Austin's POV
So I didn't know what to do. I was hiding my phone in case Massie called or texted and I had already changed her name in my phone to "Matthew". It felt like I jumped every time I got teased or even talked to, and Andrew kept giving me these knowing looks.
The girls seemed to be getting along great. Weirdly great. Alicia Rivera was actually not being a snotty, materialistic bitch for once. I didn't know if that was all a show for Jesse, or if the way she acted at school was just for Massie.
Everyone was doing their own thing as I just sat there when Alicia jumped up.
"Okay, let's do makeovers!" She clapped. So much for not being materialistic… Addie and all the guys groaned.
"But…" Nicky continued, "Let's make over the boys!"
"What?" Ken asked. "No! No! No! No! No! I refuse."
"I kind of wanted someone to do my nails…" Alicia said with her hand outstretched examining her cuticles, "but I guess we could do the guys. I mean, Austin, you have so many calluses on your hands, it's completely gross."
"So?" I shot back quickly. God, I was so jumpy.
"It just means you play sports, man," Jesse said defending her.
"Don't get me started on you, Jesse," Alicia giggled.
"What? My hands aren't as torn up! I wear gloves when I play football and hockey!"
"You are a serial nail-biter! And Kyle, you, when was the last time you lotioned your hands?" Alicia inquired.
"I can palm read!" Nicky jumped in, "and I will only read your palm if everyone's hands look fab." They beamed at each other. Addie smiled at the two of them but kept trying to make eye contact with Alicia, who was avoiding hers.
So after 40 minutes of reluctantly getting our hands done, we all had soft hands and well-shaped nails.
"Okay, Austin, you first." I gave Nicky my hand and she studied it.
My rough hands seemed huge against her small one's and I was afraid to look at her face, or really anyone's face for that matter.
"Long life line. You will have 3 kids. And your love line…"
"What about it?" I felt cold sweat on my back.
"Well, it breaks. It goes strong but then a quarter way through your hand there's a gap before it begins again."
"This is the most bullshit thing." I snapped, crap I'm busted. I don't know if I should just start apologizing to Addie or call Nicky a liar…She totally knows. Andrew, the little bitch, told her! I don't know if I was shaking with anger or anxiety, yet I found myself storming out of the room, mumbling an excuse about fresh air.
…
Nicky's POV
What the fuck? I looked up to see Ken shooting Jesse a weird look as if to say, 'what the hell?' and Jesse shrugged. I also saw Jesse nudge Alicia. The rest of them were just looking in different directions, obviously feeling awkward about the whole situation.
"Alicia, Nicky, can you guys help me pick out something to sleep in from Liz's?" Addie asked gleefully. It came out more urgent and scared then gleefully, but I guess didn't want to seem fazed.
"She's not there… and it's rude to look through someone's closet, and…" Alicia muttered, but Addie grabbed us both by the hands and dragged us out into the hallway.
"Okay, what is going on with Austin? Alicia, did you ask Jesse?" Addie asked her eyes switching back and forth from the two of us.
Alicia looked over her shoulder, then at the floor. "I talked to Jesse."
"And?"
"He told me that… well, I promised him… and I can't say."
I jumped in, giving Addie the most pissed off look I could, "wait, you asked Alicia for help?"
Addie looked up, "she's more connected."
"I'm dating Andrew."
"And she's dating Jesse," she sighed trying to get me to shut up and making me feel immature.
"But lately Austin has been chilling with Andrew and let's be honest, he's a lot more mature than Jesse."
Alicia shot me a bad look, but Addie put up a hand and continued. "She's friends with Massie and the PC, they own Grayson and Austin goes to Grayson. Andrew is new, and I don't know… she's better at going undercover."
"Because she is a manipulative bitch who killed your confidence and made you desert the biggest and best opportunity so far in your life." I whisper-yelled at her. I felt myself spitting as I said these lines, but I didn't care. How could Addie be so nice to this girl? I felt the anger inside me bubble.
Alicia smiled sweetly and asked, "Are you the Hulk?"
"No…"
"Then why are you so green with envy?"
"Oh, shut up, you don't intimidate me at all. All you have going for you are looks and money and in my opinion, big boobs are overrated."
"Tell that to Andrew."
