Replies to 8A Red Jassy
"oh my gAwd.. sleek. that was beautiful."
Oh, thank you for this.
The appreciation is just...wow. Overwhelming.
".. and could it be, that willow finally realizes her love for tara.."
well, you'll just have tp read to find out.
We just know Willow cares. A lot. And Tara cares. A lot. They just said so. but to me, action has more truth than words.
Jen
"Not sure if
really got what Alex was trying to tell her."
Wel it definitely confused her.
And she's all with the sweet-bestfriendly-affection right now because Alex did make Willow feel she should pay attention to Tara more.
And don't worry about Alex. I have BIG plans for him.
Thank you for the no pressure feedback. Loved it much muchly!
xita
"sleek, you take as long as you need to keep the fun."
Thank you for the 'no-pressure' feedback. As you can see I really took my time with this one.So I hope it doesn't dissapoint.
"Anyway they were oh so very touchy, I've never been that close an intimate with a friend."
I have, and it was frustrating as hell. I swore I won't fall for close friends anymore. Hopefully, I'll be able to break my pattern.
"You describe things so sensually I could really almost feel those breaths against skin..."
Nothing pleases me more by making you kitties feel every nuance of WT love. thanks xita
snuggle79
"This was so heartbreaking."
Damn. and i thought this was one of my more fluffy cheerful updates
I know you wanted to jump in and help them, I wanted to hlep them, but like I said, these characters have a mind of their own.
Grimlock72
"I don't think if she has made the (mind-)jump from 'care' to 'love' yet, because that involves tackling several hurdles and realising things."
I totally agree with you on this. Willow no doubt cares, but she would have to consider the possibility of being gay before she thinks about Tara in that way.
"Should be interesting to see if Willow will ever come to the 'love' conclusion on her own."
Like a scientist or detective, I think Willow is the type who would conclude she is in love after seeing facts and evidences. Tara is the type who trusts her intuition so she knew right away she's in love. Hopefully, like you said, one of them will break the thought pattern of being afraid to show their feelings.
I've finally had someone tinker with the computer. Removed some programs that's just eating up the memory. Thanks for the advise!
TemperedCynic
"This has a lovely romance novel feel."
Why, thank you kind sir.
"Tara would rather worship as a best friend than chance Willow's disapproval."
I quite agree with you on this one.
"My suspicion is that someone will say those three words but the 'how' is the most interesting factor."
Yes, the unrequited-love-storyline has been used time and time again. It will always be the how that gets thngs interesting, and the scenarios that you pointed out made me rethink actually.
m
And Mike, thanks for all the encouragement. But what I really need is your matchmaking skills to make me go 'yipee.'
Go find my kitty!
SJ
"I think Willow just wants Tara to tell her."
I think WIllow is a dunderhead. A totally hot one.
Now one of these girls will make a move soon, Im not telling who. Thanks for the feedback, SJ!
JustNicks
"oh glorious Sleek I am in awe. I am also not wanting this fic to end and yet also wanting it to end now"
Well, make up your mind sweetie. The end is almost near.
Thank you so much for making me and my work feel tummy-rubbed (if there is such a word).
Aaron
Guy with a kiddie voice, hey you.
Background Shot
Dear patient reader. Thank you for loving this fic and I try to keep the fun of writing alive by not succumbing to pressure.
Al
"You seem to put feelings and emotions into words more accurately than I've read in most other fics."
wow, thanks. Considering the many good fics out there, I'm just glad my work didn't go unnoticed. Your sincere feedback is just what I need to cheer me up. Thank you.
faithy
"Must you leave the story hanging all the time?"
Why, yes, of course.
Hey, thanks for
this, really. Just hold on a bit more.
shuyaku
"And you are an amazing writer But I will honor your request to not badger you for an update."
You made me all a twitter. Appreciation and space at the same time.This is exactly what I need and I thank you for understanding.
I'm so lucky this board exists or I would've given up writing love stories a long time ago.
==
Dear Kittens
Hope you had a wonderful holiday. I will post the rest of my replies as soon as I can. Your feed back are like the warm little prezzies I received this Christmas. I am thoroughly warmed.
