Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2001 10:27:06 +0100
From: Philip Wester <fallenangelii@hotmail.com>
Subject: Not a Perfect Love: A Perfect Ending

   AAA      PPPPP
  AA AA     PP   PP
  AA  AA    PP   PP   EEE  RRR   FFF  EEE  CCC  TTTT
 AAAAAAA    PPPPP    E    R  R  F    E    C      T
 AA    AA   PP      EE   RRRR  FFF  EEE  C      T
AA      AA  PP     E    R  R  F    E     C     T
AA      AA  PP    EEE  R   R F    EEE    CCC  T
                       ~~~>>::<<~~~
           EEEEE NN  NN DDDDD IIII NN  NN  GGGG
            EE    NNN NN DD  DD II  NNN NN GG
             EEEE  NN NNN DD  DD II  NN NNN GG GGG
              EE    NN  NN DD  DD II  NN  NN GG  GG
               EEEEE NN  NN  DDDD IIII NN  NN  GGG

    (Again, I say: I never claimed to be an ASCII-artist!)

FANFARE!! So, here it is. See! I told you in Not A Perfect Note that this
one
wouldn't be long! : )

Hello, all of you readers out there. Thank you for keep reading so far. And
here it is, the ending, the perfect ending. Well... judge for yourselves.
All
loose ends will be tied up and nothing will be left to the imagination...
except maybe how the characters look naked. :^)

Anyway, happy reading. And remember: Even though the story ends here, I'd
still love to hear from you guys, even if you're reading this 1-2-3 years
after it's posted. Drop me a line at fallenangelii@hotmail.com. I WILL keep
that email adress forever and ever.

And watch out for "Angel We Have Heard On High", comming to Nifty
soon!!!!!!!
(the new story will be posted in the same dir as NAP*). Also, read "Angel -
A New Slayer", already out on Nifty in the Celebrity section.

And as a special treat, I'm writing this installment in the so called
"novel-
format". Just read and you'll see. I'll write Angel We Have Heard On High
the
same way.

__________________________________________________________________________

-||Not A Perfect Love || Not A Perfect Summer || Not A Perfect Sophomore||-
__________________________________________________________________________

          _____________                               ____________
          \            |_____________________________|            /
           )           |                             |           (
          /____________|      A Perfect Ending       |____________\
                       |_____________________________|


I HAVE AND WILL USE THE SONG "NEIGHBOURHOOD" MANY TIMES IN MY STORIES,
SO HERE ARE THE COMPLETE LYRICS, FOR THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE WHO WANT THEM.

Neighbourhood - Sung by Vonda Shepard
(I call it "Billy & Ally McBeal's love theme)
(Just like with "All The Small Things", I am the one who wrote the lyrics
down after listening to it in MPEG-layer 3)

"Here's the photo I've been looking for,
It's a picture of a boy next door,
And I loved him more than words could say,
Never knew it 'til he moved away,"

"Faded pictures in my scrapbook,
Just thought I'd take one more look,
Every call when we were wrong,
In the neighbourhood,"

"Here's the photo of the neighbourhood,
Here's the corner where we stood,
Here's a snapshot of dad's old car,
Never got us very far,"

"Faded pictures in my scrapbook,
Just thought I'd take one more look,
Every call when we were wrong,
In the neighbourhood,"

"And all those friends,
Where did they go,
I don't know,"

"And all those friends,
We used to know,
In the neighbourhood,"


How to "turn" straights.
SLOGANS FOR CUTE BOYS:
The Pokemon boys: Cute boys! Gotta catch 'em all! *PIKA!*
The story boys: The never ending story... the search for the perfect guy.
The Pepsi boys: Wits mean nothing, looks mean everything.
The Coca-Cola boys: Enjoy!
The VHS boys: For home entertainment only!
The Pringles boys: Once you pop, you can't stop.
The poker boys: A full house is better than three jacks.
The Pampers boys: Easy!
The L'Oreal boys: Because I'm worth it.


And now... philosophy.
WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT BEING GAY?
1: You get to have good taste in clothes and everything.
2: You get to dance like a queen without anyone judging you (more than they
already might be).
3: You get something all straight boys want: girls lining up to be your
friends.

And, of course, there's the kissing boys part, which is really cool.
Especially straight boys.

Ricki Lake-style:
IT'S NOT OVER, PREPARE FOR MORE,
TODAY, THERE ARE SCANDALOUS SECRETS GALORE.

THERE ARE GAY BOYS EVERYWHERE,
SOME ARE UGLY, SOME ARE FAIR,

SO, WHAT'S THE POINT OF THIS ALL?
I WANT A BOY TAKE TO THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it with 62 within the span of 24 hours and at least three of them were
straight... ... ... what do you mean "I'm a slut"?! I just hugged them! What
did you think I was talking about, you perverts?!

__________________________________________________________________________

-||Not A Perfect Love || Not A Perfect Summer || Not A Perfect Sophomore||-
__________________________________________________________________________

          _____________                               ____________
          \            |_____________________________|            /
           )           |                             |           (
          /____________|      A Perfect Ending       |____________\
                       |_____________________________|


PHILIP & ASHLEY VOICEOVER:    Previously
ADRIEN VOICEOVER:             on
ALEXANDER VOICEOVER:          Not
RIPLEY & RILEY VOICEOVER:     A
PIPER VOICEOVER:              Perfect
VICTOR VOICEOVER:             Love,
ANGEL & NEO VOICEOVER:        Not
BRIAN & JULIA VOICEOVER       A
DOMNIQUE:                     Perfect
THUNDERBOLT VOICEOVER:        Summer,
AQUA & IGNIS:                 and
AERO & TERRA:                 Not
MARION & JULIE VOICEOVER:     A
ROBIN & DEREK VOICEOVER:      Perfect
ZEIRA & ANASTASIA VOICEOVER:  Sophomore...


Philip is staring beyond Julia's shoulder in the lunchroom, at Brian.
- You know, it's good that you're not the sun or your glasses would've
burnt a hole through that cute blonde's crotch! She whispers into his ear.
- Julia! Philip exclaims and then blushes.
- It is really that obvious? He whispers to her, empathizing the word
"that".

- Get off of me, you...! Philip starts when he realizes that it's Brian
who's lying on top of him.
- Err... sorry. Brian apologizes and gets off of Philip.

- Seriously, what room are you in? Philip asks.
- 412. Brian replies.
- No way! Philip exclaims.
- That's my room! I guess we're roommates!

- I think that I'm falling in love with you. Brian whispers into Philip's
ear and kisses him.
- What? Philip asks, confused.
- Get away from me, you homo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brian cries.

- Fucking chink! The leader thug swears and fires off.
Brian throws himself in front of Philip and takes the bullet for him.

- You actually did a selfless deed. Julia says.
- Maybe you are human, after all. But I'll tell you this. If you screw up
and hurt him again, they are going to be scraping of your green blood off
of your bedroom wall, you hear me?

- Well, it's a good thing that you two aren't friends or we'd have to kick
your butt too. Neo laughs.
- Well, we were, but then I found out that he was a fag and decided to just
stop talking to him. Brian lies for the football team.
Philip is lying on the ground, glaring at Brian.
- Let's all do it together. Neo says.
- It'll be our words against his.
Everyone except Brian starts kicking at Philip.
- Well, what are you waiting for? Neo asks.
- I don't know...! Brian says.
Then he starts kicking Philip too, delivering a hard kick that sends Philip
whimpering and bleeding.

- So you are stalking me! Philip exclaims.
- I'm new to Hereditary High and we're in the same English class. Ripley
says.
- I don't know the way, so I've been following you to get back on campus.
- Wanna, like, hang out sometimes? Ripley suggests.
- Sure. Philip says and smiles widely.
- I'm Philip.
- I'm Ripley. Ripley introduces himself.

