Todd and Elizabeth: Together Forever?

It was a sunny afternoon at Sweet Valley University as Elizabeth Wakefield walked across campus from her Shakesphere class back to her dorm. It was one of the first days in a long time that she had no where to be and nothing to do, and she intended to enjoy the most of her day. Unfortunately her thoughts wandered to the problems her and her boyfriend Tom had been having almost since they got back together several months ago. Liz and Tom had had a horrible break-up awhile back and after many insults and fights, finally had reunited. The only problem was things just weren't what they once were. Liz couldn't put her finger on the problem...but things just hadn't felt right between them. She was so deep in thought that she wasn't paying too much attention to her surroundings. Suddenly she heard her name being called in the distance and footsteps running after her. She whirled around and saw Todd Wilkins, her high school sweetheart and long-time friend, running after her! .

"Hi, Liz, " Todd said half-out of breath when he finally caught up with her.

"Hi, Todd. How have you been? I haven't seen you in a long-time." Liz replied.

Todd smiled and said, "I know that is why I was running after you like that. We both have just been so busy lately that I never even see you around. I was wondering how my old buddy is doing."

"Well, you know typical me..classes, work. How about you?"

"Typical me too..classes and basketball. Amazing how some things never change huh!"

Todd hestitated for a moment and then said, "So, I hear that you and Tommy-boy finally got back together."

Liz looked up at him as an awkward silence passed between them.

Finally, she replied, "Yes, for about two months now."

Todd was surprised at how unenthustiastic she was about that and wondered if maybe things were not all peachy in their relationship. He decided to plunge ahead and ask.

"So, is everything going well between you guys then...I mean you worked out all your differences?"

Liz thought for a second so wanting to confide in someone her confused feelings about Tom but she knew that she couldn't even pinpoint what was bothering her about him, so how could she even begin to expect anyone to be able to help her.

"Yeah, it was rough, but I guess when you really love someone you are able to forgive and forget," she finally answered not being able to meet Todd's eyes because she knew he would see right through her lie.

They eased into basic conversation, and Liz couldn't help but think how weird her and Todd's relationship was. Their entire lives they had been the perfect couple expected to get married after college, have their perfect jobs, the 2.5 kids, and the perfect house with the white picket fence. And until college, they had both believed in this fantasy as much as anyone else. But college had changed all of that. Todd had changed once he got to college...thinking he was the big man on campus. He had gotten a major ego and tried to push Liz into having sex with him. When she had refused, he had dumped her for a girl that would. Things had been strained for a long time between them, but in the end they had been able to put the past behind them and become good friends. She was with Tom, and he dated a girl named Gin-Yung. However, Gin-Yung moved and Tom and Liz broke up. And somehow, her and Todd had wound up back together for several wonderful weeks. Liz smiled at the memories of how passionate, sweet, and tendor their reunion had been...that was until Gin-Yung returned having been diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor and died shortly there after. Todd had been grief-stricken and ended his relationship with Liz saying he didn't have it in him to be a good boyfriend to anyone then. Liz knew he had a lot to work through, and so yet again they went their seperate ways. By the time, Todd was feeling better, Liz and Tom were on their way to getting back together. Yet, now she found herself wishing she was still with Todd as she continued to talk with him. Despite her attempts not to, she couldn't help but wonder where she would be right now if Gin-Yung hadn't come back/hadn't died. Would Todd and I still be together and happy?

Liz stole a look at him not wanting to be caught staring. He was such a good-looking guy with tousled brown hair and warm, sparkling brown eyes. He had a great build with a strong chest and muscles. Todd had always been such a calming presence in her life. She began to wonder why it had been over a month since she had talked with him. She decided she would have to make a concentrated effort to spend more time with him because she really missed his friendship. Todd must have read her mind because the next thing he said was,

"Liz we really should spend more time together. I mean I know you are with Tom and probably spend a lot of time with him..."

Liz interupted him, "I was just thinking the same thing. I really miss talking to you like this. And, Tom is so busy all the time that I don't think he even notices if I am there or not there sometimes."

"Listen Liz, you can say no to what I am about to ask and I will understand, but there is this basketball banquet/dance thing this Friday night, and well I haven't really been out much since ya know Gin-Yung died. I don't really know who to ask to go with me. So, I was wondering if you aren't too busy, and you don't think it will cause too much a problem between you and Tom, if you would go with me."

