I sat on the couch in Jazmine's living room as she cooked dinner that I already told her I didn't want. She hummed softly to herself as she cooked. Her sweet, soft, angelic voice was soothing enough to keep me relaxed as Caesar was on his way over. When the doorbell rang Jazmine asked if I could answer the door. She didn't need to see me nod to know I was already on my way to do so. I opened the door to find an already yawning Michael Caesar.

He noticed me standing there rather than Jazmine and smirked. I looked at him trying to apologize with my eyes. He read me like a book and put his fist out for a pound which I gladly gave. He laughed a bit stepping inside the house. Smelling food he smiled and walked over to Jazmine.

"Smells good."

Jazmine smiled back at him, "Thanks. You hungry?"

Caesar shook his head, "Not really but I'll still eat anythin' you cook for me, Jazzy."

I rolled my eyes sitting back down on the couch. I knew right away I wasn't going to enjoy this night. Caesar turned back to me and sat down as well, "So what's up?"

I looked at him, "Nothing man. You?"

He smiled a bit, "Nothin'."

I eyed him, "What?"

Caesar didn't say much just looked at me.

I sighed, "I'm sorry…"

He slammed his hands together, "Thankyou."

Putting his hands down he leaned against and into the couch.

He looked over at me, "So you kiss her yet?"

His words struck me hard. It took most of my power to stop my eyes from giving me away and my face from burning. I looked over at him with one of my infamous blank expressions.

He knew me better than that however and smiled big.

"Sweet like candy right?"

I shook my head as he raised an eyebrow.

"No…sweet like strawberries." I smirked in return.

He slowly smirked back and I could feel the tension between us. It was official now that we both kissed Jazmine. Since either of us kissed her, she hasn't acted on any thoughts or feelings toward either of us other than that of a friend.

Jazmine walked into the living room wiping her hands on her mother's apron.

She eyed the two of us before smiling big, "You guys are okay now? That's great."

We both blinked.

"Dinner will be ready soon."

She called out and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Caesar looked at me, "So what happened? Aside from you kissing mah girl."

He joked, partly.

I rolled my eyes and turned on the news.

"You mean why I wanted to sleep at your house tonight?"

He nodded.

"Meh…I don't want to deal with Granddad and Riley right now…Riley got bailed out of jail tonight."

Caesar raised an eyebrow, "What for?"

I shrugged watching the pointless news story, "I'll find out later…"

Caesar nodded and put his arm over the top of the couch. He watched the television screen and quickly there after took the remote from me. I shot him a glare which he ignored. No one else in their right mind would. He changed the channel and started flipping through each horrible station after another. I rested my chin on my hand leaning on the side of the couch. Jazmine walked in just in time to halt my boredom. She titled her head to the side and smiled.

"Food's ready…uh, you guys wanna watch a movie or something?"

Caesar flashed her a smile, "Sounds good Jazzy. Put in whatever you want."

He got up and walked passed her brushing up against her body as he passed. Jazmine blushed slightly causing my eyes to narrow.

She looked at me and with a small smile she made her way over. She sat on the couch by me and asked, "You're not gonna eat?"

I gave her a once over, "Depends. What did you make?"

Her face puffed up as it always did right before she yelled at me. I smiled which I noticed I was doing a lot more as of late. It was a difficult task making Huey Freeman smile. As I got older it was easier for Jazmine Dubois to do just that. I tried to play it off most of the time or force myself not to. But I have to say…smiling felt. Well, good.

She paused and looked away. I assumed she was blushing. I turned over to her completely now. Caesar and I made her blush more than anyone or anything else could. But could Caesar make her blush with nothing but a smile?

She looked back over at me pushing a piece of her messy hair behind her ear, "Pancakes." She finally answered.

I almost laughed, "Pancakes? Jazmine it's two in the morning."

She huffed, "That's all I know how to make!...that's good anyway…"

Caesar walked in with a plate, "Damn Jazzy. These pancakes are bangin'!"

I shook my head and got up.

"Where are you going?" she questioned.

I walked into the kitchen, "I didn't eat all day so…"

Her eyes lit up, "You're gonna eat? Hehe, I hope you guys like them."

Her eyes became cheerful like they did when she was younger.

Caesar stuck his tongue out at me.

Dammit, it was like we were ten all over again…

Every little thing had to be a competition. When I walked back into the living room Caesar and Jazmine were sitting next to each other on the couch. I walked over and sat down on the end next to Jazmine. She was in the middle of the two of us.

