Nikki heard a song playing in the distance followed by the weight of the bed shifting. She could vaguely sense the weight of Caitlin's arm across her shoulder blades. Something, probably a cell phone, was digging into her hipbone as she lay face down on Caitlin's mattress. There was a shuffling across the room followed by the sound of a sticky note being torn from it's pad. A slight pressure on her forehead, then nothing. Silence filled the room and Nikki fell back into sleep.

***

Jen walked through the front doors of the Penalty Box. She waved to Coach Halder, who was behind the counter opening the register.

"Morning, Masterson!" he called. Jen smiled. He seemed much happier today. They must have reached the downward slope of his crisis. She pushed through the door of the Employee Locker Room (what most stores would refer to as the employee lounge (it was more of a washroom)) and set her bag on the counter. After a quick glance around she quickly changed into her referee shirt. No one ever came into the Locker Room this early anyway, so what did it matter if she changed in the open? She pulled out the bottle of pills and swallowed two.

'Just in case.' Jen assured herself. Who knew how stressful he day would be? She'd read the label carefully. The front had been torn off so that the product name was missing ('For my mom's records,' Nikki had said.) but the safety warnings and directions had remained intact. 'Okay, Jen. Get out there and show 'em that you're the best darn employee out there.' It was the exact same pep talk she gave herself every morning she had to work. She used it before her snowboarding events too, except she changed 'employee' to 'snowboarder'. Jen prepared herself for the possibility of one of Halder's mood swings and stepped out onto the sales floor. She tossed her bag beneath the check out counter and decided she would make today a good day no matter what.

"Masterson!!"

No matter what.

***

Jude lay in his bed, for the most part unconscious. Jude liked sleeping. A small part of it was laziness, but another part was the fact that he didn't have to worry about anything when he slept. It was safe and relaxing and a way to escape the ridiculousness of the real world. Besides, he hadn't had a nightmare in nine years. Suddenly, Jude's cell phone went off in his ear. He jumped awake and immediately went to cover his eyes from the sunlight coming in through his window. 'Too bright...'Jude pulled the blankets over his head and snuggled towards the center of the mattress. His mind wandered to the night before. Another ring from the phone. He felt kinda anxious about this thing with Jonesy. It felt so foreign. The same way that Caitlin was different from Starr, Jonesy was different from Caitlin. But, he was also pretty excited. Another ring. He wanted to know where it lead to, wherever that was. Jude tried to fall back asleep. Another ring. Jude groaned and answered the phone.

"What, dude?"

"Jude! You were supposed to be here a half hour ago! Where are you, man?!" Wayne's voice yelled through the phone.

"One sec..." Jude rolled over and checked the clock by his bed. 9:30. Work started at 9. Yeah, that was about thirty minutes. "You're right. It's about thirty minutes." Jude hoped Wayne would be impressed with his early-morning math skills. At least, Jude considered it early morning.

Wayne groaned in frustration. "Look, get here by ten and you can keep your job." Wayne hung up without another word. Jude tried to figure out how long he could stay in bed so that he'd get there at exactly ten. Five minutes to get dressed, ten to get to the mall, breakfast could wait, another five to get to Underground video... Jude sighed. He might as well get up now. Maybe he could hang out with Caitlin for a while if he got there early. He rolled out of the bed and hit the floor with a thud. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. His ceiling stared back at him. It was still covered with glow-in-the-dark stars from when he was little. When they were young, Jonesy and Wyatt would stay over and the three of them would spend hours staring up at the ceiling and talking about everything from girls to hockey to the day they would get their drivers licenses all the way back to girls. As they got older, there was more talk about girls and less talk about hockey. He stretched and felt his back pop back into place. Jude popped his back so much, that these days it just did it on it's own. He was actually beginning to get concerned.

Jude hopped up and glanced at the thermometer suction cupped to his window. Fifty-eight degrees. It was a fairly nippy day. He grabbed a pair of long dark jeans off of his floor and pulled them on. Add a belt. He snagged up a green long-sleeved shirt and slipped into it as well. His hat was waiting for him on the doorknob. Jude left his room and slid down the banister while he sent Wayne a quick text that he was indeed on his way. "I'm going to work, mom."

Mrs. Lizowski threw an apple at his head just as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "Don't leave without breakfast." Jude caught it as he jumped off the railing. "And try not to slide down the stairs that way, no matter how tempting it is."

