(Amber's P.O.V.)
"Here's the lyrics"
Henry crushed out and made a few scribbles before he handed the sheet of paper to Eric.

I smiled at the fact when I returned the tension had waned down a bit. However they still weren't talking that much.

"Can I see the final lyrics?" I reached for the paper and read the new words

On the corner of my eye I was constantly checking Henry.

He turned around and started fumbling around his table.

"I have the sheet music here. It's gonna be accompanied with a guitar."

"Cool, Imma just use the bathroom for a bit. Which way is it?" Eric asked

"Over there" Henry pointed over to the door near his recording booth

As Eric left I gave a big sigh of relief because we were finally finished with the song

"Aw, Henry how will I ever be able to thank you..."

He just smiled and shrugged

We were left alone with each other again.
I read the lyrics

When I first walked in the room I saw your face, baby girl I was so amazed
I caught you smiling back at me but I didn't know what to say....

Flashbacks of when I first met Henry played again in my mind.

Hey now baby boy--

Baby boy?

"Wait, is this a duet now?" I turned to Henry

"Yeah. I decided it just now."

"Why? Eric is going to perform this solo."

Henry took a step closer to me until we were just inches away from each other.
He put his hands on my shoulders.

My heart was about to burst at this much physical contact!

"H-hen...ry?"

"I want you..."

"H-huh?"

"To perform it with Eric"

WHAT

"Why?"

"It's a song you made for him. Besides I think this song is better off as a duet."

Henry smiled sweetly it hurts for my part

"You can play the guitar as you perform it with Eric as well."

"B-but..."

"Please? " his hand held mine for a millisecond then he let go when he realized he was holding my hand

"As thanks, I will." I nodded and smiled at him, earning a sweet smile from him.

As he turned away, Eric entered the room and looked over at Henry then walked towards my direction and read the paper.

"Eric, is it okay with you if we perform this as a duet?"

Eric's eyes grew into almost a perfect circle
"What? Of course! Why not?" His voice was delighted and I looked over to Henry hoping for him to make a jealous reaction but he just smiled at me. A gentle smile and he gave me a thumbs up.

I was hoping you'd be against this

"So!" Henry made a single clap
"Let's start rehearsing..."

---

It was already 10 pm. Still at Henry's house. Tomorrow's going to be the day for Eric's first performance

"And that should be it. You guys should do well by tomorrow." Henry patted my back as he walked by me.

I gave Eric a smile and he looked so proud.

"We all did well with this song. Thanks Am, and thanks... Henry." Miraculously they clasped their hands with each other for a single firm handshake.

"You guys can stay for a while. I should get some drinks" 
"No coffee for me. Can't sleep later." Eric said and with that, Henry exited the room.

I plopped on the sofa and Eric followed suit, sitting beside me.
I lay my head on his lap and he played with my short hair

"Thanks, Am. I mean, really."

I closed my eyes, relaxed with him playing with my hair just like way back when we were a lot younger

"It's no problem at all. That's what friends are for..."

There was a silence after that. A long one.

"I know how to make it up to you..." he starts

"How?" I queried, sitting up and looking at him with curiosity

"You know.... We've been friends for a very long time...."

What
My heart was pumping real fast right now
Please don't, Eric

"And I know that you know that you mean a lot to me... right?"

"Y-yeah... of course." I swallowed

"Well, I'm not going to ask for something big. Okay, well maybe it's going to be. But please... whatever happens, don't abandon me." His eyes were all teary but he suppressed a smile.

"What... Of course I won't. Best friends never do that to each other."  Patted his back and a single drop of tear trickled down his cheek.

Honestly, what made him act like this

And in between heavy breaths, I thought I heard him whisper

"You really don't see through me..."

"Coffee's here. And Amber, I made sure yours is still hot." Henry enters with a tray of mugs of coffee.

(Henry's P.O.V.)

I made sure the water for Amber's coffee was still hot and fresh off the coffee maker as it boiled and I carefully poured it on her mug.

