Spot took a deep breath and started up the stairs. His palms were sweaty, but that was okay. When Heels took the flowers, she would probably think it was rainwater; they were almost-freshly picked, and it was raining.

And if she realized the wetness on the stems of her bouquet as sweat, well… she'd understand. She was Spot's sister-friend, the one person who knew him almost better than he did, but that was okay, because he knew her so well, he could almost predict her every action. They knew everything about each other.

Well, almost everything.

These stairs seem a lot higher now, Spot thought, sighing. Just my imagination, I guess.

He reached the top floor and his breathing started to quicken. Nervous ideas of rejection and laughter at his foolishness started to swarm in his head like angry bees.

She's in there with De's sister, Spot realized. Mandy'll tell De, who'll tell all of Manhattan, where it'll spread even further… that Spot Conlon got rejected by Heels Madison!

He shook this thought from his head. Good things. Heels would say yes and be his girl. Her crystal blue eyes would shine and she would accept his embrace and his kiss.

(guys, she's never been with a guy)

Spot brushed this away. It was something he'd noticed from time to time through the years, but it didn't mean anything. Maybe she was holding out for someone.

Maybe she's holding out for me! Spot thought, and smiled as he reached the bunkroom. He wasn't so frightened now. No reason to be. Heels would return his feelings. Mandy would coo with delight. Spot and his sister-friend would leave Brooklyn together when the time came, and they would live happily and start a family: three kids, all with Heels's pretty eyes and Spot's baby-fine hair.

Yeah, Spot smiled. Perfect.

He opened the door.

The handmade bouquet in his hand fell to the floor and the blooms shattered over the wood as hurt flooded into his icy-ocean eyes.

Heels and Mandy were asleep on the floor, cuddled in each other's arms. Mandy's head rested on Heels's chest, one hand supporting her head, the other on Heels's hip.

Spot's face crashed inwards with shock and pain.

He wasn't the only one with a secret.

Mandy stirred, and Heels's grip on her tightened.

So did the twist in Spot's heart.

Slowly, the blonde boy shut the door, then leaned against it, staring straight ahead at the opposite wall.

(cold, that's it, they were cold, looking for warmth, and just fell asleep)

No, it was summer. Too hot. That wasn't it. Spot groaned, but didn't hear himself do so. They were together, that was it. Heels and Mandy. Oh, God.

"De's going to kill Mandy," Spot said quietly. "He hates boy-kissers and girl lovers."

(only if he finds out)

Spot's eyebrows raised. "I gotta tell De. He'd wanna know."

(you love heels)

"Yes. Very much."

(she's happy with mandy)

"Looked it."

(you want her to be happy)

"… yes…"

(then don't tell de)

Spot bit his lip and thought it over, fighting with himself for a moment. Finally, he looked over his shoulder at the closed door, and ran his fingers over it. Then, he sighed and walked downstairs, flopping onto the ratty sofa under the window.

Heels should be happy. De wouldn't know. At least, not from Spot Conlon, he wouldn't.

And Spot wouldn't mind living in misery, so long as Heels was happy.

***AUTHOR'S NOTE***

I really like this one. I fought with myself over it for a long time before finally deciding how I wanted it to be written.

Then I saw it was a little to close to a situation in a friend's life and almost didn't post it. Of course, I asked my friend if it was okay to post it and got the yes, so that's why it's up here.

But yeah, this one fought me the whole way, but I finished it. Woo! Go me!