Here is the update. I will write more as soon as I can.
Sleek
==
THREE WORDS
Part 8B
By SleekAlex checked his reflection in his stepmom's full-length mirror for the last time. He decided to untuck his white cotton shirt, then hastily tucked it again. He ran a sweaty hand through his dark hair that hopelessly flopped back to its usual untidy state.
Well, he sighed. It's now or never Alexander. It's time to make the last attempt sales pitch to that beautiful lesbian who wouldn't even give you a second look. Maybe she'll see your good heart and reconsider. That's what girls want, right? Love and respect? I can give that. If only she would let me.
Alex's shoulders slumped slightly as he trudged his way towards his battered car.
***
DING DONG!
"Tara, Alex is here!" Mama called out from the living room.
"Just a sec!"
I took my knitted bag, slung it on my shoulder, and bounded down the stars.
"Don't stay out late, all right? You're still grounded." Mama pursed her lips but her gentle blues betrayed only love and concern.
I smiled at her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"I will Mama. Love ya. Bye!"
Alex waited for me at the porch steps. He was shifting from one foot to another as he gave me a once over.
"Y-you l-look," he gulped, and ran a hand through his hair. "You look lovely, Tara."
I glanced at my loose, faded jeans and my old, purple peasant top.
Surely lovely is too much.
"I…" I said, allowing my hair to hide my eyes. "Thanks, Alex."
"Here," he said, brandishing a bouquet he hid from behind. "This is for you."
The bouquet was thrust into my arms. The softness and scent of 12 elegant, long stemmed roses enveloped me.
"Wow," I said, as my arms encircled the flowers. "Alex, they're beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you, Tara," he said, his muddy brown eyes boring into mine.
What is he…why is he so serious? Is this part of the pseudo boyfriend plan?
But our arrangement ends today. It has been one week after all.
"So," he said and cocked his head towards an old, gray pick up truck, "Ready to roll?"
"Empresso Pump is just two blocks away, Alex. I don't mind walking."
"Oh, but we're not gonna go to Empresso Pump. Since we're breaking up today, I'm gonna take you to someplace fancy."
The roses, the someplace fancy…this is all too much. It sounded like we're…
"Alex," I said, quirking a brow. "Is this...are we going out on a date?"
He was silent for a moment. His eyes zoomed into mine, I felt like I was being scrutinized under a microscope.
I was again tempted to duck my head to avoid his penetrating stare.
"You want me to back off?" he said, his shoulders slumping. It was both a question and a statement. He quickly buried his large, sweaty hands deep into his pockets.
"Um…well," I said, carefully forming a reply in my head.
God, he looks so sad. Like a kicked stray puppy deprived of affection. Even his ears seemed to droop. Still, I can't lead him on and give him false hope. But then, he's been so nice to me; he listened to me rant when Willow was too busy with Oz. He's been a good friend and he never asked for anything from me other than companionship.
This is the least that I could do for him. Anyway, he knows I love Willow. He really won't expect me to return his affection, right?
"Okay, let's go out. But you still know I'm a lesbian, right?" I said and attempted to grin.
He chuckled. A bit assured now that he knows I'm not pushing him away.
"Yep," he said. "Still know you're one hot lesbian."
"Good," I said and nodded to his vehicle. "Lead the way, dude."
We both laughed at the surfer-boy way I pronounced dude. Maybe we can have a fun, friends' night out after all.
***
"What do you mean you're not going to graduation?"
"I'm going to L.A., Will. I'm moving out next week."
Willow swiveled her eyes towards Oz.
"You're going away?" Willow whispered.
They we're sitting in Oz's black van, parked just outside the Bronze.
Oz stared straight ahead, his hands suddenly cold and numb on the steering wheel.
He sighed. He knew the moment of truth has arrived.
He faced Willow. His recently dyed hair was black -- as dark as the depths of his eyes.
"I'm letting you go, Will," he said, meeting her eyes with quiet sadness.
"What? Oz, what are you saying?"
One minute they were talking about college and graduation, the next they were talking about their relationship. Willow was bothered by Oz's somberness. He looked like someone dear had just died.
