Did he not like the essay? Haley was panicking inside - Cain was acting<i> different </i>today. Knowing him almost all her life, she'd grown accustomed to his quirks and specific demeanor. On most days, he was the epitome of confidence, moving without doubt and smiling without a care in the world. He was fidgety today, and even as he spoke about his grandmother and laughed about sleeping in, she could notice the hint of tension in his voice and the slightly off-kilter curl of his lips. Did he know?<br/><br/>Her heart was a panicked bird in a cage of bones.<br/><br/>"I'm glad you're grandmother is doing better, Cain. She must miss you guys a lot. It's good that you visit often." More small talk to smother the growing dread that threatened to choke her. "I bet you miss her pastries too. Her cakes are the best." It was easier to talk about family and their shared memories than it was to confront the uneasiness in her chest. "Next time you see her, tell her I miss talking with her!" She'd earned a good reputation with Cain's family and knew them as if they were her own. She would have said more had Cain not taken her hands into his. Their proximity and the jumpy, nervous way he was acting made her flush several shades of red.<br/><br/>"Cain? Is everything okay?"<br/><br/>Instead of accusing her, he ran his thumbs over her knuckles and sat her down on her chair. He had tears in his eyes, but he was smiling - the same radiant smile that had her falling head-over-heels in love with him.<i>Haley, I like you</i>.  The wind seemed to be knocked out of her lungs as all the blood in her body rushed to her face until she was redder than the reddest apple in her refrigerator. Was she dreaming? No. Cain was still talking, smiling as if he were the luckiest boy in the world. He'd like her for a long time now. Her feelings had never been one-sided. She was supposed to be elated, supposed to jump up in joy and laugh - but Keida seeped into her thoughts like poison.<br/><br/>All to suddenly, she was back in his living room with her hands around his back and his hips between her parted thighs.<br/><br/>The image made her feel queasy and guilt took hold of her. Four days ago, she given to Keida what she'd meant to save for Cain. Just yesterday, she'd allowed him to take her on the sofa while Cain stood merely a few feet away. It was a sickening image that dampened what was otherwise supposed to be a happy moment. She realized Cain was still waiting for a response and her mixed feelings wrestled within her.<br/><br/>She loved Cain, had loved him from afar for years. He would never learn about Keida and the incriminating photograph was deleted the other night.<br/><br/>Why was she debating an answer, there was only one right answer; yes, yes, and yes.<br/><br/>"Haley?" Cain asked worriedly when he found her merely staring at him from her seat. "What do you say?"<br/><br/>Smothering all thoughts of Keida, she gave him a bright and genuine smile. "Yes, yes, and yes." She tightened her grip on his hands. "Cain, I've liked you for a really long time now too. I thought I was the only one, and I was worried telling you would make our friendship weird." Saying the words took an immense weight off her shoulders. "I think you're amazing and kind and an all together wonderful person." She blushed deeper. "The answer is most definitely yes." Slowly, Haley leaned in to pull her longtime friend into a hug. "I'm glad you told me, I really like you too."<br/><br/>She could forget Keida and be happy with Cain now. Foolish girl, still tangled up in the spider's web.