Chapter Nine;

 “So, when did you first realize that you were in love with me?” Emily asked curiously. Her and Kris had changed into their pajamas. Hers being a tank and aerie knit shorts while Kris, not having brought anything to wear for bed, was in his boxers. They were just laying on her bed, staring into each other’s eyes, talking about anything and everything on their minds. Nothing was off limits.
 “Well, ever since I met you I had a crush on you. As we became better friends my feelings for you grew stronger.” He started, looking into her eyes as he played with a lock of her hair that was resting on her shoulder, “I remember it was a Thursday. The day you, Ashley, and Lauren insisted on having everyone get together to watch movies after practice. All us guys eventually gave in, even though we figured you’d pick some chick flick to watch. We were right.”
 “The Notebook.” Emily whispered, remembering the day.
 “Uh-huh. I’d never seen it before so I wasn’t sure what to expect.” Kris paused and then continued his story, “I remember looking at you, seeing how moved you were by it and thinking, She’s the one. I had been falling all along, but that’s when I first really knew I was in love with you.”
 “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” Emily said honestly.
 “And it’s true.” He told her as his fingers brushed her cheek softly.
 “One question.” She said, her voice quiet. Kris raised an eyebrow, telling her to ask whatever she had on her mind. So she did, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
 “I don’t know.” Kris smiled, “I guess I didn’t want to mess things up between us. I didn’t think you’d feel the same way.”
 “Well you’re wrong there.” Emily smiled back. “I guess I’m glad you waited, though. Things worked out pretty well, except for the timing with Geno thing.”
 “Yeah,” Kris agreed, “I have a question for you now.”
 “Go on..” She instructed him.
 “When are you going to break up with him?”
Emily thought for a second. She really didn’t know the answer to that question. “I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t want to hurt him anymore than I have to. He’s one of my best friends, too and I don’t wanna mess that up.”
 “I understand.” He said genuinely, “All I want is to be with you and for you to be happy. So you can do what you know is best.”
 “Thanks for understanding. And I want to be with you too. More than anything.”
 “I’m glad.” Kris said, ending that conversation.
 “You know what we need?” Emily asked, an idea forming in her head.
 “What?” Kris was curious as to what she was thinking.
 “A song. You know, to be our song. And every time we hear it we’ll think of each other and it will be amazing.” Emily explained with a smile on her face.
 “And what song would that be?” Kris asked. He liked her idea.
 “Well, it should be a song that fits with us. Like it was written with us in mind.” She told him and grabbed her iPod touch off of her bedside table. She slid her finger across the screen and went to her list of songs, holding it so they both could see.
They each looked at the song titles as she scrolled down. Nothing seemed to fit, until they got to the S’s.
 “Oh my gosh, this one’s perfect.” Emily announced, pressing the screen were it said Secret Valentine (acoustic). The song started playing and We The King’s voices sang out the iPod’s invisible speakers.

Soft kiss and wine
What a pretty friend of mine
We're finally intertwined
Nervous and shy for the moment we will come alive
Tonight
Secret valentine

We'll write a song
That turns out the lights
When both boy and girl start suddenly shaking inside
Don't waste your time
Speed up your breathing
Just close your eyes
We'll hope it's not for nothing at all

Lay down, be still
Don't worry talk they will
I'll be loving you until
Morning's first light
Breaks tomorrow
I'll take care of you tonight

We'll write a song
That turns out the lights
When both boy and girl start suddenly shaking inside
Don't waste your time
Speed up your breathing
Just close your eyes
We'll hope it's not for nothing at all

When guilt fills your head
Brush off rise up from the dead
This is the moment that we will come alive
Brace yourself for love
Sweet love, secret love

We'll write a song that turns out the lights
When both boy and girl start suddenly shaking inside
Don't waste your time
Speed up your breathing
Just close your eyes
We'll hope it's not for nothing at all
Nothing at all
Don't waste your time
Speed up your breathing
Just close your eyes
We'll hope it's not for nothing at all
Nothing at all


 “I like it.” Kris smiled. The lyrics really fit them. It was perfect.
 “Me too.” Emily agreed. She put the song on repeat and set the music player down on her side table.
 “I’ll think of us every time I hear it.” Kris promised.
 “And it will be amazing.” Emily added with a smile.
The two of them laid in silence, listening to the song for a few minutes. It was getting late, but neither of them were tired.
 “It’s 11:11. Make a wish.” Emily said, noticing the time on the clock.
 “Okay.” Kris closed his eyes and made his wish in his head. Emily did the same. When the minute was up, they both opened their eyes to see each other looking right back at them.
 “What’d you wish for?” He asked her.
 “I can’t tell you, or else it won’t come true.” She told him with a smirk.
 “Oh, I see.” He said with a chuckle. She looked beautiful just laying there looking at him. There was no one he’d rather be with.
 “So I was thinking about what you said earlier…” Emily said, looking away from his face.
 “What part?” He asked, gently taking her hand in his, tracing her fingers with his own.
 “How you said it was just one night and no one had to know.” She said, her eyes fixed on his now.
 “Oh?” He said wondering what she was about to say.
 “Yeah, and you’re right.” She told him, “It’s just one night where I can do whatever I want and not care. I never do that. I figure if I take this one night and just enjoy it as much as I can with you, it can be my one special night that no one has to know happened. Then I swear I’ll never ever cheat ever again. I just really, really want you right now. You’re my secret valentine.”
 “That sounds like a good plan to me.” Kris said with a smile plastered on his face. “Does this mean you wanna…?”
 “Uh-huh.” She smiled, knowing what he was going to say. She pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss.
 “Okay.” Kris said with a smile once they separated. And with that being said, they continued where they left off earlier before Lauren interrupted.