Friendship First Ch 01

*This is my first submission. I would love feedback, good or bad. Let me know if I should continue. Thanks!*

*Note: This story is based on fantasy and fact. But I will let the reader decide which is which.*

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Steve and I had been together for quite a long time. We met as children in grade school, becoming instant friends. He didn't live that far away from my house, only about a half- mile, so staying in contact even through the summers was quite easy. His family had a large in-ground pool in the back yard, surrounded by a large concrete patio and walkway and a pool-house to the side. With our parents both at work all day we were alone until they got home. But because we were such good friends, like brother and sister, they didn't mind that we spent our summers together swimming and hanging out with our friends in the neighborhood. As time went by and we became high school age, and with our new found freedom of having driver's licenses, the element of being able to take long drives and go basically where ever we wanted brought our relationship to new heights. He would pick me up at my house in the newer white mini-van that his parents had given him since they had decided to buy new. We would stop to have a bite to eat, go to the local hotspots for us high school kids, and sometimes go to the park to swing on the swings and just talk. In the evenings it always felt nice just being the two of us having a great conversation. We attended the homecomings and formal dances together, bringing along our friends for some always promised comic relief and there was never a moment that we didn't have a great time.

Between Steve and I there was always a hint of sexual tension; a look, a gesture, a comment made. Our friends that had girlfriends and boyfriends always commented on what a cute couple we made, although we were never officially a couple. I with my 5'2'' stature and long medium brown hair (which I took great pride in), bright blue eyes, and a full smile, I was not "skinny" but rather muscular from being active in my childhood. Inherited from my mother, I had large breasts for my frame, a 36 C by the time I graduated. Steve was tall compared to my stoutness. He was over 6 feet tall for sure, built like a football player; not heavy, not skinny, but strong as an ox. His orange-red hair, deep set brown eyes, and fair complexion was always a turn on to me. Every two weeks he was sure to make a trip to the local barber for a touch up. We were "preppy" and our friends shared the same style.

During the summer after graduation when we were getting ready for college, we wanted to live it up. We all knew that soon we would be drifting apart from one another, as our lives seemed to become "adult like" and take us to where our destiny would settle. We were from a small rural town so the majority wanted to become free from their parents' watchful eye and go somewhere where the colleges were full of parties and opportunities. Steve opted not to go to college right away. He wanted to take a year off and break from the structured educational routine to think about what he really wanted to do with the rest of his life. I, on the other hand, chose the college route; attending a major university about an hour away from home. My parents were not fond of the idea of me moving away, even if it was just a short distance, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity of a full academic scholarship.

I'm not sure why, but that entire first year of college really took its toll on me. After the novelty wore off, I began to find myself incredibly homesick. More and more I thought of Steve and realized how much I really did miss him. We had kept in contact during the year, but not as much as we should have which was disappointing. At the end of the year, I decided to return home and attend a local community college. The summer went by fast and in no time it was back to school. Steve and I had grown closer and the thought of being with him crossed my mind more than once. I was starting to realize how respectful and kind he was and I looked at him now more as a man than as a brother-like figure. I wondered what would ever become of the two of us. I knew I didn't want to ruin the friendship that we had for so many years but I couldn't help but think what it would be like to be his girlfriend, to make love with him, to be in his arms. One day to my surprise that wondering came to an end.

It was fall; the air was cool and the fallen leaves crunched beneath our feet as we walked and talked. It was evening, so the park was free of children and only the occasional jogger would go by getting his exercise. We sat under a shelter that was used primarily for summer picnics. I was feeling particularly frisky and playful that day. Steve climbed on one of the tables so that he was sitting with his feet on the bench. He must have been feeling playful that day too, as we began pushing each other and grabbing each other like we were really going to do some damage. After our little play fighting, we needed to catch our breath. He climbed up onto the wooden picnic bench were he had been sitting before. I turned to look at him, not expecting to see the front of his jeans starting to grow. I didn't know what to say or do, so like a shy little schoolgirl, I just turned away and acted like I saw nothing. He knew that I did and tried to cover the fact that he was aroused. He seemed to be more embarrassed than anything and gave one of those clear-the-throat coughs. I knew the ice had to be broken somehow.

"What's wrong?" he said sarcastically. "Not in shape anymore? Lost your breath?"

"Yeah, something like that", I said. I hesitated for a minute to clear my head. I couldn't take it any longer. I had to know. "Actually that's not it. Can we talk?"

"Sure, what's the matter?" he asked with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Well, yeah, but there's something I need to tell you. I never thought I would admit it, let alone say it out loud, but I can't stop thinking about it. Do you know why I came home?"

"I thought you were just homesick or something, I know how close you are to your family, I figured that was probably why."

"Do you know how close I am to you?" I was getting nervous. I fixated my gaze to the ground where I let my foot fidget with one of the leaves. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you on the spot." I felt like an ass. I figured I just compromised the friendship that I cherished the most, out of anything in the world.

"What?" His sudden words made my eyes avert to his face. He looked shocked, but genuinely interested. I couldn't help but stare into those big brown eyes and imagine what it would be like to kiss his red lips, hear him whisper my name between breaths. Whew...back to reality...I caught myself daydreaming.

"Well," he continued stammering for words, "I hope you feel as close to me as I do to you. I don't know what my life would be without you Amanda. Did you come home for me?"

I didn't really know what to say. But I was so nervous and frustrated at the same time I knew I had to say something. I thought it would be better if I just ripped the band-aid off all at once just to get it over with. "So here goes." I thought to myself.

"Steve, for the past year or so that I was away I found myself thinking of you quite often. Sometimes my roommates would notice that I was quiet and ask if something was wrong. I started to miss you, really miss you, and the times we shared hanging out, talking, picking on each other. Sometimes tears would stream down my face and I realized that I needed you to be there. I needed you to be with me right then and I wanted you to be with me forever. I know you probably think that I'm just being a girl, getting all emotional, but it's the truth." Then I said it. "I think I love you."

"Oh my God!" he said. He was clearly taken back by my words. So was I for that matter. I had laid it on the line. I was vunerable. The damage was done. There was no turning back now. All I could do was hope for the best, hope that he didn't get mad, or worse, laugh at me. His reaction changed my life.

He scotched to the end of the table with his feet still on the bench. His hands at his sides, he was looking for words. He obviously was at a loss. My eyes never left his.

"Well... um... ok." He took a moment to collect himself. I was shaking on the inside. Just then, he reached both arms out and pulled me by the waist. Slowly he pulled as I took baby steps at his mercy. Just before our lips touched, he looked me directly in the eyes and whispered "I've loved you since the day I saw you. I'm sorry it's taken this long for us to be together as we are now."

And with that, our lips touched and we embraced in the most romantic, electrifying kiss we have ever, or will have, in our entire lives.