This is how it's been for six years and the girl didn't even realize it.

At least, not until recently.

"So whatcha guys wanna watch?"

Caesar opened his mouth.

"No." I cut him off already knowing the crappy dance flick he was going to request.

He frowned, "Oh come on man…I don't think Jazmine wants to watch a boring documentary."

I glared at him but he was right. She probably wanted to watch an incredibly bad chick flick. The three of us all had three separate tastes in movies. We all paused and look at each other then in perfect unison said the one genre we all enjoyed, "Horror."

Jazmine and Caesar both laughed as I gave off a small smirk.

Jazmine hopped onto her feet, "I'll get the movie." She winked at us then left.

The pancakes weren't that bad. In fact, they were pretty good. Caesar was already finished with his and leaned back.

"So…we cool right?"

I nodded.

He smiled, "Good. Friendly competition again?"

"I'll try to be friendly." I looked over at him, "When you kissed Jazmine what was it like?"

He blinked, "What do you mean?"

"How did it compare to Cindy?"

Caesar's eyes widened for a second.

Then he closed them with a smile on his face and shook his head.

I glared, "Damn it Caesar, this isn't a game."

He opened his eyes and looked over at me, "As soon as Jazmine's my girl I'm done with that player shit."

Caesar, unlike Riley, was the perfect player. He not only could have any girl he wanted but treated them right too. He never had to lie to any of them or sneak around. He basically took them out on a date which he paid for. By the end of the night they were in bed with him. He never committed to anyone nor did anyone commit to him.

I chuckled a bit which sparked a questioning look from my friend, "So this whole time Riley had no idea he was being played as well? Good game Cindy…"

Caesar smirked.

"So…how was she?"

Caesar blushed, "Huh?"

"Don't give me that. You did more than just kissing…"

Caesar smiled, "How do you know these things, Huey Freeman?"

"Cause I know you."

Caesar took my plate and his and brought them to the kitchen sink.

I watched him as he walked back over, "The best I had so far."

"Damn."

He sat back down on the couch, "But I'm ready to chill my game. Settle down, ya know? And Jazmine is the one."

I felt my stare tighten. I didn't want him to have Jazmine even if they were happy as selfish as that sounded. I wanted her to be happy withme because that's the only way I could be happy. Truly be happy. I always thought I was going to change the world with my vision. And someday maybe I will but until then I'd like Jazmine by my side.

Jazmine walked back into the room, "I got a few movies."

We both looked over at her. She popped the movie in and sat back in between us. As the movie started we shot each other competitive glances. Jazmine was known for getting scared easily. In fact, she clung to, jumped on, and sometimes even hit whoever was closest to her during such a film. Since Caesar and I both were equally close to her, it was now a matter of who she felt more comfortable or safe with.

The beginning started off essentially as most horror films did. The music was low and eerie. As each name came steadily across the screen Jazmine gripped down more and more on her night gown. She amped herself up during the opening credits. As the movie carried on she held her ground. She pushed a pillow close to her chest and squeezed down on it when she got slightly frightened. The first killing scene she jumped up a bit and grabbed onto Caesar's arm.

He looked over at me with a smug look on his face. I glared and looked back over at the movie. Then later on when the more gruesome scenes appeared on Jazmine's T.V screen, she pulled back and hid her face in my arm. I glanced down at her then over at Caesar. He looked back at the movie defeated as I smirked to myself in victory. I didn't say much just watched her put all her trust in my one good arm.

My eyes glanced at the screen before she could feel my stare.

When the movie ended Jazmine pulled away from me and hopped to her feet, "That was great! Another? Oh wait…" she paused.

We both looked at her, "I gotta pee…"

"We really didn't need to know that Jazmine…"

Caesar chuckled, "Maybe you're into that German shit Huey." He said nudging me.

I glared him up and down, "Nigga do I look like R. Kelly?"

Caesar mumbled maybe before running off.

I got up and went after him.

Jazmine blinked and started laughing, "Guuuuys! Don't mess up my house." She whined.

"Take it back." I grabbed him by his hair.

Caesar yelled out, "Ightight! I take it back. Damn man not the hair."

I let go and shook my head.

Jazmine pouted a bit with a slight angered face.

"What?"

"You shouldn't be play fighting with your arm not fully healed."

"Don't you have to urinate?"

