“I love you so much that it makes me feel like I’ll die if I leave you. I’ve loved you since I was eight years old at that city court. Watching you play—against all those kids who were so much older than you, so much bigger than you. It made me feel like I could be that brave someday, too. It inspired me more than you know. You’re my best friend, so please don’t be mad at me for doing this. You’re always going to be my best friend. Please trust me when I tell you that I can’t go back there. Please don’t be mad at me. And please don’t say no to what I’m about to ask you for next.”
