"JC, man, what's wrong?" asked Joey, breaking into JC's thoughts.
"Hmmm?" he mumbeld, distracted.
"I've never seen you so quiet - the only time you're this quiet is when you're sleeping." Chris added, looking at his friend worriedly.
"Nothing. I'll be right back." JC replied, getting up and heading toward the bathroom.
As he neared the door, he saw that it was shut. But it opened suddenly as he got closer. Brandi stood in the doorway wearing a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top, her hair flowing in damp curls down her back. She jumped when she noticed him standing there.
"I'm sorry." he said, blushing slightly.
"Oh, it's okay, you just shocked me a little." she replied, flashing him a smile that made his stomach quiver inside.
He stood there awkwardly was she slid by him and into her room. He watched the door close behind her, still feeling his skin tingle where she had brushed against him.
"JC?" the voice that came from the other end of the hall startled him, and he jumped. He spun around and saw Susan standing there.
"Are you okay? Why are you standing in the middle of our hall, staring at a door?" she asked, putting her hand on his arm.
"Just thinking."
"Hey, we're best friends, you know you can talk to me. Come on, what's up?" she asked, pulling him across the hall into her room and shutting the door.
JC flopped onto her bed, while Susan pulled her desk chair over and sat across from him.
JC sighed. "Well, okay, I kinda, uh, like..this girl."
"Girl? Who do you.." suddenly Susan's eyes lit up and grin spread across her face, "Oooh!! You like-"
JC clapped his hand over her mouth, "Shh!! She's right next door, do you want her to hear??"
"Ok, ok, sorry. Man, don't go into a tizzy. Listen, so you like her. What's wrong wit dat?!" Susan asked.
"Hel-lo! Have you seen her?! There is no way she could be into me. She'll barely even glance my way. I tried to talk to her all day, but she just avoided me. I couldn't get her to say more than 2 words to me at a time." JC replied, ending with another long sigh.
"Hey now - stop it. Aight, stay here." she said, getting up.
He caught her arm, "Where are you going?"
"Chill man, I'll be right back. I'm just goin to hang wit my homegirl for a minute." Susan said, shaking loose of his grip. She was out the door before he could protest.
He ran a hand through his hair nervously and stared at the door, waiting for his friend to return.
Brandi sat staring at her reflection in a daze. A soft knock on her door brought her out of her own little world.
"Come in." she said.
The door opened, and Susan stepped in, shutting the door behind her.
"What up, yo?" Susan asked, plunking herself onto Brandi's bed.
"Nothin much, just what you see." Brandi replied, combing her fingers through her hair. She began fixing her hair in one fat, long braid down her back.
"Soooo, what do you think of our buddies?" Susan asked, watching her friend carefully.
"They're great! I think we should take them tomorrow night. Ya know, show 'em how to have a good time." Brandi replied, smiling.
"And...what do you think about..JC?" Susan asked, giving up on the subtle approach.
All the answer she needed was in the deep red Brandi blushed. Susan grinned, making Brandi cover her red face with her hands as she giggled.
"Oh well," Susan said when they had calmed themselves, "I'm gonna go join the circus in our living room, 'cause I'm dyin of thirst. Want me to bring you back a drink or something?"
"Uh, yeah, maybe an ice water or something," Brandi replied, "Thanks."
Susan left, and, for the time being, Brandi was left alone with her thoughts.
"Here." Susan said. As she walked in, she shoved a glass of ice water into JC's hand.
"Did I miss something?" he asked, staring at the glass in his hand, then looking up at Susan, confused.
"Take it to Brandi. She told me she wanted a drink, so you can take it to her." Susan replied, gently pushing him out into the hall.
JC turned to reply, but the door was promptly shut in his face. He took a deep breath, ran his hand through his hair, and turned to knock on Brandi's door.