"As if Andrew would be interested in a privileged brat like you!" I spat at her, not caring if the boys in the other room heard. God how could someone be such a…
Alicia took out her phone with a smirk on her face, and quickly tapped her French manicured nails against the iPhone 5 screen. She brought up a message. It was dated before the Christmas Party.
Andrew: Hey! Jesse gave me ur # - its Andrew
Alicia: Hey whats up?
Andrew: just studyin for the bio test
Alicia: ive already studied
Andrew: Nice so what're u doin?
Alicia: watching a movie with Kristen and Claire. HBU?
Andrew: Txtin U ;)
Alicia: haha
Andrew: okay... I actually txted u cuz I have a q.
Alicia: Hit me
Andrew: whats ur type?
Alicia: huh?
Andrew: well josh is very dif then Jesse so I was just wonderin
Alicia: did Jesse ask u…
Andrew: no and can u not tell him? I was just curious. What do you look for?
Alicia: um.. he's got to be cute nd funny nd interesting
Andrew: wanna kno what I look 4?
Alicia: sure..
Andrew: shes got to be hot for one, I prefer long dark hair, big lips (and boobs lol) and she has to be confident and smart if she tries
Alicia: well I hope you find her- good luck!
Andrew: u fit the mold ;)
Alicia: umm Andrew im really not interested…
Andrew: really?
Alicia: Yeah…
Andrew: oh. Okay. Worth a try right?
Alicia: yup! Ok gtg
"This doesn't sound like Andrew," I mumbled. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach, I knew it was him… I wasn't nervous, or angry, just defeated…
Alicia raised her eyebrows menacingly. "Boys are different in text. Especially horny boys. Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful, Nicky. Hate me because your boyfriend thinks so."
"Alicia…" came a voice from behind us. It was Jesse, and he looked confused and disappointed. "Why are you saying this? And let me see those texts." he said, snatching the phone from my hands.
"Jesse, she to-tally started it." Alicia said really quickly and using both her hands to grab his free one. He didn't pull away, so she lifted it up and held it under her chin. Alicia was examining every single one of his facial expressions hoping not to get scolded.
He didn't look up from the screen. "How?"
" She… she… called me a bitch and manipulative and was just beyond mean! You believe me, right?"
Jesse nodded, still reading. "These were before we…"
"Yes, they were! I didn't tell you because they were outdated and out of context with our relationship status and I just forgot and…" She answered super quickly, as her eyebrows were pulled together in a diagonal- nervous position.
Jesse looked up and smiled weakly, handing back her phone, then walked back into Austin's room. I heard the sound of a punch and yelling and we all ran into the room.
Andrew was sitting on the ground cupping his jaw, Alicia ran in between the two boys and put both her hands on Jesse's chest not allowing him to get any closer to Andrew.
"Why would you text her man!? What about the fucking guy code!?" Jesse yelled at him over Alicia's shoulder.
"You weren't dating yet!"
"I had dibs, everyone knew that! And I gave you all of this!" he said, raising his hands motioning around the room. "You would still be a loser sitting with the teachers at lunch at peer tutoring tables if it weren't for me!"
Austin grabbed Jesse around the waist and pulled him farther away. I guess, before he punched Andrew again, even though Jesse hadn't moved since. I wanted to go comfort Andrew, but after those texts… I mean, we hadn't even been to the library together when they were sent, but to act like that….
"Okay, okay, okay," Austin said, trying to calm people down – at least he was acting like himself again. "Andrew, that was bogus, but it's okay. The secret is out and we're all still friends. Got it?"
"Shut up, Austin." Andrew said. They made eye contact, and Austin seemed to understand. He let go, and moved over.
Jesse looked at Austin in disbelief at his submissiveness, then grabbed his jacket and put on his shoes. "I'm going home."
"Dude, the snow…" Austin tried to reason quietly.
"YOU'RE LEAVING ME HERE!?" Alicia exclaimed.
"I don't care about some snow and no, I'm not leaving you here, grab your coat."
"Jesse," Austin tried to say quietly.
"Austin, please give Alicia a hat, gloves, and some boots, we will go to Claire's house, it is 3 blocks away." Jesse said trying desperately to control his voice and calm down. I still saw his hands shake a little
"C'mon, man… Alicia doesn't want to go…"
"Yes, she does, she didn't even want to come and neither did I, but friends do that for each other. I'll carry Alicia if I have to, but we are going."