"I'll try, but I won't promise anything." Jude took a bite out of his apple.

Jude's mother smiled. "I wouldn't ask anymore from you." Her beeper went off and she sighed as she checked it. "Well, I'm off to the hospital." Jude's mom worked in the psychiatric ward at the local hospital. Sometimes, she'd get a call from the office when a patient took a turn for the worse. Today, Jude figured it was either the girl who liked to eat her own hair or the man who thought he'd been abducted by Elvis. Some people would find that sort of thing funny, but after hearing about all the horrible things that could cause that kind of issue, Jude only found it sad. He watched his mom pull on her coat. She turned to face him. "Didn't you say you were going to work?"

Jude sighed. He may as well.

***

Nikki could hear people talking downstairs. She sat up in Caitlin's bed, the comforter falling away from her shoulders, taking one of the straps of her black tank top with it. The top of her vision was cut off by a large, lime green block. She reached up to examine the obstruction and discovered that it was a sticky note. With instructions written on it. On her face. From Jen. 'Nikki and Caitlin-' it read 'I set the alarm for twelve in case you don't wake up by then. Caitlin has work at one. Nikki, don't forget that-' it continued on the back 'you need to pick up your paycheck. It's Saturday. -Jen' Classic Jen. Worrying about everybody else so that they didn't have to worry themselves. Nikki carefully folded the note in half, sure to line up the corners evenly, and tossed it on Caitlin's bedside table. She cautiously stepped off the bed and padded in her bare feet across the shag carpet. The smell of pancakes drifted through the hallway. Nikki stepped into the kitchen. Caitlin stood over the stove, a radio on the table discussing the pros and cons of diet soda. Well, that explained the voices Nikki had heard earlier. She turned her attention to Caitlin.

"You can cook?" Nikki asked. It was a little scary to think of Caitlin using the stove. Actually, it was a little scary to think of Caitlin handling anything more dangerous than a butter knife. Nikki took a seat behind a long counter in the center of the Cooke kitchen.

"This is about the extent of it. I'm mostly a microwave girl." Caitlin slid a plate of steaming pancakes down the counter. They, amazingly, came to a stop directly in front of Nikki. Caitlin, apparently, had a good judgment of these things.

"So, I wasn't far off." Nikki remarked.

"Not too far." Caitlin sat down beside Nikki with her own stack of pancakes. "Did you see Jen's note?" She shoveled in a mouthful of her breakfast.

"How could a miss it?" Nikki asked. "It was attached to my face."

Caitlin giggled. "That's true." Her cell phone buzzed with a text message. She flipped it open. 'I almost got fired today... again. I may be scarce at the lemon today (I'm trying to get back into Wayne's good graces), so have a good one! -Jude' Caitlin smiled. He was really a great guy. No one else had ever texted her just to tell her to have a good day.

"Come on, Princess." Nikki had taken both her and Caitlin's empty plates over to the sink. "Let's get a move on." She tossed the blonde her car keys. "I'll be dressed and ready to go in five minutes."

Caitlin glanced at the digital clock on the oven. "Make it three and you've got a deal." Nikki gave her a thumbs up and dashed up the stairs, leaving Caitlin to twiddle her thumbs. The radio DJ was talking about lingerie now.'I think it's really sexy if...' Caitlin pulled the plug out of the wall. "I'll pass." She sent Jude a reply. It was a little disappointing that she wouldn't see Jude today. But, at least, maybe this way she could actually concentrate on customers for once. When he was around she was always distracted. Caitlin was really falling for him. She'd never been so serious about someone before, probably because she and Jude had been friends for a long time before they had even considered dating. Either way, she--

"Race you to the car!" Nikki had dashed down the stairs and into the kitchen. She didn't pause, but rather bolted toward the front door.

"No fair! You had a head start!" Caitlin rushed after her, she thoughts about Jude evaporating into the thin air around her. She chased her best friend out the door, pausing to lock up behind herself. As she hoped into the front seat, complaining that Nikki I hadn't had a fair win, her butterfly necklace felt cold on her collar bones, like a silent hug from a far off person.

***

"Here." Wayne thrust a rather large bag into Jude's arms. It was filled to the brim with different movies and documentaries. They were separated into stacks by huge rubber bands, which also held a square of paper to them. Jude could make out some names such as 'Khaki Barn' on the slips of paper. "These are all the used videos that businesses from around the mall have staked claims to. Take this to the information desk on the third level, they'll know what to do with it."

