"Ha! Take that Mario!" Kristin said to Nick.

"No fair you blew me up," Nick pouted.

Kristin laughed as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Aww poor Nicky got beat by a girl."

Nick smiled. "So, what's the reward?"

Kristin drew closely to Nick. "What reward?"

"The reward you said that no matter who won, we'd both be happy."

"Did I say that?"

"Yes."

Kristin sat on Nick's lap. "You want your reward?" Nick nodded. Kristin got even closer. "Guess what?" she whispered in his ear.

"What?" Nick asked with a grin.

Kristin smirked. "I lied," she said with a laugh.

"Oh really now?" Kristin nodded. "You are such a tease."

Kristin smiled. "I know."

"You know? I'll show you," Nick said as he began to tickle her sides. Kristin giggled. "Uh oh someone's ticklish." Nick attacked her and pinned her to the ground. He tickled her until tears came out of her eyes.

"Okay stop!" Kristin said in between laughs.

Nick let her up and she caught her breath. She gave Nick an evil eye and attacked him, causing him to fall to the floor. Kristin looked Nick deeply in the eyes. Slowly their lips moved toward each other. Nick put his hands on her cheek and kissed her lightly. Kristin ran her fingers through Nick's blonde hair. After a few minutes, Nick finally pulled away. Kristin shyly got off Nick and sat back down on the floor.

"Sorry," she said softly.

Nick caressed her face. "What are you sorry for?"

"I shouldn't have kissed you."

"Can I let you in on a secret?"

"Sure."

Nick stared into Kristin's bright blue eyes. "You can kiss me anytime, anywhere." Kristin smiled and Nick kissed her gently on the lips. He slowly moved to her neck and wrapped his strong arms around her waist. Kristin linked her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Nick caressed her cheek and stared into her eyes.

"What time is it?" Kristin asked.

Nick looked at his watch. "Almost midnight."

"I better get back to my apartment. I have class in a few hours. I need my sleep."

Nick pouted a little then got off the floor. He took Kristin's hand and they went out to his car. Neither one of them spoke a word on the way to the apartment. They just held each other's hand in silence. When they arrived at the apartment Nick looked at Kristin and smiled.

"I'm glad you came over tonight."

"I am too. I really had fun."

Nick kissed her gently on the lips. "You're coming to the concert tomorrow night aren't you?"

Kristin smiled. "Of course I am. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good," he said softly. Nick got out of the car and walked Kristin up to her door. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Okay," Kristin said and wrapped her arms around him.

Nick kissed her on the lips. "Good night."

"Good night," Kristin said, then went inside. She found Rachel laying on the couch fast asleep with Brian's jacket wrapped around her. Kristin smiled and gently shook Rachel awake.

"Rachel, wake up," Kristin whispered.

"Mmmm, Brian let me sleep," Rachel mumbled and rolled over.

Kristin covered her mouth to keep from laughing. "Rach get up!" she said a little bit louder.

Rachel sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Brian. . ." she said whie rubbing her eyes. Rachel pulled her hands away from her eyes and looked around, noticing Brian was gone. "Oh. . .hi Kristin," she said in a yawn.

Kristin laughed. "Good morning sleepy head. Why did you think I was Brian?"

"He was here earlier. I must have fallen asleep. I guess I bored him to death. What time it is anyway?"

Kristin looked at her watch. "It's almost one. We better get to bed or we'll be falling asleep in class." Rachel just stared off into space and nodded. Kristin noticed her eyes were swollen as if she had been crying. "Rach, are you okay? You look like you've been crying."

"I'm. . .fine," Rachel said avoiding Kristin's eyes.

"Rachel don't lie to me. You know I hate that."

"I don't want to talk about it right now," Rachel said as she got up and walked toward her room, still wearing Brian's jacket.

"All right, but I'm going to keep bugging you til you do," Kristin said as she followed her.

"Fine with me," Rachel commented as she changed into her pajamas.

Kristin let out a snicker. "Are you going to sleep in that jacket?"

Rachel grinned as she climbed into bed. "It smells good."

"Weird girl," Kristin said as she walked to her own room. "Good night."

"Good night. . .and I'm not weird!" she shouted.

"Whatever you say," Kristin yelled back and crawled into bed, dreaming of Nick.