- So, what do you want to do today, then? Philip wonders.
- I don't know. Ripley says and then leans in and kisses Philip.
- But.. you... why... how... when...! Philip stutters.

- He just kissed me! Philip tells Julia.
- And I was like, no, not again. I can't stand anymore heartbreak. So he
kisses me again and I'm still protesting. But the little bastard just won't
give up and just kisses me once more and then, I'm like screw everything!
I've got myself a boyfriend and I'm not ashamed of it!!!!!

- Philip, I have cancer. Ripley tells Philip.
- You what?! Philip exclaims.
- It's... it's a fast growing brain tumor. Ripley says quietly.
- It is operable? Philip asks.
- Please, tell me that it's operable.
- No...! Ripley says quietly.

- I'm sorry...! Ripley says.
- No, don't be. Philip says.
- It's not your fault. I whisper into his ear.
- I love you. Ripley says.
- I love you too. Philip says.

- Philip, Philip, come quick! Julia exclaims.
- Ripley... he's... he collapsed in the middle of litterature class...!

- His condition is critical. A doctor foretells Philip and Julia.
- He suffered a severe brain bleed.

- These are my parents. Ripley introduces Philip and Julia to two Amish
people.

- What's wrong, honey? Philip asks Ripley.
- They... they knew. Ripley sobs.
- What?! Julia exclaims.
- Apparentely, I've had the tumor since early childhood. Ripley continues
sobbing.
- It was operable back then, but they chose not to do a thing. "God gives
and God takes", they said. And now, it's nonoperable.
- What kind of people would do something like that?! Julia exclaims.
- Amish people. Philip says slowly.

- It doesn't look like you have to spend the night here. The nurse says
quietly.
- I don't?! Philip exclaims.
- I'm sorry...! The nurse says.
- He didn't make it.
- No!!!!! Philip exclaims.

- We have gathered here today to honor the memory of a young man named
Ripley Hansson. The priest began.
At one side of Ripley's coffin stand his parents and the rest of his family
while Philip and Julia stood at the other, glaring at Ripley's parents.
- May they burn in Hell. Julia whispers to Philip.

- Ripley?! Philip exclaims.
- I'm not Ripley. Riley says.
- I'm his twin brother, Riley.

- Philip...! Brian murmurs into Philip's ear, thinking that he's asleep.
- I love you.

- So... do you...? Brian asks cautiously.
- Love you back? Philip asks him and Brian nods.
- I guess. Philip says.

- What about Miranda, the bitch on... I mean... Miranda? Philip asks.
- Oh, I dumped her yesterday. Brian chuckles.

- So, what do you say? We go out in public today at lunch.
- No!!!!! Brian exclaims loudly.
- I'm not ready to come out yet.

- You don't like him, do you? Philip asks Julia.
- No, I don't. She replies.
- I'll never forgive him for what he's done to you.

- That fag keeps hanging around me. Brian says.
- He thinks that we're friends, just because we share a dorm room.
- I'm glad that you feel that way. Neo chuckles.
- So, want to go out with us and drink some beers tonight?
- Sure. Comes the reply.

- Brian, are you drunk? Philip asks Brian.
- Yeah, so what? He slurs back.
- Get away from me, you fag!

Brian punches Philip, who flies backwards into a wall and falls
unconcious. When he wakes up, he jumps to his feet and packs a duffel bag
and leaves the room.

- I've decided to give Brian a final chance. Philip says.
- As your best friend, I must say that that isn't a really good idea. Julia
says.

Philip makes the friendship bracelets. He gives one to Brian and puts the
other around his own wrist.

As Philip skips merrily over to his and Brian's room, voices can be heard
inside. Philip opens the door and freezes on the spot.
- Philip! Brian exclaims breaks his kiss with Miranda.

- I'm so sorry, Phil. Brian apologizes.
- It wasn't my fault! She came over here, talking about how good we used to
look together and then just kissed me!

- I can't believe you gave him another chance! Julia groans.

- What do you want? Angel snorts.
- I want to apologize. Neo says to Philip.
- And I'd like to become your friend.
- You're what?! Angel exclaims.
- A fag. Neo says quietly.

- Kiss me. Miranda giggles.
- Sure. Brian says and kisses her.
The friendship-bracelet on his wrist burst free.
- Brian, I love you. Philip sighs, back in his and Brian's room.
Suddenly, the friendship-bracelet on his wrist burst free and falls to the
floor.

Brian's standing at Philip's desk, staring at the words "I hate you! I hope
that you die!" written in blood on it.
- Why? Zeira wonders.
- Because he knew. Brian sighs.
- It broke? Neo wonders.
- I guess his did at the same time. Angel said and pointed at Philip's
friendship-bracelet, which was lying on the floor.
- But why? Dominique wonders.
- Because I cheated...! Brian says quietly.
- He did right in leaving you! Anastasia growls.
- I don't blame him a bit! Zeira snaps.
- I have to agree with them. Victor says.
- Scum! Julia spits at Brian.

- Why have you applied to an immediate transfer to another school? The
principal asks.
- Because I can't stand it here anymore. Philip says.
- I'll grant your transfer. The pricipal says.

Philip's sitting at the bus station. The bus arrives and he goes to find his
seat and load the luggage up into the luggage compartment above of his seat.
- Good bye, guys. He sighs.
Ashley sits down next to Philip.
- Ashley. He introduces himself.
- Philip. Philip says and the two shake hands.
- I attend INSomnia High. Ashley foretold Philip.
- No kidding! Philip exclaims.
- I just managed to get transferred there.
- Which dorm room? Ashley wonders.
- I don't have a roommate.
- 452. Philip replies.
- No kidding!! Ashley exclaims.
- That's my room!

Piper and Philip run into each other.
- Piper. Piper introduces himself.
- Philip. Philip introduces himself.

Philip, Piper and Ashley dance to "All The Small Things".

Ashley and Philip slow-dance to "Neighbourhood".
- "And I loved him more than words could say. Never knew it 'til he moved
away," The music keeps on going.
- I know that you'll never love me. Philip says and places his head onto
Ashley's shoulder
- But you treat me like you will. And that's enough for me, knowing that you
care about me, although you'll never care about me the way that I want you
to.

- Are you crazy?! Ashley exclaims.
- No. Philip asks.
- Why are you going back home to meet those nazi-parents of yours? Ashley
asks.
- I've gotta give them one more chance. Philip says.

- Get out of this house at once! Helena cries.
- You... can't have "that disease"!!
- Fine, then. Philip snorts.
- I'm never coming back!

- They might cut off my "fundings" and I'll have to go back to
study in Sweden. Philip says.
- Oh, don't you worry about that. Ashley says and grins.
- I'm loaded!
- If those nazis cut your fundings off, I'd be glad to pay for your
tuition.
- You would?! Philip exclaims.
- Sure. Ashley says.
- I'll even pay your way through college.

- Yo, Phil! Piper says.
- This letter just came for you.
He hands Philip an envelope, which Philip opens. He pulls a letter out of
it and his eyes widden after reading it.
- What is it? Ashley asks.
- It's from my parents. Philip says.
- They are invoking my mom's legal right as my legal guardian to recall me
back to Sweden.

- Wait, they can't do that, can they? Ashley asks.
- We have to fight this.
- There's one thing that we can do...! Philip says.
- We can sue for conscent. If we can prove that I'm mature enough and that
my parents are unfit, I can gain a premature age of conscent.

- All rise for the honorable judge Miller. A man says and everyone in the
court room stands up.
- Where is your advocate? Judge Miller asks.
- I have decided to represent myself. Philip answers him.

