Beyond Vica by T. C. Booth

get out.
    There’s something I need to say. I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this may be the last chance to get it out. “Sam?”
    â€œHi, Gabs,” he answers with a weak smile.
    â€œIf I don’t get a chance to tell you later, thanks for being the best friend anyone could ever have.” My voice cracks and I try with all my might to pull it back together.
    â€œHey, that’s my line.” His chuckle sends him into another coughing spell.
    â€œDid I miss something?” Brody raises his eyebrows at me.
    I shake my head. “Sam, I love you.” My heart hammers in my chest. I’ve never told him that before, but I need to. I know all too well how once a moment is gone, you can never get it back.
    â€œI love you too, Gabs.” His voice is near a whisper. “Take care of her for me, Brody. She can be a…challenge.”
    â€œYou don’t have to tell me.” Brody gives a nervous giggle. “You get better so you can help me. It takes two of us to keep her in line.”
    â€œGabby, don’t cry,” Sam gasps in between breaths.
    I touch my face. Tears pour like rain from my eyes. I can’t remember the last time I cried like this. I wipe the tears away and clear my throat. “I’m okay. I just miss you, that’s all. You get better.” I blow him a kiss.
    He pretends to catch the kiss in his hand and places it on his heart. Marie’s voice comes from the background. “Sam, you need to rest now.”
    He nods. “See you guys.”
    â€œSee you later,” Brody and I answer as one voice.
    â€œMan, that was hard!” Brody rests his head in his hands, his elbows propped on his knees.
    I’m speechless. The weight of the last few minutes is heavy on my soul. I know in my heart that it will be the last time I’ll speak to him.
    Brody eventually lifts his head, turning his face to mine. His eyes are wet. A tear travels down his cheek. I wipe it away with my thumb. He captures my hand in his and presses my fingers to his lips. I can’t tear my eyes away from his.
    We stare at each other without speaking, yet a whole conversation passes between us. He leans close to my face. His lips touch mine. They are so soft. I didn’t know a boy’s lips could be so soft. I kiss him back. He pulls away after a minute. His glorious gray eyes penetrate mine. My whole world has been turned upside down in the last few minutes.

Chapter Twelve
    Brody breaks the silence filling the space between us on the swing. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since we were in sixth grade.”
    My jaw drops. “Really?” Over the last few weeks I’ve felt guilty for crushing on him, and he’s wanted to kiss me for the last three years?
    â€œI was so jealous that Sam got to be your first kiss at outdoor education.” His face is flushed. In all of the years we’ve been friends, I’ve never seen him blush.
    â€œThree years? You’ve wanted to kiss me for three years? I’ve been torturing myself for weeks over crushing on you. Feeling guilty for wanting to touch your dimples, and all this time you’ve wanted to kiss me.” I can’t believe I just spilled all that.
    A grin materializes across his face. The dimples that tortured me for weeks are so deep I can’t take my eyes off of them. “You’ve been crushing on me? You want to touch my dimples?” His eyes twinkle.
    My face burns with embarrassment. “Yeah,” I confess. “I felt guilty because of what Sam is going through. We all need each other right now. I thought I shouldn’t be feeling things that could change our friendship.” I can’t look at him now.
    Brody tangles his fingers through mine. “I know what you mean. I was jealous when I saw you and Sam dancing. The guilt was killing me. That was his moment. I shouldn’t have been feeling that way. When we talked in the hall