"Uh, okay, bro. But, what do these places even want with these? I mean, what's the Penalty Box going to do with March of the Penguins?" Jude raised an eyebrow.

"Ugh, who cares, dude? It's probably because of the upcoming cinema week. Just deliver them. You're on thin ice as it is." Wayne put his hands on his hips. Sometimes, Jude's curious nature really got to him.

"Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going." Jude repositioned his grip on the bag and staggered out of the store. DVDs are heavier than they look. Jude made his way to the elevator--no way was he going to lug them all the way up the stairs. He tried to reach out to press the up button but felt the bag slip a little bit. He sighed and attempted to press the button again, this time with his elbow. A hand appeared out of no where and did it for him.

"Don't hurt yourself." Jonesy advised him.

Jude smiled. "Hey, bro." He nodded his head to the bag. "Look at all the junk Wayne wants me to haul around."

"That sucks. Want some company?" Jonesy offered.

"Most definitely, dude." Jude replied as the elevator arrived. The doors slid open and the two boys slipped in. Jude let the bag rest at his feet. It was getting tiring to just hold it all the time. The two leaned against the wall of the elevator, not saying anything. Real friendship was enjoying each others company without having to say anything. Jonesy wordlessly took Jude's hand. Jude looked at him with concern and glanced at the two glass sides of the elevator. As if reading his best friend's mind, Jonesy pulled their entwined hands behind his back to hide them and winked at Jude as if to say 'See? This way no one will know. Don't freak out.' He knew Jude was worried about Caitlin finding out. Jude smiled and looked at the ground, his hair falling into his face to hide both his eyes and his blush. He sighed and let his head fall on Jonesy's shoulder. "I'm so exhausted, dude. I couldn't sleep last night. I must've gone to bed when the sun came up."

"Couldn't stop thinking about the Jonesmeister, could you? Now you know how the ladies feel." Jonesy wiggled his eyebrows.

"That's not it at all." That was it completely. He'd been so high on emotion (fear, excitement, curiosity, joy, worry, etc.) that he hadn't been able to make himself sleep. Would Caitlin be mad? He probably wouldn't tell her. What if someone else found out, like Wyatt or Jen or Nikki? What was this whole thing anyway? Why did it happen so suddenly? How was he going juggle a boyfriend, a girlfriend, school and work without letting Caitlin know about Jonesy? These are the things that cause sleep deprivation, not caffeine. The elevator dinged as it reached the top floor. Jude heaved a sigh he didn't want to bother with the stupid delivery anymore. Or let go of Jonesy's hand.

"You want help with that?" Jonesy nudged the offending bag with his foot.

"Nah, I've got it." Jude scooped it up and made his way out of the small elevator. "Come on."

"What's this for anyway?" Jonesy eyed the bag and it's contents.

"It's for cinema week." Jude quoted Wayne.

"Um, what's cinema week?"

"It's this thing where some of the stores in the mall each show a movie in their store after closing to give the place a good rep and attract customers. They like to get indie films from Underground. It goes on for about a week. Every place does a different movie each night than the other places." Jude replied on autopilot. Customers asked him this question a lot, usually while waving a flier for the event in his face.

"Sounds pretty cool." Jonesy mused.

"It sucks to work at Underground during it. I have to do this kind of crap a lot." Jude hoisted the bag of films onto the information desk counter. A cute red head sat behind the desk.

"Well, well, what's a cutie like you doing in this side of the mall?" she asked running a hand through her hair.

"Just dropping this stuff off. Wayne from Underground said you'd know what to do with it." Jude replied, completely oblivious to the fact that she as hitting on him.

"Oh, well, I'll be sure it gets were it needs to go. Don't be a stranger." she winked in a last effort to capture his attention.

"With my luck, I'll have eight more of them for you." Jude waved over his shoulder to her as he left. When they were out of her earshot, Jonesy grabbed his arm.

"Dude, she was totally hitting on you. Why didn't you flirt back?" Jonesy looked seriously concerned.

"She was?" Jude thought about it for a second. "Oh yeah! Hey, I guess she was. Oh well, no big deal." Jude said. "I've got enough to worry about with you and Cait. I don't need, or want, anyone else."

Jonesy slowed his pace a bit. Jude didn't want anyone but him (and Caitlin)? That was actually a really sweet sentiment. As they passed a photo booth, Jonesy pulled Jude in.

