My cousin and I were very very close friends.

My cousin 'Tara' and I were in the same grade, and we got along very well. We both went to the same high school. She was big, awkward, and not very popular. I was only marginally more popular than her. <br><br>In fact I was almost grateful that she came into my life. Without her, I would have been completely alone. I know it sounds odd, but I very rarely had any friends over, and I very rarely 'hung out' at other places. Tara usually came over to my house every day after school; I liked having her there. I never tried to go out and make friends, because it was easy and comfortable with Tara. I would have been quite lonely without her I think. <br><br>So, in short, I would have had absolutely no friends if Tara hadn't been there. She was very smart and kind, and knowing her made my heart overflow. It was obvious to me that she had a crush on me, but I liked her more than that. I think I was in love with her. We had sex once, behind the bleachers at a school football game. It was only one time, and it felt forced. She seemed uncomfortable. <br><br>It was very different than the times we had sex in my bedroom, under the comfort of our own sheets. The first time we actually did have sex was on my 18th birthday, and we continued to have sex until I turned 24. We went to different colleges, so it was only during breaks. <br><br>She's married now, and I'm engaged. It's been years since we last had sex. It was a little sad, but I was actually happy to see her get engaged, and even happier, when I heard she had gotten married. She's so very smart and kind. She always made me feel loved and respected. <br><br>She's had a difficult life, and for that I am very sad. She usually doesn't seem very happy, and I worry about her. She's like a rose to me, a very beautiful flower, but also very fragile.