Alicia rolled her eyes and muttered, "I can walk. Thank you very much."
"I'm coming!" Kendal jumped in.
"Yeah, same. That was bogus as fuck, Andrew," Kyle put in.
Before we knew it they were gone, but before they left Alicia went over to Addie and whispered something that made her go pale.
Andrew went to the bathroom to clean up his face and Austin started to play Xbox and we all just did our own thing. I made eye contact with Addie and motioned to the hallway.
"Addie, what did she say to you?" I asked.
"Why did you start a fight with her, Nicky? Seriously! What is wrong with you?" she retorted, hushed and angry.
"I was jealous… I know that I'm not as connected but I just didn't understand why you didn't ask me first."
"You don't ever have to worry about that, Nicky," Addie said remorsefully at my honesty.
"I know, but… what did she say?"
"She said she promised she wouldn't say what, but there is something and I should do some digging."
…
Kyle's POV
We started trudging through the snow to Claire's house. The snow was at least 3 feet high, the wind was whipping our faces and the snowfall was blinding. We walked single file, holding hands, trying to make our way to Claire's. Finally we arrived at her smallish house and Alicia rang the doorbell. We heard giggling behind the door before it opened.
Claire's eyes went huge with surprise, "Alicia… guys… what're you doing here?"
Alicia brushed her hair back with her hand as little flakes of snow floated off of her volumized, glossy hair and onto her long grey trench coat. "Kuhlaire! Great to see you! Can we come in?"
Claire was pretty. A little pudgy in the cheeks and not a lot going on with her bod. I mean, she wasn't model thin, but didn't have the curves either. Her eyes were a nice sky blue, and her hair looked like something you'd see on a college campus with… normal people, instead of the girls around here who get their hair done by stylist weekly, if not daily. She was wearing a baggy sweatshirt that said GSS (Grayson soccer squad) and probably had the number 12 on the back with Fisher over it.
"Cam is here…" Claire said trying to give Alicia a hint.
"So?" Alicia asked intentionally ignoring that hint, she put her hand on her hip and raised her eyebrows. Claire looked somewhere between intimidated and annoyed.
"And my parents aren't…" Claire continued, pausing. She and Alicia were having a stare down as the rest of us shuffled our feet awkwardly, hoping to be taken in out of the cold. Finally Claire sighed and moved over, and we walked in.
"Thanks," I muttered. Cam was getting off the couch and watched the three of us enter and take off our coats and boots.
Cam had changed a lot since middle school. His dark curly hair was the same and so were his mismatched eyes (obviously), but he didn't carry himself with the same confidence. He had also become a lot quieter. It used to be a joint Alpha, Derrick the silly one, and Cam the calm one… but now Cam could hardly call himself a Beta. He was still moral and stuff, but well, it wasn't heard. He stood up and gave us a weak smile.
"Me and Claire are watching Forrest Gump. Do you guys wanna join?"
"Yeah, man," Jesse said enthusiastically. Plopping down on the L-shaped couch. Alicia sauntered over and slid in next to him, she kept examining him for hard feelings, but he didn't seem that upset with her. Jesse waved up over with that huge smile on his face. Well… I guess that's my invitation. I sat next to Alicia and Ken sat next to me. We gave Cam and Claire the lounge part of the couch to stretch their legs out in front.
About halfway through the movie I noticed Claire and Cam had started making out. I nudged everyone and we all looked over and started laughing quietly.
Claire opened her eyes for a second and she saw us all staring (which only lasted like 2 seconds). Her blue eyes widened, her cheeks reddened, she pushed Cam off and grabbed Alicia's hand angrily, dragging her into the kitchen.
Best perk about small houses: You can overhear others' conversations!
"I can't believe you!" we heard from the kitchen. "You bring your boyfriend and his friends to my house on my date night and barge in, and then make fun of us! We can't kick you out because you can't even see through the blizzard now! Why didn't you stay at Austin's?"
Alicia's voice was kind of winey in return, "they were being awful to us! And Jesse and Andrew got in a fight because Andrew tried to hook up with me a few weeks ago, remember that? C'mon Claire, I was beyond uncomfortable!"