- Isn't it true that...? Philip asks Helena.
- Is it not true that...? Philip asks Helena.
- Do you recall? Philip questions Helena.
- Do I have to remind you of that you're under oath? Philip question
Helena.

The judge announces his verdict.
- Never have I encountered a boy with such a strong mental state, resistance
against influence and good at debating. It's a wonder to me as to why the
boy
didn't sue for emancipation earlier. My verdict should now be obvious.
Petitioner's motion is granted. Congratulations, Philip.

- Fag. Danny says to Philip.
- Freaking fudgepacker. Did you spend you weekends getting it on with some
other boy-slut again?
- Shut up. Philip growls at him.
- Not that kind of language in my class, Mr. Wester, please. Mr. Morris
says.
- What?! Philip exclaims.
- That is it. Mr. Morris says angrily.
- You have caused enough commotion. Please go and wait outside.

- Mr. Wester, please come back in. Mr. Morris asks Philip.
- I have looked for a reason to fail you for a very long time and I've
finally found one. You started arguing with a boy in class and used foul
words.
- But he started it! Philip protests.
- Well, who's the school board gonna believe? Me or some kind of fag?
- So, this is all an issue about me being Gay, isn't it? Philip questions
Mr. Morris.
- I've always been a good student... always good at French. And now you're
gonna fail me? Don't you think that people are gonna get just a tad
suspicious?
- Not if they look at your test scores. Mr. Morris says and throws a stack
of paper at Philip's feet.
Philip leans down and picks them up.
- But these aren't mine. Philip protests.
- This isn't my handwriting.
- Looked at your tests and then forged your handwriting. Mr. Morris says.
- Officially, you've gotten a failing grade at each and every test, up-to-
date.
Suddenly, Mr. Morris punches himself in the face. His nose starts bleeding.
- Help! He screams.
- Please! Stop! Stop hitting me! Stop!
Mr. Harder and four students storm into the room.
- What happened? Mr. Harder demands to get to know.
- He beat me down after I told him that I was going to fail him. Mr. Morris
says while pointing at Philip.
- Wasn't me. Philip says.
- I've heard enough. Mr. Harder says.
- You are hereby expelled from Insomnia High until further notice.

- You have to fight this, you know that, don't you? Ashley asks.
- Of course. Philip says.
- I'm gonna get my real tests back and prove that those two are liars. They

- Mr. Wester is to be reinstated at Insomnia High, with a deserved A in
French. The judge says.
- Mr. Morris and Mr. Harder are to be fired with immediate notice.

- Listen here, punk. Mr. Morris tells Philip.
- You might think that you've won. But you never will. No matter where you
go, we'll be there, us men. We don't want fags around. And we'll do whatever
it takes to drive you away. You will never be free!

- I can never win...! Philip thinks to himself.
He picks the razor up and slits his wrists.
- Philip! Ashley exclaims.
Blood spills to the floor as Philip drops the razor, his wrists cut open. He
tumbles to the floor.
- Philip! Philip!!!!

- I'm sorry. Philip apologizes while lying in his hospital bed.
- Don't be. Ashley says.
- Why are you here? Philip asks.
- What do you mean? Ashley wonders.
- Everyone I've ever cared about has left me. Philip sighs.
- Either that or I've left them.
- I will never leave you. Ashley says.
- Thank you. Philip thanks Ashley.
- For what? Ashley wonders.
- For everything. Philip says and smiles.

- So... you love him? Piper asks Ashley.
- Of course I do. Ashley says.
- We're best friends, roommates and...!
- Don't play that song again. Piper groans.
- You know it's more than that. You know it's true love.
- D'you think he loves me back? Ashley asks.
- That's an issue that has to be settled between the two of you. Piper says.
- You're not gonna tell him, are you? Ashley asks nervously.
- Of course not. Piper replies.
- But I think that it's so cute that you just can't tell him. I mean, hello,
he's gay. What's the worst thing that he can do?
- Turn me down. Ashley says quietly.
- Well, deal with it. Piper says.
- Live... you can't live a sheltered life your entire life and get all
grumpy
when you're old, saying how bad things turned out. You've got to take
chances. Or else, he might go and find somebody else before you get a chance
to tell him. Don't make this into a soap. You love him, you don't tell him,
get gets himself a boyfriend and you're stuck... 'til they break up. It's
so... HBO. What are you, a masochist?

- I'm so confused! Ashley cries.
- So, you're in love with a guy who likes guys too. Piper says.
- What's the big?
- You're right. Ashley says.
- I'm gonna tell him.

- What is it? Philip asks and Ashley looks away.
- What's wrong, baby?
- I... I...! Ashley stutters.
- Yeah? Philip wonders.
"Here's the photo I've been looking for. It's a picture of a boy next door.
And I loved him more than words could say. Never moved it 'til he moved
away."
- Philip, I'm in love with you. Ashley says.

__________________________________________________________________________

-||Not A Perfect Love || Not A Perfect Summer || Not A Perfect Sophomore||-
__________________________________________________________________________


                             OPENING CREDITROLL

                         "Standing at the docks,
                          A silent tear hits the ground,
                          Mourning the love that I lost,
                          The love that I'd just found,"

                         "Another morning,
                          Another day, another chance,
                          Another song, another tune,
                          Another dance,"

                         "But I'm too sad to sing,
                          Too sad to dance,
                          Too sad to give in,
                          And give love one more chance,"

                         "Am I just a coward?"

                         "Reality bites and loves hurts,
                          But what is the worst?
                          To never love again or to be hurt?"

                         "The choice is too hard make,
                          To give and to take,
                          To let go of love,"

                         "So, here I am,
                          Back on the horse,
                          Following the love's path,
                          Opening up once more,
                          Baring my naked heart,"

                         "And hurt strikes again,
                          A stab in my heart,
                          Lovers breaking up,
                          Lovers apart,"

                         "A seabreeze through my hair,
                          A wind in my heart,
                          But why risk losing everything again?
                          Why bother to open up,
                          Only to be hurt?"

                                 REGULARS
                              Philip Wester
                              Ashley Ericsson
                              Piper Camfield

                           SPECIAL GUEST STARS
                      Adrien Ericsson as "Adrien"
                      Alexander Ericsson as "Alex"
                      David "Angel" Andromeda as "Angel"
                      Riley David Rawley as "Riley"

          _____________                               ____________
          \            |_____________________________|            /
           )           |                             |           (
          /____________|      A Perfect Ending       |____________\
                       |_____________________________|


EYES OF A RAVEN - PHILIP

    "What did you say?" I ask.
    I'm so confused... no... he can't be... not in me. I'm a gay guy and
he's
straight... right? I turn the radio off. Music doesn't really seem very
appropiate at the moment.
    "I'm in love with you," Ashley repeats. "I have been ever since we
danced
at the Rocky House Of Horrors party. Well, I think I was in love with you
before that, but I just hadn't realize it yet and I wanted it to last
forever,
the dance, that is. I...!"
    "Shut up!" I cry. "Just shut the hell up!!!"
    "What?!" Ashley exclaims.