"Dude! What are you-" he was cut off by Jonesy's lips. Jonesy cupped his cheek and Jude could feel Jonesy's smile against his lips. He pulled back. Jonesy hand his hands in Jude's shirt. He was a smooth operator, Jude would give him that much. Jude chuckled when Jonesy brushed his ribs. They were his most ticklish spot. Jonesy was kissing his neck now. Their legs, which had entangled themselves inside the booth, were, combined, almost too long to fit into the booth. Jude wondered what someone would say if they walked in on them right now. He grinned at the thought. It would be pretty hilarious. He planted a kiss on Jonesy's cheek. "Easy, dude. I don't want a hickey or anything."

"Ugh, hickeys are gross." Jonesy agreed. "That not what I'm going for." Jude wrapped his arms around him. Jonesy smelled good. Really good. Jude wasn't really into wearing cologne himself, but he loved the way perfume smelled on girls. Caitlin's smelled like fresh flowers. Jonesy smelled like musk and some airy, fabricy smell Jude couldn't quite put his finger on. He kissed him again. It was kind of nice to be able to be so close with someone who knew him the way Jonesy did. Jonesy was the only person other than Wyatt who knew him inside and out and didn't care about all the bad things that had happened or what he'd done. And vise versa. Jude's phone rang.

"No way, dude!" He slammed his fist against the wall of the booth. Why did they have to call now, when they were just getting into it? This sort of thing always happened to him. Jude answered it. "Hello?... Yeah, why?... No, the chick wouldn't let me leave, she had all kinds of questions... thanks, man... back in fifteen." He snapped it shut and turned to Jonesy. "That was Wayne. He wanted to know why I wasn't back yet."

"He's really on your case today, huh?" Jonesy was kinda ticked that they'd been interrupted. It had been so perfect.

"Eh, I don't really blame him. I was an hour late today." Jude didn't want to blame Wayne for his mistakes. It just felt... slimy.

"True enough..." There was some silence. "I guess you need to get back, don't you?"

"Well, I have a little bit of time. I mean, Wayne gave me a quick break." He felt a bit guilty about lying to Wayne about the Information girl holding him up, but what was he supposed to say? 'Sorry, Wayne, I'm kinda busy making out with my best guy friend so it's taking me a little while to get back to work.'Not likely. Jude took Jonesy's hand and placed their palms together. They were almost the same size. Jonesy's fingers were barely longer than his own.

"I win." Jonesy said. He moved close to Jude's face like he was going to kiss him. Jude smirked and closed his eyes. When he didn't feel anything after a few moments he opened his eyes. Jonesy was standing outside the booth grinning at him.

"What's up with that?" Jude asked.

"What? I'm the winner. Why should you get a prize?" He flashed a smile to show that he was only messing around, turned and started towards the elevator. Jude sat in disbelief. "Are you coming or what? I may not be a pro at keeping my own job, but I should at least help you keep yours."

Jude followed. "That was cold."

Jonesy sighed heavily. "It's only temporary, right?" He had a sad look flash across his face. "We don't need to get too involved. It's just to get everything figured out." When Jonesy turned to face Jude, his sad look was gone and he only had a smile ready for his friend. "Elevators here."

"Yeah..." Jude and Jonesy leaned on either side of the elevator this time, watching each other intently, like one would disappear if the other blinked. Jonesy winked. Jude was still there. Jude winked. Jonesy was still there. The doors reopened on the ground floor.

"There you are." Nikki waved to the two as they stepped out onto the tile floor of the mall. "I was looking for you. Let's catch a movie before my shift." She linked her arm into Jonesy's and turned to Jude. "Caitlin said you almost got fired again. Don't let yourself turn into this loser." She playfully punched Jonesy arm. Jude nodded as he tried to contain a sneeze. He lost it and let out a powerful sneeze that caused him to double over. When he looked up, Nikki was gone, Jonesy gone with her. Jude came to the realization that he had blinked.

***

Sorry this took so long to update. The semester is in full swing and school plus my social life is not being kind to me time-wise. I've only been able to write a little every day. I'll try to speed up the next update if I can. Thank you for all the reviews! They make me really happy. I'm going to try to focus on Jen a bit more in the next chapter. I fell like I've neglected her a bit in this whole thing. But I have a plot for her, so no worries.