"Why, Alicia? Why on earth were you un-com-forta-ble!? I know it wasn't the fight…" Claire asked harshly, like she was spitting every syllable of the last word in her question.
"I was sleeping over with two girls all my friends hate and a bunch of guys!" Alicia answered quickly. Jesse sunk into the coach a little.
There was a pause and then I heard muffled conversation and I couldn't make out much except, "Why didn't you just share a bed with Jesse?"
"Because of, like, morning wood and wet dreams and the other stuff Massie warned us about." I knew as well as anyone Alicia hated sounding weak, but she did seem embarrassed to admit it.
The girls kept talking so I just sat there awkwardly until Cam spoke up. He gave us a teasing smile as he held up a condom he had in his wallet, "You guys are seriously cock-blocking here!"
I smiled back. "Ah, you wouldn't have gotten laid anyway!"
Cam leaned back against the couch in defeat. "Eh… it's okay, it's nice to have some new company."
"Why, Derrick the Dumbass not as amusing as he used to be?"
"Well… nothing, never mind," he said passively, but I bet he was dying for us to inquire.
Ken leaned forward. "What're they doing, man? We won't say anything."
Cam looked at me and Ken, ignoring Jesse, who was still red as a strawberry, trying to disappear into the couch.
"Bullshit!" Cam laughed. "You guys are going to report everything I say to Austin."
"Maybe not…" I replied teasingly
"So is there trouble in your little group?" he asked, changing the focus.
Jesse mumbled "yeah…" under his breath. Then he looked up and faced Cam.
"Austin's balls have dropped off." Jesse said firmly, I was shocked he'd say something like that. Out loud, at least…
"Austin never had a lot of confidence," Cam said reassuringly.
"I don't think he has our back, you know… its all Austin and Andrew, they make the plans, they call the shots, and apparently get whatever they want."
"Yeah, well, Derrick is obnoxious, cocky, and things he's the fucking shit…. It's getting annoying as hell." Cam put in.
Ken started biting his thumbnail. "How are the rest of the guys?" he asked as the girls came back in.
"Josh is vain and obsessed with gossiping…"
"Sounds like someone else I know," Jesse said, smiling brightly at Alicia, who put on an exaggerated scowl and flirt-punched his shoulder, as she sat half on his lap.
She then straightened up and jumped into the conversation. "Josh has always been like that! What's the problem now and not then?"
"Well," Cam started. "I guess I'm growing up and he isn't. And Kemp is so obsessed with pot! He's literally stoned every time I see him!"
"I saw him getting a frappe after school and his eyes were bloodshot, I mean, who gets one of those in the winter! Hash tag-Munchies, am I right?" Jesse put in trying to get a laugh with the twitter mention.
Ken and Alicia took one look at each other and started laughing.
"Okay, it wasn't that funny…" Jesse said defensively, but the two of them kept laughing.
"You talk ridiculously, bro!" Ken said between bursts of laughter. "It's not a frappe, it's a milkshake!"
Cam threw his head back and laughed, and everyone else joined in. Jesse folded his arms and pursed his lips, which just made us laugh harder. Hey, it wasn't his fault that he never said the letter "R" or "X" at the end of a word and replaced it with "H". So if he talked about the 'Red Sox' (which he did a lot), he would say 'Red Sahks'; or 'dahk' instead of 'dark'.
"Shut it Ken! At least I don't sound like George Bush!" Jesse retorted giving Ken an amused look. Ken has a super strong Texan accent. He pronounces running like runnin', say 'ah' instead of I and uses y'all way too much!
"I think Jesse's accent is HAWT!" Claire put in, staring at Alicia, obviously trying to get her back for crashing her sleepover.
"Well, I think there is nothing sexier than a guy with two different eyes… just like Cammy!" Alicia threw back and everyone laughed.
"My eyes are two different colors…" Ken interjected, putting his arm around Alicia and pulling her towards him. "Do you find me sexy, ALI?"
"No," she giggled, pushing him off her. "It looks better on Cam!"
Everyone started oohing and saying "burn" and stuff.
"And only I can call her Ali!" Jesse quipped, throwing his arm around the back of the couch, pulling Alicia against him again.
