"Friends Becoming Friendlier"

Emma and Michael had been becoming really good friends. They would always chat on the phone and go over to each other's places. Things were going great and no one suspected anything could go wrong.

Emma had been on the phone with Michael when he abruptly asked her something. "Hey, what do you think about going to the beach with me? Just so you can really see it for the first time of you being down here."

"Yeah, sure that'd be great." Emma replied with a grin.

"Great. I'll pick you up in about a half an hour? Okay with you?"

"That would be wonderful."

Then, 30 minutes later, Michael had come to pick Emma up. Michael came to the door and rang the doorbell. Emma finished putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, left a quick note for Julia, who had been out shopping and then ran to the door. She opened the door, smiled and then followed Michael to the car. Michael opened the door for Emma. She was flattered. She could feel all the warmth in her body rush to her cheeks. She was blushing and had no idea why. She got into the car and Michael did the same once he reached his side of the car. He started the engine and drove off to the beach.

The sun was going down and the part of the sky right above where it might the ocean was turning a dazzling orange and pink color. The clouds looked blue like cotton candy and it was all coordinated. Emma looked at the sky with pure delight. She loved gorgeous scenery that didn't need to be explained. She smiled as she watched the colors disappear into the horizon. Emma sighed and Michael looked over at her.

"What's wrong?" He asked concerned.

"Nothing. I just think it's so beautiful how the sky gets when the sun is setting. Its like the last sun rays dance on the horizon before they have to be put to sleep." Emma grinned and looked over to Michael.

"Whoa, you're quite the poetic type aren't you?"

Emma laughed, "Not usually."

"Look, there's this great ice cream shop just a few blocks away. How about you say we get some?"

"I would be delighted to."

Michael led Emma to the ice cream parlor that he had mentioned just a few moments ago. It was called Icicles. He had told her that it was very popular during the day but since it was later now that most people would be out clubbing or in their hotel rooms doing god knows what.

When they got to the ice cream place Michael got a chocolate sundae while Emma got the soft vanilla ice cream in a cup. Michael was a gentleman and paid for both of the ice creams. Emma wasn't used to this. On most of the dates that she had been on she would have to pay for her part of the dinner or her ticket to the movie. It was nice that Michael paid and she enjoyed it. But, this wasn't a date… was it?

"Hey listen, Julia and myself are having a party tomorrow night. We're just having a few friends over of ours and I was wondering if you would like to join us?" Emma asked politely.

"Yes, I would love to join you guys at your party. At your place right? Of course, where else would it be."

Emma giggled, "Whoa, you're the talkative type aren't you?" She asked trying to imitate him from early.

"Yes. Yes, I am" he grinned sticking his tongue out at her. Emma laughed and put some of her ice cream all over his face. Michael, shocked, ran after Emma trying to get her back, but he had failed miserably.

Julia and Emma had invited a lot of their old friends from New York. They knew that they would love to come to the Jersey shore to party in their house. They also invited some of their new friends that they had been getting to know better for the past six weeks.

"I invited Michael just to let you know." Emma said quickly just to make sure that Julia wouldn't actually understand but agree anyway.

"Mmh, ok." Julia mumbled while painting her nails.

"Oh, so you're okay with that?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? He's my friend too you know. I talk to him. And I know you like hi—"

Emma cut her off absolutely disgusted, "Excuse me? You think I like Michael? Are you kidding me? Julia that's the must absurd thing I've ever heard! We're just friends. I could never like one of my good friends! That's just screwed up!"

"Chill out! And yes you have fallen for one of your best friends. Remember Dan? Yeah, you said you would never date him and the next day, BAM! You're sleeping with him!"

"You said you wouldn't bring that up ever, Julia! Please I was depressed and an alcoholic, almost, at the time. I didn't know what I was thinking and I didn't end up dating him so that like doesn't even count so shut the hell up!"

"Emma, I love you. You're my best friend ok. Don't get upset over it. It was 2 years ago. And it's nothing to be ashamed of. Or I don't think it is. Sorry I brought it up." Julia apologized seeing the hurt in her best friend's eyes.

"Let's just get on with the party." Emma told Julia while walking towards the door to greet the guests.

It was quarter past two in the morning and there were still people hanging around their house. Surprisingly, the police hadn't shown up yet so Emma and Julia didn't have to worry about anything. Finally, Michael showed up. Emma knew he was going to be late for he had called a few hours earlier telling her that work was keeping him just a little bit late because they loved to piss him off. Or that's what he thought. Julia greeted Michael with a very friendly hug.

"Hey, buddy boy! I love that hair on your… it lookies wond… erie… fully" Julia slurred her words, obviously drunk.

"Where—is—Emma?" Michael asked slowly trying to make sure Julia could understand him.

"She passed out… on her sleeping bed thing…" Julia whispered to Michael like it was a secret. Then she randomly started laughing hysterically. Michael grabbed her hand and pulled Julia to her bedroom.

"Go to sleep Jewlz. Trust me, you'll feel better in the morning." Julia did as she was told or maybe she was just passing out onto her bed? Either one, Michael walked over to Emma's bed. There she was sleeping soundly. He looked at her and smiled.

Michael went back to the main room and told everyone to leave. It took some time but he eventually forced everyone out and started cleaning up. Emma must of heard Michael yelling at the people before because she had came out of her room, rubbing her eyes, walking like she was… well drunk. But Emma had sobered up a bit.

"When did you get here?" Emma finally got out for it took her a few minutes.

"Well, since it's three now, about forty-five minutes ago. I told Julia to go to sleep then and got everyone out of hear because the two lovely hosts were passed out on their beds." Michael laughed hoping that Emma would do the same.

Emma grinned tiredly. "Thanks. My head is killing me. Would you mind...?"

"Yeah, sure. Is the aspirin in the bathroom?"

Emma nodded.

Michael went into the bathroom and then came out with a bottle of medicine. "I don't know how much you"

"Two."

"Here you go." Michael handed her the two Tylenol tablets. He walked into the kitchen and got her a glass of water.

"Thank you." Emma took the medicine and drank the water. She placed the glass on a table near by. "Well, I'm going to go back to sleep. You can stay here if you want and watch TV or something."

"Thanks, but I should get going. Got to go visit my sister in the morning. I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok?"

"Ok. I'll see ya then. Bye and thanks." Emma grinned and gave Michael and hug. "I appreciate it. Really I do. Bye."

"Anytime." Michael grinned and returned the hug, while giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. He walked out the door and sighed. Of course he didn't want to go visit his sister tomorrow, now. He wanted to hang out with Emma instead, but he had to keep his word to his sister.

It was mid morning and Emma's and Julia's hangovers were incredibly bad. But, it wasn't something they weren't use to. When they were sophomores in college, they started to party hard at least twice a week, so they were use to it.

"Julia, I love having parties with you but we need to find a way to help us get up in the morning." Emma said groggily while hovering over a cup of coffee.

Julia laughed. Her hangover wasn't as bad as Emma's but it still sucked. "Don't drink, sweetheart, then you'll be able to get up the next morning."

"But that's the best part!" Emma yelled then holding her head because of making such a loud noise.

"Next time, will hold back on the drinking. Just for now, okay?"

"Okay… but not temporally. I need my alcohol."