a/n: hello lovely readers -smiles sheepishly- yes, i give you permission to come at me with rotten tomatoes and throw them at me.

i'm SO INCREDIBLY sorry i haven't updated in like 5 gazillion years. in all honesty, i actually lost interest in this story for a little bit. i've been busy and gotten into other stuff, and i just didn't have enough effort to sit down and write this.

a few reviewers though (couldnt get back to you guys because you remained anonymous xD but you know who you are!) reviewed and it made me feel really bad and then i watched some starstruck goodness and finally got back into this. thanks guys :D

anyway, here's the 4th chapter! there's not really anything from the movie, because these scenes are purely from my imagination. i kinda thought this was necessary before jess finally become comfortable with chris. felt like a big chunk was missing in the movie, especially from this part. let me know if you agree!

enjoy!

-4-

Jess

"Jess." Someone nudged me with their elbow.

I sighed loudly and flopped over, hoping whoever the annoying person was would get the hint and leave. Someone was trying to sleep here.

"Jess." The person whispered again, poking my side.

"Five minutes, mom." I groaned.

"Jessica Olsen!"

I heaved a dramatic sigh and sat up, rubbing my eyes. And then I stared. Because standing in front of me wasn't exactly my mom. In fact, Christopher Wilde definitely did not look like my mom.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered loudly.

He smirked, "Uh, don't you remember? The paparazzi bombarded me so I had to hide in your garage." He raised his eyebrow and looked at me. I could only guess where he was going next. "And then,"

"Don't even go there." I muttered. "What are you doing up here? Did someone see you?"

"Er..." He grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, "Actually, your grandma came down in the morning to get something and she saw my car parked there. Then she looked inside and saw me, and invited me in!"

There was a pause as silence took over while I tried to digest his words. When I did, I lept out of my bed and started to shove him out the door. "Don't you think you'd cause a complete mess if you stayed here? The paparazzi are probably right outside my door!"

"Jess," He easily resisted my push, "Relax."

"Relax?" I repeated, starting to hyperventilate a little, "Relax? You're telling me to relax? Sara and AJ are going to kill me as soon as they sees you, my mom and dad will ask you crazy questions about how we haven't been talking, and like I said, the paparazzi are going to find us and take pictures, and do videos, and create crazy rumors about us, and then we'll all die!"

His smirk came back again, "Jess, I highly doubt we'll die.

"We'll come close!"

"Oh, please." He waved a hand, "Come on. It'll be like old times." His eyes started to do that puppy-dog look I was so used to, "Just this once. Please?"

"Please get out of my room."

"So is that a yes?" His facial expression brightened.

I pointed a finger at him, "I didn't say that."

"Jess!"

I rolled my eyes, biting my lip to keep the smile threatening to burst out. "Fine. But go. You can't see me change or anything."

"Oh come on." Chris said, "We've seen each other in our diapers when we were little."

I looked at him, snickering, "Are you saying you want to see me undress?"

His face suddenly looked paler. "On second thought," He replied, "I'll wait downstairs."

After rolling my eyes and muttering curses out as I heard Sara and AJ shriek simultaneously when they saw the blonde boy, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a simple shirt. Just as I was heading out the door, my sister and her crazy friend came barging in.

"JESSICA!" They both screamed.

"What?" I replied in exasperation.

"Why didn't you-" AJ started.

"Tell us-" Sara cut in,

"That Christopher Wilde-" AJ butted in, elbowing Sara in the stomach.

"Was in our house?" Sara finished, earning a glare from her best friend.

I looked up at the sky- er, ceiling. "It wasn't exactly planned?"

"Oh tell me that you didn't head off with him last night." Sara said, "That's where you went?"

"You could've stayed with us!" AJ added, "And used your 'best-friend' power to get him to meet us last night!"

"That was our goal." said Sara.

"But you told me to stay inside the car." I reminded them impatiently, pushing past them and running out the door. I looked up at the ceiling and willed myself not to punch the two girls as they started talking in whispers while somehow being able to scream and giggle at the same time. I had to wonder if it took a lot of energy to act that way. All that laughing and shrieking sure sounded like a lot of work.

"Jessica!" My grandma called out as I walked in the kitchen. "Have some pancakes!"

"You didn't tell us you were inviting Christopher over." Mom added with a knowing smile.

"Mom!" I groaned, avoiding Chris's gaze and sitting down as far away from the rockstar as possible.

"And you certainly didn't tell us you were actually a fan of your best friend." Dad said. I turned toward Chris and shot daggers at him through my eyes as he took a sip of his orange juice and smirked his head off.

"He told us all about last night." Mom said.

"He did?" I asked, waiting for a lecture on leaving without contacting Sara.

"Yes." Dad replied, "I was very surprised to learn that Chris saw you while you were screaming in the audience while he was performing."

"Oh, really." I said sarcastically, telling my eyes to shoot fire balls at the boy who was now choking on his pancakes with laughter. "Well let me just tell you that that did not happen!"

