ooo, kay. not many of you are reviewing, and that's making me sad... but i might as well update for those of you that ARE into this story. :

izzi

chapter seven:

Nick slugged through the door, walking to the den. He collapsed onto the black couch but did not cry; he was tired of crying. Instead he lay there, thinking of what had just happened. He felt like someone had ripped out his heart. Nick could've done a number of things to himself in pure anger over how stupid he had been, but his better self got to him first.

"Nick?" Kevin asked, leaning in the doorway.

Nick groaned. Confused, Kevin walked in and sat down next to Nick. Kevin was already dressed in his pajamas, and he looked very tired. But nonetheless, he wanted to see what was wrong with his brother.

"What's the matter?" Kevin asked.

Nick didn't respond.

"Date a dud?" Kevin asked jokingly. Nick groaned and Kevin suddenly got serious, asking, "Wait, where'd you go tonight, out with Gwen?"

"No," Nick responded quietly. "Out with Mari."

"I warned you earlier you shouldn't spend so much time with that girl. What happened?"

"Well, we were playing truth or dare and she dared me to kiss her. I didn't have any chickens left so I did, but no one else was around. At least… we thought no one else was there," Nick explained.

"What happened?" Kevin repeated.

"Gwen and Lily were watching from the bushes. I don't know how or when they got there, but Gwen saw me kiss Marielle. Now she won't talk to me and she's leaving tomorrow," Nick said, sitting up while he spoke.

"Hmmm," Kevin said, leaning back into the couch. He continued, "I don't know what you should do, bro. I'm sorry, I know I usually have great advice and all, but this is kind of un-fixable."

"Ugh," Nick sighed, falling back down.

"Well I'll pray for you if that'll help," Kevin offered.

"Thanks, Kevin, that really means a lot," Nick said sarcastically. Kevin laughed and said goodnight to his brother, heading upstairs to his and Joe's room.

When he entered, Joe was text messaging rapidly on his phone. Kevin went over and laid down in the bed across from Joe, waiting for Joe to finish. Finally he looked up and asked, "What took you so long?"

"Nick's home," Kevin said.

"What?" Joe asked, "Well how was his date?"

Kevin commenced in telling Joe all about Nick's date, and when he was done explaining, Joe's expression was one of pure shock. He responded, "Wow."

"I know," Kevin agreed. "He wants to try to fix it before he leaves, and I didn't have the heart to tell him that it's almost impossible."

Joe nodded. "Well I can't think of any way to help him," Joe admitted.

"I said I'd pray for him," Kevin said.

Joe laughed. "Yeah, I bet he loved that."

"Goodnight Joe."

"Goodnight Kevin."

The two shut off their table-side lamps and turned so their backs were to each other. Both fell asleep thinking of two things: the love of their lives and their poor brother's situation.

XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD

A small group of people stood on Lily's yard, all surrounding Gwen. Nick sat on Lily's front porch, strumming aimlessly at the guitar he had acquired.

His brothers, their parents, and a collection of Gwen's friends(including Lily and Alexa) were all saying goodbye to Gwen. Nick yearned to be up there with them, to know Gwen would remember him.

But he had screwed up, big time, and now he was paying for it. His heart ached for Gwen's trust, but he knew he might never get it again.

Lily glanced back at Nick, making eye contact. Her cheeks glistened; she was crying. Nick smiled sheepishly and Lily motioned him down. Nick put down his guitar and started toward the group, hoping he wasn't going to regret his actions.

When he reached everyone he heard Gwen say, "And I promise to email you guys almost everyday."

All of the girls in the group were crying, and on second glance most of the guys were too. Gwen gave everyone but him a hug, then turned and started to walk down to the car.

Nick put his hand in his pocket, running his fingers over the smooth beads. All of a sudden he called out, breaking from the group and running up to Gwen.

"Gwen… wait!" he shouted.

She turned and stared at him, defiance in her eyes.

"I know I messed up," Nick said, taking Gwen's hand. He turned it palm up and gave her the bracelet.

He pushed her hand closed, saying, "And you know I'm sorry."

Gwen's eyes were on her hand, but they soon shifted to nick. When they locked eyes, Nick saw tears forming in Gwen's.

Gwen shook her head, shoving the bracelet into her purse. She turned and started to walk away, but Nick chased after he, grabbing onto her arm. She turned around and blew up in his face.

"Do not touch me, Nicholas Jerry Jonas!" she screamed, shaking off his arm, "I cannot believe you had the nerve to show up today, much less to speak to me!"

"Gwendolyn Rose, you are blowing this way out of proportion!" Nick countered.