         ____________                               ____________
         \           |_____________________________|           /
          \          |                             |          /
          /          |           Act I             |          \
         /___________| Twice Bitten And Thrice Shy |___________\
                     |_____________________________|


    "Why... what... why?" Ashley stutters. "You... don't you have at least
the tinciest winciest feelings about me? Please, tell me that you do.
Please.
I love you."
    "Stop saying that!" I cry. "I can't... I can't go through this again."
    "Go through what?" he wonders.
    "Dating a closeted football player who's never gonne come out," I say
quietly. "I've already gone there and it's a big black hole that can't end
in any other way than in tragedy. It's doomed, I tell you. Doomed. I
can't...
I won't go there again.
    I look down, at the floor, and shift my feet a little.
    "But... do you at least feel anything for me?" he asks.
    It's the dreaded question. No! Why did he have to ask that one! I can't
lie to him... not now.
    "I love you." I say quietly and look up into his face, which brightens
and a smile spreads across his face.
    "That's why it's so painful to tell you that we can never be together,"
I
say and his face drops.
    "But...!" he protests.
    "No!" I say.
    This is so hard! I have to fight hard to keep the tears from flowing.
Why
did he have to love me? Unrequited love was enough, at least for me.
    "You're closeted and will probably never come out," I say. "'Least not
in
the near future. I can't live with that, knowing that I can't tell anybody."
    "Piper already knows." he says.
    Piper knows? And he didn't tell me? That bastard! Wait... gotta deal
with
this first.
    "He doesn't count," I quickly say. "Anyway, we can't be together. Not
like this. Not with you closested and me open. I've already gone there, with
Brian, and you know how that ended. It's a big swirling black hole that is
destined to end in heartbreak."
    "Yeah," He sighs. "I guess."
    He looks down and shifts his feet a little.
    Silence... silence...
    I have to do this. I can't... I can't live like this. So, I make a
decision.
    "I'm leaving," I say. "Next week... I'm moving out."
    "What?!" He exclaims. "What do you mean you're moving out?!"
    "I can't stay here," I say. "It wouldn't be fair to either of us. I'd
lead you on, giving you mixed signals of that it could work out and I'd just
cry myself to sleep knowing that I can have you, yet I can't."
    "Philip...!" he says quietly, but I put a finger on his mouth and shush
him.
    "Hush, love," I say and smile. "It's for the best. No more heartache,
ok?"
    He nods and a tear trickles down his face, followed by more tears. I
quickly turn around so that he can't see the tears that are welling up in my
eyes. No! I can't cry. I promised never to cry again a long time ago! And I
hear a sob from him and the tears start falling. But I make sure of that
it's
a silent cry. I can't let him know... know just how much I love him.
    "I'm sorry." I sob.

         ____________                               ____________
         \           |_____________________________|           /
          \          |                             |          /
          /          |           Act II            |          \
         /___________|       Soul-Searching        |___________\
                     |_____________________________|


    "How could you not tell me!" I yell at him.
    "Sorry," Piper apologizes. "He made me swear the secrecy. Besides, it
was
solely for him to tell."
    We are sitting by the fountain in the middle of campus and I watch as
the
water trickles out of the cherub's flute.
    "It just... took me by surprise." I sigh.
    "I'm right there with ya'," He agrees. "Or, at least I was... when he
first told me."
    "What am I supposed to do?" I ask him. "I-I-I can't say 'yes'."
    "Why?" he wonders.
    "I just can't." I say quietly while looking down. "I've been there. I
came, I saw, I got my heart broken. And I don't wanna go back there again."
    "Just because he's a jock?" Piper asks.
    "It's not just that," I say quietly. "He said so himself. He said that
he
wasn't ready to come out yet. So, we'd have to keep it all secret. And I
don't
want a relationship like that!"
    "I understand..." he says quietly. "Or at least I think that I do."
    "Anyways, I have to go now," I say quietly and take him by the hand.
"I've
got a lot to think about."

ASHLEY

    "You finally told him?!" Adrien exclaims.
    So, here we are, the famous Ericsson Triplets that use to make our
teachers crazy, the same triplets who pulled a "The-Parent-Trap" to get our
parents back together, in Alex and Adrien's shared dorm room. We're all
sitting on Adrien's bed, me huddled up at the headboard and them sitting
side
by side at the other end of the bed.
    "Really?!" Alex exclaimed.
    "Yah." I say quietly while looking down.
    "I take it it didn't go very well?" Adrien asks, noticing the gloom on
my
face.
    "No..." I say quietly while looking down.
    Alex puts a hand under my cheek and pull my face up so that I'm looking
at
them.
    "What happened?" he asks with pure love in his eyes.
    "He... he turned me down..." I say quietly.
    "He what?!" they both exclaim in unison.
    "Turned me down..." I say quietly and start sobbing.
    Tears run down my cheek as I let the flood of emotions that I have
bottled
up ever since Philip turned me down loose. I can't stop them! They keep
coming
and coming!
    "Oh, poor baby..." Adrien says quietly and puts my head on his shoulder.
    "There, there," Alex says and pats my back. "It'll be alright."
    "How can it?" I sob. "He turned me down! I opened up my heart and told
him
about my most inner desires and he turned me down!"
    "But why?" Adrien wonders. "I thought he loved you. You did!"
    "He does..." I sob.
    "Now you're losing me." Alex says.
    I pull myself together and disengage from Adrien. "He loves me... but he
can't go 'there' again, get together with a 'straight' jock that's in the
closet."
    "Then get out!" Alex ushers me. "Go out and cry out that you're in love
with a man and that you're proud of it!"
    "We'll be right behind you," Adrien says. "Wearing T-shirts reading "My
brother married another guy and all I got was this crappy T-shirt!"
    I let out a chuckle. Typical Adrien to say something like that, even in
situations like this one. "But I'm not ready to. What if my friends don't
like
it? What if they stop being my friends when they find out?"
    "Then they're not real friends, now are they?" Alex asks.
    "Good point..." I say quietly.
    "Friends are supposed to stand by you, no matter what!" Adrien says and
bangs his hand down on his nightstand.
    "Is it really worth it?" I ask. "Putting friends that I've know for most
of my life in jeopardy for the sake of a guy?"
    "For the sake of a guy that you love!" Alex says, empathizing the word
"love". "It's worth risking everything for! Some people search their entire
lives to find their true loves. You've already found yours."
    "I... I have to go think about this." I say quietly and get up.
    I run out of there and run all the way to Maple Park. I flop down on a
bench and look around. It's really summer. Blossoming flowers are everywhere
and the sounds of chirping bird cannot be escaped. And here I am, in the
midst
of all of this happiness, gloomy and sad. Life will never be the same again,
no matter what I decide to do. Should I go with him? Risk all that I've
worked
so hard to get, a reputation, good friends, the status of coolness, all for
Philip, a guy I've known for less than one year?

         ____________                               ____________
         \           |_____________________________|           /
          \          |                             |          /
          /          |          Act III            |          \
         /___________|      Decisive Moments       |___________\
                     |_____________________________|



    I decide to return back to our dorm room, praying to God that Philip's
not
there when I get back. Sure enough, he's not there. But there's mail. I
decide
to look them over as a distraction from my impending life-alternating
decision.
    I open up the first envelope addressed to me. Ah, some flyer about cheap
bikes. Then the next one... chupons. Then I open up the last one. It's a
letter... on expensive paper and with a sigill.

	"Dear Mr. Ericsson,

	 I am happy to be able to tell you that you have been
	 accepted to NAPS, North American Player School, the
	 leading Athletics high school of the entire United
	 States.

	 Although you will start on your Junior year this
	 fall, we have found you qualified to attend NAPS.

	 We are looking forward to seeing you this fall,

	 Mrs. McGonnagall, headmaster of NAPS."

    This is amazing! Wait... NAPS is in California. That's across the
country!
I'll never get to see... wait... is that really that bad? I mean, he doesn't
want to be with me. And even if I apply for a new roommate, it'll be painful
to have clases with him and seeing him in the halls... especially if he gets
a boyfriend. I wouldn't be able to cope with that.
    Should I stay? Or should I go? I don't know. Ah! I'm so confused!!!

