"Well, maybe he's listed," I suggested.

"No, he's famous, Sophia.  There's no way his number would be listed.  I guess we didn't connect like I thought we did," Colleen mumbled sadly.

"I'm sure Brian will be calling me soon.  He was looking into a class for the both of you."

"I don't need a fucking class," she snapped, jumping up from the couch in a fit of temper.

"You do need a class, Col.  I can't have you running off again.  You scared me way too much when you did that."

"Whatever.  I'm gonna go shower." 

I shook my head sadly as I watched her disappear upstairs.  It had been a week since the incident with her and that Nick guy.  She really missed talking to him.  I could feel her slipping away into another one of her depressions.  She was fine up until now.  Nick must've had a really positive impact on her.  To be honest, I missed Brian a hell of a lot too.  Fate obviously brought us together… so why the hell didn't he call?

Nick's View

"Nick, I've got great news.  I found a class for you and that girl," Brian said, happily shoving a brochure into my face. 

"Her name is Colleen," I replied, angrily snatching the brochure from his hand.

"Yeah, Colleen," he corrected himself, throwing up his hands.  "You really miss her that much?"

"Yes, actually I do."

"I guess I could give Sophia a call.  I have to tell her about this place I'm sending you to anyway."

"What's this place all about, Bri?" I asked, not sure if I wanted to find out.

"Well, it's group therapy, I guess.  You go and sit with a group of five or six other people who have gone through the same thing as you.  You share stories and get through things together.  They meet twice a week."

"Dude, is this some kind of cult?"

"No, retard, it's not.  It'll help you, I promise," he smiled.

"I don't need help, man.  I'm totally fine.  I understand what I tried to do was stupid."  I realized trying to convince him was never going to work, but I continued anyway… just for the fun of it. 

"Hey, Nick, look on the bright side… Colleen will be there.  I know you have the hots for her or something."

"Nah, shut up.  I don't have the hots for her.  She's just cool to talk to, that's all," I retorted.

"Sure thing," he whispered, sarcastically.

"Aw, fuck you," I grinned, tossing a pillow at his head.

"Ouch, that really hurt Carter."

"I don't think I can take much more of your sarcasm."

"Sorry buddy, you're gonna have to deal with it.  I'm not letting you move back into your house until you've gone to at least four sessions.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to call Sophia.  Oh, wow, I don't even have to look for the piece of paper I wrote her number down on… it's still quite clear on my arm!" he muttered, shaking his head in disgust.

"Nerd," I mumbled.  "Hey, let me know if Colleen is there."

Colleen's View

"Hello?"

"Sophia?"

"Nah, it's Col.  Who's this?"

"Brian… Nick's friend."

"Oh, yeah.  What's up?"

"Actually, I need to talk to Sophia… is she around?"

"Sure, hold on."  I kept the phone to my ear, trying to hear any sign of Nick's voice. 

"Why the hell didn't you let me talk to her?" I heard him ask.  I couldn't help but smile to myself.  He was so adorable…

"Sophia, Brian's on the phone," I shouted.  She must've been reading a book or something, because I heard her quickly drop something to the floor, as she raced down the stairs and grabbed the phone out of my hands.

"Hey Brian, how are you?"

Sophia's View

"Here's the deal," Sophia started, taking a seat next to me on the couch.  "Classes start tomorrow night at 6:30.  They're only an hour, so try to connect with the people there, ok?  Nick will be picking you up here at around 6:20 so you better be ready.  And Brian will be calling the place to find out if you two showed up… so you better go."

"Is that all Brian called for?"

"Yeah," I nodded, sadly.

"Ouch."

"Not to worry, Col.  All I have to do is seduce him.  Easy enough," I laughed.  "He's only gorgeous, rich, famous…shouldn't be too hard.  Either that or I'll just ask him out." 

"Yes, whatever you say.  I'm going for a walk," she blurted out.