Gwen's voice suddenly dropped to a quiet, angry whisper. A few of her tears now rolled down her cheeks.

Looking Nick straight in his eyes, Gwen said, "if it wasn't obvious last night, it's official now. We. Are. Over. I'm done with you, Nick."

With that she turned, racing to the car. She yanked open the door and slid in, leaving without a second glance.

Nick sank to the ground, his whole body shaking as he cried. Meanwhile, the people behind him were discussing what had just happened.

"What did we miss?" asked Mrs. Jonas.

Joe shook his head and Kevin responded, "You don't want to know."

Lily looked at Joe, signed, and walked up to Nick. She sat next to him, wrapping her arm around his strong, shaking shoulders.

As time passed most of Gwen's friends left. Mr. and Mrs. Jonas returned home with Frankie. Kevin and Alexa eventually left too. Joe went with them, but text messaged Lily before he had gone.

r u staying with Nick?

XD Joe

Lily text messaged him back quickly.

yeah, we are outside my house, lol

3 yah

Lil

Once everyone had left, Lily and Nick still hadn't moved. She still had her arm draped around his shoulders, so she could tell he wasn't shaking anymore.

"Why did I have to mess up so bad?" asked Nick quietly.

"I don't know. There's not much you can do now, and I don't know what came over you last night," Lily said.

"But I want her back. I want her back so bad." With this Nick looked up, turning his head so he could see Lily.

"I really don't know what you can do," Lily admitted.

"That's okay," Nick said, putting his head back down on his knees.

Lily tilted her head so it rested on Nick's shoulder. He was shaking again, but Lily didn't think he was crying.

"Come on, let's go inside before we fry in this sun," Lily said, patting Nick's leg and standing up.

"I want to stay," Nick responded.

"No," Lily demanded, "This is my house. My rules."

Nick looked up at Lily to see her smiling. He stood up slowly and followed her into her house. It was surprisingly empty; it was rare everyone else in her family was gone.

"I'm gonna get a water, want one?" Lily asked.

Nick said yes and made his way into her living room. Lily soon returned with two waters and took a seat next to Nick.

"Lily?"

"Hmm?"

"thanks," Nick said, "for everything."

"anything for my little Nickers," Lily teased, ruffling his curls.

Nick stood up and said, "I'm gonna head home."

Lily stood up as well.

"Alright, and you know I'm here when you need me," Lily replied.

Nick stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Lily briefly. When he let go he placed a light kiss on Lily's cheek.

"As a thank you," he explained.

Lily said, "And no fireworks-"

"So no worries," Nick finished.

Lily smiled and watched Nick leave. She pulled out her phone and text messaged Joe.

Nick's coming back now

3 Lil

Soon Joe replied:

You're such a good person

XD Joe

awww, thanks.

3 Lil

No prob.

XD Joe

Lily's smile grew and she put her phone back in her pocket, returning to her day.

XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD

Kevin and Alexa sat next to each other in the movie theater, hardly paying attention to the actual video. Kevin was racking his brain for things he could say or do to give Alexa the hint the liked her, and Alexa was thinking the exact same thing. How could she get Kevin to know she liked him?

During one part of the movie, Kevin did the classic. He yawned, stretching and placing his arm around Alexa's shoulders. She giggled, but leaned into him.

"What?" he asked quietly.

"You're such a dork."

"Am not!" Kevin protested.

Alexa looked at Kevin defiantly and he admitted, "Okay, I guess I am."

"That's okay." Alexa whispered. She took a deep breath and added, "It's why I fell in love with you in the first place."

"What?" Kevin asked, staring straight at Alexa in shock.

Alexa sat up so she could look back at Kevin.

"I love you, Kevin. I keep trying to hint it to you, but you're being as dense as ever and won't see it," Alexa explained.

"Alexa…" Kevin was speechless. "I love you too."

"Really?" Alexa whispered.

Kevin nodded.

"Well then I can't wait to get back to doing this," Alexa said, a smile in her voice.

She leaned over to Kevin, planting her lips on his. Right then they kissed like they hadn't kissed in a whole year and wanted to make up for all of them. The people on either side of them just leaned away, obviously annoyed by the classic young couple: coming to the movies only to make out. Obviously Kevin and Alexa didn't mind. They had each other now and everything was alright.

yay!! kevin and alexa are together again! but what will nick do to get gwen back? all in the next few chapters... AND lily and joe start to experience some drama! it's gonna be ten chapters long, so you only have three more to go. just keep reviewing and i'll keep updating!!

izzi