EYES OF A RAVEN - PHILIP

    "Ashley?" I ask as I enter mine and Ashley's room.
    He's sitting on his bed, his head resting in his hands. A letter is
lying
on the floor, at his feet. I look at our shared desk. The receiver is off
the
hook. I put it back on.
    "So... who did you call?" I ask quietly, trying to start up a
conversation
about anything but what that's going on.
    "I needed to arrange for something." he says quietly. "Have you changed
your mind? Please... do 'we' have a chance?"
    "I haven't..." I say quietly. "I need more time."
    "I'm leaving at six tomorrow," he says. "I've been accepted to the best
Athletics high school of the entire United States. And since I've got
nothing
to keep me here... I have already arranged for a transfer of schools. All I
have to do is to be there, at my new school, in person the day after
tomorrow... I'm leaving by plane at Caritas Airport tomorrow... gate 26...
or
do... do you know of a good reason as to why I should stay?"
    "No," I say coldly. "Do whatever you want."
    I felt an empty sensation at my last words. I don't want him to go! But
it'll be better that way. He'll get to realize his dreams and I won't have
to
see him everyday, as a roommate, classmate and schoolmate. Or friend... It's
a good thing I'm so good at hiding my feelings... no tears... no more
tears...
I promised myself that a long time ago. But I have to fight to stop them
from
coming.

HEARTBROKEN - ASHLEY

    "Should I stay?" I ask him.
    "No," he says coldly and looks away from me. "Do what you want.
    And I feel an empty, stabbing sensation in my gut. That proves it. He
doesn't really love me. He didn't even bat an eyelid while saying that.
There
was no pain in his eyes. But there is in mine. I'll go... he wants me to. I
want to. I guess it'll be for the best...
    "Alright then..." I say quietly. "Will you at least come to say
goodbye?"
    "No..." he says coldly. "Consider this goodbye. It would only be even
more
painful. So... goodbye."
    He walks over to his closet and pulls his backpack out of it and starts
filling it with clothes.
    "Wait!" I exclaim. "Where are you going?"
    "I'm... I'm sleeping at Riley's tonight..." he says quietly while he's
packing. "Less painful that way. I don't know if I could handle sleeping in
the same room as you, knowing that you feel as you do..."

EYES OF A RAVEN - PHILIP

    "Wait!" he exclaims. "Where are you going?"
    "I'm... I'm sleeping at Riley's tonight..." I say quietly and have to
work
really hard to surpress the tears.
    I can feel them just waiting to come out, but I somehow manage to keep
them down.
    "Less painful that way," I continue while packing. "I don't know if I
could handle sleeping in the same room as you. knowing that you feel as you
do."
    "What, you don't trust me?" he chuckles nervously.
    I looked at him. "No..."
    That was such a lie. I trust him. But do I trust myself? No... not
really.
Not now that I know how he really feels. Oh, Philip, you idiot! How could
you
let your life get this complicated?!
    "I guess this really is goodbye then..." he says and I turn to him.
    I give him a weak smile and nod. He nods back. I close my closet up and
close my backpack and swing it around my back. I then walk up to him,
sitting
there on his bed, and bend down and give him a big hug.
    It seems as if I just can't let go off him. I keep hugging him until I
finally manage to let go of him, sniffing quietly to hold the tears back. I
quickly turned around so that he doesn't see my tears and start walking
away,
towards the door. I stop in the doorway.
    "Maybe we'll meet again..." I say quietly without looking back.
    "Maybe..." he says.
    I exit and close the door quietly behind me. I can swear that I hear a
small sob escape him on my way out. But I can't turn back. Not now.

         ____________                               ____________
         \           |_____________________________|           /
          \          |                             |          /
          /          |          Act IV             |          \
         /___________|   To Open Up One's Heart    |___________\
                     |_____________________________|


    "Are you sure of that you're fine?" Riley asks me as I flop down on a
chair.
    He's sitting on his bed, looking at me with pure concern in his eyes,
whereas I, I'm sitting here, on a chair, clinging onto my overstufffed
backpack.
     "Oh, I'm fine," I say and chuckle nervously. "All fine. Fine, fine,
fine."
    A moment of silence follows. I turn to him and look directly into his
eyes.
    "Are you sure of that you're okay with this?" I ask him and he nods.
"You
know, sleeping in the same bed, considering what me and your twin brother
used
to..."
    "Please!" he exclaims and stands up. "No more information! I don't want
to
get pictures painted up..."
    "Alright," I say and grin evilly. "Although, there once was a time when
ice-cream was involved and..."
    "Oh God!" he exclaims. "Getting a picture here, getting a picture! Oh,
you
evil queen!"
    "He! He!" I laugh diabolically. "I am the God of evil queens! All
shag...
er shall worship me!!!"
    "Alright." he says.
    "The shag or worship part?" I ask.
    "Pick." he chuckles.
    Good Lord, the resemblance is striking! Even the same sense of humor!
    "Good Lord, the resemblance is striking!" I exclaim. "You even have the
same sense of humor!"
    "We used to drive our teachers nuts back in Junior High," he chuckles
and
grins sheepishly. "We were somehow paired off in different classes, so we'd
switch classes sometimes, just to drive our teachers nuts. We even cheated,
too."
    "Oh my God!" I exclaim and stand up in mock shock. "Ripley cheated?!
Call
the press! Wait... how?"
    "Well, whenever we had hard tests, we'd memorize half of the tests
each,"
he chuckles and I sit down. "One would go in and do his half of the test.
Then
he'd ask to be excused to go to the bathroom and we'd switch and the other
would finish the test up."
    "How evil!" I exclaim. "And diabolical! And nasty! And baaad! And
smart!!"
    "He! He!" he grins with a bemused look on his face.
    "I wish that I had a twin so that I could do that kind of stuff!" I
whine.
    Another moment of silence follows as I remember why I'm here.
    "It hurts," I say quietly and he looks at me.
    I lower my gaze to the floor. "You know, when I think of him."
    "Which one?" Riley asks.
    "Both," I say quietly. "About what I had and what I can have, but don't
dare to."
    "So, you truly love him then?" he asks me.
    I turn to look him straight in the eyes. "Yes."

FOR THE LOVE OF PHILIP - ASHLEY

    "So, you truly love him then?" Piper asks me.
    "Yes," I say quietly while looking down at the mush that my banana split
has becoming.
    Once more, we're sitting here, in the school cafeteria. Tomorrow will
graduation. And I told him today, a day earlier than promised... only, he
turned me down. So, I'm leaving. I have to say goodbye to everyone...
    "Are you really going?" Piper asks me.
    "Huh?" I ask and snap out of my trance.
    "Are you really going?" he repeats his question.
    "Ah, yeah." I say quietly and look out the window.
    I see couples walking happily together. Boys and girls, girls and girls
and boys and boys. Why can't me and Philip be another addition to that mob
of
happy couples? Why?!
    "Have you told your brothers yet?" he asks me.
    "Yeah..." I say quietly and play around with my mushy banana split with
a
plastic teaspoon. "They were fine. They promised to visit me often."
    "You've made up your mind, haven't you?" he asks me.
    "I guess..." I say quietly. "I guess."

EYES OF A RAVEN - PHILIP

    "Life's a show where we all play our parts. And when the music starts.
We
open up our heart."
    I'm watching "Once More, With Feeling", the musical episode of Buffy The
Vampire Slayer. I guess I'm really down since even Anya's part of "I've Got
A
Theory", a.k.a. "The Bunny Song", didn't do a thing to cheer me up. So, this
is it. Today is graduation. It's already been. Oh, how lovely. A cheezy
speech
from the principal, issuing of scholaships and throwing of hats. And soon,
it'll be time for Ashley to leave my life... forever.
    "Go to him!" Riley tells me. "Tell him how you really feel! I can see
that
you truly love him!"
    "But..." I protest.
    "Let's go." he says and stands up.
    "Where?" I ask.
    "To talk to someone who truly cares about you." he replies.

