed her yesterday came to mind instantly… She felt intoxicated by the kiss. She could still feel Thayer’s lips on hers.

But Emma’s thoughts were interrupted when Ethan came to pick her up.

“Thank you for this, Ethan.” Emma smiled as she looked at him sincerely. Ethan smiled weakly. Because he knew what going to happen next…

“Emma, I noticed… we haven’t danced since we got here to Phoenix.”He then extended his hand. Emma smiled and stood up taking his strong hands.

Emma and Ethan danced happily like it was their last… and for that moment… Emma forgotten about her dilemma.

“Thank you, Ethan!” Emma said as he hugged her. “You always make me happy…”

“I love you, Emma.” He smiled. “But I’m afraid I have to hurt you now…”

“I have to break up with you, Emma…” Ethan said. “It’s for your own good…”

Emma looked at Ethan hard but she was able to absorb all that he had said. “Why?” That was all Emma could say.

“Because I know the truth…” Ethan said with no regrets. “You love Thayer…”

“What are you saying, Ethan? I don’t love Thayer…” Emma said with a ring of uncertainty.

“No, Emma.” Ethan sighed. “If you were to loose Thayer and me at the same time… who would save?” Ethan said.

In Emma’s heart, she would save Thayer but she said, “You.” Ethan looked at her disapprovingly. “Liar.”

“It would hurt even more to loose Thayer instead of me. Admit it.” Ethan said.

“I can’t.” Emma said as she started crying. “Because if I do, then I loose you.”

“You can never loose what was never yours in the first place…” Ethan said. “Don’t you get it? When you left Phoenix, you needed someone to take Thayer’s place… and you chose me… you loved me because I am just like Thayer…” He sighed. “Remember last night? You said Thayer was funny, understanding and patient… I also remember you saying that exact same thing to me when I asked you what you loved most about me…”

Emma suddenly had different flashbacks of her and Thayer… suddenly she made a realization… She did love Thayer…

Ethan then hugged Emma tight. “I’m so sorry, Ethan… I never meant to hurt you…” Emma suddenly cried. “I did love you, though…” Emma said.

“Emma, it’s okay.” Ethan said, smiling. “You and Thayer deserve each other… He loves you…”

Emma then looked at Ethan and carefully placed her hand on his cheek. “I loved you, Ethan.” Ethan then, as if saying goodbye for the last time, kissed Emma. He knew it would the last but he was happy to let her go so she could be with her true love… Thayer.

Thayer saw how perfect they were for each other… They loved each other… they made each other happier…

Emma does not love him… Now, he was the one who was devastated.

Apparently, Thayer ended up driving to the fields and he saw everything… the picnic… the dancing… the laughs and smiles… the kiss… He couldn’t take it… He could never make happy the way Ethan just did to her… He could never compete to what they had.

Emma and Ethan saw Thayer walking away from the scene.

“Go, Emma. Tell him how much you love him…” Ethan smiled.

“Thank you, Ethan.”

But Thayer was faster than Emma remembered. Because when Emma chased him, she couldn’t find him.

“Thayer! Thayer! It’s Emma! Wait up!” Emma shouted. But she couldn’t see him anywhere.

Emma suddenly thought that Thayer must’ve left and was never planning on coming back…

“Thayer…” Emma suddenly whispered. “I love you… It’s you I choose…” Emma was starting to cry… “Where are you?” She said.

“I’m right here, Emma.” Thayer said. “I’m always right here…”

“Emma, wha-” Emma immediately interrupted him. “Thayer, I love you.” Emma said really fast. “I want to be with you… I choose you… please choose me too…”

Thayer slightly smiled. But still he doesn’t believe her fully.

“I want to believe you, Emmz. But I feel like this is just a sweet dream and I’m about to wake up anytime soon…

“This is real, Thayer. This is not a dream…” Emma looked at him sincerely. “I knew in my heart that I love you… and I was just… afraid…”

“Emma, I am afraid too… afraid of hurting you…afraid of disappointing you… afraid of not being good enough… afraid of loosing you forever…

“I love you, Thayer…” Emma said. “I’ll never leave you… I’ll always need you… So let’s be afraid together…”

Thayer looked at her. She is in love with me… I’m not crazy…This is really happening…

Emma then impatiently kissed Thayer…

It was long-awaited and passionate. Thayer held her waist tightly… never planning on letting her go.

Emma blew sweet kisses one after the other and Thayer responded using every bit of his energy to let her feel the fiery warmth of his beating heart. They were one… united… at last.

“Thayer, I’m sorry about yesterday…” Emma said. “Emma, I’m sorry about everything… and especially for not telling you about my feelings soon…” Thayer said almost crying…

“No..no..no..” Emma shook her head. “I love you and that’s forever…”

Emma then hugged Thayer. “Forever…” Thayer whispered.

Ethan saw everything… He was sad and jealous but he understood and on the inside he knew that they belonged together…

Ethan knew that Emma would be much happier in Thayer’s arms…

“Goodbye, Emma.” Ethan said silently. “Have a good life…”

The next day, Ethan took the bus back to Las Vegas. Emma felt sad about saying goodbye to Ethan but she had Thayer to comfort her…

Thayer hugged Emma as she read the goodbye note from Ethan…

Thayer was thinking about how he would be the safe harbor for Emma when she has problems… He would be anything for her…

Emma was reading the letter and felt guilty about the whole situation but is happy to be in Thayer’s gentle and strong arms… she was thinking that she and Thayer might go through a lot of troubles but in the end… they would be stronger… happier… and loving each other more…

The following days with Thayer were amazing…

But when the last day of summer came… Emma knew she had to leave Thayer again…

But she thought that it was the last year in highschool… after that, Emma and Thayer could apply for the same university…

On the day before Emma’s departure, Thayer sent her an email that said to him at the cabin…

Emma grew excited and got dressed immediately…

When Emma arrived at the cabin, she found Thayer waiting patiently for her with a smile on his face…

“Good morning…” Thayer said. “Since today will be the last day… I wanted us to hang out like before…” Emma looked at him appreciatively. “Videogames, bacon, eggs with you and me?”

Emma smiled. “Yes.”

“Breakfast was amazing…” Emma said as she slouched on the couch. “Do you think I can beat you?” Emma teased. “You could try…” Thayer said. Emma smiled and then grabbed the other joystick.

“Haha! I won! I totally beat you, Thayer!” Emma said joyfully as Thayer threw his joystick behind him, smiling. “Yeah… you were always the best at this…” Thayer said. “Never underestimate a girl…” They both laughed.

“Don’t worry, Thayer… even if you’re a loser… I’ll still love you.”Emma said sweetly. Thayer laughed and smiled wildly. I love you, Emma… I’ll always give your heart a break…

They lived happilyEver after…

By: Mary L. MirandaAB-Comm 1a