After a little more teasing and Claire allowing us to dig into the beers her dad had, I finally had a great idea. I don't know if it was the alcohol, but I stood up and voiced my new theory:
"We should start our own group!"
"Boy-girl cliques don't work! Given!" Alicia pointed out giddily.
"No, no, I mean, Cam, you're chill as a mofo! And you know I like you freaks." I said pointing at the other two- god, I was drunk! "Andrew tried to get on Alicia, Austin defended him, and Josh is more metro then David-fucking-Beckham, and Derrick is an ass!"
"For brotherhood!" Cam said, raising his beer and we all clinked glasses.
…
Ken's POV
Around one PM, I woke up. I expected a pounding in my head, but was greeted with a hangover-less morning.
Not everyone was that lucky. Jesse was sitting in the hallway, leaning against the closed bathroom door.
"Ali, let me in. I can hold your hair or something…" he said to the wooden door.
"Go away, Jess, I don't want you to see me like this!" her muffled voice called from inside.
When I walked by he just rolled his eyes and kept talking quietly through the door.
Cam was eating a bagel and when I tried to speak he put his hands up over his ears and begged me not to make any noise: headache hangover.
Claire was in the kitchen eating almost anything in sight: Hulk hangover.
Kyle was still in bed and when I walked into the guestroom he had shared with someone- I don't know whom, maybe Jesse or Cam- well, he had a "no idea what happened last night" hangover.
It seemed only Jesse and I had escaped the usually inevitable consequences of drinking alcohol. That's when I got a mass text.
Massie: J&K, you guys need to get presents for A&D. streets are plowed, ill pick you up and we'll go to the mall, you need to do Christmas right for my girls.
Jesse: We're all at Claire's, I don't think I can leave tho.
Massie: be there in 5
Before I knew it Massie burst through the door. She was wearing dark denim jeans tucked into brown riding boots and a ¾ length sweater.
"Eww… what happened here? And why wasn't I invited?" she asked, flicking her amber eyes from me to Claire, and then back again.
"They crashed. Some issues at Austin's or something," Claire responded shrugging her shoulders
"What kind of issues?" Mass asked quickly and urgently, with a smile creeping onto her face.
"Nothing- Alicia, Cam, and Jesse are upstairs and Kyle is in the basement guest room."
"Are they all as hungover as you?" she asked pointedly.
"Ken obviously isn't and Jesse isn't. Alicia is puking her brains out."
"Eww… Dylan's always the one to puke the morning after!"
"Yeah, Cam has a migraine and is lying down in my bed. And I think Kyle has all of the above, plus he blacked out."
Massie climbed up the stairs and knocked on the door of Alicia's bathroom, where Jesse was sitting. Once again a perk of small houses, I could hear everything that was going on no matter where I stood! "Leesh, it's Massie. Can I borrow your boyfriend?" she called.
"Puh-lease!" Alicia answered through the door as she began puking again.
Massie then walked back down the stairs and out the door with Jesse in tow, and I followed.
We got into the white Range rover with Isaac. It didn't look like a typical Range Rover, it had three rows in the back and two were facing each other, like a limo.
"Okay, so this is what the girls have said. Alicia wants something that marks your relationship. Like a sweatshirt of yours or something."
"Well, that's easy!" Jesse said, looking at me and smiling broadly. But I knew it couldn't be that easy.
"Jesse, this isn't some middle-class, fake-tanned, mid western, suburban princess you're dating. This is Alicia Rivera; it'll cost you at least $300. I'm thinking a Swarovski Diamenta bracelet. It's a crisscrossed weave of clear crystal pave, good for school and everyday occasions."
"I already got her something…" he mumbled.
"What?" Massie said, rolling her eyes.
"It's kind of personal," he muttered. God, Alicia was completely pussifying him, or else his Christmas present was kinky!
"Eww…" Massie responded crinkling her button nose.
"Not like that…" Jesse said, blushing. Yep, he was officially Alicia's bitch!
"Okay Jesse, I don't know what you have planned, but let's play it safe, okay…"
My turn. "Alright Massie, we've got Jesse sorted. But, I mean, should I even get Dylan a present? We aren't dating."
"True or false, you and her like each other?"
"True."
"True or false, you told her to wait?"
"You know that?... true"
"True or false you told her you'd get her a 'killer present'?"