When I entered the room, they were sitting beside each other on my sofa. And Eric was practically fresh from crying but now had a soft smile on his face

Oh God. Has he confessed?

"Thanks, Henry..." Amber reached for the coffee from the tray and started sipping from it

"Yo, you okay, man?" I glanced at Eric

"Yeah, super." Another smile

Don't tell me she said yes

And for the next 20 minutes I just sat there by my table, my back facing them as I pondered on what could have happened while I was outside

Why am I hurting so much right now

"Henry? It's getting late... we need to go."
Her voice, heavy.

(Amber's P.O.V.)

Henry just sat there without saying a word for what seems like forever. Eric fell asleep while sitting, bored from all the silence.

It was then when I realized it was all over.
We were finished with the song. And he might move out any day from now. Hell, maybe even tomorrow!

I approached behind him and gently placed my right hand on his shoulder

"Henry? it's getting late... we need to go."

....

"We'd still meet after this right?" He asked, his back still facing me.
"You'll still stay after this right?" My words escaped my mouth

"Should I? I think one of the reasons I'm here is happy even without me. This person who motivates me to stay in this town. Maybe by the day after tomorrow I'm going home. Maybe we'd meet again if I comeback here"

Ouch. That hurt.
Someone was a reason for him to stay in this town. I only that were me.

"We can still jog tomorrow..." I told him
"Sure." His immediate answer

Why are you suddenly hurting me like this

I'm not anything to him but why am I so affected

"Alright. See ya." 
He nodded in response. Still not facing me.

"Eric, let's go."

---

Eric insisted on walking me to my apartment it was a silent walk until he decided to speak out

"You like him. I can see that."

Which caught me off guard

"Wh--"

"You don't have to deny it, Am." He chuckled

"..."

"Everyone seems to fall for you. Why did you have to be so charming?"

I could feel my cheeks warm up

"Even I fell for you."

It took me a millisecond for my head to shoot up and look at him

Did he just say that

"Haha, really... you really are dense." He smiled, shoving his hands into his jacket's pocket.

"I-I..."

Now's not a good time to stutter

"But I don't want things to change between us... I want you to be happy. I'm not asking for any mercy. Nor am I hoping for you to change your mind. I just wanted you to find out... It's kinda heavy to carry around especially whenever we're together"

Eric's voice trailed off his face was really red and what's this...
Tears were trickling one by one from his eyes

"Eric..."

"You don't have to be sorry, Am. I'm alright. Tell him how you feel. And I'm glad you met him and got to know him... in some way, through me."

We were getting nearer to my apartment and I couldn't bear to look at him

"He didn't want to talk further before we left because he thought I'd go for you. But I won't."

So that's why he seemed so lifeless before we left... wait...

"You like each other."

I don't know... I felt so guilty at the moment but at the same time there's this knocking joy in my heart at the thought of Henry and I having mutual feelings.

"I fell too fast."

"Exactly. But that's alright. If he breaks your heart, tell me and I'll beat the crap out of him!" He gestured pertaining to his biceps which made me chuckle a bit

"What if he's leaving..."

Wait

Should I? I think one of the reasons I'm here is happy even without me

"What's your plan?" Eric asked me

We finally reached my apartment when I made my final decision

"I'll confess to him...."

"Go for it. Fighting!" Eric gave me a tearful yet encouraging fist pump

---

I lay awake in bed recalling everything that had transpired

If he is going to leave, I might as well tell him how I feel. I might lose him but at least I can tell myself I did something. At least I tried.

My last thoughts before I finally fell asleep. Tomorrow. I'll see him again.

a/n: OMG i finally finished this story in one day hahaha the last chapter which is the next one after this shall be posted tomorrow ^^

i hope this chapter is long enough hahaha so yeahhhh this chapter and the last chapter is sorta heavy on the drama side, don't you guys think? haha more tears for the next chapter :) please look forward to it. tho i'm very crappy with endings. trust me how i finished it 3