Liz looked up suprised but said, "I would love to go with you, and it won't cause any problem with Tom and I that isn't already there." Todd gave her a suprised look and asked, "What is going on with you and Tom. You keep making comments like that but insisiting that everything is fine."

Liz looked away not wanting to have this conversation but she knew that she desperately needed to confide in someone even though Todd somehow seemed the last appropriate person to be confiding into about it.

"Let's go sit down somewhere." Todd nodded and led them to a nearby park bench.

"You know that you can tell me anything Liz, and I will be here for you. I won't judge you or anything...I can just be your sounded board if that is what you need, " Todd assured her.

She smiled at him grateful for his friendship and amazed that somehow he always knew what she needed.

"Well, I don't even know where to begin or what is even wrong exactly. Things just haven't been clicking or something since we got back together. I mean I love him, but it's like all we do is fight or work. We are always writing some story or uncovering some scandel ya know. And even when we aren't busy...we fight. I don't know if I still haven't forgiven him for everything he said and did why we were broken up...I mean I know I saw a side of him then that I didn't really like. But, I don't think that is it. I am just holding myself back for some reason."

Liz hesitated before she continued not sure how or even if she should bring up the next problem she and Tom had been having with anyone esepcially Todd. She looked over at Todd who was listening intentally to every word she said, and she decided to go ahead because she knew somehow he would understand.

"I don't know if I should bring this up because I don't know you probably do not want to hear it and I certanily don't want to talk about it, but it has really been bugging me. Since Tom and I have gotten back together he has been almost obsessed with us sleeping together. We have had so many fights about it, and he keeps telling me that I owe it to him. Like it is some kind of payment or something. I know that I am not ready at all for that, espeically with some guy who is convinced that I owe him anything like that. I just don't get it though because he never cared that much about that before, but now all he does is pressure me about it."

Liz looked up at Todd and saw the mixed emotions in his eyes. She knew that he wanted to be their as a friend, but that this conversation espeically had to be tough for him.

"I am sorry, Todd. I know that you are the last person I should be dumping all of this on. I guess I am just sick of this becoming such an area of conflict between me and the guys I love."

Todd smiled and said, "yeah, we sure have a funny way of showing our love for you don't we. I am sorry to hear that you and Tom are having such problems. I don't know what to tell you....you just need to look long and hard at the relationshp and him and figure out if he is someone you honestly enjoy being with. If you aren't getting that out of the relationship then why are you in it? As for the other thing, you can talk to me about anything Liz. I'll admit hit hurts me to hear you talk about that sort of stuff and it really hurts me to think that Tom is going down the same road that I did in those terms of pressuring you. But, I am your friend and I can put my feelings behind me if need be. Anyway, just remember you are a wonderful woman who any guy would be lucky and proud to call your girlfriend. Along with that should come respect, and if a guy can't respect your feelings then he isn't worth it."

Liz's eyes started to water at the sincerity in his words. Despite all they had been through, she knew they would always been friends and that she could always count on him for support. Suddenly she realized that she hadn't even really asked how he was really doing. "Todd, how are you doing...I mean REALLY doing?"

"Well, I am a lot better. I mean it was rough for awhile. But, I have come to realize that Gin-Yung was a great person and I loved her, but we grew apart when she went away, and I can't blame myself for that. I miss her I always will. But, I have to move on with my life and do what makes me happy and be with people that make me happy. That is why you need to decide if Tom makes you happy because life is so short and it is dumb to waste it doing things that we really aren't happy to be doing. I am sorry that I dumped you at the funeral like that. I just, I don't know, I was such a mess, and had to work through it all on my own." "I understand Todd, I never was angry with you about any of it. And you are right about life being short and everything."

Todd smiled at her and said, "Well, enough of this serious talk, shall we go get a bite to eat."

"Sure."

While they walked towards the cafeteria, Todd couldn't help but admire how beautiful Elizabeth was, and for the first time since Gin-Yung's death he found himself missing having a girlfriend. He had honest intentions with asking Liz to the dance, but he had to admit he wasn't too upset to hear that her and Tom were having problems. It really bothered him that Tom was taking Liz so for granted. Todd thought to himself, if I was dating her I would never take her for granted, be too busy to spend time with her, or pressure her about anything. Todd stopped his thoughts right there and said to himself, but you did Wilkins you did all those things when you first got to college. For the millionth time since getting to college, Todd wanted to kick himself for how badly he had treated her. I wonder where we would be now if I hadn't been such a jerk. Would we still be the perfect couple? Todd sighed, knowing there was no way he could ever answer that question.

