Melissa's video diary-

Well, I've done it! I am now officially over 'chasing' Jackson. It took a while, but after spending some time with Eric, I've come to realize that if I can have fun with a guy who clearly isn't the nicest guy around, then anything is possible. So, if Jackson is the ONE for me, then I just have to wait and be patient. Let him come to me. Right now, if I chase him, I probably would just scare him away. He seemed kind of relieved when I didn't talk to him after being exposed to my secret. So, I guess I just have to be patient, and hope all things work out. Fate will give me the right guy…. I hope….

-Jackson's video diary-

Ugghh, another sleepless night… thinking about Melissa. And Eric. I still don't understand what is going on here! For the past couple of days, I've noticed that Eric and Mel have been spending more and more time together. It's bugging me. Why? I'm beginning to think that I have feelings for Mel.

Melissa sat by the beach, staring at the glittering of the ocean. As the tide swept in and out, she sat there, not caring that she was getting wet. She was sitting there thinking about… well, everyting. The storm... Jackson, Eric. Since she and him started getting closer to each other, it seemed like they had become inseparable. Now Melissa considered Eric to be as close a friend as Nathan. Melissa laughed to herself. Who would have thought that Eric would be one of my best friends?

Meanwhile, Jackson was watching her from behind, debating whether to talk to her or not. He wanted-no-needed to know if she was beginning to have feelings for Eric. Taking a deep breath, he walked over to her and sat down beside her. Melissa looked at him, startled. She hadn't expected HIM to come to her. She stared at him for a moment.

"Hey." Jackson said, quietly. His eyes were set on hers.

"Hey" she said back. Silence followed their awkward greeting. Melissa, flustered, looked back down. Jackson bit his lip, and then finally said something.

"I, uh, came to ask you something. I hope you don't mind, but it's kind of personal."

Melissa looked at him in surprise. "Sure." What could he possibly ask me?

Jackson suddenly looked very uncomfortable. Melissa looked at him, waiting for him to say something, anything.

"Do you have …… uh…." He stammered. He was so nervous he couldn't even talk right! What's wrong with me? Just spit it out!

Melissa quietly said, "do I have what?"

Jackson took another deep breath, and just said it really fast. "What's up between you and Eric?" Only, Melissa didn't catch what he said. She smiled inwardly.

"Sorry, Jackson, but I didn't hear you. What did you say?"

Jackson sighed, and said it more comprehensively. "What is going on between you and Eric?"

Melissa looked taken back. "Oh, umm, we're close friends." Why is he asking me about Eric? Could he possibly be… jealous? Nah, if he was jealous, he would have had feelings for me, which is not true.

Jackson studied her face closely. "So, you guys are just friends? Nothing more?" He said it trying to sound casually, but deep down, he was thinking, please let it be nothing more.

Melissa became silent for a moment. "I don't know. I mean, Eric and I have just started becoming close… he's a really great guy, but I'm not sure I like him that way." Not the way I like you. Melissa thought. Was it my imagination? Or does Jackson look relieved?

Jackson smiled then. "Oh, cool." Dope! Did I just say that out loud??? Melissa smiled at him, too. Maybe he really does like me.

Jackson was thinking the same thing. Maybe she still likes me…

A comfortable silence grew between the two of them… Melissa staring out at the ocean, and Jackson looking at her from time to time. Melissa noted this with delight. She was about to ask him how he was doing when Daley came and interrupted them. "Guys, lunch is ready! Then after that, I'm calling another meeting." Melissa sighed. "I guess we better get going." Jackson nodded. "Yeah, you're right." He got up, and held out his hand for Melissa to grab. Melissa smiled, and allowed him to drag her to her feet. The two went back to the campfire, thinking about what had happened between them. Is he finally noticing me? Melissa wondered.

At lunch, everyone seemed to be extra quiet today, Melissa noted. Maybe it was because we were all still in shock with what had happened. The only people acting normal were me, Jackson, and Daley. Daley seemed to be extremely happy. Melissa, curious as to why she was acting this way, suddenly remembered that she had called another meeting. Maybe it's good news regarding who's going to take over as leader.

Cut to the meeting.

"What's going on, Day? " Lex asked.

"Yeah, what's this about?" Nathan chimed in.

Daley looked at everyone. "I think that it is about time we choose another leader. There is no way that we can survive if we do not have a leader. So, what do you guys think? Who do you think should be leader now?"

"I think it should be Daley." Nathan spoke up, giving Daley a warm smile.

Daley looked at Nathan in shock. "Are you sure? I thought you wanted to be leader...?"

Nathan shook his head and laughed. "I want what is best for the group. And maybe what is best for the group is if I just help you."

Daley still looked a bit in a daze. "Alright. Um, does anyone else want to become leader?"

Melissa spoke up from across the campfire. "I think that Nathan's right."

"Me too!." Lex, Jackson, and Taylor started nodding and agreeing. Eric was the only one that was silent.But no one else seemed to notice- except Melissa. She looked at him and shook her head.

Daley smiled. "Alright then, I guess I'm the new leader! So, I think that what we really need to come up with some sort of a schedule so that everything is nice and organized."

"What a surprise!" Eric muttered. Melissa, who was beside him, heard him say that. She leaned in and whispered, "Eric! come on, give Daley a chance!"

Eric looked at her, and sighed. "Maybe you're right." Melissa looked at him in amazement. "Are you... agreeing with me?" Eric laughed. "Is that so hard to believe? We HAVE been getting along a lot better lately, remember?"

Melissa grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess. But it takes some getting used to, the new Eric." She nudged him playfully. They both smiled at each other. They didn't notice that Jackson saw this with suspicion.After a moment, Melissa realized what she was doing. She looked away, and turned her attention to what the others were saying.

"I was thinking that maybe Melissa and Taylor could do the twines, and of course, we'll need water since we're all working hard, so Eric will be lugging water..." Daley was saying. Melissa nodded to indicate that she understood. Beside her, Eric sighed, but he didn't say anything to disagree. Melissa was relieved that he wasn't making a big fuss over his job. We don't need anymore drama than necessary.

R&R please! ahah. thanks for all the reviews! You guys are awesome. ( Again, sorry for not updating soon enough. I'm not sure when I'll update next, since i'll be pretty busy, but we'll see.