"Oz…" she said, noticing the deep furrow on his forehead and the dark circles under his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Willow," he said, as if saying her name pained him. He reached out a hand and let his fingers trace the fine contours of her face, committing every little detail to memory.
"I have never…loved anyone like you. I have never met another human being quite like you. But you don't love me." His voice was strained. Anytime now he might sob, and he was trying so hard not to.
He was Oz after all. He was Mr. Calm. And it was costing almost all of his strength to keep it together…for Willow.
Willow moved her lips, but no words came out. The obvious distress she had caused Oz worried her deeply. Oz was kind, caring, and all that she wished for in a boyfriend. But it was true. She didn't love him.
"Oz, you're great guy. A girl couldn't ask for a kinder boyfriend. And I…I care about you," Willow said, saying anything to ease Oz's pain.
She did care about him. She was slowly getting used to the idea of having him around. Someone to look after her and care for her. Someone who will always be there for her no matter what.
Oz took his hand away and gripped the steering wheel. His eyes were fixed on the windshield. It hurt too much to be this close to her, but not really have her.
He sighed and steeled his resolve.
He never really had her. Yes, it was best to end it today.
"I know, Will. I'm lucky to even have an iota of your affection," he smiled wryly and gazed at her again. "But it's a mistake to continue this relationship, when you're obviously in love with somebody else."
"Someone else?" Willow was getting more confused by the minute. "I'm not in love with someone else, Oz."
"Tell me," Oz's eyes searched Willow's. "Who is the person in this world you care about the most?"
"I…" Willow began to form the words 'I don't know' when the image of a certain someone with caramel-blonde hair, sapphire eyes, and an endearingly lopsided grin sprang into her mind.
"The person you're thinking of right now. The one who is causing you to smile like that…is the one you're in love with," Oz said, quietly. His eyes shone brightly with hidden tears. "And I know it's not me."
***
"You were right, their lemon chicken is the best," I sighed contentedly as Alex maneuvered the car back towards my street.
"Well I've worked for two years as a busboy there, so I should know," Alex grinned, happy that I was pleased with his treat.
Conversation was easy during dinner. We talked about Lord of the Rings, The Matrix and other movie trilogies.
She laughed at all of my jokes and even shared her plans after graduation. Now if only the rest of the day would fall according to my plan…
Alex frowned and pressed his foot firmly on the gas pedal.
"Hey, you missed my stop," I said, looking over my shoulder at the rows of houses we just passed.
"Umm…I hope you don't mind if we go to the park. It's just seven, I'll have you home by eight," said Alex, his eyes fixed on the road.
What do we need one hour for?
The answer became clear when we pulled in front of the deserted park.
The moonlight dappled on the trees and cast soft beams on the manicured greens, making them look like velvet. The see-saws and swings hung, motionless.
"Tara, there's something I want to talk to you about," Alex said as he turned the ignition off.
We've done nothing but talk the past few hours. What else does he want to talk about?
I scrunched my face and studied Alex's facial expression, anything to give me a clue on what is going on inside his preoccupied head.
A frown creased his features. Not a good sign.
He turned in his seat, facing me.
"Tara, before you say anything, please hear me out first," Alex swallowed, and ran his sweaty palms over his jeans. "I know one week has passed, and our Operation Pseudo Boyfriend ends today. But I was thinking…"
He inched a bit forward towards where I was sitting. His eyes searched mine in the darkness.
"Will you give me a chance? To protect you, love you, and be a for real boyfriend for one week?"
What? Another week? For real? But -
"I still know your gay and that you're in love with your bestfriend, but gosh Tara, I've never felt so…into someone before. And all I ask is one more week. I know my chances of you returning my feelings are slim to none, but I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I just let you pass me by."
His large shaky hand carefully brushed away the hair from my eyes.
"I love you, Tara. I tried to fight it, but I'm just getting worse." Alex's voice shook slightly, his shaky hand rested on my shoulder. "It's cheesy. It's corny. But everyday I fall deeper for you. If only I know how to stop these feelings, I would."
I tried to meet his gaze without wavering.