"I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not.  Look, Sophia, I'm going to this stupid class because you want me to.  Just let me get some time by myself.  I promise I won't do anything stupid.  Just please let me go out or I'm gonna go absolutely crazy," she pleaded.

"Fine," I sighed.  "Just be careful."

"No worries, Sophia."

Colleen's View

Besides the beach, sitting in the park was one of my favorite things to do.  It gave me a calm feeling, and that's what I needed most right now.  The cute little kids running back and forth were funny to watch, and the gentle breeze was so welcoming…

"I like this spot too," a guy's voice spoke from behind me.

I turned around to see Nick standing there, his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, I missed you," I smiled, motioning for him to join me on the grass.

"I missed you a lot too," he replied, accepting my invitation.

"I almost wish we were back on that dock, talking about stuff."

"Same here," he smiled.  I loved his smile…

"And now we have to go to these stupid sessions."

"Hey, at least we're in this together.  Colleen, I have no idea what I'd do without you… I mean that," he replied, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.

"I was just about to say the same thing."

"Brian's been such a huge pain in the ass lately.  I really can't take him anymore.  Just because I made him promise not to tell my mother, he starts acting like he owns me."

"I know exactly what you mean.  Sophia has been getting on my nerves since that night."

"You always know exactly what I mean… that's what I love about you."

It took me a minute to realize he'd just used the word 'love.'  I know he didn't mean it like that… it's just a figure of speech. 

"Something wrong, Col?" he asked, the concern obvious in his deep blue eyes.

"Nothing at all.  I'm just so happy to see you again."

If I was a brave person, I would've asked him out.  But I remember he'd told me that he didn't want a girlfriend right now because that would just add to his stress.  The last thing I wanted to do was pity him into going out with me. 

Brian's View

I walked up the steps to Sophia's house, my hands shaking because Nick had disappeared on me.

"Brian, how'd you know where I lived?" she asked, swinging open the door with a huge smile on her face.

"Uh - you gave me your address," I laughed.

"Oh, so I did!" she blushed.  "Come on in.  I see you still have my number on your arm."

"I know.  I scrubbed it for hours and it doesn't seem to wanna go away."

"That's funny," I giggled.  "But anyway, you look worried.  What's wrong?"

"Nick disappeared on me.  Did Colleen do the same to you?"

"Nah, not exactly.  She told me she went to the park to clear her mind or some such thing."

"That's probably where Nick is.  Ok, I'm gonna stop worrying then," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Will you just ask me out already?!" she blurted out, scaring me half to death.

"Huh?"

"I think you're the sexiest guy alive and all I've wanted to do since we met was pin you up against a wall and kiss you.  So, please, do me a favor and ask me out."

"Are you on any kind of drugs?" I asked, wondering whether or not this girl was serious.

"Nope, I'm not."

"Well maybe I have a girlfriend…"

"Do you?"

"No," I grinned.  "You wanna go out?"

"What do you think?" she replied.  "Did you hear a word I just said?"

"Yep, loud and clear.  I admire your upfront-ness actually.  It's quite a turn-on," I smirked.

"Pick me up at 7, ok?"

"I sure will darling." 

I gave her one last smile before letting myself out.

"I love that guy!" I heard her shout, as I walked down the front steps.  I smiled to myself realizing that something good did come out of Nick's pathetic attempt at suicide. 

Nick's View

"Thanks for walking me home, Nick," Colleen said, as we neared Sophia's house.

"The pleasure was all mine.  I guess I'll see you tomorrow night, 6:20 sharp."

"Guess so."

We stood in complete silence for the next few minutes, as we both contemplated what to say next.  This was usually how all my first dates ended - completely silent and awkward until I decided to make the first move.  This was the same idea, but a totally different situation. 

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, Carter," she finally spoke.  "Until then…"

"Til then…"

I gave her a quick hug and made sure she got in ok.  She was such a cool friend.