“I did it all for the nookie, what, the nookie, what, so you can take that cookie...”
Howie sang along as he sat in his room watching Limp Bizkit on MTV.
“Man, what I wouldn’t give for some nookie right about now” he commented sourly.
“Patience my boy” Kevin laughed, grabbing an apple from the table. But what Kevin didn’t let show was how much his lack of action in the love department lately was starting to effect him. He missed having his girlfriend to snuggle up against in the middle of the night…
Just then, Nick came crashing through the door, drenched in sweat “Hey” he greeted breathlessly, head between legs.
“Where have you been?” Howie asked, finally turning off the T.V
“Jogging” he answered before crumpling into a pile on the floor “I didn’t sleep well”
“Whoa, Nicky’s getting into shape” Kevin joked, taking a bite from his apple.
However, this comment did not sit well with Nick.
“Screw you Kev” Nick shouted, getting up and slamming the door behind himself.
Howie and Kevin both looked at each other, dumbfounded. Nick had never gotten worked up over a simple tease before.
“What crawled up his-”
but before he could even finish his sentence, Kevin was interrupted by yet another door opening.
Brian stepped out of his bedroom dreamily, not even bothering to greet the others.
“At least someone got some” Howie said half kidding, half yearning.
“Yo Bri” Kevin hollered as he stretched “What’s wrong with Nick?”
Brian had completely forgotten about his friend “Oh, um, I wouldn’t know” he said simply, pouring himself a glass of juice. “Why?”
“Just seamed moody” shrugged Kevin.
**Meanwhile**
A.J gazed lovingly at Amanda’s sleeping form. The others had been considerate enough to leave one of the rooms alone for Amanda and him last night. Although it had been a long time since they'd last been “together”, it was not all he missed about being with her. He missed her touch; her soft skin against his; the way he’d get goose bumps every time they’d hold hands; her smell; her laugh; her.... her everything!! He loved her with all his heart, but he hated not being able to always be there for her.
Sensing she’d still be laying there for a while, he decided to get up. He got dressed, and before leaving the room, gave Amanda a peck on the forehead and left to get some coffee from the lobby.
Walking down the hall, he was almost knocked over by someone.
“Nick?” he went as the form quickly disappeared.
Nick ran down the hall, not knowing precisely where to go. He was furious! Ok, more along the lines of jealous! He knew that Brian and Eli had feelings for each other, but didn’t it matter that he had feelings for her too? And Becca... Eli would be devastated. Finally slowing down, he figured that he should check out the arcade. He recalled Eli mentioning that there was a game room in the basement.
**Same Time**
I sat on top of the dryer waiting for the last load of laundry to dry. It was so boring! Too bad I hadn’t brought change. “I’d give anything for a game of Mortal Combat right about now.” I moaned.
Right then, I heard a “ding”. Assuming that this meant the clothes were ready, I hopped off the machine. But it wasn’t the dryer after all…it was the elevator! And to my great surprise, out walked Nick.
“Hey there!” I exclaimed, banging on the glass that separated us.
He looked shocked to see me. “What are you doing here?” he asked as I drew level with him.
“Ugh” I groaned, pointing over my shoulder “Laundry”
“Oh” went Nick. “Didn’t you say there was a game room down here?” he asked, looking dejected.
“Well not a ‘game room’ per say” I chuckled, indicating the two machines in the corner. “Unfortunatly, all we’ve got is Packman and...”
“Mortal Combat!!” he cried “I love that game!”
I looked at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. “You’re kidding!” I laughed, “I thought I was the only loser that still liked it.”
“Well you’re not…” he replied, trotting over to the machine while feeling his pockets for change. “You up for a match?”
**Same Time**
It was already 11:00 AM, and Brian hadn’t found Nick or Eli for that matter. He had searched everywhere for them and still no luck. To make matters worse, there was no way he could go back to his room without Nick, because Kevin would have his head. They were due at the studio for noon! Returning to the lobby for the millionth time, he spotted someone sitting in the chair at the front desk. “Finally” he thought as he rushed over. “Eli!” he called “Eli, I’ve been looking all over fo- You’re not Felicity!” he frowned upon further examination.
The very prim looking woman stood up from behind her desk, laughing “I certainly am not” she said, as thought Brian mistaking her from Eli had been a terrible insult.
“I’m Mary” she added, extending her arm.
“Brian” he answered plainly, ignoring her attempt at a handshake. “You wouldn’t know where Felicity is by any chance, would you?”
Mary sighed heavily and looked down at a sheet on the counter.
“According to her schedule, she should be in the laundry room” she began, taking time to bat her eyelashes dramatically “It’s one floor down”
Not even bothering to thank her, he used the emergency exit, taking the steps two at a time. Once he reached the bottom floor, he quietly pulled open the door and made sure that it made no noise as it locked behind him. All he could hear was the rumbling of the machines. Hoping he’d be able to surprise her, he slowly creped out of the corner when spotted two motionless shadows. Fearing the worst, and anger filling his heart, he decided not to let his jealousy get the best of him. Instead, he slowly emerged from his corner to observe what was going on.
“Shhh” her heard Nick go soothingly as held Eli tightly in his arms and caressed her hair “It’s Ok… It’s Ok…”
Brian watched in horror as his best friend calmed his girl.
All I could manage to do was gasp for air as the tears continued to flow from my eyes.
I still couldn’t believe I had let myself cry in front of Nick.
“I’m here, don’t worry” he whispered gently, still holding me tight to his chest.
Finally getting a hold of myself, I got up and brushed myself off “Damn” I said wiping away a few tears “I have to get going. I have so much work left to do.”
“Yeah, I have to meet up with the others anyway” he muttered, getting up after me.
I nodded, and was about to walk off when I felt a hand over my shoulder.
“Are you sure you’re going to be Ok?” he asked, concern heavy in his intonation.
I turned round, a slight grin on my face, and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Thank you”, I whispered in his ear. I then let go, grabbed the laundry basket and took the elevator back to the main floor.
Nick was even more baffled than before. Stupefied, he slid his hands in his pockets and was about to turn the corner to the exit when someone stepped out in front of him.
“What was that all about?” Brian demanded, looking very upset.
“Look man” Nick sighed, trying to step pass him “I don’t have time right now”
Brian scowled, more pissed than ever. Who the hell did he think he was lying to his face like that? “Tell me now” he barked.
Loosing patience, Nick pushed him angrily to the side; “If you actually cared about her, if you’d actually take the time to get to know her maybe you’d have a fucking clue what it could be about” he shouted, smashing the door open loudly before storming up the staircase.