"Oh, Jessica," Grandma said kindly, "It's alright. It's perfectly understandable. In fact, Chris says he has the day off today. I'll let you off the hook from helping us pull weeds today so you two can go spend some time together."

"Oh, that's really not necessary." I said back, "In fact, I'd really rather pull weeds with you guys."

"Yeah," Sara interrupted the conversation, "Why doesn't Jessica stay home while AJ and I take her place of spending time with Christopher since she's so willing to pull out some weeds?"

"Oh, pish posh," Grandma said, waving her hand around and winking at me, "You'll get your chance soon. Today is Jessica's day. We all know the two best friends have really missed each other."

"Grandma, that's really not-"

"Thank you." Chris cut me off, "for letting Jessica spend time with me while she's supposed to be doing yard work. It means a lot to both of us."

"Oh!" Mom suddenly spoke up, "Why don't you join us for dinner too, Chris? I remember the good old days, back when you weren't famous of course," She smiled, "When you used to join us every Friday for our spaghetti nights."

"Oh, yeah!" Chris replied, smiling back, "I'd love to. It'll be like old times." he shot me a grin.

In turn, I glared back. "It sure will," I muttered out of the corner of my mouth, "It sure will."

After another half hour of listening to my parents squeal about seeing Chris again, Grandma hauled everyone, including Sara and AJ, to the front lawn while smiling brightly and winking at Chris.

The traitor smoothly set his napkin down and raised his eyebrows. "Ready?"

I snorted, "Ready for what?"

"I got you out of pulling those suckers" He pointed at Sara, who was disgustedly holding a spikey looking plant at her fingertips, "out for your Grandma. Don't you think you owe me just a little?"

I rolled my eyes and faked a smile. "No."

"Jess, you promised you'd give me a chance to explain!"

"You did explain!"

"Then don't you understand?" He asked, "I've missed you, Jess. I really did. Let me just spend some time with you. For one day." After a pause, he added, "If you want, we can even invite Stub to come along."

"No." I said stubbornly, crossing my arms.

"Jess!"

"No."

"Jess!"

"No!"

"Jess!"

"Fine." I got up and glared at him, "But you can't ever make up lies about me screaming in the audience while you're performing again."

"Oh come on," Chris grinned, "That was just a joke." After seeing my frightening glare, he added cockily, "After all, what are best friends for?"

Chris

"Stub!" I called into the phone.

"Yeah, man." A sleepy voice responded, "What's up? And where did you head off to last night?"

I looked around, waiting for Jess to come downstairs. "I'll explain later. Do you want to come bowling with us?"

Silence.

"Stubby?"

"Who's us? Please don't tell me you're at Alexis Bender's house right now!"

I let out a chuckle and a sigh of relief, "No. I'm talking about Jess. I'm at her house right now. She finally agreed to let me explain about why I've been-"

"You're at Jessie's house?"

"Yeah. Look," I replied, "I said I'd explain why later. Do you want to come? It might... ease the tension between us."

"Sure!" Stubby replied excitedly, "It'd be like old times! We can get pizza, bowl until Jess finally agrees that we're the best bowlers, and sing some karaoke in that corner of the bowling alley."

I laughed, "Yeah, exactly. I'll pick you up in 15." I stopped, hearing the sound of munching on the other line, "Stub? Are you eating more of my food?"

"No..." He said in a guilt filled voice. "See you in 15."

"Hey," Jess said as she came down the staircase, clad in her simple blue shirt and jeans. Only she could make an outfit as ordinary as that seem outstanding. "Where are we going?"

I grinned, ignoring her eye rolls, "Bowling."

Her mouth opened slightly as her eyes brightened at the word. I smiled to myself. Bowling was always something Jess loved to do, even if she lost half the time.

"Won't the paparazzi-"

"Forget about them." I said, "That bowling alley is filled with celebrities. Nobody would care even if you were Lady Gaga."

"Are you sure?" She pressed, "Won't at least someone take a picture or something?"

I shook my head and offered her my elbow, "Shall we?"

She refrained from rolling her eyes again, then hook her arm around mine, sending weird tingling feelings down my spine. "We shall."

The ride back over to my house was surprisingly pleasant. The paparazzi were either asleep or dead, either of which was fine with me as they didn't pop up once. As I pulled into the driveway, Stubby flew out the door with a giant sandwich in his hands, opening the back door and climbing in, high fiving Jess and patting my back as a greeting.

"I thought you said you weren't eating my food," I chuckled.

"Well I got hungry." Stubby complained, "Besides, I can't bowl on an empty stomach!"

"You can't do anything on an empty stomach." Jess added.

"That's true, little brunette, that's true." He laughed and leaned back, muching happily on his ham and cheese. "Now, I'll go easy on you Jessie, but I wouldn't expect anything."

"Yeah," I said, "Albert Stubbons here is still the best bowler in town."

Two hours later, the two of us groaned as Jess threw her arms up in the air, grinning and smirking at the two of us.