         ____________                               ____________
         \           |_____________________________|           /
          \          |                             |          /
          /          |           Act V             |          \
         /___________| Reaching Out And Letting Go |___________\
                     |_____________________________|


    "Why did you take me here?" I ask Riley.
    "Like I said, to talk to someone who cares about you," he replies while
dragging me down the countless graves until stopping in front of a familiar
one.
    "It's him..." I say quietly and look down at the grave that is Ripley's.
    Ah, a fresh bouqet of lillies. I guess they really were close, these
whacky twins.
    "So, we're supposed to talk to him?" I ask. "What for? He can't reply."
    "Then let's talk, you and me," he says and looks me directly in the eye.
"C'mon, be honest. You love him. So why not just go to him?"
    "I can't do it." I sigh.
    "Why not?" he asks as the gentle breeze blows through my hair, making it
clash against my face.
    I brush the strands of blue hair away and look at my hand, letting the
sun reflect against the skin.
    "I... I can't do it again." I sigh. "Not with him. He's just like Brian.
A closet case who's never gonna come out. I can't deal with that."
    "Why?" he asks.
    Why does he have to keep asking these questions?! I can alrady feel the
tears start building up in my eyes.
    "Because... I can't go through with it, and that's all there is to it!"
I
cry.
    "But... I don't understand." he says.
    "What do you mean?" I ask.
    "Don't you love him?" he asks.
    "Of course I do," I say. "That's why this is so hard."
    "But... it is true love, isn't it?" he asks.
    I think for a moment and then let a sigh out. "Yes...! It is."
    Silence... silence... was that a whale at the horizon?!
    "And he's never gonna come out?" Riley then asks, breaking the silence.
    "No," I say. "At least not while we're still in high school."
    More silence... yet more silence... was that the Little Mermaid riding
on
the back of the whale at the horizon?!?!?!
    "Does it really matter?" he asks.
    And a strong wind blows through the air, ruffling my hair as my eyes
widden in realization.
    "Does it?" he asks.
    "No," I say slowly as my heart starts beating faster. "It... i-i-it
really doesn't."
    "Then you must pursue it," he says. "Pursue love. You cannot abandon it.
You will wake up one day and wonder about what could have been... how it
would've been. And you won't know. You will never know, never know how it
could've been if you had simply taken this chance."
    "But...!" I start protesting, but Riley puts a finger on my lips to
silence me.
    "Live," he says and puts a hand on my shoulder. "For him, for Ripley. I
know he would want you to be happy."
    We both turn our heads and look at Ripley's headstone... our bundles of
flowers lying side by side at its foot. And a single tear trickles down my
face... actually, it's several. But I prefer just saying "a single tear"
since it's so much more poetic. And the inscription...

                          Ripley Cole Rawley

                            Devoted friend
                           Super-super-nice

                  "I will always love you, Ripper"

    "I love you," I whisper, as if Ripley were standing right besides us. "I
will always love you."
    "He knows that," Riley says and hugs me from behind. "When he died, he
knew that it was true love. He told me. He said that he loved you more than
anything and that he trusted that you loved him so much that he could trust
you with his life."
    And I look at Riley's hand... his arm... his wristwatch... oh my God!
    "Oh my God!" I exclaim. "It's already five thirty. The ship leaves at
six!"
    And Riley grabs holds of me, looks me sternly in the eyes and opens his
mouth to speak.
    "Run." he says and then lets go of me.
    And that's what I do. I run. I run as fast as I can. I've gotta get
there
before the ferry leaves of I'll lose him. I can't let him leave... not like
this. I have to tell him that I love him.
    I run, not caring that I'm having a hard time to breathe, not caring
that
my face feels as if it's being burnt to ashes, not caring that I just
stumbled on a root and hurt two toes.
    I run, downtown, towards the airport. I am about to run to gate 26 when
I
remember that it's an airport. I hurry over to a queue, which is strangely
short. Within three minutes, it's my turn.
    "Which plane leaves from gate 26?" I ask her.
    "The one to Los Angeles, California." she says cheerfully.
    "Gimme a ticket." I say and fish out my credit card.
    Thank God I got one of those!
    "But it will leave within five minutes." she says.
    "I don't care!" I cry out. "It's very important that I get on that
plane!"
    "Alright, then." she says and snatches the credit card from my hand.
    She pulls it through one of those credit card readers and then punches
some digits into her computer. After about three minutes of fumbling, she
finally hands me back my credit card, along with a ticket.
    "Thanks." i say before dashing off.
    I run and run and run and can spot gate 26. I can also see a plane
leaving from it.
    "No, wait!" I cry out.
    I arrive at gate 26 and push my face to the window, breathing hard while
watching the goddamn plane leave. It's already half a mile away the
building,
preparing to life off. And then it does just that. I breathe hard, catching
my
breath, having trouble standing up. And a man approaches me, an airport
worker.
    "I'm sorry, were you supposed to be on that ship?" he asks me with
genuine concern in his voice.
    "No," I gasp. "But someone I love is on it. And now, he's gone forever."

       ____________                               ____________
       \           |_____________________________|           /
        \          |                             |          /
         )         |           Act VI            |         (
        /          |Ain't No Mountain High Enough|          \
       /___________|  To Keep Me From You, Baby  |___________\
                   |_____________________________|


    "I'm sorry, were you supposed to be on that ship?" he asks me with
genuine concern in his voice.
    "No," I gasp. "But someone I love is on it. And now, he's gone forever."
    He looks strangely at me, then gets a look of realization and then
smiles
at me.
    "Sorry," he then says. "But I'm sure of that you'll meet again."
    With that said, he turns around and leaves.
    "I'm not so sure of that." I sigh.
    Suddenly, I hear shuffling feet and someone runs up to me.
    "Wait!" he cries out.
    He obviously hasn't noticed me as he's waving at the plane. And I turn
my head to look at him and it's... it's Ashley! I just know that it's him
and
not one of his twins. How? I have no idea!
    "Ashley?!" I exclaim.
    "Philip?!" he exclaims in genuine shock.
    He obviously didn't think I'd be here. No wonder, after all I said about
goodbyes being too painful, especially in our case. Silence follows as we
stand there, face to face, just looking at each other.
    "Did... did you come to say goodbye?" he asks.
    "No," I say. "I didn't come to say goodbye."
    More silence...
    "'I just came to say I love you.'" I sing and his face lits up.
    "R-r-r-r-really?" he stutters.
    "Really, really." I say and smile.
    And he throws himself into my arms and starts kissing me all over my
face.
    "Hey, hey, 'oxygen becoming an issue.'" I grunt and he lets me go.
    His face is all flushed and he's got this cute grin on his face.
    "Are you sure of that you want this?" he then asks me, the grin
disappearing into a look of uncerntainty.
    "Yes," I say and the grin returns. "I really am."

