It was Saturday night and Jess had plans to go on a date with Jeremy. It's been a week since they last seen each other. He was constantly working and left no time to spend with Jess. She felt like that his work was getting in the way of their relationship In which it was. Jeremy would be at the loft in no more that 10 minutes so she was putting her last finishing touches on her. She had light make up on and ruby red lips. Her hair fell over her shoulders with curls at the end. Cece let her borrow a skin tight dress the hugged her body. It was all black which made her feel stunning. The time was almost near and He could be knocking at that door any second. Jess walked In front of the mirror, staring at herself damn I look good. A knock came on her bedroom door snapping her out of her gaze. "Come in!", she called. The door opened and there Winston was holding a cold beer in hand. " Your date has arrived." Jess looked at her self one final time before grabbing her jacket off the bed and leaving the room. " Thanks Winston."

Jeremy was standing by the door with his hands in his pockets analyzing the space. His eyes caught on to her as she entered the front of the room. His eyes almost popped out his skull when he saw her walking towards him. She stopped in front of him, getting a look at him as well. "You like it?" Jess asked twirling around once. Jeremy licked his lips and nodded his head slightly. " it's nice but you could tone it down a bit. I mean we are going to a classy restaurant and don't want them to get any idea about you. Jess you look nice, but you have to change if you wanna go anywhere with me." The last comment he made Winston jerk his head back as he stood there by the hallway. Jess' eyes looked down at the floor. He was embarrassed to be seen with her. She spun around on her heels and began walking back to her room trying to hide tears " Aye man, you don't have to talk to her like that. She's a grown woman and she can dress anyway she wants. Yo ass think you run something but you don't- " Winston barked but was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. " No Winston, he's right this dress is not good enough to be going to a place like that."

" Jess don't you hear the way-".

" it's okay. I'll just go change." She continued to walked until Jeremy called out," and please wipe off the lip stick. I prefer something lighter." She didn't even respond. She walked into her room slamming the door behind her.

Winston stared him down, sipping his beer down til Jess came out again. This time she was wearing dark blue sundress with with her hair in a ponytail and a light gloss over her lips. Her face looked darkened. He took all the joy she once had away. Winston took a look at her attire and grinned. " Jessica you look beautiful in that...and in everything you wear." Jess walked up to him and threw her arms around him. " thank you." She let go and turned to leave. Jeremy kissed her on the cheek and wrapped his arms around her. " let's get something to eat shall we." He made and attempt to lighten her mood but she kept her eyes elsewhere. " Bye Winston." And they were gone.


They arrived at the restaurant that was packed. There was a live band playing in the back of the restaurant. Jess had her arm looped around his. "Woah this place is amazing. How did you get this?" he smiled down at her. " I've got my ways Jess." She smiled up at him as they walked up to a waiting and ready waitress. " Oh hello Mr. Bradshaw, we've been waiting for you. Come follow me to your table." The waitress approached the table and placed the menus down at the same time with both her hands. Jeremy unhooked his arm from her and pulled a seat out for her. She took a seat and slipped off her jacket from her shoulders. Jeremy made his way around the table and took at seat. " May I start you two off with drinks?"

" ah yes, we'll take four waters with a lemon slice and four white wine." Jess looked up from her menu in disbelief. What do you mean four? He smiled to Jess and she gave him fake smile back. What is going on right now?

" and I think we both are ready to order . May we get four plates of you western steak, medium rare please". The waitress took both of their menus. " alright I'll go get your drinks and put your order in". Jeremy looked over at Jess whose eyes were looking down. He reached over and grabbed her hand but she pulled it back.

" Jess are you okay, did I do something wrong"?

" not only did you have a problem with how I dressed but you ordered for me like I couldn't do it myself. I was looking at the pasta section if you wanted to ask." Her voice was getting a bit loud and snappy. " and, and four plates? Who else is coming? I thought tonight would be just us". Jeremy pressed his back against the chair feeling awkward that eyes we're beginning to stare. He leaned forward and placed both of his forearms on the table. " Jess keep your voice down you're embarrassing me."

" I don't care". She snapped back

" you better start to care because my boss is here". He raised from his seat flattening his hands over his outfit sharing a wide smile with his boss and wife. " Nice to see you Mr. And Mrs. Perry on this fine night. Uh this is my girlfriend Jessica Day", he introduced her as she pulled out her hand giving them both a warm shake. " oh please sit, sit. I already order your favorites". Mr. Perry pulled out the chair for his wife then sat down himself. " Oh don't tell me... Water with a slice of lemon, white wine, and the western steak...medium rare?"

" medium rare." The whole table exchanged a laugh except for Jess. She felt so uncomfortable and out of place. Time went . Perry and Jeremy were talking about work and other stuff. They kept going on, and on, and on and he didn't even look at her. " So I hear you're going to the wine tasting on Wednesday"? Asked Mr. Perry to Jeremy. " Yeah and I'm bring Jess along as well". Why didn't she get any notification first. He does stuff without her input. This is why things never work out good is because he never asks her about anything. " I can't make it on Wednesday. I have to stay at work late to finish up some papers".

