A/N: Hey! :D I can't believe how much I've completed, for ALL of my fics so far! Man, this is the best week for me for Fanfiction! :D Enjoy...
Chapter 3
Brownie Advice
**NICOLE**
I shoved my hands into my coat pockets. What was up with him? And what was he talking about to Zach? "Hey, Nicole, how are you?" Helen skipped to my side. "Hey Helen," I laughed. "I'm fine, it's just…" I sighed. "Kameron was acting a little weird when I was talking to him a few minutes ago. I mean, what's his deal?"
"Honey, I'm serious. He totally likes you!"
I blushed. "Helen, it- we- my mom-"
"Nicole, you're fifteen now. You've got to start making your own decisions in life. And it starts now. You should tell him!"
"What? No! Helen, I can't-"
"Nicole. The Reaping is tomorrow. If he- or you, or-Heaven forbid, both of you-were to be chosen as tributes, you'll never be able to tell him."
She had a point. And I hated that. I mean, how am I supposed to tell my best friend that I have a crush on him?! Yeah, Zach and Justine came together just fine, but that's different. 'Uh huh,' a little voice inside me said. 'Like two good friends going out is SOOO different from two even better friends sharing their feelings for each other.'
"Shut up," I argued. "Kameron…I know Helen says he likes me, but I'm still not so sure…"
"Don't doubt your heart, Nicole."
I shivered in the warm, August air. "I won't, Matthew," I whispered. "What?" Helen asked, perplexed. I shook my head. "Nothing," I said. "Just talking to myself."
"Anyway, you have to get out of the friendship stage, Nicole. You've known each other how long now?"
"Almost two years."
"And how long have you liked him?"
"That long,"
Helen stared at me. "What?" Helen shook her head in disappointment. "We've got a lot of work to do, Nicole." She muttered. "And by the way, Helen? We're at the flirting stage. Not really friends anymore."
"EEEEEEEEEE!" Helen squealed, causing me to blush and lots of people to stare. "Helen, quiet down!"
"OHMYGOSH!" Helen yelled. I clamped my hand over her mouth and laughed nervously. "Yes, Helen, I can't believe it either. Now, can we talk about this later? Not when we're surrounded by a bunch of people?"
Helen nodded her eyes wide and sparkling.
"Good," I sighed, and took my hand away from her mouth. We walked to her house, which became another home for me over the years.
"We're home!" Helen called, opening the door. I flushed. She always said that, making me feel like one of the family.
Her dad walked in, smiling, drying his hands on a dish towel. "Hello girls; how was your afternoon?"
Helen yelled out "Awesome!" as I said "Okay,"
Mr. Houghton laughed. "How would you girls like some freshly baked treats?" Helen and I groaned simultaneously. Jason Houghton was, as long as I'd known him, a scientist. That also meant that he liked to mix different ingredients together to make desserts. "Oh, don't be like that! I made brownies this time!" Helen and I sighed. With her dad, nothing he baked was normal.
"These are amazing, Dad!" Helen exclaimed, biting into a brownie. "What'd you put in here; Mom's aren't even this good!" Jason winked. "Special recipe. Your mother has never seen this."
"Okay Dad," Helen rolled her eyes. "So, Nicole," Helen turned to me, grinning madly. "You wanted to talk in private?" I glanced at Mr. Houghton nervously. He held up his hands and grinned. "Okay, okay, I get it. Way to make a man feel welcome, girls,"
Helen laughed. "Bye Dad," She stared at me expectantly. "So?" She pressed. "What's going on between you two? Besides the fact that you've done almost nothing to make it progress further, I mean."
I blushed furiously. "Helen, I-" Helen waved it off. "It's okay Nicole. I got it, you're under a lot of pressure, what with Zach and Justine getting together out of the blue." I nodded. "Yeah, it's a lot to take in. I mean, how am I supposed to tell him how I feel if we barely talk in person?"
Helen shook her head sadly. "I don't know, Nicole. But there is one word that you must understand: try."
"But I do try, Helen. I- I-" I held my head in my hands. "I don't know what to do." I said, and wiped my eyes. Helen sat down next to me and rubbed my back. "It's okay Nicole," she whispered. "I can help you, but…"
"But what?" I asked, looking up to my best friend. Helen's lips curled into a smile. "But you're going to have to work out some things by yourself."
Me: Don't forget the most important word here...REVIEW!
Nicole: *smacks head lightly* Don't push them.
Me: What if I want people to review?
Nicole: Then they'll review, regardless of what you say.
Me: I'm still allowed to tell them that they should review. I'm not saying they HAVE to.
Nicole:...Touche.
Me: XD Don't forget to make me a happy user and...
Nicole: REVIEW!
