A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy, please leave a review with your thoughts! :)

My inspiration for this chapter was the song Sideways by Citizen Cope. The lyrics from the song will look like *-this-* in the chapter. It's an awesome song! If you haven't heard it, you should go check it out!

Happy Reading~! -RedRover94

"I have to tell you something."

"What is it?", Stella spoke, her voice slightly anxious.

My heart broke at the sight and I took in this last moment. The last time I would see her before things changed, before everything was different, before she hated me.

*-You know it ain't easy
For these thoughts here to leave me
There's no words to describe it
In French or in English-*

"It's really hard for me to say Stell, I don't even know how to begin", I began pained at the words that were about to come out of my mouth.

"What's hard for you to say, Joe?" she questioned clearly puzzled.

*-Cuz' diamonds they fade
And flowers they bloom
And I'm telling you-*

Stella waited patiently for my next words.

"It's about Maddie. And something that happened two years ago", I spoke quietly.

"Okay, what is it?" Stella just wanted to know. Why was he dragging this out so much?

"The night before she left. You were out and Nick and Kevin were out, so I called her. She was bored and I was bored, so I went over there to hang out", I was finally saying something.

Stella nodded in understanding, waiting for me to speak some more.

"Well, we started talking…and one thing led to another. We kind of…we made out and fell asleep in each other's arms", I was scared to even look up at her.

Stella was shocked, she didn't even say anything. Say something, say anything. I waited for about a minute but still no words left her.

"Look, we weren't together then. And it was her last night, I didn't go over there with that intention", I was rambling now.

She was silent for a few more minutes and then thankfully she said something, "You're right, we weren't together then. It's okay."

I sighed in relief. She wasn't mad, thank goodness.

"But why are you telling me now? And why didn't you tell me before? Why wouldn't Maddie tell me?" she asked him bewildered.

"Because…"

*-These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin' me sideways
They've been knockin' me out lately
Whenever you come around me-*

"I never really saw the point in telling you because nothing came of it, it was just one night. And I'm not sure why Maddie didn't tell you. But lately…well ever since she came back I guess…I've been thinking about that night a lot.", I couldn't bear to look at her, "And that night I really believed that I liked her…a lot. When she came back, those feelings…they returned", I was so ashamed at my words.

"Joe-", she tried to speak, but I wasn't finished.

*-These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin' me sideways
I keep thinking in a moment that
Time will take them away
But these feelings won't go away-*

"I've tried Stella, I really have. I thought that in time those feelings would disappear. Because I love you, I really do love you. But they're not going away, and I can't seem to fight the way I feel anymore", I was done. That was all I wanted to say, right?

"What about her? Does she feel the same way about you?" Stella spoke, tears springing up in her eyes.

"I…I don't know", I spoke looking down. I promised not to get Maddie involved in this.

"Don't lie to me", she could tell I wasn't being honest.

"Yeah, she does. But she was never going to act on it. She would never hurt you", Joe murmured to her gently, "I never wanted to hurt you either."

Stella laughed bitterly, "So…"

"I just need to be on my own right now, figure things out", I spoke truthfully.

"You mean you want to be on your own so you can get with Maddie", she spoke bitterly, but it was clear how much she was hurting.

"Stella, I never-", I really tried to say something.

"Get out of my house now", she spoke in a demanding manner, tears still falling from her soft brown eyes.

I nodded, grabbed my jacket, and walked out of the Malone residence. Probably for good. I walked down the stone path that led to my car, and when I reached it, I was overcome with emotion. A few tears fell from my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away, climbing into my car and driving away. I drove and drove until I found myself at the Wilson's place.

I rubbed at my eyes, making sure it didn't look as though I had been crying, and walked to the Wilson's front door. I rang the doorbell, patiently waiting for someone to answer, and daydreaming all the while. Maddie opened the door, jolting me from my thoughts.

I glanced at her and said, "I told her."

She nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for me to come inside, which I willingly did. The front door shut loudly.

*-These feelings won't go away-*

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