"True…" I sighed in defeat.
"My point is proven. Now, for her, I think you should get the Tiffany Soleste Pendant. It's costly, and she can only wear it on special occasions. My girls kind of want the opposite."
"Thanks, Massie." I responded genuinely, I'd have probably got whatever the sale clerk told me to if it weren't for her. Sometimes over protective best friends are good I guess… At least in girls' cases.
"No problem, did Austin say anything about me?" She asked offhanded, even though I bet she had been planning to ask for quite some time.
"Not that I know of." I said, shrugging, Jesse was sitting to the side looking guilty. "Jess, what do you know!"
"I'll tell you what he knows," Massie said. Then she told us what really happened the night before.
After she was done she simply stated, "Me and Austin will be together before you know it."
…
DECEMBER 24th!
Jesse's POV
I walked up Alicia's long driveway. Funny how the guard used to check my picture and even fingerprinted me, but now just said "'Sup, Jess?"
Anyways, I walked towards her house and her mom opened the door.
"Jesse. How are you?" She asked, bubbly. A pair of old looking Spaniards sat on her couch.
She spoke quickly to them. "Jesse es un novio de Alicia."
Luckily, from being raised by a 1/2 Mexican, I could speak Spanish okay. I muttered a couple introductions and courteous questions until I felt Alicia's hand slip into mine.
"Gran, he only has 20 minutes then I won't see him for a week and a half, cause he'll be with his mom and grandparents in Boston! Can I borrow him?"
Her grandma smiled and shooed us away whilst laughing to her husband.
"Your grandparents are cool."
"I know, and they'll love that you speak Spanish so well," Alicia said turning around and smiling at me fondly as she continued to drag me up the stairs.
"So…" She stopped and turned around with her back against her closed bedroom door. "Before you get your present, I want to explain a few things."
"Sure!" I said, laughing nervously, what was behind that door? Other than a bed, of course. Maybe she wants to…
"I ran into your dad," she started; okay, obviously not what I'd thought. "We agreed that you might need a buddy here in Westchester."
"But you're my buddy…" I said, leaning in to kiss her and she put up her hand.
"Jesse, admit it- you've been a little lonely, you miss your mom and friends, and, well…"
She opened the door and, in a crate, jumping around, was the cutest puppy I'd ever seen.
I ran over to open the crate and the dog ran into my lap before sniffing Alicia and then running to sniff out the room.
"You got me a Puppy!?" I asked excitedly, beaming at the tiny chocolate lab puppy. She smiled and I jumped up, picked her up and gave her a spinning hug. I loved the sound of her giggling, and once I put her down I kissed her, before being distracted by my puppy again.
"What's his name? It is a guy, right?"
"Yeah... I was assuming you'd name it Cudi after Kid Cudi, or Bono, that guy from U2, or…"
"How about Ralphie. Because my amazing girlfriend loves Ralph Lauren," I said beaming at her.
She smiled sweetly and we sat on her floor as the puppy ran between us licking, jumping in our laps, and smelling us.
"Okay, I got you a gift too…" I handed her the box with the crystal bracelet. "It's simple, because I want you to wear it to school and stuff…" Shit I felt inadequate.
She smiled at the bracelet, and then looked up at me with mock skepticism. "Massie's idea?"
"Just a little. Did she tip you off?"
"No, but I told her this is exactly what I wanted."
"Well, I wrapped it…" I said jokingly, but inside I was embarrassed.
"Thanks, Jess," she said, holding out her wrist for me to give it to her. My hands were shaking a little but after I put it on, I reached into the pocket of my coat and pulled out a burned CD.
"I also made you this."
"What is…"
"You're the first and only person I sang to here, and, well, it did wonders then so I tried again. I made a CD of me singing songs and playing them on the guitar." She looked up, wide-eyed, as I continued. "They won't sound as good as the artist because it's acoustic and stuff and little Rosie sang background but… Oh, and track 4 is a song I wrote for you, because 4 is your favorite number, it's pretty short only a minute and a half..."
She still wasn't talking, so naturally I kept babbling nervously, "some of the songs are old and some new and some just middle school, but umm… I know Cam made Claire CDs but he never sang covers of them to her so…" Finally Alicia put her finger to my mouth.
