Something Special
Nick and Jess have something special.
Its never said outright, but its definitely there.
Jess is always the first up in the morning, and though Nick doesn't need to be, he gets up anyway to accompany Jess in daily blueberry pancakes. And once she leaves for school, he goes back to bed.
Maybe its because they have a more intimate knowledge of each other- Jess has seen Nick naked after all, and vice versa- but its friendly, platonic, and just bordering on something more.
Schmidt and Winston don't question it, but even they know Jess and Nick is quite different from Jess and Schmidt, and Jess and Winston. There's a palpable difference in the friendship dynamic, but its so inconspicuous and innocent it doesn't seem quite worth commenting on.
Only Cece has her eye on the two of them. Always watching, waiting, wondering.
'What do you think of Nick and Jess?' she asks Schmidt lazily, as they lie in bed together one night.
'Nick and Jess? As in, together?' Schmidt asks stupidly.
'What else?' Cece deadpans.
There's a thoughtful silence.
'Nick would need to summon up some balls,' he says finally.
Cece toys around with Schmidt's fingers. It's a uncharacteristically affectionate habit she's developed- but Schmidt doesn't seem to mind much.
'I think, if they did- that'd be it.'
Schmidt glances up at Cece questioningly.
'It'd be for the long term,' she clarifies.
There's another long silence.
'And I still haven't seen his penis,' mutters Schmidt.
Cece groans and rolls over.
Why does she sleep with him again?
When Jess goes out on a date, she's always happy to come back to the loft afterwards.
The night's events don't seem complete without Schmidt's unwanted sexual ribbing, Winston's logical commentary, and Nick's half-smile.
She'll tell them about her night over slurping warm milk, and they always offer her advice over ice cold beer, wise or not. And it makes her feel accepted. Like she belongs. And that always makes her glad.
Nick's half-smile, in particular, always makes her feel better, regardless of whether the date went well or not. Its like half his mouth is upturned, but its enough- smiles, even half-smiles, from Nick are rare things- and are to be cherished.
And she'll go to bed feeling loved and fulfilled.
When Jess comes back from a date, Nick is always happy to see her come back to the loft.
He always feels a pang of gladness to see she hasn't run off with some guy to his apartment. Perhaps it's the whole platonic friend thing. He hasn't had many girl friends. Girls who he could look out for, the whole elder brother thing.
Jess is a genuinely good person though. Quirky and admittedly rather strange at times- but you get used to her. And then she's really someone you're glad is around.
Her beaming smile is really cheering. It seems to be, corny as it sounds, like a ray of feminine sunshine in the testosterone-laden apartment of 4D.
And Nick really appreciates it. Its nice to have a female around- and because it's Jess, that makes it even better. So when she comes through the door, he smiles- just a little. Its like a reflex.
And he's absolutely sure she catches its meaning.
When Jess sees Nick's half smile, she knows- for all his curmudgeonly-ness, Nick cares.
And so does she.
She doesn't give him extra blueberries in his pancake for nothing.