She was dreaming… she knew she was, but she didn't care. Jen giggled as her mystery man was whispering sweet nothings in her ear, his breath tickling her. Then there were butterfly kisses, down the side of her neck, along her jaw, and one on the tip of her nose. When he started playing with her hair she sighed, "You're so amazing…" she trailed off when his face came into view, "…JUDE!"
Jen sat up in her bed with a start, eyes wide, awaken from her fantasy, "Holy crap… what the hell was that?"
Caitlin was squeezing a lemon when she saw Jen running at her looking like she just got out of a major fight during a 50 percent off sale at Albatross & Finch. "Jen, what happened?" she asked.
Jen managed to huff out, "Caitlin! I need your help!"
"Well first of all, your socks don't match, and you might want to use some concealer to hide those bags under your eyes… did you even comb your hair this morning?" she peered inquisitively at her friend.
"No… not that kind of help." Jen groaned and saw that Caitlin was frowning at her… she was probably wearing her sweater inside out or something. Taking a deep breath she said, "I had a dream… about Jude…"
Caitlin gasped, "A romantic dream?"
"Kind of…" she answered uncomfortably, it's not everyday you fantasize about a childhood friend.
She grabbed Jen by the shoulders, "Jen, no! You can't do that! I mean… look at him!" They both turned to Stick It and saw Jude nodding his head to some imaginary beat in his mind. "He's… Jude!"
"I know! I know! It's so weird… but… it was such a nice dream… he had such soft lips and warm hands…" she smiled and her eyes started glazing over.
"Snap out of it!" Caitlin shook Jen with all her might, "It's like the number one rule between friends! Never fall for a close friend! I mean, what would happen if you guys started like, dating?" she exclaimed, "And then, what would happen if you guys broke up? It would be so horrible!"
Jen rolled her eyes, "Why does this sound so familiar?"
"Hello! Nikki and Jonesy?" Caitlin hissed.
"What about Nikki and Jonesy?" a new voice asked. Gulping, they turned to see Nikki standing there with her infamous smirk.
"O-oh nothing, we were just naming all our friends, right Caitlin?" Jen nudged her.
"R-right! Nikki and Jonesy! Jude and Wyatt!" Caitlin shouted nervously
Nikki looked sceptical but shrugged, "Yea… right… ok, I don't believe that for one second but whatever. So, what's up guys?"
"Nikki, I know that we agreed to just be friends, but I can't help the fact that I have feelings for you, and I think you have feelings for me as well. I know you don't want to ruin this great friendship we have but I want us to have a chance. It may be awkward at first but we always enjoy a challenge, right? Please say you'll be my girl Nik, it would mean everything to me." Jonesy recited to his burger before taking a bite out of it.
"Dude... I don't know what to say man… that was pretty darn good." Jude patted him on the back.
"Hitting on your food again Jonesy?" Wyatt asked as he sat down with the guys.
"Nah man, I was practicing for Nikki."
Wyatt eyed him wearily, "Nikki? …I don't think that would be such a good idea. I mean you guys have been friends forever."
"I really like her though, she's not just a regular hot chick… she's special." Jonesy finished thoughtfully.
"Dude, that's so beautiful!" Jude sniffed and wiped away a tear.
"Um, right Jude. Anyway guys, I'm gonna see if I can find Nikki, later." Jonesy stood up walked towards the Khaki Barn.
Wyatt turned towards Jude, "Shouldn't we be stopping this? Jen and Caitlin certainly would."
"I don't know man, it seems like then we'd be standing in between their happiness."
"But we're not even sure if Nikki will go for it. Then Jonesy would be heartbroken." Wyatt stated.
"I think we all know that she likes him, dude." Jude smiled. Wyatt sighed, yes, it was true, and yes, this was bound to happen.
"Jude, huh? You sure know how to pick them, Jen." Nikki sniggered
"It was only one dream." Jen said exasperated
"Yea, we totally shouldn't blow this out of proportion." Caitlin picked at her perfectly manicured nails uneasily.
"Why not? I think Jude is one of the better guys that Jen has ever had a crush on." Nikki pointed out, "Sure he's a bit out of it, but she can bring him back to Earth from time to time and we know that he's not a creep."
Jen blushed, "I don't have a crush on him!"
"Jude is like the sweetest guy ever, but they're friends! Friends can't date friends! It'll ruin everything and everyone will be torn apart! It's like the worst possible thing!" cried Caitlin.
"Caitlin, get a hold of yourself, if Jen dated Jude it doesn't mean that our friendship will end. If they are happy together we should support them, because that's what friends do. Friends wouldn't try to break them apart for their own selfish reasons." Nikki retorted.
Slamming her hand down on the table Jen stood up, "Guys! I've had enough of this. I don't have a crush on Jude. I had one dream about him and that's it. Even if I did like him, Caitlin's right, it would strain our friendship and I wouldn't want that to happen."
"Agreed." nodded a relieved Caitlin.
Nikki looked shocked, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard… I'm gonna go to work."
Jen sighed as Nikki left, "Don't worry about it Jen, maybe she'll see it our way. And you're right, it was only a dream. I can't possibly imagine Jude being romantic anyways." She giggled and gave Jen a thumbs up.
"Yea… I should get to work too. See you later Cait." Jen gave her a grateful smile and left as well.
Nikki frowned as she made her way to the Khaki Barn, "Friends can't date friends. God, where do they come up with these things?" A look of realization hit her and she stopped short. Isn't that what she said to Jonesy before? That she didn't want to ruin what the six of them had?
"Oh. My. God… I'm a hypocrite." her frown deepened.
Deep down she knew that she liked Jonesy, they had been best friends since like ever, they knew each other instead and out, besides… he was kind of cute… like a puppy. That excuse that she had used was really… just an excuse. Then what was holding her back? What was she afraid of? Nikki Wong… was afraid? "Bullshit." She muttered under her breath.
Not really wanting to figure this all out now, she decided to go to work first. She was already an hour or two late and the clones probably thought she was dead… and were celebrating. Nikki took comfort in knowing that she was about to ruin their day.
For some reason, Jude was in the Penalty Box… and he was talking… to her. She couldn't really make out what he was saying, he always had these crazy stories before, but right now all Jen could do was stare at his moving lips and wonder how they would feel on hers. Funny, she never thought about stuff like that before. She was forgetting to do something, but she couldn't remember what… oh right… breathe.
Taking a deep breath she heard, "…-and then the flying gorillas broke into my room and tried to steal my boxers! The next thing I know-"
Cutting him off, Jen asked, "Jude, what are you doing here?"
"Hmm, I don't quite remember, but since I'm here, I guess I'll hang out with you." Jude smiled.
Hang out? That's what friends do right? "I guess that's ok… just make sure Coach doesn't see us talking, I'm supposed to be stacking these new running shoes."
"No problem, dudette, I'll help you." He offered as he bent down to pick up the boxes.
Don't you dare check out his butt, Jen sternly told herself as her eyes roamed over to Jude. Oh man, Caitlin's going to kill me, she thought. Still, she couldn't help herself and giggled because Jude had a cute butt… a very cute butt.