"I love it." She whispered holding both my hands in hers and giving me the most starry-eyed look anybody has ever given me, I felt butterflies…
"Really?"
"Yes… best Christmas present ever. What songs are on it?"
"Oh, yeah…" I rifled through my pocket until I found the list of songs scribbled on the back of a receipt:
All I want for Christmas is you – Mariah Carey
Not Even the King –Alicia Keys
Brighter than the Sun –Colbie Cailiat
Alicia's Song
Girl on Fire –Alicia Keys
Honey Bee –Blake Shelton
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing -Aerosmith
You Make my Dreams – Hall & Oats
Love on Top -Beyoncé
My Girl –The Temptations
If I Didn't Have You- Thompson Square
"Two Alicia Key's songs and no Cudi or Eminem?" She raised her eyebrows, and I knew for a fact that my tanned-impossible-to-blush-skin was bright red.
"Well, I've got to go. Right, Ralphie?" I don't think his tail had stopped wagging during the whole conversation. I stood up and so did she, without holding me or anything, she kissed me lightly. Ali was wearing tall heels but I still had to lean down to kiss her back. Our lips were hardly touching but I felt every atom in my body was tingling.
When she finally pulled away she didn't look up at me, "I'm really enjoying the ride, Jess."
"Huh?" I asked, and she looked up at me and smiled.
"I like spending… time with you."
Those tingling atoms were now buzzing with fear. Was she going to say the L-word: love? I felt it coming- the way her lips were kind of trying to formulate a sentence and she was too nervous to voice it. I mean, I knew we'd had a thing for a while but how long had we been dating? Like a week? Two?
She then smiled up at me and picked up my puppy and handed him to me. "Have fun in Mexico, tell your mom I say hi, and have an ah-mazing Christmas!"
Phew. I've never had a girlfriend before but even I knew that the L-word wasn't supposed to be said after a couple weeks... days really. The thing about her though is I know she cares a lot about clothes, makeup and shoes, but I see something different. I see a girl who can make me laugh and who can make fun of herself and me. I feel comfortable around her, but at the same time excited and nervous. I don't know if I'm in love with her, but the fact that she almost said it to me… well I felt pressured to figure it out!
…
Andrew's POV
Well, just to summarize the rest of the sleepover: Addie and Nicky locked themselves in the guest room. Austin spent the night deep in thought and I lay restlessly on the coach in his room squirming. Now it was Christmas Eve. I hadn't talked to Jesse, Nicky, or Alicia since.
But I was determined to give Nicky the present I had for her. I arrived at her apartment building and the doorman greeted me warmly.
"'Ello Andrew. Looking for Ms. Anderson?"
"Yes, sir. Is she in?"
"Of course! Her family is on their way down for dinner reservations."
"Oh... I'll come by later." I had to get out, I'd never met her parents, and, well, I didn't want their first memory of me to be of me being screamed at by their daughter.
I had the door open and one foot out when I heard "Andrew?"
I turned to see Nicky there in a ruffled blouse tucked into a pencil skirt and a red belt separating the two. She looked beautiful, and then there was the rest of the fam.
She had a little brother, a mirror image of her with straight dark hair combed back, kind of like Draco Malfoy in the first movie, except pitch black. Same silver eyes and pale skin. He was about 6 and was wearing an orange polo. Her two parents stood at either side of her. Her dad had greyish-white hair and a well-trimmed beard with glasses and the same eyes. He looked very intelligent, and, well… Nicky said he was a doctor. Her mom had the same hair as her children in a high ponytail. Her eyes were brown and she was a little overweight, yet attractive.
"Hey," I said giving a stupid wave. Why did I wave?
"What're you doing here?" She asked curiously, she didn't seem mad, but not happy... Just confused.
"I wanted to give you the present I got you." I said, holding up the bag in my left hand.
Her parents smiled and her brother winced at the two of us. I flattened my hair and followed her as she took me to the side of the lobby. I felt her parent's eyes on me and both of us blushed.
She crossed her arms and faced me. "Why don't you just hang with Alicia? Oh… wait… she's with Jesse."
Time to come clean and completely tell her everything. Her hard grey eyes were staring straight into my brown one's, but I kept avoiding her gaze. To be honest, I was terrified of rejection but this was my only shot.
