Chapter 7

The next day proved to be a turning point for Melissa and Jackson. True to Eric's word, Eric stopped trying to interrupt conversations held between Melissa and Jackson.

Looking at them now, Eric sighed. From his stance in front of the fire, it looked like Melissa and Jackson were getting along really well. Melissa was saying something that made Jackson laugh. Can you believe that? Eric thought. Jackson doesn't laugh very often. It must have been something REALLY funny. And let's face it... Mel isn't the best at making jokes. She's usually the most serious of us. Melissa must be trying a little too hard.

Eric frowned at that thought. For some reason, it bothered him that Melissa was trying too hard to please Jackson all the time, even after all she suffered because of him.

He first tried to prevent her from being hurt by keeping her from Jackson. But that didn't seem to work. Plus, Melissa asked him not to do so, and he really didn't have much of a choice but to accept her decision. But it didn't mean he was happy about it.

OH NO siree, he was definitely not happy. He was unhappy NOT because he had feelings for Melissa and was jealous, but because he was just acting like an overprotective brother. At least that's what he convinced himself. Nope, Eric was in denial. While it may have started out as that way, over time, the more time Eric spent with Melissa, he began seeing her as more than just a "little sister". He began to notice how her entire face lit up whenever she smiled. He began to notice how she smiled so often, and brought such a positive and encouraging vibe everywhere she went. He began to notice her little habits here and there- biting nails and lips, etc.

Upon retrospect now, Eric grew startled. He hadn't realized that he had begun to have feelings for Melissa, until now.

And now it's too late because Jackson seems to have realized what he had taken for granted.

Eric thought miserably, as he watched Jackson hold out his hand to Melissa to lift her up from the ground. He saw Melissa blush slightly as she took his hand. And to Eric's dismay, after Melissa was up, Jackson didn't let go of her hand. It wasn't until Daley passed by that Jackson seemed to snap out of it and hastily drop her hand.

-cut-

Melissa's video diary

"AHHHHHHHH!" Melissa squealed. "GUESS what happened? Jackson held my hand today! And he seemed much more relaxed and at ease around me!" Melissa dreamily stared into outerspace for a moment. "It's like everything I've ever wanted! Jackson is finally giving me some attention!" Melissa frowned for a moment. "Except this still doesn't explain why he is acting like this with Taylor as well! I saw them the other night." Melissa rolled her eyes. "Men, why do they have to be so complicated?"

-cut to next scene-

It was dinner time, and everyone was at the fire, eating their usual dinner- coconut, fruits, and oysters. Nathan, Daley, and Eric on one side, and Taylor, Jackson, Melissa, and Lex on the other end.

Nathan and Daley were in the midst of an entertaining debate about who was the better actor- Orlando Bloom or Will Smith.

Taylor kept on trying to get them to consider some other WAY cuter actors, like Ryan Gosling or Cory Monteith. Lex, as usual, was just quietly eating his dinner while thinking of new possible ways of getting them out of there. And there were the participants of the love triangle, just adding some input here and there while exchanging amusing smiles at each other.

While Melissa was actually listening to the conversations around her, Eric and Jackson were only occupied with one thing- HER.

Eric just kept his eyes on Melissa. Melissa laughed at something Daley said, and caught Eric's eye. She grinned at him, and he smiled back. His smile faltered, however, when he saw Melissa then glance at Jackson, and give him a smile she reserved only for Jackson.

Eric's heart sank. Melissa has never smiled at me like that before. She looks so happy with him, maybe I should just let her go.

Meanwhile, he saw Jackson walk over to Melissa and ask her something. He sees her nod, and then both of them announce that they'll be back, and walk off.

Yup, Eric thought. I should definitely let her go.

-cut-

Meanwhile, Jackson and Melissa were out in the woods, walking and laughing, just enjoying each other's company.

"I couldn't believe it!" Jackson was saying. "Nathan and DALEY? Who would have thought? They were fighting non-stop from day one!"

Melissa smiled. "Yeah, seriously. When Nathan told me, I was so shocked! But, they do make a pretty cute couple. While they have their disagreements, I think they're more alike than they'd like to admit. Why else would they have struggled so much for power?"

Jackson chuckled. "That's true." Jackson's face became more sombre for a moment then. "It kind of reminds me of you and me."

Melissa looked startled for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I never would have thought that a girl like you could ever like a boy like me." Jackson said quietly. "Mel, the person I was at the beginning of the trip, was seriously messed up. I was tossed like an old rag from foster home to foster home. I didn't have any friends. And there you were, always cheerful even when I wasn't. You weren't afraid to approach me. I never did tell you how much I appreciated that."

Melissa flushed out of embarassment. "It was nothing." She mumbled. She never knew what to do with compliments.

Jackson smiled, obviously enamored by her embarassed response. "No it wasn't. If it weren't for you, I would have never made it to the trip. And I would never have made friends with all of you. So..." Jackson paused for a moment, studying her with his eyes. "Thank you." Jackson said sincerely. "For everything."

Melissa got lost in his eyes for a moment. She didn't realize how long she had been staring until Jackson broke the silence. "Ummm... a 'you're welcome' would be appropriate right about now." He laughed nervously.

Melissa snapped out of it, and then said apologetically, "Oh, sorry. I just never expected such a heartfelt thanks. You're very welcome." She smiled.

Jackson smiled back.

So I finally updated this. I just want to take the time to personally thank Julie622, for the encouragement to resume writing.

I didn't really think people would care if I finished the story or not, but she really wanted me to. So, Julie622, this next update is for you.

Enjoy! And please review! =)