A/N: This is my first attempt at this. Any criticism would be appreciated. Thank you!

Chapter 1: Josh is Blind

Even though Josh had been accepted to NYU months ago, it was finally becoming real during the middle of June, when school was only weeks away. Leaving his dad, Audrey, who had become a real mother to him, Megan and, of course, Drake, would be a difficult adjustment for them all.

But why was Drake being so cold, so distant lately? Drake wasn't jealous about Josh being accepted into almost every school to which he applied. After all, Drake didn't care about college. Drake was only interested in his music.

Josh had finally given up on getting any answers from Drake. So, hesitatingly, he decided to seek the advice of Megan.

"You are so blind, Josh," Megan said, shaking her head in amazement that Josh was so dense.

"What is that supposed to mean," Josh asked.

"Uh … like you don't see things right under your nose," Megan replied.

"Yeah, I get that part …just what I am not seeing right under my nose, Megan?"

Megan rolled her eyes, took a big breath and explained, "Okay, if I have to spell it out … Drake's in L-O-V-E with you and he's trying to prepare himself for the time when you are no longer in his daily life."

"Of course Drake loves me; he doesn't really come out and say it often, but I know he loves me and will miss me when I am gone … but this seems like something more," Josh replied.

"Gee, are you deaf, too, boob … Drake doesn't just love you, he's in love with you," Megan responded, rolling her eyes again.

"That's crazy … no, wait a minute, this is part of some prank of yours … EVIL."

"Yeah … you can tell yourself that if you want … but you want proof," Megan asked.

Josh just nodded his head up and down, not certain what he wanted to hear.

"Okay … there have been hundreds of clues … but I'll just stick to three little dramas for now. First, remember when you were hanging out with that Drew kid?"

"Yeah?"

"And Drake was so jealous that he went out and got an imitation Josh to make you jealous?"

"So, what … it just hurt his feelings," Josh explained. "Okay, ego … that I could get along without him. Drake's always thought he's irreplaceable."

"Second," Megan interrupted. "And what about that little love triangle: you, Drake and Mindy. Besides being rude to her and calling her 'creature,' how many times has Drake tried to sabotage your relationship," Megan stated before smiling. "Of course, I helped with that one time by promoting his wrestling match with Lucy the night you were trying to impress Mindy's parents."

Josh's facial expression said, "I knew you were in on it."

"But you know when it became obvious to anyone with half a brain? It was the day that Drake made that scene in your chemistry lab. I heard everything. He poured his heart out like a girl … in front of all those people and ran out as he began to cry. What 17-year-old guy acts like that … in public no less … unless he's in love?"

All Josh could say was "Uh."

"Let me continue … before you got home that day and made up with Drake, I found him in your bedroom lying on the ping pong table, curled up in a little ball, crushed … just pining … pining for you. I'd never seen him like that before. If anyone else had told Drake they were "done" with him, Drake might have been bummed for a day, but then he would have bounced back like he always does. You know how he is … even though he's popular and in a band, he really has no close friends. His relationships are all … superficial … well, except … his relationship with you."

Josh was speechless … but his face showed it all. He was scared, confused and strangely excited at the prospect of Drake loving him more deeply and in a way that Josh could never have seriously imagined … at least not before today.

Josh had to be alone to sort this out. What, if anything, was he going to say to Drake? What were his feelings toward Drake?

"I know I'm right about Drake," Megan said smugly. "It's you that I'm not sure about because you're sweet and caring and get all huggy and 'I love you' with everyone. But if you feel the same way about Drake as he does about you, then you're the biggest boob ever if you don't go for it."

Josh's face revealed his complete surprise at Megan's last remark. Being a sharp girl, Megan recognized Josh's surprise. "Yes, I am all for it … I'd like not having to share my boobs with any other girl," Megan said with a sly smile. "And more important, I don't think you'd ever find someone who could love you … who does love you more … than Drake."

"Megan, I got to go," Josh said as he abruptly departed Megan's room. I didn't matter where; Josh just had to go.

Josh got into his parent's car and took off with no particular destination in mind.