"Another strike by the great Jessica Olsen!" She exclaimed, settling down into the plastic orange chair across from us.

"How have you gone from this..." I gestured wildly with my hands, "This... loser bowler to a girl with crazy good bowling skills!"

Stubby raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "Have you been practicing since we left?"

She winked, "Maybe a little. But seeing the little talent that you two have shown today, I'm guessing you guys haven't?"

"It doesn't matter!" Stubby defended, "We're still better than you. You've only beaten us," A glance at the scoreboard and a cringe, "eight times! That's barely anything."

Jessica smiled slyly, "Care to rematch?"

"Lets," I cut in before Stubby could accept the challenge, "Just all agree that we're equal in bowling, okay? Besides, I think it's about time we order that pizza. I can see some of us," A glare at Stubby, who grinned not-so-guiltily, "are getting hungry here."

"You guys are just afraid of losing again." Jess mocked.

"No we're not!" Stubby and I both said.

"Besides," said Stubby, "It is about time we order that pizza. I'm getting some starvation vibes here!"

Jessica stared at him. "Starvation vibes?" Stubby smiled brightly in response.

Our pizza (the usual, pepperoni on one side, cheese on the other) came quickly and we all dug in. As Stubby burped and patted his stomach, Jess looked at both of us and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked.

"You know," She replied thoughtfully, "You guys really haven't changed that much. I'm surprised."

Stubby burped again, "Why are you surprised? You didn't expect us to become these super creepy Hollywood dolls, did you?"

"No," She tried again, "I just... I thought you guys had changed or something because you really didn't even talk to me for four years."

"Hey!" I replied, "I said-"

"I know what you said," Jess interrupted, "I just thought maybe you changed anyway."

"Well, we didn't." I said firmly.

"I know that now." She said sarcastically, shooting a glare in my direction.

"You know, you haven't changed either." Stubby pointed out, "Still shooting those monsterous glares at everybody, using that sarcasm even when it's not necessary-" He paused, grinning wickedly, "Plus, you and my boy Chris here still flirt like crazy."

We both turned on him. "What!"

"Chris has a girlfriend!" Jess said, almost angrily.

"We do not flirt." I added in afterwards.

"Oh, please." Stubby waved off our comments, "Alexis Bender? He doesn't even like her. Heck, I don't even like her. Do you like her?" He asked pointedly at Jess.

"Doesn't matter." She said stubbornly, crossing her arms, avoiding my gaze.

Stubby stood up suddenly, changing the topic. "Why don't we go do some karaoke?" He suggested, "Bowling is never complete without some karaoke."

I groaned, "I do enough singing as is it!"

"Are you scared?" Jess challenged.

"No."

"Then prove it!" Stubby backed her up. Both headed off towards the karaoke machine and I followed. The pair currently at the place backed out, allowing the three of us to move in.

"Chris, you can go first." Jess said, shoving me toward the machine.

"And you have to sing with him!" Stubby said, shoving her towards me.

The crowd around the place cheered and a random guy walked out and selected a song. As the music started, I felt myself smirking as Jessica slapped her forehead.

"Why this song!" She whined.

"It's a classic!" Someone in the audience shouted.

"Plus, it's a Chris song. Christopher Wilde has to sing one of his songs!" Another random crowd member yelled.

I ignored Jessica's scowl and begin to sing the first verse. As the chorus came up, I nudged her side and she sighed loudly, but joining in, our voices merging.

"There's something about the sunshine, baby, I'm seeing you in a whole new light,"

The song went on and she began to soften, dancing along with the beat and even smiling. I let her take over for the second verse, beaming. I snuck a glance at Stubby, who was dancing along and he gave me a big smile and a thumbs up.

"I never knew,
Whatever I do,
Is better with you"

The lyrics were right. Jess was right. And Jessica Olsen was back. She was finally back. I joined in with her, not caring about anything else right now. It didn't matter what my parents were thinking right now. It didn't matter where the paparazzi were. All that mattered right now, was that I finally had my best friend back.

And that just felt like the greatest thing in the world.

a/n: hope you liked the chapter! :D i sure enjoyed writing it x]

remember the drill?

I throw my hands up: you loved it! and will patiently (heheh) wait for the next chapter

In the air sometimes: you thought it was pretty good, and will tune in for the next chapter

Saying ayyy-ohh: you thought it was okay, but might not read the next chapter

Gotta let go: hate hate hate hate.

guess the song? such a fun summer song :D

anyway, thank you guys so much for sticking with the story. i know i haven't been the best at updating (hah, understatement of the year) and now you know why. i'm back into the ff groooove now though, and hopefully i'll be able to type out another chapter of this lovely thing soon for you all :) LOVE YOU GUYS.

-hayley

PS! if you're a nelena/nalex fan and is looking for something good to read, check out my collab account with xxHeadInTheStarsxx! it's called scribbling stars and our nalex story, "Forever Yours" is either posted now or will be soon. check it out! comment, subscribe, etc. thanks (: