This is how my story began. December 21st, 1991. I was born in El Camino Hospital to Tyler Clayton and Anya Clayton, an extremely successful, but free and happy couple living in California's Bay Area. I was the joy of my parent's lives. That was the happiest day of their life. I was given everything a baby could possibly need. I was pampered by my parents and my grandparents. I was sent to the best preschool.

That's where our story begin. Yes, this is a love story or rather, what should have been a love story. My love story, no…our love story. December 21st, 1995. My parents came to school to bring the children cake and goodies to celebrate my 4th birthday. It was also his 5th birthday. That's where our parents met; at my school for our birthday. Who knew they'd become best friends?

Before I knew it, I was always at his house and he was always at mine. We played and got along, but were never best friends. He treated my like a child, and I hated that. I tolerated him for my parents. Nevertheless, I could never bring myself to completely ignore him. Maybe it was because he was "older" and automatically, cooler. Most likely, intuition told me there would be more to us than this. Somewhere and sometime in the future we would be more. I think I knew.

Other than with him, I was a bright, rambunctious preschooler that was friends with everyone, but I had my best girl friend. Her name was Michelle. Michelle was a smaller girl that was extremely shy, but was comfortable and loud around me. The fact that I was special to her made me love and care for her over the others. But like most preschool relationships, we fell apart when both of us entered different elementary schools. No more play dates and silly classroom episodes. I didn't really mind. I would just have to find new friends.

The same thing happened when I went to a different elementary school and then a different highschool. The only constant throughout those years was him. No matter what, he always seemed to be around near me. Whether it was at home or at school. I forced myself to ignore his existence and he didn't even bother about mine. It was like we hated each other, but we really had no reason to. It was just…awkward? But why?

In highschool, I met some of my best friends. Liam and Aria were two of the most amazing people I had ever met. They were twins, who made me their triplet. We had a larger friend group who we were pretty close to, but we had an even more special relationship. They made it easier for me to ignore him. To be honest, I don't even remember how he was in high school. I don't know what he did or who he met. He was at an age where he could not be forced to come over to our house; even on Thanksgiving, he always had other plans. I barely saw him. But every year, no matter what, we celebrated our birthdays together. It was the one day we would exchange a few words and perhaps a smile or two. It was the one day I would think that we could be something.

Highschool flew by and before I knew it we were going to college…on opposite ends of the coast. I was going to Stanford, while he went Harvard. Both of us had bright futures and busy lives. We had no time to think of each other, but I know we did. Even if we denied it…a part of us always wondered about the other. I met a whole new set of friends in college who I grew to love and care for as much as I did with Liam and Aria. My family grew large and expansive. I had a variety of odd friends including my new roommate, Maya, and best friend, Derek. Derek…he's important because he wasn't only my best friend. He was my boyfriend, in fact, my to-be fiancé.

Derek is why we talked—talked for more than 5 minutes. On my 21st birthday Derek came home with me. He wanted to meet my parents and I wanted them to meet him. He was perfect for me and perfect for my family. A perfect GPA, impeccable background, stunning visuals, and admirable behavior. He was a respectable man and perhaps more than I deserved, but he chose me. I wasn't going to say no. My parents fell in love with him instantaneously. Even his parents commended me on my good choice. They told him to pick a good girl as well. My heart stung at the thought of him getting a wife.

We had a grand celebration for my 21st birthday and his 22nd. Everyone I knew, my parents knew, his parents knew, and he knew were there. It was grander than any party we ever had and I soon knew why. Right after I blew out the candles and shared a smile with him my expression changed to one of absolute shock. Derek got down on one knee in front of everyone and pulled out a red velvet case from his pocket. He was grinning so happily, but I could feel nothing but shock and luck. I was lucky to have him, but did I deserve his ring on my finger? Probably not, but I wasn't going to say no. His face was void of any emotion; back to the original rock hard slate of coldness and indifference. I said yes and was swept up in a hug and spun. Cheers and claps overflowed the night; tears flowed down my eyes as he kissed me, but it wasn't because I was touched.

After everyone left and cleanup was done. We all went upstairs to change out of our clothes and get ready for bed. His parents and he stayed over too. It was already 2am. I remember it was exactly 2:14am when he barged into my room. It was uncharacteristic of such a robotic and perfect person. I turned and stumbled back in shock as he made his way in and closed and locked the door within seconds. His eyes looked alive; as though they were on fire. "We've been avoiding this too long…Far too long," he said as he wrapped his arm around my waist and held me against him with his forehead laid against mine. "I love you."

I wasn't shocked. I smiled and tears of joy streamed down my face. But why? I wasn't supposed to love him. He wasn't supposed to love me. We were supposed to be as close as strangers, but we weren't. We were always watching each other; always near each other. We only tried to deny it and forget it through the years. Even that didn't have a proper reason. Had we wasted so many years denying something so strong that it was greater than both of us? Yes. That's what we had done. That night was unforgettable. After that night both of us knew that denial wasn't an option anymore. I had a reason to say no now. I had a reason and a goal and a path to follow, but I couldn't.

He wasn't a coward like me though. He was resolved. He wanted me and was not going to let me go, but I rejected him and told him terrible words of denial that should never have been thought let alone spoken. I succeeded in 5 minutes to push him farther away than ever, when it had taken us 18 years to bridge a small gap. We parted our ways; I was newly engaged and he was…no, we were heart broken. Derek, my friends, and my family were obsessing over the wedding and overjoyed. Planning and family meetings were how I spent the rest of my year. I was a good actress; I played the role of bride very well. On my 22nd birthday I would be Derek's. The taste in my mouth went bad everytime I thought of that.

Finally, the break came. We were back home for the winter. He was there. He brought a girl with him as well. Alisa, she was beautiful. Like the girl version of Derek. Lovable and perfect. Everyone would approve and they did. The day before wedding she helped plan and do everything while I just sat there looking pretty. I didn't care and at this point, I could not hide it anymore. Everyone just attributed my indifference to wedding blues, but he knew why I could not smile properly. He knew why my acting was deteriorating. All too suddenly, everything was real. I was going to lose him forever.

The night before my wedding I decided. I decided that he was someone I could not lose like this. I was late, but better late, than never, right? I wasn't going to spend another 18 years convincing myself. I ran out of the house in pajamas with the keys. I drove and drove tears streaming down my face. Finally…finally, I could tell him. I imagined his expression and the kiss he would give me out of joy. His smile and his happiness. We would finally be together. Finally, there would be no more gap, but…2:14 am, December 21st, 2013: all I remember is a light. A bright white light. The next time I opened my eyes I was on the concrete ground, half out of the flipped over car; I could vaguely hear a drunk man screaming incoherent words of shock and fear. At that moment, all I could think of was him.

I really wanted to say those words. "I love you…" I whispered as I let my eyes slowly shut. "…Damien."

It's funny how one decision can impact the rest of our lives. What if she never denied Damien? What if he told her his love in highschool? What if that drunk hadn't driven?

A/N: This is my first time writing a oneshot and of this category. I hope you liked it! Please give me feedback! Also, if you enjoy my story please FAVORITE it!