Mrs. Perry turned in her seat and looked over to Jess. " So do you also work for the agency". Jess shook her head like she was unable to speak. " where do you work then". Jess swallowed deep. " I'm a teacher at a middle school". The old broad looked very displeased about her occupation. " The last time I went to school I think I was In middle school." The whole table once again started up laughing. I don't get the joke jess thought to herself.

" I worked hard even without a full education and look at me now. I have a big house, three cars all in which are Mercedes, and a loving husband with a 60 thousand dollar ring on my finger. One day honey you will be where I'm at... maybe"? They began to laugh again like that was funny. Jeremy didn't even look over to see that her eyes were watered up. They were all mocking her for having that job. These rich people don't care about your feelings. She stood up from the table and tucked it back in. " Guys I had such a nice time with you but I have to get home. My friends need me to do something for them." Jeremy looked pissed. " um Jess the night is not over yet and the food is not here or our drinks. I'm not tipping her".

" no Jeremy it is and I have to get home. Bye!" She had never felt so embarrassed in her life. I was made a joke so other people can brag about how much better they are. Bullshit is what this night was. All I want to do is get home to my friends that don't laugh at me. Her thoughts her going wild as she pushed open the doors to the restaurant and into the dark night of L.A.


When she got into the loft the t.v. was running. She took off her jacket and hung it up on the coat rack. Nick was sitting on the couch with a bag of Lays chips in between his lap. He knew it was Jess getting back in from her date. He made no attempt to look over at her but he heard her sniffle. He took the bag and placed it on the coffee table and pressed pause. He got up making his way to her. She knew that he was going to ask her what happened but she didn't want to talk about it. " Hey Jess you alright?" No Miller she isn't 'alright' she's crying about something. " yeah" she lied. "Jess please tell me."Nick pleaded this time.

" okay." Nick grabbed her hand and lead her to the couch. He sat down slowly and she sat close next to him. Her hands were closed together in her lap while she was distracted by the t.v. He put his finger under her chin and turned her head towards him. "Jess you gonna say anything?" His eyes bored into her pulling her in to talk. " Jeremy is the problem."

" what'd he do?" Asking in a light tone.

" He's been really bossy and controlling and it's making me not like him." Tears began to form in her eyes and roll down her cheeks. The finger Nick still had under her chin switched to the side of her cheek wiping the tears away with his thumb. Jess felt comfort and safe with him. She didn't feel judged or made feel like she was a joke. He gave her his undivided attention. He had always been a loyal friend but this was a level of something deeper than she had ever seen before. Her head fell to his shoulder, tucking herself into his side. Her body felt cold against his. His arm wrapped around her waist pulling her in even closer. Jess' hair fell over her face and Nick used his other free hand to move it out her face and tuck it behind her ear. " Why are you so cold Jess.?" Rubbing his hand up her arm to the side of her waist. " I walked home. Jeremy, his boss, and his wife were laughing at me and I just needed to get home." Nick's face scrunched up. " Are you serious? Do you want be to punch him in the face for being an ass?" Jess turns her head in his shoulders laughing. " No Nick. That will not be thanks for caring."

they sat there in silence. It went nice. Just sitting there. " So what were you watching before I came in with the sob story?" Nick smirked at her. " I was watching reruns of the Golden Girls." Jess took her head away from Nick's shoulder and stared at him wide eyed. " And why was a beer drinking, grumpy, turtle face Nick Miller watching that?" She waited for an answer trying to hide her grin. " because it is based off of us so you know I just wanted to look at it."

" and how is it based off of us?"

" Four good friends move in together and live the life."

" they didn't"t know each other at first though. "

" then how?"

" they saw an ad. "

" just like you saw an ad."

" okay then who are we?"

" Okay, Schmidt is Blanche, Winston is Sophia, I am Dorothy, and you are Rose."

" we watch it? Together." Jess looked up at him trying not to sound like she was desperate to watch it with him even though she really wanted to. " Sure." He still had his arms around her waist and leaned forward grabbing the bag of chips. He put them on top of his lap and grabbed the remote next to him pressing play. "Chips" he asked pointing in his lap. " yes please." she reached down into the bag and pulled out a chip. He got a chip out as well. As Jess was about to eat it the hand that was on her waist came up to her wrist stopping her from taking a bite. " We have to propose a toast before we go any further." Jess nodded her head as he proceeded. " to the Golden Girls and fuck Jeremy." She smiled and they clinked their chips together. The theme song played and Jess snuggled more Into his side and rested her head on his shoulder. " Thank you for being a friend, Nick." He looked down a her. " oh my gosh Jess. " he chucked. " but any time Day." He hugged her and relaxed back into the couch.