Jazmine turned two shades of pink, "O-Oh yeah." She said as if she forgot and rushed to the bathroom.

"That girl…" I shook my head.

Caesar smiled and bumped my arm, "That's why we love her."

I know this was a friendly competition and all but Caesar knew me too well. He knew exactly what to do or say to push my buttons. I rolled my eyes then glanced to the side when Jazmine walked back into the room.

She fanned herself breathing heavy, "Is it just me or is it really hot in here?"

"You have no idea…"

I closed my eyes and side kicked Caesar's leg quickly for that statement.

He grunted then laughed and took off his shirt, "Woo, is it hot in here."

He winked, "Maybe we should all get naked." He grinned.

Jazmine's eyes grew wide.

"What? We're all friends here."

I elbowed him in the rib cage, "Put your shirt back on. For God's sakes Caesar have some manners..."

Caesar laughed walking into the kitchen to get a drink.

Not listening to me at all.

I sighed as Jazmine sat on the couch next to me.

She giggled, "You're such a gentlemen, Huey."

"Maybe…"

Caesar walked back into the living room and put his shirt back on, "You guys are so lame. Why can't we have a sexy threesome? Huh? Just once…I mean we're three good lookin' people. It's a crime I tell ya!"

Jazmine's face was on fire. She threw a pillow at Caesar out of embarrassment and to shut him up. Once hit, Caesar picked up a pillow himself and lunged at her. I grabbed the pillow by my arm and smacked him across the face before he got too he fell back Jazmine laughed and picked up a pillow for herself. With one arm I proceed to carry on in the pillow fight with my two best friends.

Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad after all…

We spent the rest of the night either playing video games or watching television. At one point we even played childish board games. Jazmine yawned half way through the night, though. Her eyes were fading as was her consciousness. We straightened up a bit then helped Jazmine upstairs to her bedroom.

She got into bed crawling under the covers once there. Half asleep and half awake she spoke lowly, "…sleep where ever guys…"

"I call her parent's bed! King siiize~" Caesar kissed Jazmine's forehead and left the room.

Jazmine smiled weakly as he left then tiredly looked up at me.

"Goodnight Jazmine…" I turned away from her bed only to have her grab the end of my shirt.

I stopped and turned back over to her with a questioning look.

"Thank you for making me feel better earlier…"

I raised an eyebrow.

She smiled weakly trying to force herself to stay awake, "I was freaking out…You're always so level headed Huey…I knew I could come to you but…" she let go of me and looked into my eyes, "Why did you kiss me like that?" her face was red by this point but her eyes yearned for the right answer and for sleep.

I opened my mouth.

"Same reason I did." I glared at the sound of Caesar's voice.

We both turned to face our friend who was in the doorway of Jazmine's room leaning against the doorway. Jazmine was in shock which gave her sudden energy. She was now wide awake and sitting up in her bed. I glared harshly at him not wanting him to speak any more. He stepped all the way into the room and walked over to stand next to me. Before he could speak, however, the front door opened from downstairs.

"Shit." We all turned our heads to Jazmine's door.

"You guys gotta get outta here." She hopped out of bed and shut her door locking it.

"Jazmine?" her mother's voice called from downstairs, "Is that you honey?"

Jazmine put her hand on her head, "What the hell is she doing home?"

I opened her bedroom window, "That doesn't matter now. We'll see you later, okay?"

Jazmine nodded a bit disappointed. Caesar blew her a kiss before jumping out the window and landed on the tree nearby. I looked at her then turned away and jumped out the window as well, only fully out, landing on the ground. Caesar jumped off the tree and landed beside me. We both looked at each other, then when the front door opened again, dashed away.

Jazmine watched us leave from her bedroom window in silence.

I ended up staying over Caesar's all along. We stayed up the rest of the night and slept that whole morning. By three thirty Caesar was just getting up and I was making coffee. He sat down at his table half alive. I placed a cup of coffee in front of him. He looked up at me and nodded, took the cup, then drank as if his life depended on it.

I sat down at the table as well with a cup in one hand and the newspaper in the other. I opened the paper to read when Caesar put his hand in the way and pulled the newspaper down. Our eyes met.

"What?" I sounded irritated but I just wanted to read the paper.

He pulled his hand away, "I can't do this anymore Huey..."

He sighed as he looked me in the eyes, determined to get whatever it was off his chest.

"I have to tell you something."

I put the newspaper down all the way and folded my arms on the table.

"I'm listening…"