They browsed through the food at the cafeteria struggling to find something good to eat.

"You know with as many selections as they have here, you would think that there would be one good thing to eat," said Todd.

"I know, I can't wait till someday I have a place that I can cook at and not be forced to eat this food."

"You know...I have a kitchen in on my floor. If you want, we could cook dinner at my dorm sometime this week."

"I would love that, anything but this food."

Much to Todd's dismay, Tom suddenly showed up at their table and didn't appear to happy about seeing Todd there with his girlfriend. He glared at Todd, and then began talking quickly to Liz.

"I have this great lead on this story, and this guy wants us to meet him on Friday night."

"But Tom, I have plans Friday night. Todd needs a date for his basketball banquet, and I already promised him that I would go with him." Oh no thought Todd as he recieved the most murderous glare from Tom. "I think Todd will understand that this more important than some dance."

"Really Liz, you don't have to go with me, its no big deal.

"No, Todd, I want to go with you. It will be fun. And goodness knows when was the last time I had fun. You can follow the lead up without me, Tom. It is no big deal."

"Fine," said Tom angerly, "You really need to get your priorites straight Liz."

He began to walk away.

Liz shouted after him, "No, Tom, you need to get your priorities straight. When was the last time we had fun together. Went out and had a good time. Had a romantic night. Some things in life are more important than a story."

Tom continued to walk away ignoring her words.

Todd whistled and said, "I am really sorry. You really do not have to go with me. It is no big deal. I don't want to cause more problems between you guys." "No, I want to go with you. I deserve to have some fun. I am have been wondering for awhile if what is wrong with Tom and I really is even worth trying to fix."

They ate the rest of dinner in silence both wondering if their innocent dance date was going to lead to the end of Liz and Tom and if so what that meant for Todd and Liz and even what they wanted that to mean? __________________________ _________________________

Liz hadn't spoken to Tom since their big fight at the cafeteria. She had done a lot of thinking over the past several days, and had really come to the conclusion that regardless she wasn't happy with Tom and hadn't been for a long time. He was a great guy, and she cared deeply for him. But, he wasn't the guy for her. She needed someone less absorbed, who was willing and observant enough to be there for her when she needed someone. She needed to have a good time sometimes and not always be caught up in tracking a story. She needed someone to calm her down and help her relax not make her even more stressed. And above all else...she needed someone who made her truly happy. She mustered up all of the courage she could and called Tom Friday afternoon.

"Hello"

"Tom, this is Liz. Can we meet for a few minutes."

"Are you coming tonight with me?"

"No."

"Then there is nothing to talk about."

"See Tom, that is our problem right there. Everything has to be your way. There is a story...I have to go and track it. You want to have sex...I have to be ready. Its all on your timetable and never about how I feel, what I want to do, or what makes me happy."

"So, whats your point?" "I want to break-up, Tom. I care about you, but this just isn't working."

There was silence at the other end of the line. Then she heard Tom's soft voice saying,

"Liz, I don't want to lose you. I am sorry. You are right."

"Listen Tom, its too late. I haven't really been happy since we got back together. The fact is I care about you and there is a lot of passion between us. But there is also always been too much tension, and I don't want to deal with that anymore. I am sorry."

"Does this have something to do with Wilkins?" "No, has nothing to do with Todd. I have been thinking about doing this for awhile. I am sorry. I have to go."

"But Liz..." She hung up the phone and began crying. However, she quickly composed herself and got ready for her date with Todd.

Ever since his run-in with Liz, Todd had been on cloud-nine and counting the days until the dance. He hadn't felt this alive since well...him and Liz had been reunited briefly. Hmmm....was there some sort of connection there? Something about her always brought such joy and happiness into his life. He had never met anyone he cared about or respected more. He had really enjoyed talking to her a few days prior and wondered what the night might bring. He thought giddly about how she had chosen to go with him over Tom. Woah...Wilkins, calm down he thought to himself. Tom is her boyfriend. They are having problems, but I cannot add to their problems. I have to be supportive of whatever Liz decides there and not push her one way or the other. Not to mention....why on earth would she want to get back with him after all the times he had treated her bad. Something told him...there friendship had taken so many beatings...perhaps it was best to not keep testing it. Then ag! ain, if they kept coming back to eachother...didn't that say something...that maybe they were meant for eachother. I really have to chill Todd thought as he walked to Liz's dorm to pick her up. This is just a dance and we are just two friends hanging out.

