Disclaimer: I don't own One Life To Live or any of its characters.

A New True Love

Starr pulled away from James with a look of pure shock on her face. She was stunned, not just because of the kiss itself also because of how intense if felt. She hadn't felt that kind of intensity or passion in a long time.

"Oh God. Starr, I'm sorry," James said. He hadn't meant for it to happen. He was just really upset and Starr was there. He just wanted to feel something good from the person he cared about the most.

Starr didn't hear him. She was trying to figure out what just happened and what to do about it. That kiss had so powerful. She hadn't felt a kiss that passionate in a long time. Not since the last time James had kissed her.

Starr wasn't sure what to do. For months she'd been trying to deny her feelings for James. She told herself that it was just attraction. That her heart belonged with Cole. The truth is though, she knew she was kidding herself. Yes, she did love Cole, but not the way she used to. She no longer felt the connection she once had. It just seemed that she was going through the motions with him lately. She just wasn't sure what she should do now.

"Starr, please say something. I'm really sorry," James repeated.

"Yeah, I'm not sure that I am," Starr finally said. No matter what else, she felt that kiss needed to happen.

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"I didn't see that kiss coming, but I'm not sorry that it did?" she elaborated.

"But I thought you said you wanted to make things work with Cole," James said.

Starr sighed. "I've loved Cole for a very long time. He's the first guy I ever loved. We used to say we'd be together forever."

"And then I came along," James said.

"No. My problems with Cole have nothing to do with you. They started long before we even met," Starr told him. She wouldn't put her problems with Cole on James. She wouldn't even put them Hannah. She and Cole were responsible for their problems. No one else.

"Yeah, but I couldn't have helped. I told you should drop Cole and be with me. I shouldn't have done that. It wasn't fair," James said regretfully. He had strong feelings for Starr, but he knew what he did was wrong.

At the time, I really wished you hadn't. Because I didn't want to hear it. I mean, I've been with Cole for years. We have a child together. We fought so hard to be together," Starr told him.

"That's what Cole said," he commented.

"You mean when he told you to stay away from me?" Starr asked. "I knew you were lying the second you started defending Cole."

"I was just trying to help you," James explained.

"I know, but I think you helped me more when you kissed me," Starr said

James laughed. "I helped you be kissing you?"

"Believe it or not, yeah. You helped me realize I can't keep going on like this. I can't be your friend and Cole's girlfriend," Starr said.

"No, Starr. Please, I'm sorry. I-"

"James stop! Just please listen to me. I'm not mad at you. I'm grateful to you. You made me realize that I can't keep doing this to you," Starr said. She knew he'd deny it, but she was hurting him. She could see it in his eyes. It had to stop.

"Doing what to me? You're not hurting me?" James said.

"You say that, but we both know it's not true. I've been jerking you around for weeks. I told you that I didn't want be with you, but then I tried to ruin your date with Langston. I've sent you many mixed signals. And that's not fair. I can't keep hurting you," she explained.

"So you think walking out of my life is going to be better?" James asked as if it were ridiculous. It wasn't logical to him. How was Starr disappearing from his life supposed to help? He didn't want her out of her life.

"I'm not saying I'm walking out of your life," Starr told him.

"But you just said-"

"I said I can't have it both ways. I can't have you in my life and be with Cole. It wouldn't be fair," Starr said.

"I'm confused. What exactly are you saying here?" he asked. At first he thought she was saying they couldn't be friends anymore, but now he wasn't so sure. Was she saying they had a chance?

"I'm saying that I have to make a choice. I have to choose between you and Cole. And I need to give me time to make that choice. Can you do that for me?"

James smiled. "I'd do anything for you, Twinkle."

Starr smiled back at him. "Thank you. I'll come find you when I've made my decision," she said before getting up and walking away.