	    "Gratitude, for your attitude..." the music blares on as me and
Ashley enter the decorated room that is Piper's dorm room. "But I'm falling
at your feet. And I'm falling at your feet."
    "And here they come, Philip and Ashley!!!" Piper exclaims and everyone
applauds.
    I can't believe that guy! He rounded people up for a party! Me, Ashley,
Adrien, Alex, Angel, Piper himself and Nathan. And all of this just to
celebrate mine and Ashley's one week anniversary as a couple.
    "Congratulations!" Alex and Adrien say in unison and Ashley grins at
them.
    "I'll so give you for this!" he whispers to them.
    We have a really good time, just chit-chatting, when Ashley suddenly
stands up and makes a hand motion for everyone to be silent. He then turns
to
me. I get the cue and stand up, too. Suddenly, in one swift motion, he pulls
a small box out of his shirtpocket. He flips it open. Oh my God! A ring's in
there! The most beautiful ring I've ever seen! With diamonds and emerald...
oh! My birthstones! Wait... a ring?!
    "Will you marry me?" he asks me and slips the ring onto my finger. "I
promise you that I'll come out. Right here and now. From now on, I'll make
sure of that everyone I know knows that I love you and that we are engaged!
Let's marry! Right after graduation, when we're both eighteen. Please,
please
say yes!"
    He puts the box down on the table and I can feel all eyes turn to me.
    "I... I... I...!" I stutter and then smack myself on the head to clear
my
mind. "I do."
    And a cheer goes throughout the entire room as Ashley sweeps me off my
feet and plants a big kiss smack down on my lips.
    "Congratulations!!!!" everybody exclaims and I kiss him back.
    "This is the happiest day in my life!" Piper exclaims and everybody
looks
at him
    Even Ashley and I do. He grins sheepishly.
    "What?" he asks. "I have no life. I need those vicarious smoochies."
    Everyone burst out laughing and the party continues. Adrien skips over
to
the stereo and turns it on.
    "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it
away..." George Michael's voice can be heard singing. "This year, to save me
from tears, I'll give it to someone special."
    Alex raises his glass of soda and everyone follows suit.
    "For the happy couple!" he says.
    "For the happy couple!" everyone else says and we all take a swig out of
our sodas.
    I grimace. I've never liked carbonated stuff. Makes me feel weird. But
it's a happy occassion. So why not suffer a little?
    "So dear you are to me..." the song "I can't take my eyes off you"
starts
playing and Ashley stands up and grabs me by the hand.
    "Hey, Fiance, wanna dance?" he asks me with a big smile on his face.
    "Sure," I say and give him a gentle peck on the lips. "Fiance."
    We start slow dancing, head to shoulder and arms wrapped around each
other. The others start clapping and cheering and I give them the finger.
That
brings forth a wave of laughter and I can't help but laugh myself.
	    "I can't take my eyes off you,"
    "I love you." I whisper to him.
    "I love you to." he whispers back.
	    "I can't take my eyes off you,"
    We lift our heads and kiss passionately, while dancing, and I can hear
a wave of mock disgust and remarks going through the "audience". We break
the
kiss and stick our tongues out at them.
    "Aw, how cute!" Angel mused and everyone break out laughing.
	    "I can't take my eyes off you..."

       ____________                               ____________
       \           |_____________________________|           /
        \          |                             |          /
        /          |      Final Act/Requiem      |          \
       /___________|           The End           |___________\
                   |_____________________________|


    "Surprise!!!"
    What was that? I turn around to be greeted by the sight of the entire
gang standing there, smiling at us. Aqua, Ignis, Aero, Terra, Robin, Neo,
Derek, Thunderbolt, Zeira, Marion, Anastasia, Julia and Dominique. They're
all
there. Even Brian's there! Right there, behind Thunderbolt!
    "The surprise is on you!" Angel chuckles.
    "Whut?" Dominique wonders.
    "Can I tell them?" Angel asks me enthusiastically.
    "Sure," I chuckle and look at Ashley. "Why not?"
    Ashley nods and Angel lights up like a child on Christmas Day.
    "Ashley asked Philip to marry him!!!!" he cries out and all eyes turn to
me, yet again.
    "When was this?" Robin asks quietly.
    "About twenty minutes ago." Angel says smugly.
    "What did you answer, Philip?" Julia asks me. "You better answered
'yes',
or I'm gonna bash your head in!"
    "I answered..." I start saying and then go quiet for a moment for
effect's
sake. "Yes!!!!"
    "Oh my God!!!" all of the girls exclaim and run up to us and tear Ashley
away from me.
    They shuffle him out of the room, screaming something about a
"Bachelorettish Bachelor Party".
    "Wow, that was..." I say.
    "Intense." Brian finishes my line.
    "'Xactly." I say.
    A moment of silence follows.
    "So, are ya'll gonna throw me a bachelor party?" I ask.
    "Of course!!!!" everyone exclaims and huddle up around me.
    "Let the planning begin!!!" Derek shouts.
    "Well, FYI, the stripper's gonna be male!" I say.
    "Alright!" Brian, Derek, Robin, Neo and Angel say in unison.
    "I bet." I chuckle. "What about ya'll straights?"
    "Fine, I guess." Thunderbolt says.
    "And he's gonna strip down all the way," I say. "And I do mean all the
way. And he's gonna have to get it hard and..."
    "Watch it!" Alex warns and everyone burst out laughing.
    "Now, let's celebrate!!!!" Angel cries and turns the stereo on again.
	    "Ain't it funny how some things can just change your life..."
    "Party!!!!" Derek cries and everyone starts jumping up and down.
	    "In the story of my life..."

    "So, it's settled?" Ashley asks me while we walk down Maple Park.
    "Yeah," I chuckle. "The wedding's on the same day as our high school
graduation day. And the parties will be one week before that."
    "Promise not to screw the stripper?" he asks me.
    "You party poop!" I exclaim in mock disappointment and pout. "I was so
looking forward to it 'til you said that."
    "Promise me!" he says gravely and I stick my tongue out at him.
    "Alright, alright, I promise." I groan.
    I look around. Ah. Happy couples everywhere. And now, me and Ashley are
one of them. But... oh... look! Isn't that...
    "It's Brian!" I exclaim.
    And he's holding another guy by the hand. So... he's out! And suddenly,
Brian kisses the guy! He's really out! Like so out!
    "Wish that it was you?" Ashley whispers to me.
    "Yeah," I sigh. "But I'm happy with what I've got."
    And he smiles. So, I kiss him. When we break the kiss, I see that
Brian's
looking at me. When he sees me looking, he looks alarmed, as if he fears
that I'm gonna run away. But I just smile and mouth the words "Come here!"
to him. So, he drags his boyfriend with him and they run up to us.
    "You... you're not mad?" Brian asks nervously. "For... for not... with
you... but with him... er... I mean."
    "Yeah," I say, cutting him off. "I'm not mad."
    "I'm so glad to hear that." he chuckles.
    And I look up at the setting sun, disappearing behind the Empire State
Building.
    "So, what's your boyfriend's name?" Ashley asks and the boyfriend
blushes.
    "Oh, sorry," Brian says. "This is Willow. Willow, the Asian guy is
Philip
and Ashley here's his boyfriend."
    I glare at him.
    "Oh, sorry, fiance." he quickly corrects himself and I smile widely.
    "Pleased to meet you." Willow says and shakes my hand and then Ashley's,
too.
    "So, how did you to meet?" I ask, curious.
    "Oh, it's quite a funny story," Willow says. "I was working in a video-
store when he saw my nametag and remarked that I had the same name as Willow
in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and that he knew someone who adored the show."
    "Oh, really?" I ask and leer at Brian.
    "So, you set us up." Brian sighs in defeat and bows his head. "You win.
You were the matchmaker."
    "So, you're the Buffy-fanatic!" Willow chuckles.
    "Anyway, who's up for ice-cream?" Ashley asks. "All in favor, say 'I'
and
raise a hand."
    "I!!!" all four of us shout in unison and four hands go shoot up into
the
sky.
    "Let's go downtown, get some cones and then shock everyone by openly
making out in Maple Meadow!
    "I'm up for that!" Willow chuckles.
    "Which parts of you?" I leer and he blushes.
    "Philip, you're so vulgar!" Brian groans.
    And I just grin. This truly is a perfect ending. And I don't care about
tomorrow. If tomorrow does come, I will wake up in the arms of an angel;
Ashley. Love's great... however, sometimes, it hurts... literally.
    "Ow!" I groan in pain.
    "Sorry." Ashley apologizes.
    He just accidentaly smacked me upside the head with his left arm. I
mutter
in the cutish way that only I can and they all laugh. I look down at the
ring
on my right ringfinger.
    "I will always love you...". Ripley's words.
    And I will always love him.
    "Live, for him." Riley's words ring in my ears.
    On my left ringfinger, alongside with Ripley's ring, is Ashley's,
sparkling in the sun. So, maybe I will get hurt again, sticking my neck out
like this. But for over 16 years, I was afraid of letting someone in. Now,
in
one single year, I've gone through a lot. And most of it has hurt. But I
want
a chance to go through the good stuff again. Sometimes, life makes you make
choices, choices that will change you, change everything. Not everybody
wants
to change... but you have to. Change is inevitable. It's not what you do and
change that matters. It's what you do afterwards. It's all a journey. In the
end, you will not be the same as when you started it. It's what you do
afterwards that makes you who you are. I will always love Ripley. But he
would
have wanted me to be happy... and I am. Finally. I truly am...
    Suddenly, I feel something. A hand, Ashley's. He's grabbed hold of mine
and when I look at him, he's smiling at me. As we walk down the street, hand
in hand, I notice people staring, but we ignore them. Love's great and
love...
    And I slip on a banana peel and fall down and hit my tailbone...
...hurts...