Liz opened her dorm door and her jaw almost dropped. Todd looked incredibly gorgous. He handed her a single rose, and her heart nearly melted. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a rose. She grabbed her bag and they walked towards the student union where the banquet was being held. They caught up on eachother's lives over the past few days keeping the conversation light. Todd had no intention of mentioning Tom secretly wishing Tom didn't even exist. He couldn't believe how beautiful Liz looked. She simply took his breath away. He wanted to kiss her and hold her...but he knew it wasn't the time or the place. How did I ever let her go he thought. She is the most amazing woman I have ever know...how can Tom not appreciate her? How is it I have not always appreciated her as much I should? She was the most important thing in my life for so long, how did I ever lose sight of that? Liz interupted his train of thought.

"I broke up with Tom this afternoon," she stated. "What!? You are kidding. I am sorry. Why? How did he take it?" Todd exclaimed about a million questions running through his mind.

"I thought about what you said and really searched my heart and realized I deserve more. I deserve a guy who apprecaites me and who makes me happy. I wasn't into the relationship and I have to wonder if he really was either. Maybe we just were so used to being together it scared us to lose that. He didn't take it to well...mostly just tried to change my mind. Sometimes you have to grow apart from someone before you can really appreciate them you know. Like us, as much as it hurt to break up at the beginning of college, it did us both good, and I think we both value our friendship a lot more as a result. So, who knows...maybe Tom and I will be ok in the end. Or maybe we were never meant to be. All I know is that he is not right for me right now."

Todd nodded, not quite sure what to say to this new information. Liz was now free. But he also knew it was not his job to make a move on her...heck, he didn't even know if she wanted or felt anything more than friendship for him. Besides, she needed some time to be alone now.

Liz smiled at him not sure what he was thinking. She knew she needed some time alone right now to sort out her feelings. But being with Todd this past few days had brought her such happiness, and she wondered if he felt the same way. He had nothing to do with why she broke up with Tom, but she had felt her old feelings for him returning when they had talked a few days ago and only intesifying tonight. He was so comforting, helpful, kind, and sweet. He really cared about her and her feelings. He really listened. Not to mention, she had forgotten how good looking he was. But, she didn't want to press things or complicate things yet again. We are probably just friends and it is best we stay that way she vowed.

Dinner was great, and Todd won the Most Valuable Player award. It was shaping up to be the perfect evening. The dancing began and Todd and Liz danced on the dance floor with the best of them. They had been to so many dances together in the past that they knew eachother's moves so well. Liz hadn't had this much fun dancing in a long time. A series of slow songs began to play after awhile, and Todd smiled softly at Liz as she fell into his strong arms. Todd smiled at the familiar scent of her shampoo and perfume. He ached to be with her and finally realized the full extent of how much he had missed her. I still love her and want to be with her he thought. Liz meanwhile, thought to herself how warm and confortable it felt to be in Todd's arms again. I really have missed this she thought. No one has ever been able to make me feel as good as Todd. How could I have forgotten that? As they danced they began to move closer to eachother. Liz tilted her head up at Todd's and saw the anguish in his eyes. I wonder if my eyes are conveying that same emotion she thought. His feelings were written all over this face, and she realized that he still loved her. That made her feel good, but it also confused her. Did she really want to be with Todd again? They had such a great friendship, and she loved him more than anyone, but was it wise to mess with all of that again. Was it wise to give into her evident emotions?

Liz thought back to their brief time together before Gin-Yung died and realized she hadn't been that happy again until their encounter a few days ago. Todd brought her happiness that no one else could. No one in the world understood her more. Those few weeks together had been so full of passion, love, and promise. It had been better than even before than before they had come to college...because they had both grown and matured since. It had made their relationship so much stronger and better because they fully appreacited eachother after all the mess they had been through. They had been through a lot since that time too...especially Todd. Could it really be that good again? She sighed outloud, and Todd seemed to read her mind.

"Do you want to leave Liz, maybe we can go somewhere and talk?" "I would love that. I am kinda hungry."

"We could go back to my dorm and cook something up."

