(It had been 12 hours… 12 hours since they made what they both now realize was probably the worst decision of their lives.)
"Jess remembered saying I miss my friend, but why had she said it. Nick was her friend he always had been and always would be. It doesn't matter if they are a couple or not, but what's the point of loving someone if you can't be with them. Jess had retreated to Cece's to mend her broken heart. She wasn't sure how to come back from this. It had been her idea essentially to "call it" even though it broke her completely. Nick had agreed though! That meant he felt the same way or at least the same way she felt in the moment. That love was not enough. But Love IS enough. She loved Nick everything about him even though he got on her nerves occasionally with his moronic ideas."
"Nick sat alone in his room nursing a beer his eyes stained with tears. Had that really just happened did he just break up with Jess! The love of his life! He was so mad at himself it was his idea he had brought up breaking up. He thought at the time that he was kidding then it escalated. Why had he said he missed his friend Jess was his Friend she made him laugh they had a good time together. He knew though that Jess was serious when she'd agreed that they should break up. This heart break was worse than anything he'd ever felt before. Way worse than anything he'd ever felt over Caroline. How was he going to continue living in the same space with Jess if he couldn't have her. He had blown it with the love of his life. "
(Cece's Apartment)
Cece: Jess tell me what happened?
Jess: Well. I had asked Nick to build a toy for Sadies son's birthday party. I asked him two weeks ago! And he didn't do it! I was so mad.
Cece: Jess he's a Man! That's not really a unique Nick trait that he didn't do something you asked not saying it's ok, but a little bit expected.
Jess: Yeah I know, but you're right it doesn't excuse it. I can't trust him to do things I just wish he would grow up! I love him, but I can't put up with this for the rest of my life can I?
Cece: Well Jess it's not that I don't agree with you that Nick has some maturing to do. He does he definitely does, but I've never seen you as happy with someone as you've been with him I know he gets on your nerves sometimes, but I'm going to tell you a secret there is not a couple on the planet that does not at least on occasion get on each other's nerves. Besides look at how much Nick has grown since he's been with you. Don't give up on him yet you guys have both changed for the better in the last year!
Jess: You're right, You're right I love him. I love him so much it hurts.
Cece: Then what are you guys doing?
Jess: I don't know (she began to cry) I really think I've ruined it I just don't know how we come back from this If I can't be with Nick I don't think I can be around him can I stay here for awhile.
Cece: Sure sweetie, stay as long as you need.
(Meanwhile back at the loft)
Winston: :knocks on the door: Hey Nick you in there?
Nick: :wiping his eyes and trying to regain his composure: Yeah I'm here
Winston: :opens the door and comes in: Hey Nick what's going on? I saw Jess leave awhile ago she didn't say anything just took off where was she off to?
Nick: I have no idea.
Winston: what do you mean you have no idea she didn't tell you?
Nick: Um No Me and Jess had a big fight last night.
Winston: Ohh I see that explains the beer and the red eyes
Nick: :wipes his face again: What?... well it wasn't just any fight. We called it!
Winston: :shocked: WHAT? What do you mean you called it? You guys have been together for a year now! You don't just call it on a relationship like you two have. I'm jealous of your relationship with Jess you guys have something really special. what was so bad about your relationship?
Nick: well I didn't think anything, but Jess started to talk about our future and she had all these plans and I started to freak out and ramble on about living on mars and all this crazy stuff.
Winston: living on Mars? What?
Nick: I know, I know I sometimes get these crazy fantasies in my head I realize that rationally they "probably" aren't going to happen.
Winston: Probably?
Nick: well you know what I mean I don't like to limit myself…anyway I don't want to get into that. The point is she had every little detail of our life planned out. I don't live my life like that I'd rather take things as they come and deal with them when they arrive not worry about things that haven't happened yet.
Winston: But you know Jess is a planner she's always been that way. Shouldn't it work for you, you don't like to plan things she does let her make the plans and go with it.
Nick: Um no
Winston: you're pretty stubborn. How did this argument though lead to a complete break up?
Nick: We both realized that we don't like fighting with each other and we miss being friends.
Winston: I'm sorry What?
Nick: yeah we miss being friends so we decided to end our relationship.
Winston: :laughing: I'm sorry I really don't mean to laugh I really don't, but that is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. When were you and Jess ever "Just" friends.
Nick: what are you talking about we were just friends for 2 years before we started dating.
Winston: Yeah Ok (said sarcastically)
Nick: Come on man.
Winston: Seriously though you admitted to loving her since the moment she walked in the door!
Nick: Well yeah
Winston: You two have essentially acted like a couple since you met except it took you two awhile to realize that's what you were. I didn't say anything because I was afraid something like this would happen, but that was before I saw you two really together. Nick I have never seen you this happy…like ever.
Nick: :contemplating: I guess there is some truth to that., but What am I supposed to do?
Winston: First off go talk to her. Don't give up so easy!
Nick: (nicks mood lifted slightly) Thanks Man. Winston you always know what to say.
(Nick ran out of the apartment he was about to press the button for the elevator when the doors opened)
Nick: JESS! (he said with a hopeful smile)
(Jess ran to him and gave him an impassioned hug echoing the one she had given him the night before this time however neither one was willing to let go)
Jess: (loosening the hug, but still hanging on to his arms) Nick last year I told you I was All in. I meant it. I think we both lost sight of that for a minute.
Nick: I agree. Look Jess I'm really sorry I know I can be immature. I know we have things to work on, but I don't want to give up on this.
Jess: I don't either. . I'm going to try to lighten up a bit as well. It's occurred to me that we were stressed because of the situation. I mean we have 5 people living in this loft and we were thrown together in a tiny space before we were really ready for that.
Nick: Yeah I love you so much, but I do think we need some more personal space.
Jess: I think maybe we need to take a step back, but I don't want to take a step away from you. I want us to work on things together.
Nick: (stopping her with a kiss) Jess you just made my life. I never want to give up on this. I know we can work if we take the pressure off.
Jess: I think we should get away for awhile. We need to go and be away from everyone else. Go somewhere where we can really talk and figure things out… but not feel so pressured.
Nick: I agree like when we went to Mexico that was great.
Jess: Exactly except this time with a bit of a more serious vibe because I'm in this for the long haul and we need to hash things out.
Nick: I couldn't ask for anything more. Where do you want to go?
Jess: (with an awkward smile) A Cruise?
(To Be Continued…(maybe)