Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. I'm Sorry A Fever-Rant, by Adrian Mailenna I'm sorry, Teri, for doing this. I'm sorry, because I know that this is awkward, that it's too much, too soon, and maybe even a little unnerving, but I have to do it, because I'm a little excited, a little scared, and I'm not sure how to land on my feet anymore. It scares me a little, that I'm doing this, that I only spent a few hours with you, and that for six weeks now I've been falling, falling out of control and into... I don't know, something beautiful and terrifying. It scares me a little, that it's taken me so strongly, because I barely know you, don't know whether this is real or just a dream. It scares me that I might never know, because I've tried subtler things before, and heard only silence, and after six weeks, it is very hard to bear. So I have to do this, to make this unmistakable gesture, to tell you how wonderful I think you are, because I'd like to know you a little better, to learn about the girl who returned my words to me, and to see if I can't make you smile, just a little more. That's all I want, really, not a return of emotion, but only a chance, to find the truth behind my dreams, to see if I can't bring you a few of your own. I'm very sorry. -- Copyright 2004 Adrian Mailenna. Personal use encouraged. All other rights reserved. ftp://ftp.asstr.org/pub/Authors/adrian_mailenna