Du nu nu na! Mini Chap!

Sorry it's so short, but it's one of those necessary transition chapters. We finally find out what Cindy's plotting. She's feeling less sure of her plans, though. She's starting to lose steam. (Finally!)

Cindy's POV

"So," I asked, pausing for a moment to look Chet's cousin, Ricky, in the eyes, "We have an understanding, right?" He looked back at me with an amused expression. He flicked his strait, jet-black hair out of his face and regarded me with narrowed hazel eyes.

'He certainly doesn't look gay,' I thought to myself. He was easily as tall and buff as Chet and his voice was anything but feminine. I had expected someone more stereotypical. 'Then again, Josh didn't look gay either.'

"Let me get this strait," Ricky said after a moment of thought, a sly smile on his lips, "You want me to kiss this Josh kid while he's asleep and let you take a picture of it so you can put it on your blog. Then everyone will believe that this Drake friend of yours isn't gay with him. Is that right?"

"If you have a problem with me showing your face, I could block out your eyes," I said calmly. I wanted to be sure everyone knew I was in control of the situation. The smile fell from Ricky's face for a moment as he looked at me, wide-eyed.

Then, a grin spread across his face and he started to laugh. I was furious as I watched him clutch his sides, his eyes tearing up. After several moments I interrupted impatiently.

"Are you done?"

Ricky coughed a few times between his decreasing giggles. He looked back at Chet whose eyes had only been getting bigger since he had arrived.

"Oh man," Ricky sighed, "This was your girlfriend?" Chet opened his mouth, but no words came out. "I told you," Ricky continued, shrugging his shoulders, "Girls are way too much drama." He sauntered over to Chet's side and put an arm around his shoulder, "You know… there's still plenty of time to reconsider." Ricky gave Chet a flirtatious look and Chet blushed with embarrassment.

"Do we have a deal?" I asked loudly, standing up from my swivel chair, "It's getting late and I don't want to put this off any longer." Ricky stared at my outstretched hand for a moment. With a broad grin he grasped my hand.

"Sure," he said with a chuckle, "Why not? This is the craziest shit I've ever heard of. It'll make one hell of a story."

"Ricky?!" Chet exclaimed desperately, finally finding his voice, "You can't be serious!"

"Don't be jealous, Chet," Ricky cooed as he ran a finger down Chet's chest, "You know I only have eyes for you."

"That's disgusting!" I shouted, unable to contain myself any longer. "Not only are you gay but you're his cousin! It's sick." Ricky's gaze shifted away from Chet and he gave me a cold look.

"You really think you have the right to say that? You call me sick, but look at what you're doing. You're manipulating the truth to your own advantage and meddling around in someone else's private life. You're being underhanded and sneaky. How could you possibly criticize anyone about what you thinking they're doing wrong?"

I was at a lose for words. It seemed like today everyone I ran into was annoyingly preachy. I couldn't stand being talked to like that.

"Besides," Ricky continued, glancing back at Chet, "We're not really cousins. Our families are so close we're just used to calling each other that." Ricky looked into Chet's eyes warmly and tousled his short, spiked blonde hair.

"Whatever!" I growled, pushing past them, "Let's go." I started down the stairs but I paused when I didn't hear anyone following. I looked over my shoulder and was about to say something but what I saw shocked me silent.

"I'm sorry, Ricky," Chet apologized, "I didn't know she'd talk to you like that."

"It's no big deal, Chet,' Ricky sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I put up with that crap everyday. It's okay."

"No it's not!" Chet shouted, looking Ricky in the eyes. He then looked away embarrassed. He glanced sideways at Ricky and bite his lip. Then, he clumsily reached over and grabbed Ricky's hand while he blushed beet red. "No one should talk to you like that," he mumbled to the floor.

Ricky looked at him in surprise, his own cheeks turning a warm pink. He smiled and gripped Chet's hand tightly.

"Come on," he said with a laugh, "Better not keep the she-dragon waiting." My mouth hung open for a moment it utter shock. They started to walk towards me so I quickly continued down the stairs.

'What the hell is with guys! Everyone's going gay on me! I must have the worst luck ever!'

…

Later at the hospital…

After checking my messages, I found out what had happened to Josh and which hospital he was treated at. I was more than ready to get what I came for. I was just ready to go home, update my blog, and go to sleep. Part of me felt disheartened, like maybe this wasn't worth all the trouble. It was hard to remember why I was even after Drake, but there was no way I was giving up. I was too stubborn.

It was hard to concentrate on driving because of my muddled thoughts. Not to mention Chet and Ricky whispering sweet nothings to each other in the backseat.

I screeched to a stop in the parking lot, directly under a streetlight. I got out, slammed the door shut, and walked swiftly towards the Emergency Room entrance.

"Slow down, Cat Woman, What's the hurry?" Ricky called after me. I wasn't fond of the new nickname.

"My name is Cindy!" I answered, glaring venomously over my shoulder. Caught sight of the two standing together, fingers still entwined. Chet met my gaze and looked away quickly, his face bright red. He didn't however, withdraw his hand.

"God damn it," I muttered under my breath. For the first time in my life I was feeling very unconfident. Hopefully that would stop soon. I wasn't used to feeling this pathetic. I was starting to wonder if maybe it was because of me that everyone was going gay.

~*~

Josh POV

My sleep was briefly interrupted by a dream. At first, all I was aware of as the warmth at my side. I knew it was Drake, so I snuggled in closer. I even thought that I could feel his soft hair under my fingertips.

Suddenly, something pressed against my lips. It was warm and comforting, but not familiar. At first, I thought it was Drake's lips, but I could swear I felt his head resting on my shoulder and nowhere near my face.

There was a definite confidence in those lips, just like Drake's. The kind that only came from years of practice. I responded to them, moving underneath them. It felt gentle and tingly, but I couldn't shake my instincts. This kiss was not from someone I knew. By the time I had this thought, however, those lips were gone.

Being tired from sleep, I didn't have the patience to think any deeper about it. I leaned back into Drake, and drifted back into a peaceful sleep.

A dream is a dream after all. They could feel real and make no sense at the same time.

-

Okay, okay. I'm a sap, but I didn't want everyone hating Chet anymore. He may be dumb, but he's not mean (on purpose, anyway). I tried to turn him into one of those cute characters you can't help but like. He was just a victim of Cindy's will.

And Josh's dream? Yeah, it really happened. Find out the details in the next chapter! Please read, review, and enjoy.