"Alex. I…" I know what I was about to say is going to slice him to pieces. The way Willow cut my heart when she said she was going out with Oz.
Why does love have to be complicated? Can't there be a 'mirror rule' where you can love back those who love you? It would be so easy. Alex is loyal and puts my needs first above everything else. He'd make a great boyfriend. He'll say all the sweet things and do everything to make me feel better. If only I could love him the same way, we might even make each other happy.
But there's only one person who truly makes my heart soar.
How can I say all this without breaking Alex? Now that I know exactly how it feels to have your love unrequited?
"Tara, please," Alex said, his muddy eyes supplicating. "Just one more week, we'll even cut it into five days if you detest my company too much."
"I don't detest you Alex. I just, I can't….I don't want to hurt you." I said
"Then be my girlfriend for five days. Just five days Tara, and I'll die happy."
I sighed. He can be a real stubborn mule if he wants to.
"Alex, it's going to hurt more if I give you false hopes. No matter how much I distract myself, at the end of the day I know who I'm really in love with," I whispered, hoping if I said the words gently, it won't hurt too much. "I love Willow, Alex. Only her."
Alex shut his eyes and turned away. For a minute I thought he stopped breathing.
Alex quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and sighed.
Whether there were tears, I wouldn't know. He was hiding in the darkness.
God, I'm such an ass. He's been nothing but good to me. He doesn't deserve this. He probably hates me.
"Willow is such a dunderhead," Alex spoke to the steering wheel. His eyes were downcast. "Here you are, the most beautiful human being I ever met, she could have you, but she chose to take off with some guy."
I couldn't help but smile. At least he doesn't hate me.
"For a minute there, you sounded like a man-hating lesbian," I said, hoping he'd smile back.
"Man, I wish I was a lesbian. I'd enroll in an All-Girl-School, wear sinfully tempting uniforms and see chicks all day," Alex said with the smallest of grins.
He looked at me finally. His eyes still clouded.
"If I can't have you…I just wish…you'd be with someone you love. Willow the dunderhead shouldn't make you suffer anymore," he said, seriously.
I chuckled. Willow the dunderhead all right. Trust Alex to come up with something like this.
"Alex, are you…gonna be okay?"
"Not yet," Alex sighed, "But I will be as soon as I see you happy and gay, literally."
Alex is a real sweetie. I wanted to hug him, but I think it'll hurt him more if I come too close.
"Well, I hope you'll find a nice, straight girl who'll love you as much, Alex," I said. "Willow does care about me, but not quite the way I wanted to."
"I think she loves you but isn't quite lesbian…yet," Alex grinned, "Maybe I should talk to her about the finer points of why chicks rock?"
"Well, maybe I should send her a videotape with some girl-on-girl action and see how she'll react?" I said.
"Wow, Tara. That's something I would suggest. Can I watch it with you two?" Alex waggled his brows suggestively.
"Alex!" I said and playfully swatted his arm.
He laughed. It's good to see he isn't wallowing. I'll surely still want Alex as a friend.
"So when are you going to tell her, Tara? Honestly, maybe she'll become interested in a certain, blue eyed chick if only the blue eyed chick tells her how she feels."
"Well, the blue eyed chick is waiting for the right time."
"And when would that be?"
I sighed, and looked out of the car window.
When is the right time to bare my soul to someone I love the most? Today? Tomorrow? When we're both old and full of regrets?
A lone star winked brightly against the inky sky.
"As soon as she and Oz breaks up, I'll tell her," I vowed solemnly.
TBC
by TaraBaby77 » Fri Dec 12, 2003 11:05 pm 
...
Sleek you rock! Sooo...will there be smoochies next chapter? Heres to hoping!!
Wonderful...
Sleek 
YAY! 
is going to tell 
Neither of them real had a chance. 
breathtaking!!!it literally took my breath away.....sleek...sleek...sleekkk....
!!!update soonish????
give me your belly now and lets rub 
Thanks for the chuckles Marie. May this year both bring us romance without the dizzying two-step dance!
) Look forward to the "smooching into oblivion"!
. Sleek, I hope that after you’ve put us readers