A/N: I do not own The Giver by Lois Lowry. I used some of the content, but I did not write the first 5 sentences. Hopefully, I get some reviews to continue writing. I am on fanfiction a lot and would like to hear from some people about what they think of the story. :) And hopefully, you enjoy.

This is an alternate continuation of Chapter 17, one of my favorite chapters.

"Do you want to go for a ride along the river, Jonas?" Fiona asked, biting her lip with nervousness.

Jonas looked at her. She was so lovely. For a fleeting instant, he thought he would like nothing better than to ride peacefully along the river path, laughing and talking with his gentle female friend. But such times were taken from him now. But he accepted her offer. Asher, still irritated, trudged over to his bike and went away. He and Fiona walked to their bikes on the walkway, and as they mounted their bikes, Jonas had a feeling in his heart. A feeling that was described as…

Love….

and that the love he felt was for his female friend. He didn't say it though, as he knew she wouldn't understand. So they pedaled slowly to the river.

Fiona, still worried about her friend, was thinking why Jonas had stopped them from playing their game. It was a simple game, where if you were hit by the imaginary weapon that you would fall down and lie there until you counted to 10.

"Maybe it is something I don't understand," Fiona said to herself.

As they rode, Fiona kept glimpsing to her best friend, keeping his head down low. She didn't know why he was feeling the way he was feeling. She could see his eyes dampening. Crying was a rarity in the community. She had never cried unless she was in pain. But Jonas wasn't in any sort of pain unless it was a type of pain she didn't know of. She remembered when the Chief Elder told Jonas that his training involved pain, physical pain that couldn't be described. She wondered what pain he was feeling. There was no bruises or marks on his body, so she knew there wasn't any outside pain.

"Fiona?" Jonas asked.

Fiona looked at him. She could see his eyes, cold-locked on her eyes. His eyes were pale, instead of a dark reminiscent color.

"Yes, Jonas?" Fiona asked.

"Let's stop at the bridge," Jonas said finally.

"Alright, Jonas," Fiona said, her breath uneven.

Fiona didn't know what to expect of her friend. The bridge was in view now, spanning the river. It was beautiful that day. She could see now, Jonas crying, tears leaving his eye and dripping on his tunic. She didn't know why this was happening.

"Why are you crying, Jonas?" Fiona asking with concern.

Jonas sighed. A tear glistened and dripped down his cheek. She knew she wouldn't understand the pain and sorrow of his assignment. But that was why they were headed to the bridge. It would be the first rule broken from his training after he received the assignment. He was going to tell her about it. What happens during the training. He knew she could be trusted with anything. He was her best friend. And he would need someone to tell and could be trusted to keep secrets.

"I'll tell you at the bridge," Jonas said softly, as he wiped a tear from off the corner of his eye.