AN: A sudden idea that popped into my head. This DOES follow the Friends Forever series. It is in Ethan's P.O.V.
Disclaimer: Ann owns them, even though she DITCHED THEM. Sniff.

She was thirteen, I was fifteen.

It wasn't the age difference that mattered- hell, she acted older than me sometimes. She looked about sixteen anyway, but it wasn't her looks that I was going after. It was her personality. She was beautiful, smart and incredibly mature and intelligent for a thirteen year old. As an artist, I've come to hate the same cliches that are heard over and over, but sadly when I think of her that is all that comes to mind. Mushy cliches like, her smiles could melt my heart or she glowed brighter than the sun. Pathetic, but true.

Sometimes I wonder if she ever thinks of me and if she also regrets letting what we had fade away.

There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for Stacey, really. Her dad disapproved of me, I'm sure. Earring. Long hair. That kind of thing drives parents up the wall. Her mom seemed to like me, even if she didn't exactly radiate a sense of trusting. I was fifteen and I'm sure they thought my hormones were out of control.

Kissing Stacey was also amazing, even if I did constantly got ribbed for being a "cradle-robber" or a "pedophile". It was two years. Barely anything.

I loved the way she would look at me.. like I was someone special. Her object of affection. Her hero. My other girlfriends could scarcely compare.

I didn't see her enough, just when she was in the city. That wasn't enough to suit me. Sometimes she'd come and we wouldn't even breathe a word to each other. I found work; art. I got busy.

Sometimes I wonder if we had made more of an effort, would we still be together? We had potential, definitely and we should have given it more of a shot.

Now she's twenty and the age gap seemed to lessen even more. She moved back into the city. I know this because I constantly see her around. She has her New York walk back, so perfect, as if she had never left.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if she had permanently lived in this city when we were together.

But since then, we've never spoken. Not since we broke up.

Our break up. If you can call it that.

It was hardly a break up.. it was more of a cut back. Focus on ourselves for a while, refresh our minds. Then officially get back together. I told her it wasn't a break up, over the phone. We had finally cracked because of lack of time together. In my mind, we would be a couple again. I left her so many messages those few weeks we were "focusing on ourselves" because, damnit, I just couldn't do it. I wanted her. I wanted her back, despite everything.

Fuck art, right? I was willing to give up those classes together that cut down so much of our time.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I didn't take that damned art class.

Stacey had other plans. I hopped a train, flowers in hand, and went to see her. She had.. someone else. This Jeremy character, apparently. That was heart-breaking.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if she never met Jeremy.

How could she do this to me? Why would she? I loved her as much as a fifteen year old can love. Maybe I was too overprotective. She was gorgeous though, and I could see why everyone would want her. Maybe I was a bit jealous sometimes.

Time has settled in stones, stones that I shouldn't climb for it leads me to the past. I still have pictures, letters. Perhaps I'm a bit obsessed.

Sometimes I wonder why it is seven years later and I still just can't forget her.