Joe pulled up in front of Jules' house. Jess looked at the clock before jumping out of the car.

"One minute to spare," she exclaimed, then continued to the door. One knock brought Mrs. Paxton right to her.

"Hello Jess, dear."

"Hi, Mrs. Paxton. Is Jules ready?"

"I'm not sure, but you can go check on her."

"Okay." Jess headed right for the stairs. She always felt uncomfortable in the Paxton house until she was in Jules' room.

"Hey Jules, are you...What happened in here?"

"My mum went a little crazy while I was gone."

"Yeah, I'd say so." Jess was looking around at the walls of the bedroom. Before the girls had left for school, they had been covered with posters of American women footballers, but now, they were pink with framed posters of butterflies. "But, why?" was all Jess could say.

"I don't know, but I don't really mind." Jess loved how Jules always had an optimistic outlook on things. "At least she didn't throw anything away."

"Yeah, oh, lets go! Joe is downstairs waiting for us."

As Jules climbed into the back seat of the car, Joe turned to her. "So, there you are! I thought I'd have to go in there and get you myself."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, well, you know, when girls get together, you never know what's gonna..." Jules cut him off.

"What, did you think we were snogging up there or something?" She looked at Jess with a 'can-you-believe-this-guy' look on her face. Jess just half smiled back, wondering why she would ask such a question.

"Well, I must say the idea crossed my mind, but.."

"Joe, you can't be serious."

Joe looked puzzled. He quickly understood Jess wasn't catching onto the game they were playing. "How about we just go to Mel's, huh?"

"Let's go already then!" Jules was already leaning into the front seat to adjust the volume on the stereo. "Shh shh shh! This is my favorite song! 'Girls just wanna have fun....."

Jules sand the entire way to Mel's, which wasn't that far. Only it seemed far to Jess. In reality, it was a ten-minute drive. Joe dropped the girls off at the house and went in search of a place to park the car. The girls headed inside.

"Jules, do you think I can talk to you for a sec?"

"What Jess?" The music was loud, too loud for a conversation. "Hey, you want something to drink?"

"No." She was talking louder now. "But I need to talk to you real quick."

"Alright. Stay right here. I'll be right back!" Jules wasn't gone long. Jess had heard her name called a few times, hugged a few of the girls and promised to find them later. "Okay, what's on your mind?"

"Can we go somewhere quieter?"

"Mmm.." she looked around. "Okay." Jules grabbed her hand and lead her through the crowd of people to a bedroom. "How's this?"

"Better." She still was holding her hand, and Jess became awkwardly aware of this. "Jules," she started and stole her hand away while sitting on the bed. Jules followed her lead and sat next to her.

"Oh, here." She produced two bottles of beer from her other hand. Before Jess could protest, she added, "I heard you, but I thought I'd bring one anyway."

"Okay." Jess was glad, actually, and took a quick sip. The liquid was a comfort from the bitter beers in the states. She remembered the few parties she had been to, but also remembered it still didn't take much to get her tipsy. As her mind got back on subject, she stated, "Jules, I did it."

"Did what exactly?"

"Joe. I, um, told him I love him."

"That's amazing Jess. Really, that's awesome!" Jules had stood up again, and was beginning to pace slightly back and forth. The look on her face told Jess something was worrying her.

"Yeah, great." She grabbed Jules' and pulled her back down. "The problem is, I don't think I should have."

She turned to face Jess. "What?"

"I think I may have made a mistake. The more I think about it, the worse I feel."

"Jess, what do you mean exactly?"

"I don't know." She took another big swig from the bottle. "I guess I mean I may not love him."

"But you said it? You told him!"

"It slipped. We were messing around, and he stopped us. I guess I got, um, frustrated."

"Well, you do like him, right?"

"Yeah, I like him a lot." A smile returned to her face.

"I don't see a problem then. Just take it slow, I guess."

"I see a problem. I like...there may be someone else. And that's a big problem."

"Come again?"

"I think you heard me." She looked at Jules with a shy expression on her face.

"Who?"

Jess wanted to tell her. No, she needed to tell her. She took another drink, but the bottle was empty. She didn't even realize how fast she drank it. "Jules, I think I'm..."

"There you two are." Joe was in the doorway. A million questions raced through Jess' head. How long had he been standing there? How much did he hear? Was she really going to tell Jules' her inner most secret? Joe's voice brought her back, for the time being. "I've been looking for you for twenty minutes." He walked over and sat in between them on the bed. "What's going on?"

"We were just talking about stuff, you know, girl stuff." Jules was covering for her. Joe had wrapped his arms around Jess and squeezed her tight.

"Girl stuff, huh?"

"Yeah. Girl stuff."

"Well ladies, this party is for you, you know."

Silently they left the room. Jules disappeared into the throng of people. Jess reassured Joe she was all right and that he should go with his friends. She found her way to a couch and sank into it. Her jet lag had caught up with her, and no sooner had her eyes closed did she feel someone sit next to her.

"Tony?"

"Yea."

"I'm so glad it's you." She let her head fall on his shoulder, and he put his arm around her.

"What's the matter, Jess?" He sounded concerned.

"God, Tony. I'm so confused, and I'm tired. I feel like I could break down right here." Her voice had become heavy and sounded like she was on the brink of tears.

"What happened?"

"I nearly told someone something I shouldn't have, and the worst part is, I think the wrong person may have overheard us."

"Wait. Slow down and say it again?"

"I was talking to Jules, and I was telling her something I really shouldn't. I think Joe may have heard us, but I'm not sure." Jess began asking herself why she was confiding in Tony, but decided he was a safe person to talk to, even safer than Jules. Jess remembers when she was in love with this man sitting at her side, but never told a sole. Who would she have told? Certainly not anyone in her family, but there was never anyone else really. And now, this man was her confidant, the person she felt most comfortable telling her inner most confidential thoughts. But, sleepiness, too, overcame her, and she decided she should talk to Tony another time.

"Jess, I could take you home if you'd like."

"No, I'm alright. I think I may take a quick nap though." She had gotten quite comfortable on the couch and didn't want to move.

"Are you sure, because I really don't mind. After all, I'm really here to see you."

"If you are sure. I think I would like to sleep in my bed."

"Okay. I'll be right back." Tony went to go find Joe. He came straight to Jess' side.

"Are you okay, Jess?"

"Yeah, Joe, I'm fine. It's okay if Tony takes me home?"

"I suppose, but wouldn't you rather I did?"

"Joe, I really don't mind." Tony chimed in. "I'm about to go home anyway."

"Jess, c'mon, I'll walk you to the car."

Tony went to get his car. He parked farther away than Joe had to. A few minutes of standing in the street, and Jess could see the headlights coming at her. Joe let her down in the passengers seat. "Jess, sleep tight. I love you."

"Joe, I'll call you in the morning, okay?" She kissed him lightly on the lips, then closed the door.

Joe stood in the street and watched the car grow smaller. She must really be tired, he thought to himself.