                               THE END
                                ENDE
                                FIN
                                FINI
                               FINITO
                                SLUT

__________________________________________________________________________

-||Not A Perfect Love || Not A Perfect Summer || Not A Perfect Sophomore||-
__________________________________________________________________________


          _____________                               ____________
          \            |_____________________________|            /
           )           |                             |           (
          /____________|      A Perfect Ending       |____________\
                       |_____________________________|

              Here comes the... groom. Here comes the groom...
              Here comes the extremely thin, er, sexy groom...

                   _____________________________________
                  |                                     |\
                  |     You are hereby invited to:      | |
                  |                                     | |
                  |     Philip Wester's                 | |
                  |                   &                 | |
                  |              Ashley Ericsson's      | |
                  |                                     | |
                  |        WEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!         | |
                  | To be held on the 12th of June 2004 | |
                  |      (right after graduation)       | |
                  |_____________________________________| |
                   \_____________________________________\|

               And so they lived together, happily ever after...
                                   Almost...


                              ENDING CREDITROLL
                      Instrumental of the opening theme...

                              EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
                                 Philip Wester

                                     CAST
                        Ariel Candra as "The Little Mermaid riding on a
Whale"
                        Marshall Matters as "Airport worker"
                        Aero Elementar as "Aero"
                        Anastasia Delia as "Anastastasia"
                        Aqua Elementar as "Aqua"
                        Brian Saunders as "Brian"
                        Derek Andromeda as "Derek"
                        Dominique Viscinzque as "Dominique"
                        Ignis Elementar as "Ignis"
                        Julia Hurl as "Julia"
                        Neo Radeborn as "Neo"
                        Robin Masters as "Robin"
                        Terra Elementar as "Terra"
                        Thor Damien Crouseau as "Thunderbolt"
                        Victor Hansen Ericsson as "Victor"
                        Zeira Hellraiser as "Zeira"
                        Willow Rosenberg as "Willow"

                                  WRITTEN BY
                                 Philip Wester

                                  CASTING BY
                                 Philip Wester

                                   MUSIC BY
                        "Cemented Shoes" - My Vitriol
               "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" - Melanie Doane
                      "Ain't It Funny" - Jennifer Lopez

                              SPECIAL THANKS TO
		Aaron Puttick (aaz_p@connectfree.co.uk)
		"A Fan" (DragonSeaDragon@aol.com)
		Armand A. Moyette (amayotte@eiswire.com)
		Brian Wong (Brianlwong@hotmail.com)
		Blue (wildfire__@webtv.net)
		Cool Demon (cool_demon@hotmail.com)
		Danny (OoTritochoO@aol.com)
		D P (dnp5841@hotmail.com)
		Duy Pham (rebirthofthedevil@hotmail.com
		Phill (SCUBA004@aol.com)
		Garbage Fan (vowtoshutyourmouthnpushit@hotmail.com)
		Greg (Bggd3@aol.com)
		Hobbyboy (hobby391@att.net)
		Jade J (white_jade@gay.com)
		Jana (TomBoyLaxGrl20@aol.com)
		Jonathan Shane Hendry (JshGWM1981@aol.com)
		Laine (Sempercarpenocte@aol.com)
		Los Angeles (canadianbohemian@caramail.com)
		M A (Majorca2@aol.com)
		Michael Deppner (Deppner@t-online.de)
		Mike Wright (zut_alors@hotmail.com)
		Omar Zahr (ozi69@hotmail.com)
		Postmstr (postmstr@bellsouth.net)
		Prince Jake (nightmare_mage@hotmail.com)
		Ray Williams (raw0516@yahoo.com)
		RMA (ravant@tampabay.rr.com)
		Yoshio (yoshio@hot.ee)
		Wil (Maleman2400@aol.com)
		Unknown (Macncheezaroni@aol.com)
		Unknown (BigWillyStyl2003@aol.com)

                      All rights reserved for P.W. Inc.
                                  MMI (2001)


              TTTTTT  HH  HH EEEEE  EEEEE NN  NN DDDDD
                 TT    HH  HH EE     EE    NNN NN DD  DD
                  TT    HHHHHH EEE    EEE   NN NNN DD  DD
                   TT    HH  HH EE     EE    NN  NN DD  DD
                    TT    HH  HH EEEEE  EEEEE NN  NN DDDD

          _____________                               ____________
          \            |_____________________________|            /
           )           |                             |           (
          /____________|      A Perfect Ending       |____________\
                       |_____________________________|

__________________________________________________________________________

-||Not A Perfect Love || Not A Perfect Summer || Not A Perfect Sophomore||-
__________________________________________________________________________

For "fotos" from the series, go here:
http://

                      THE END! (for real this time!)

So, this is it, the final frontier, the end. Comments? Flames? Anything?
Just mail me, please. I'm lonely and have no life. :^) Now, mail me, mail
me,
mail me!

...WAITING FOR A BIG ROUND OF CHEERS FROM THE "I-WANT-PHILIP-AND-ASHLEY-TO-
GET-TOGETHER"-CROWD...

Watch out for "Angel We Have Heard On High" and the upcoming special "Snow
White And The Seven Queers", a parody of MANY fairy tales with the
characters
of TAA, NAPL, NAPSummer and NAPSophomore starring.

I might write a final chaper in the NAP-series, "A Perfect Ending II",
which will depict the last month of senior year and the wedding of Philip
and
Ashley, ending with a short depiction of Philip's, Ashley's and their
friends'
lives when they are 25.

See ya around on AWHHOH and A-TNS!

Write to me at FallenAngelII@hotmail.com
Just write to me if you want to flame me, give me comments, suggestions or
just chat. Why not send some nudes too? And if you live in Stockholm,
Sweden, and are 14-18, please, please, please email me about a
date!!!!!!!!!!
For all of those who read and give me feedback:

    Thank you! (English, well, duh!)
    Tack! (Swedish)
    Takk! (Norwegian)
    Tak! (Danish)
    Spatsiba! (Russian)
    Arigato! (Japanese)
    Gracias! (Spanish)
    Grazie! (Italian)
    Merci! (French)
    Cam on! (Vietnamese)
    Cap con cah! (Thai)
    Danke! (German)
    Dziekuje! (Polish)
    Dekuji! (Czech)