Ten years later:
Nick was at a audition, so Jess was over at Brian's house. A few years ago, when he was 16, Brian had gone through a short phase where he didn't want to hang out with a couple of eleven-year-olds. That phase passed quickly though, when he realized what good friends the three of them were. While Brian was making some lunch for the three of them (Kevin was there too), Jess was sitting in his family room, deep in thought. Kevin sat down next to the short teenager and looked at her. "What's troubling you, Blondie?" he asked. Jess jumped, holding her heart.
As her breathing started to calm down (her pulse too), she exclaimed, "Kevin Scott! Don't you dar do that again! You know how easily I get spooked!" She then swatted at him playfully.
"Sorry, kid. I just wanna know what's wrong," he explained.
"Nothing much," she said, looking out the window
"Guy problems?" he asked. She just nodded half-hazardly. "I knew it! Who is he??"
"This guy named Pat I know," she started, only half lying. "He's the sweetest guy. Not to mention funny, and pretty cute."
"So what's wrong?" Kev pried.
"It would be nice if he would at least give me the time of the day," she muttered.
"He's one of those popular jocks, huh?" Kev laughed.
"It's not funny! And I guess he is...I mean, in fifth grade we always used to flirt. But now..." she trailed off, sighing deeply.
"Wow, you really do like this guy," Kev stated. She nodded.
"But I guess it's just not meant to be."
Laughing, Kev replied, "How do you know? You're both only 13!"
"But wouldn't he at least made a simple friendly gesture, just a 'hi' in the hallway?" Jess whined.
"He could be shy," Kev pointed out.
"Pat? Shy?" Jess laughed. "You are so wrong there. Those two words don't belong in the same sentance, unless we're talking about me!" Brian walked into the room.
"Kev, you helping her with her guy problems?" he laughed.
"Yes, he is Brian. Do you think you could help?" she asked hopefully. Brian laughed.
"OK, what's wrong?"
"He never even smiles at me. In fifth grade we always used to flirt." Jess complained.
"Jess, Jess, Jess," Brian shook his head. "Either he's become pig-headed and doesn't deserve you, or he's really shy."
"No, no," Jess shook her head furiously. "He ain't shy, and he definately is not pig-headed!"
"I don't know. I have no idea what's running through his head when he sees you. It could be anything." Brian said.
"ANYTHING?" Jess asked, certain ideas filling her head. A smirk came across Brian's face.
"ANYTHING," he told her, still smirking. "Lemme guess. Pat?" Jess just nodded. "You're right. He isn't pig-headed."
"You met him?" she asked.
"Yea, remember when I went to the b-ball game with you, cuz Nick is on the team? He was there. I talked to him a bit."
"You did not tell him about me. PLEASE tell me you did not say my name," Jess pleaded.
"Well..." Brian said, looking down. Jess pounced on Brian.
"What did you say about me?" she demanded.
"I said that I was there with you, and that you are my best friend," Brian explained, pushing Jess gently off him and sitting up. Jess fell back on her butt and mumbled something incoherent to the other two in the room. "What was that?" Brian asked sweetly.
"Nothing! What did he say?" Jess asked impatiently.
"He said 'Are you serious? Man, that chick is so hot!'" Brian said, trying to keep a straight face.
"Are you serious?" Jess squealed.
Laughing, Brian replied, "No. Sorry, all he said was 'Cool' and then changed the subject." Jess's face immediately fell and she slumped back into the couch, sighing deeply. Brian took one look at Jess and the smile faded from his face. "Aww, Jessie, don't worry about it. Like I said, he's either shy or he doesn't deserve a great girl like you."
"Thanks, Brian," Jess sniffled. Brian hugged her tightly. Kevin had been sitting there, watching them, the whole time. Nick burst through the door, grinning widely about something at that time.
"Guess what guys?" he asked excitedly.
"What?" Jess said quietly, looking up at her best friend. Brian let her out of his embrace and turned to face his best friend.
"AJ and Howie were at the audition. We were harmonizing a little, and AJ suggested we form a singing group!" Nick exclaimed.
"That's great, Kaos," Brian said, a fake smile on his face. Jess looked back at him and read the jealousy in his eyes.
"Yea, that's great," Jess echoed.
"Thanks, guys," Nick smiled, sitting down next to Jess on the couch, still not noticing the redness of her eyes from almost crying, or Brian's slight jealousy. "What were you guys doing?"
"Oh, shit!" Brian said, jumping up and running to the kitchen. "I forgot about the macaroni!" Sure enough, when he tried to stir the macaroni, it was all stuck to the bottom. Not to mention the water had started to boil over the top of the pot.
"Brian!" Jess whined. "I'm hungry!" Nick looked over at her and noticed her red eyes for the first time.
"Jess, what's wrong?" he asked softly. Kevin got up to go help, or attempt to help, his cousin in the kitchen.
"Nothing," Jess said. "Why do you ask?"
"You look like you've been crying," Nick replied. Jess shook her head.
"Nope."
"But your eyes are all red," Nick protested.
"Really? It must be that new shampoo," Jess lied. She felt bad lying to her best friend, but she didn't feel like talking to him about Pat. It was true though, she hadn't been crying. The tears were in her eyes, though.
"Oh, sorry," Nick said.
"It's ok," Jess smiled half-heartedly. The phone rang. Kevin walked out.
"Jess, that was your mom, said you have a party in a few hours." Kevin informed her.
"Ah, shit! I forgot," Jess whined. "I don't even remember whose it is. I don't feel like going."
"Do you want me to tell your mom you don't feel good?" Kevin suggested. "After all, it is Brian cooking!" he joked.
"HEY! I heard that!" Brian called from the kitchen.
"No, it's ok," Jess said, looking down at the ground. "I remember it's Briana's party, and she's gonna be so mad if I don't go."
"Even if you say you got food poisioning?" Kev asked.
"KEVIN!" Brian whined from the kitchen.
"Even if I say I got food poisioning," Jess sighed, looking down at the ground.
"Jess, you really don't look like you want to go to that party," Nick said. "You don't have to go if you don't want to."
Leaning back against the couch and closing her eyes momentarily, Jess said, "You're right. I don't feel up to partying. If you don't mind, Kevvy, could you just tell my mom I don't feell good, and I'll just stay here?"
"Sure, Jess," Kevin smiled.
"Thanks so much," Jess said, closing her eyes again. Kevin went back into the kitchen.
"Miranda?" he asked.
"Yea?" she replied.
"Well, she told me to tell you she doesn't feel good." Kev said.
"A lie?" Miranda asked.
"Sort-of. I was supposed to say she got food poisioning,"
"Lemme guess, Brian's cooking," Miranda interuptted, laughing.
"Yea," Kev laughed. "But seriously, she doesn't look good. She's really pale, and she isn't really her cheerful self. Hasn't been all day."
"You know, she could have just told me she didn't want to go, cuz she knows I don't really like Briana, but for some reason, I believe you." Miranda sighed.
"I'm sure she's just tired," Kev assured her.
"Probably," Miranda said. "Well, bye Kevin. I suppose she just wants to stay there?"
"Yea, I don't think she should walk home like this."
"OK, thanks Kevin."
"No prob, Miranda. Bye." Kev said, hanging up and sighing. Brian walked over to him, after observing Jess a little.
"You're right, cuz. She does look sick," Brian murmured. Kevin just nodded in response.