As they left, Todd hoped he was reading her mind correctly. He didn't want to pursue or push her into anything she wasn't feeling. The conversation stayed light about old friends and classes the entire walk back to his dorm, neither wanting to bring up what was really on their mind. Todd made some hot chocolate and ordered a pizza. Liz and Todd sat on his couch watching the TV.

"Liz..." "Todd..." Both smiled uncertaintly and said in unision, "You first."

An awkward silence ensued.

Finally Liz asked, "So, you haven't dated anyone since Gin-Yung?"

"No, I just haven't met anyone that seems worth it. Are you doing ok about Tom and everything?"

"yeah, I am actually relieved ya know. I kept trying to hide my doubts, but I knew it wasn't working."

Another silence followed...neither having the courage to say what was really on their mind.

The pizza arrived and they dug into it. Todd decided that this obviously wasn't the time or the place to have the conversation he wanted to have, so he began to ask her about her classes knowing that Liz would brighten up talking about them. She began to talk about some paper she was writing, and Todd listenened amazed at how excited she could get about a paper. I really miss that he thought. I miss her zeal for life, her desire to suceed, and her love. I miss her being a part of my everyday life. They talked for hours about old times and when they finally looked at the clock it read 4:34 am.

"Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun. Sorry to keep you up this late Liz. Let me walk you back to your dorm."

They walked back to her dorm amused at how quiet campus was for once.

"I want to thank you Todd for everything. I have had more fun tonight than I have had in a long time. I really value you and am glad that we are still friends and everything."

"No problem. Listen we really should hang out more and not just do it when we run into eachother and realize how long its been since we have been spent time together."

"Definitely, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?" "Nothing, why?"

"I was thinking we could go on a picnic or something." They made the plans for the next day and said goodnight.

__________________________ _________________________

Liz woke up the next morning feeling more alive than she had felt in months. Was it her imagination or were the birds chirping louder, the sun shining brighter? She quickly took a shower and walked over to Todd's. She hadn't slept much the night before, but it didn't seem to matter because she had gotten clarity last night and realized she wanted to be with Todd. Todd opened his door and smiled as Liz entered. She always looked so pretty he thought. She had a twinkle in her eye like she was excited about something. Liz looked at him and she wanted to run over and kiss him, run her hands through his hair, and feel his arms around her. Woah...I have to tell him how I feel now she thought. If he doesn't want to get back together that is fine...but I have to at least let him know because if there is a chance we can be that happy again then I have to try to see if it is there.

"I have packed a bunch of food for us Liz." "Thats great...can we talk first though. I have something I want to tell you. I want you to hear me all the way through, and then be honest with me."

"Uh..ok. What's up?"

"I don't know how you feel or what you want...but I have realized in the past few days and espeically last night how much I miss being with you. I was so happy when we got back together a few months ago. I haven't felt that happy since...at least not until last night. I know that we have been through a lot, and that our friendship is so strong and it is probably stupid to try and mess with that. But, I realized that I still love you. You make me happier than anyone. There is always something missing when you are not in my life...and then you come along and always fill it and I realize how part of me is missing until you are there. I want you in my life. I love you, and I want to be with you. I know you probably want nothing to do with me. I am sorry. I just needed to tell you."

Liz looked at the floor unable to look Todd in the face, afraid of what she might see. Todd put his finger under her chin and tilted her face up so he could see her eyes.

"Woah...Liz...of coarse I feel the same way. I was wanting to say all of that to you last night but I didn't have the guts plus I figured the last thing you needed was another relationship right now. So, are you saying that you want to get back together?"

"Yes, I am. I had to restrain myself so much last night."

Todd smiled, "Me too. You have no idea how much I wanted to reach over and kiss you, hold you."

A moment of silence occured between them.

"So what now?" Todd asked. "I think we should go on our picnic."

"Sounds good, but there is one thing we have to do first." "What is that?"

"This," Todd whispered as he pulled her towards him for a tenitive slow kiss that quickly grew in passon and intensity.

It felt so good and right to be in eachother's arms again. No one had ever kissed her the way Todd had and could. She sighed contently.

"We can make this work this time can't we Liz?"

"Yes, Todd this time I think we can."

"You know something tells we were meant to be because no matter what happens we always come back to eachother."

She lost herself as Todd began to kiss her again. Todd murmermed in her ear, "I will never let you go again Liz, I promise. This time is forever."