Our eyes met; her crystal blue sphere's seeped deep into mine; an element of longing, pleading for someone to discover.

"So Jade," My Dad started tentatively. "How's Frankie been?" I hoped he's been alright, I wanted the chance to get to know Jade better.

"He's been great; a real gentleman."

"Oh?" Dad recoiled in surprise.

"He offered me drinks, tried to help me with my homework and let me win at hide at seek." Jade smiled. Joe's and Kevin's eyes were wide.

"Wow. Really?" Mom asked. "How much did he pay you to say that?" She asked. Jade chuckled.

"Nothing. He was sweet." Jade smiled white the rest of us were amazed.

"He's got a crush on you." I stated.

"What?" Jade asked.

"He's got a crush on you. Why wouldn't he, you're a pretty girl, he'll want you to come back and therefore he'll be nice and all over you." I explained, a little louder.

"You think I'm pretty?" Jade asked.

"Err..." I sighed.

"And what's wrong with him having a crush on me? I think it's quite sweet." Jade was owning me.

"Nothing, it's just he's 9 and it's just," I tried to think of an excuse but nothing came to my failing brain.

"Anyway, I better head home; school tomorrow." Jade sighed, shrugging, only one step closer to the door.

"No!" I exclaimed. Nick, why did you do that? My brain asked. Probably should have consulted the little gray cells before talking...

"Umm, why?" Jade asked.

"Well it's pretty late and didn't you walk here?" Brain kicking in a little...

"Yes and I'll walk you. I'm not 7," Jade told me.

"Nick's got a point. It's dangerous; walking at night." Mom backed me up. "Would you like to stay here tonight?"

"If that's ok with you?"

"Of course it is! Kevin could you sort out the spare room?"

"Sure thing Mom."

"Jade, how about you go with Nick and he'll find you something to wear." Mom gently pushed jade towards me. We went upstairs in silence. I rummaged through my drawers; what would she want to wear? Brain died again; just ask her you idiot!

I found an old shirt and shorts and threw them across the room at her; she'd waited by the door.

She help the T-shirt against herself for size. She looked at the design. It was a Jonas T-Shirt Dad had given me when he'd forgotten my birthday.

Again.

Even Kevin remembered.

"Shallow much?" jade asked.

"No, Dad forgot my,"

"Nick," She interrupted. "I was kidding."

"You know my name!" I exclaimed. Damn, my brain had abandoned me again.

"Yes, most girls on the planet do..." She trailed off. "I'll go get changed." When Hade left I mentally kicked myself.

OW! No, I actually kicked myself.

"Oh, Nicky's falling hard and fast again!" Joe teased me.

"Not so hard and not so fast. I don't know what I'm doing! I've lost it!" I exclaimed.

"That's a crazy little thing called love bro!" Kevin smiled.

"I'm in love?" No I'm not! I can't be, I've got... err... ok, I'm miserably single, but still! I'm 18! I've not even thought about that kinda mushy love stuff yet, except for songs.

"Maybe, get to know her a bit! Take it slow dude." Joe tried to help.

"She's Frankie's babysitter! Frankie behaved! He's got to have a crush on her..." I trailed off.

"There's a difference between crushes and love." Kevin told me.

"How would you know?" Joe and I asked.

"When I met Danielle,"

"3 days ago!" I emphasised.

"And she's not dumped him yet, it's a record." Joe teased.

"I know!" Kevin exclaimed, oblivious to the insult.

I heard the toilet flush and the door clicked open. My eyes met my brothers and we all darted for the door.

I crashed into Jade; my brothers had abandoned me.

"Jade," I breathed.

"Nick, fancy seeing you here." She said sarcastically. I don't think she likes me. She waited for me to say something.

"Hey Jade," Hoe pounced on me, smiling at our guest, casually slinging his arm over my shoulders.

"Hey Joe," She smiled.

"Hey Jade, how'd you get Frankie to behave?" Kevin asked.

"rr, well, I guess, I err, dunno." She sighed. I laughed. "Where's the spare room?" She asked.

"In Nick's bed." Joe whispered. I glared at him.

"Down the hall on your right." Kevin answered helpfully. Jade smiled at him and walked away. My shorts came down to her knee's and the T-Shirt was way to baggy buy she didn't moan or she didn't care. Either way, she still looked great.

I wondered back to the room I shared with Kevin and Joe and flopped onto my bed with a loud thumb. Joe and Kevin stood at the foot of my bed; they look really tall from a foot under the floor.

"That's gotta hurt." Kevin sighed. I shrugged.

"So have you always failed with girls or just that one?" Joe asked.

"Oh no, it's all of them." Kevin answered for me.

"Thanks Kev, you're reassurance is touching." I added sarcastically.

"Dude, I'm giving you a love lesson." Joe stated.

"Now? I'm shattered from the show." I moaned."

"Sames. But that show was awesome! We really rocked!" Kevin smiled. I joined him. I got out of bed and put some PJ's on and flopped back on to the bed, lying on my back, letting my head clear.

I heard Joe's light snoring and Kevin's heavy snoring. I soon turned on my right side and drifted off, dreading Joe's love lesson.

Next morning I woke up before Kevin and Joe. I raced downstairs in the hope that I'd reach Jade before they did but my 'racing' was pretty unsuccessful and very noisy. I got downstairs to find Dad eating breakfast, alone.

"Good morning, Nick," He greeted happily.

"Hi Dad. Where's Jade?" I asked.

"She left early this morning so she would be ready for school." Dad said, his eyes not tearing away from the paper.