New story time. Yayayayay.

So this is a collab with the beautiful Francheska (francheskaal on twatter) and basically we have everything figured out and currently writing chapter 5, so expect to be blown away. We're both pretty proud of this story, maybe not this chapter, but after this I swear the drama begins instantly. Dun dun dun.

Basically it's set during summer, summer has just begun. Obviously, the last names aren't Jonas, we don't really know yet. And this is my first story not based on Niley, so it's kinda strange for me, but I hope y'all like it. Reviews would be awesome, as would be alerting it, favouriting it and reading it.

Enjoy. :)

Lauren's POV.

It was weird how different people's lives are. Here I was, living such a perfect lifestyle. I lived in a big house and I was spoilt rotten. I didn't realise and I guess I was too naive to understand that beyond this gated community was a world of horror and poverty. It had never occurred to me that life wasn't this easy for everyone. Not until my parents decided to adopt. This girl was broken and alone and I found it hard to bond with her because we were from two different worlds. It took her a while to settle and when she did we began to see the real her and that girl was pretty amazing and strong. After a couple of hard months, we instantly became best friends. Of course, she never spoke about her previous life, all we knew was that her parents had passed away and she had spent 6 hard months living on the streets until she finally found help. We were all she had in this world now.

Tonight was movie night. It always had been and it always will be. Ever since we were little me, my best friend Nick and his older brother Joe sat on a Saturday night watching movies. Up until now Francheska, the girl we adopted, always locked herself in her room during this time, but tonight she asked if she could join us. She hadn't met Nick or Joe yet, but I knew she was going to love them like I did, why wouldn't she? And I knew that they'd accept her and treat her like they treated me, like a sister.

I'll admit it, I have a little crush on Joe, but who wouldn't? He is extremely hot and is so incredibly funny. However, he would never go for someone like me, I'm like a little sister to him. Relationships just aren't his thing either. He usualy hooks up with gorgeous girls and then never hears from them again. Our families used to tease me and Nick when we were younger because we were so close, saying that we were going to get married and have kids and everytime I'd laugh it off, through my arms around Nick and kiss his cheek, yet deep down I wished they would say it about me and Joe. I would even try falling out with Nick, so that I could become closer with Joe, but every time the plan would fail because I missed Nick too much.

While we waited on the boys to arrive, Francheska and I filled the play room with pillows, blankets and junk food. There was a dress code for movie nights, which was sweats or pyjamas. I sat on my regular space on the couch, right in the middle, which always meant Joe and Nick sat on either side of me. Francheska sat on a single seat, meaning that she wouldn't have to be squashed on a seat with two strangers. Eventually the boys arrived, politely introducing themselves to Francheska and took their usual seats and the movies began. Tonight it was girls choice and of course, we choose romantic films. Of course, as usual I spent my whole night trying to find excuses to get Joe's attention and eventually sitting cross legged just so my knee could rest upon his.

We had finished both films and Joe stood up, switching the lights on and removing the last DVD and putting it back on the shelf. I glanced over at Francheska, giving her a smile which she happily returned. Joe stood in front of us all, with his hands on his hips. Then he turned to Francheska, walking over to her and sitting on the arm of her seat, he wrapped his arm around her. He leant over, whispering in her ear, "So want to find a place a little less crowded?"

"Excuse me?" Francheska said, looking at him in disgust. "No thanks."

"Oh, are you sure? I mean you look like you could use a friend right now."

My fists began to clench in tight balls and I stood up and stormed out the room. If they wanted privacy, then fine, I'd give them that. I ran angrily straight to my room, slamming my door loudly behind me. He flirted with every girl but me. What was so terrible about me? What did he want? Because whatever that was, I would become that girl. I would be anything for him. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. The door to my bedroom opened and Nick came over, lying down beside me. I rolled over, propping myself up on my elbow.

"Why doesn't he want me?" I asked in a low, quiet voice.

"I don't know. He's crazy not to like you. But Lauren, why do you even want someone like Joe? You know what he's like."

"I know, but .. I just don't know. It sucks."

Nick sighed loudly and sat up, "Yeah, I know how it feels." He turned to face me, giving me a small smile.

"Awe Nicky," I giggled, pulling him down so he lay on top of me. "Tell me all about her." I teased, tickling him slightly.

He pulled himself out of my grip, rolling his eyes and resting his head on my stomach. I began playing with his curls, it was the usual thing we did when we were going to have a deep conversation.

"She's .. I don't know, special, I guess."

"Is my Nick in love?"

His hands covered his flawless face in embarrassment, "maybe," he mumbled.

I looked down at him smiling proudly. Nick wasn't the kind of guy who was always out making new friends, he wasn't the relationship type. In fact, I was actually surprised at how close we were because he was the kind of person who would rather sit alone with a guitar or piano. Perhaps it's because we grew up together, I had always been in his life. The smile that was growing on his face and the happiness that danced within his chocolate brown eyes just showed me how real the emotions were he felt towards this girl. She was very one very lucky girl to have someone as pure and honest like Nick to fall for her.

