Chapter 7
Friends of Friends
Nick and Jessy walked along the beach for a while, letting the warm setting sun surround them in its bright colors.

I have to tell her, Nick thought as he watched Jessy wade through the shallow current, picking up shells and sand dollars.

Jessy felt eyes on her constantly. She knew that Nick was watching her, and she didn't really know why. She felt suddenly dumb cause of that. The scenery was almost fairy tale like to her, an unwritten Romeo and Juliet scene, sort of thing. She felt like telling Nick about what she thought about him, but the thought of losing his friendship stopped that train of thought dead in its tracks.

Jessy kneeled down to get a shell in the water, and she felt a presence near her. She smiled and splashed Nick who was to her right.

"Hey! What was that for?" he said brushing the water off his shorts and legs. She stood up and looked at him strait in the eyes. Nick just stared into the dark sea green eyes (they had changed), noticing how the ocean reflected the sun into them and made them glitter. She just smiled back at him.

"Cause I felt like it." She said, walking out of the water and back onto the moist sand.

They walked in silence along the beach for what seamed like forever. When they turned around a corner, Jessy stopped and sat on a rock, she was not tired, but she just wanted to watch the ocean. To her right, she saw two guys throwing a Frisbee, and their laughter could easily be heard over where she sat.

Nick could not take his eyes off her. She was so beautiful when the sun caught in her golden blond hair, and glowed off her face. He decided that now was as good a time as any to make his move, just as he was about to tell her, she turned and looked at him.

"Why do you keep starring at me?" She asked, "it kinda makes me nervous" she continued, brushing some lose hairs out of her face.

"Well, I was just noticing how your hair glows in the sunlight at this time." He said, not knowing he did so until it was too late. Jessy was shocked; she didn't know what to say. She never in her life had such a comment! Much less from someone that she liked! She felt her face blush and she mumbled a "thanks" under her breath, and smiled.

She didn't say anything else, she didn't know what else to say if she did.

Nick went and stood in front of her, his shadow casting over her. She could smell his cologne, which was surprisingly sweet smelling to her.

"Jessy I want to tell you something." Nick said taking Jessy's hands in his own and looking down at them. Jessy didn't answer; she just looked back, giving a silent response. He locked his eyes to hers and just stared into them as he spoke.

"Jess, I have wanted to tell you for awhile now," Nick started, feeling his head begin to spin. "Ever since I met you that first day, I wanted to say that-"

"HEY NICK!" Another male voice called. Jessy and Nick looked down the shore and saw the two guys running toward them. Nick was silently relieved, he didn't really know if he wanted to tell Jess yet of what he felt, he didn't want to get embarrassed this early in the friendship. As the two guys got closer, he dropped her hands, recognizing the faces that called his name.

"Hey guys, I didn't know you were around here." Nick greeted, giving 'guy hugs' to them. "I thought you were across the city."

"Yeah, we were until this morning, the fans found us out and kinda took over the place." The first said. He seamed familiar to Jess, he was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, and the other was similarly disguised.

"Oh, and who might this be?" The second said, hinting to Jessy who was hiding behind Nick.

"Yeah, Jess, get out here." Nick joked, pulling Jessy in front of him.

He held her by the shoulders so she would not go anywhere. Jess tried to pull free, but was unsuccessful.

"Guys this is Jessy Patkins, Aaron's friend I told you about." Nick introduced. "Jessy, this is AJ" he said pointing to the first, "And that is B-Rok." He said pointing to the second.

"Oh, this is Jessy. Why does she look so cool and hang out wit' you?" AJ teased.

"HEY!" Nick yelled. "Who would she hang out with, you?" He retorted.

B-Rok (or Brian) finding the perfect place to cut in, said, "No, she would hang out with me!" putting his arm around her shoulder. Jessy found all this to be quite amusing. All were laughing, even the very nervous Jessy Patkins. After a few minutes of talking, Brian asked Jessy if she would like to meet the rest of Nick's 'extended family' back at the hotel. Jessy of course agreed and they started to walk back to the beach side hotel.