"You think you're my second choice. But you couldn't be more wrong. I had met you when I texted Alicia, but you and I weren't talking yet. I remembered you from Maine, but it was before we reconnected at the library. I like you, Nicky."
"Alicia is very…"
"Stop," I said, pulling out a handful of packs of gum our of the blue, paper bag. "I got you all the flavors of dessert gum that you're obsessed with so you can smack it in school and annoy all your classmates."
I looked up at her and she was biting her bottom lip and just staring at my hands, so I continued. "I also got you 3 lip glosses from M.A.C. because you always complain that you're running out of your lip gloss and M.A.C. is your favorite."
I looked up again and she was smiling shyly, so I took this as encouragement to keep going. "I also bought you lessons to take Drivers Ed, because you should learn to drive before you go to the school of snobs, I go to."
She was smiling broadly now as I kept going. "I also got you this," I said, holding up a silver bracelet charm of a ram. "A ram symbolizes gaining self confidence and new beginnings. I know you hide yourself a lot, you're afraid to be the real Nicky because you don't want to be judged. But you shouldn't, because, Nicky…. Nicky, you're great. You're funny and cute and silly and smart. But you only show that side of you when you're with Addie. You don't need Addie, she obviously makes you stronger, but you are so perfect being you. The new beginnings part can mean anything from starting a new year, learning to drive, going to Grayson, or hopefully going out with me. Or, best of all, everything! I didn't have a necklace and I kind of ran out of pocket money so I thought I could give you that for your birthday or Valentine's Day or something…"
I couldn't even finish my sentence because I was soon in a bone-crushing hug.
"I'd kiss you but my parents are watching," she whispered to me, giggling in my ear.
"Oh yeah… I forgot, well, have a great Christmas," I answered dumbly. To be honest I could really function or wipe the stupid lop sided grin off my face
"Thanks, I promise I'll get you a present by New Years." She whispered excitedly.
"Don't worry about it," I managed to mumble
"No, I want to."
I watched her and her family leave. Her little brother and dad started teasing her, and when she turned around I waved again… It wasn't until the doorman asked what I was still doing here before I could take a step. I was so excited I thought I would explode. For days that bag was constantly teasing me... and yes I know it's a bag but every time I saw it I felt anxious… but now… it's all gone! I got my girl back!
Austin's POV
I wasn't expecting much. I had brought Addie to dinner the night before and given her Beats Earphones, but honestly, I felt so guilty. I could hardly talk to her and I felt Massie could break the news at anytime. The worst part, though, was how indecisive I felt. Addison was so different then me. She was confident and out there and outspoken and fearless; and then there was Massie, who had insecurities, but fought them every chance she had. She planned everything out and seemed to make the best out of any situation. I liked them both, but when you have options it's hard to decide.
My phone buzzed, and I remembered where I was. I was at an armchair in my study staring at the snow-covered yard, just thinking… something I've been doing a lot of lately. But sure enough the phone woke me from my daze.
Private Number: Does Addie know about your intense lip lock with Massie?
Austin: Who the fuck is this?
Private Number: I'll keep your secret if you do something for me.
Austin: Is this that chick I kissed at school for the booth?
Private Number: You kissed 200 'chicks'
Austin: Cecelia!
Private Number: Nice that you remember me, now Addie is going to know everything, but first you have to do me a favor.
Austin: What do you want?
Private Number: figure it out ;) by Jan 15th- my bday
Austin: what if I just tell Addie
Private Number: Then I expose Kyle's huge secret.
Austin: Kyle has a secret? Stop bullshitting!
Private Number: oops ;)
…
A/N please review!
I updated character pictures. The thing about them is the character looks like the picture not necessarily the actor. EX. Jesse's picture is of Colton Haynes with short hair. Colton actually has really dark hair, just the way the sun looks in the picture it looks dirty blond, and so it's Jesse. And also the pictures may look a little old, but I guarantee the pictures are all of actors while they are under 22.
Please review something you want to see more of or less of.
The role of Cecilia is going to start to become a huge conflict for the guys giving them all more of a storyline more than their love life's, plus it doesn't look like the clique is going to stay intact….
Next chapter will have a section summarizing everything up to current time.
Finally, remember the more you review or PM the bigger your character's role.