Travis and I had been best friends since our sophomore year in high school.

And now, eight years into the future, we shared a bond, admired by many, envied by a few.

He was the closest thing I had to a boyfriend, even though our friendship was strictly platonic. I had never thought as highly of Travis as I now did.

Only a few moments ago, he saved me from falling to my death. I had no idea how it happened.

This wasn't my first time climbing mountains, but the hum of a helicopter had suddenly distracted me, making me lose my

footing. He'd grabbed my left arm just in time to save me. This was one memory I could never forget.

As I sat quietly in the tent he'd pitched, my mind kept whirling around the moment he grabbed my arm at the nick of time.

Travis? I called. Yeah. Thank you. Really? He smirked. Haven't you said this like a hundred times already?

I looked away. my cheeks heating up.

"'When I looked back at him,

"'I found that his face had taken on a serious look.

"'What happened over there, Carly?' he asked.

"'You know you can't afford to be distracted like that.

"'If I wasn't there, too,' he grunted,

"'and then he ran his fingers through his somewhat

overgrown black hair. I don't even want to think of things going wrong, he said. No,

I can't ever lose you. I wouldn't even want to die a virgin, I said. My words were meant to be a joke, but the questioning look in Travis's

eyes told me I had failed at cracking a joke. What? He asked. I tried to look away, but he

cupped my face with both hands and stared into my eyes. You aren't kidding? He asked.

You really are a virgin?

I nodded.

My eyes searched his, waiting to see a reaction in them.

...