Nick and Stephanie looked at him, “what?” they both asked in unison
“Well, I just came to tell Stephanie that A.J. is here and wants to talk to her, and I find her kissing my best friend.”
Stephanie tucked her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat, “Will you tell A.J. to hold on a minute?”
Brian nodded, “okay, yeah, whatever.”
Nick looked at her and she smiled, “What did you do that for?” he asked
“You kissed me back.”
“Yeah, after you kissed me first.”
“Did it mean anything to you?” she asked
“I don’t know.”
“Nick, we’re friends. You know that and I know that. That is all we are, we’re just friends.”
He sighed, “Okay, if that’s what you want.”
“Nickolas, that’s not what I want, that is just what we are.”
“Just go talk to A.J.”
Without another word she got up and left. Nick looked around, “Why is it that I can be ‘only friends’ with everybody?!?” he grabbed the remote and switched on the TV. Now, it was his turn to mope.
**
Stephanie walked out the front door. A.J. was leaning against his Expedition with his hands in the pockets of his baggy jeans. She slowly walked over towards him not saying anything. They stood in silence for several minutes. He had dyed his hair blonde, the way she liked it, “I like the hair.” She said softly.
He gave her a sideways grin, “Thanks.”
“Brian said you wanted to talk.”
“Yeah.” They stood there again for several more minutes, “I just wanted to tell you I am sorry about the whole Jessie thing. We’re friends and that’s all. I was just trying to make you jealous.”
She nodded, “I’m sorry for the whole Nick thing. I was mad because you were trying to make me jealous so I was trying to make you jealous.” They both stood there looking at each other, and then laugh. The whole thing was a big stupid mess.
“Well, I guess I’d better be going.” A.J. said after the space of several seconds.
Stephanie nodded, “Okay.” Nothing had really been resolved only the fact that they were both sorry. She continued to stand there as A.J. got into his car and left. She wanted to just scream. She had lead Nick on, had been an awful friend, and she had not worked anything out with A.J. She finally stomped back into the house. She walked into the living room, “Nickolas, we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“I am sorry that I lead you on, and I am sorry that I used you to make A.J. jealous. I don’t’ know what I was thinking. I should have never kissed you. I’m sorry.”
“Okay.” Nick mumbled
“Okay? So does that mean you aren’t angry, or anything?”
“No.” he muttered flipping the channel, “Did you and A.J. get things worked out?”
Stephanie flopped down on the couch, “No. This whole thing is like a bad soap opera.”
Nick grunted, “You’re telling me.”