Francheska POV

I sat awkwardly in the playroom, watching Nick run after Lauren after she had stormed out. I wanted to leave too, but I didn't want to seem rude by leaving Joe alone. I had never been good with meeting new people. I was one of the most awkward person ever. I couldn't start conversations and I had difficulty keeping them going. When I first moved in here, I found it hard to talk to Lauren, but everything seemed to change one day and she began to make an effort. At first I was surprised. She had always came across as spoilt and I felt like she just looked down on me. But then we began to become friends and she was so sweet and so down to earth. She was the only person I really felt comfortable with. Sitting here with Joe next to me was not an ideal situation for me. Feeling my un-easyness he moved back over to the sofa, smiling at me.

"Francheska," Joe said in a soft voice, smiling to himself.

"Yeah?" I turned to face him. And he just stared at me.

"Nothing. It's pretty."

I smiled to myself, feeling my cheeks turn a slight crimson colour. I never did know how to take compliments. "Thanks."

"Yeah." He replied, looking down at his feet. An awkward silence lingered in the air for a while before he broke it again. "So, do you want to go and grab a bite to eat?"

I looked up at him, doubling checking he was talking to me and it seemed he was, considering he was sat there, staring me, waiting patiently for my answer. I don't know why I responded how I did. Maybe I was jealous of Lauren's relationship with Nick and maybe for once I wanted a best friend like that? Maybe I just didn't want to turn him down? I don't know, but I do know that it wasn't long before we were sitting a small, quiet booth in a cafe downtown.

Joe came back to the table with two drinks and set them down on the table. He gave me a small, friendly smile and told me that he had ordered some fries. I just nodded and stared out the window. I missed home. I missed my family. I missed my old life. I must admit, I did love it here .. But there's just nowhere like home. This was a completely different environment. Everything about it was different. The way they talked to each other, their routines, their views. Back home family came first, but here it seemed like work came first. Rarely did Lauren see her parents and when she did, they were always discussing work. However it didn't seem to bother her, she had grown up not knowing differently. I suppose for her this was reality. She seemed to get all the attention she required from Nick. I smiled to myself. I had only met Nick once and already I knew he liked Lauren more than a friend. It seemed obvious to everyone, but her. The way he ran after her when she stormed out, the way he kept sneaking glances at her during the movie and hugged her when he arrived. His eyes followed her everywhere and he watched her with such awe. He was completely mesmerized by her and it was so heartbreaking that to her, he was only her best friend and nothing else.

"So, tell me all about the life of Francheska." Joe said, resting his elbows on the table and staring at me.

"Not much to say, I used to live in Arizona and now, I'm here staying with Lauren and her family." Actually, there was a lot to say, I had a pretty hectic life, but it was too personal to tell.

"Oh, ok." He just nodded, obviously realising that I didn't want to talk about that aspect of my life. "So, are you enjoying it here?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess. I mean they're such nice people, I just miss home."

"Yeah, don't blame you really."

I smiled politely as an awkward silence hung around us. Right on cue, the fries were delivered and Joe gave her a friendly smile whilst thanking her.

"So," Joe began whilst stuffing a handfull of fries in his mouth. "20 questions, I'll begin. Do you have a boyfriend?"

I looked at him in confused, did he seriously just ask that? "No."

He leaned forward a little, raising his eyebrows and putting on a low voice. "Do you want a boyfriend?"

"No," I said in disgust.

"Ok, next question. Um, favourite colour?"

"Pink."

"Favourite movie?"

"Steel Magnolias."

Joe laughed, rolling his eyes. "Ugh, cliche."

"What?" I argued. "It's a classic."

"Total girl movie," he joked, putting emphasise on the word 'girl'.

"Whatever, next question."

"Best feature about me?"

"What?" I cried. "What kind of lame question is that?"

"It's the best kind of question, now answer it."

"No." I folded my arms tightly across my chest and sat back.

"No? Did you just say no?"

"Yeah, you have no good features." I stuck out my tounge playfully. It was strange how easy he made it and how comfortable he made me feel, even if he was a bit vain and conceited at times.

"Ok, ok. Um, do you think Joe is the hottest boys name ever?"

I shook my head, pouting my lips. "You suck at this game. Is that all you're going to ask me, is questions about yourself?"

"Well ... Yeah."

We pulled back up to the giant house and he walked me right up to the door. It suddenly felt like we were on a date, but I pushed those ideas to the back of my head. I did not like him like that. He was too in love with himself. I said goodnight and walked awkwardly into the house. Surprisingly I had a really good time, even if he did come across as a jerk.

Lauren was sitting on my bed, wearing plaid pyjama shorts with a white vest. She gave me a soft smile as I took a seat beside her.

"Are you okay?" I asked, noticing the hurt in her eyes. I guess going through all the hurt and pain had a bonus, you could always tell when someone was faking a smile.

"Yeah. Did you have a good night?"

"I did. He was pretty cool, even if he is a giant jerk and player."

"He's awesome," she said in a quiet voice and I looked at her, wondering if she meant to say that out loud.

"Do you like him?"

She looked at, laughing fakely. "Joe? NO. He's like a brother to me." She continued giggling and I laughed awkwardly along with her. "Goodnight," she said pulling me in for a friendly hug and skipping down to her room.

I fell backwards on my bed, knowing that one big messy situation was soon to arrive between the four of us. I shut my eyes, groaning as I thought of it. This was going to be one interesting summer.

... Yay. Chapter 1 complete. Chapter 2 is patiently awaiting and should be up next weekend, or this weekend. It depends on how generous I feel and if people are interested in it. So let me know what you think. I swear it will be very, very, very dramatic.