Denise looked up as the two teenagers walked down the stairs sadly. Immediately she stood up and hurried over to them. "What's wrong with Jessica? WHy is she crying? Please tell me, you know I love her like she's my daughter!" she exclaimed hurriedly, pain and fustration evident in both the woman's vocie and on her face. Brian smiled sadly and led Denise over to a chair.
"Ok, Denise, why don't I start from the beginning?" Brian said.
"A very good place to start!" Nick interupted, singing off-key. He blushed, "Sorry, couldn't resist!" That brought a giggle from AJ's mother.
"ANYway," Brian said, playfully glaring at his best friend, "We went to Sea World today. Donna, Jess's other best friend, showed up around 11 and walked around with us for a couple of hours. So, about 5 or so, we were walking back to my car, when someone ran into her- Pat." Denise's eyes widened.
"As you know, he's the guy she claims to be in love with," Nick interrupted, sighing. Denise nodded sadly.
"So anyway, he said hi to the two of us and practically ran away. Jess now thinks he hates her," Brian looked at Nick to continue, because he was to upset about it to continue.
Nick briefly closed his eyes, as if in pain, and continued the story.
AJ held Jessica in his arms, lightly stroking her back, murmuring little words of love into her ear. He sat her down on the bed, looking deep into her eyes. "Jessie, what just happened there?" he asked softly.
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"You kinda like...changed personalites...yea..." he said, desperate for a solution, something to assure him there was nothing wrong with his beloved girlfriend. She stared blankly at him, not understanding. Shit, he thought sadly. "Never mind hun. Come give Alex a hug." She willingly fell into his arms.