Chapter Ninteen

The next day was Sunday. Jess had planned on going to Universal Studies but in her currant state that was not a good idea. It was around noon and she was just flipping though the TV when Nick knocked on her door. At least, she thinks it's Nick.

Jess - "What's with the disguise?"

Nick - "I didn't want anyone to recognize me." He comes in and takes off the wig. "That thing itches. So what are you doing?"

Jess - "Not much just channel surfing. What's in the bag?"

Nick - "I'm glad you asked." He pulls out a Playstation. "I've been practicing. It's time for the student to become the master."

Jess - "You are watching too many kung fu movies."

Nick - "Does that mean youre scared?"

Jess - "Of you, never. Bring it on." She goes get a couple sodas out of the vending machine while he sets it up. She has to get use to this stupid cast, so she's not exactly going her top speed. Nick pokes his head out to see what's taking so long.

Nick - "Oh there you are?" She's still half way down the hall.

Jess - "Sorry my ankle's broken remember." A little guilt never killed anyone.

Nick - "well come one it's already. Oh you're taking too long." He comes and picks her up.

Jess - "Nick put me down I've got to get use to this thing."

Nick - "You can get use to it later we've got a Bust a Move tournament to get to." That's pretty much what they do most of the afternoon. Around 5:30 Howie calls Jess's room.

Jess - "Hey Howie whatcha doing?"

Howie - "I am making a feast wanna come over?"

Jess - "Okay I've got Nick here I guess he could bring me, cause I don't think I can drive which makes the car I rented useless."

Howie - "Nick's there. Let me talk to him." Jess hits him on the head with the phone.

Nick - "Hey D... what? No...okay...hey I'm sorry I had no idea...okay...yeah I'll see you then. I'm in trouble."

Jess - "Why what did you do?"

Nick - "I left my phone at home and I guess Johnny's been trying to get a hold of me."

Jess - "why what's up?"

Nick - "Just some stupid promo stuff. One more game then we can go."

Jess - "I guess I can beat you one more time." After she beats him again, They go to Howie's. He has made this huge meal. "Howie did you really cook all of this?"

Howie - "I really like to cook and I don't get a chance to."

Brian - "And after dinner we're going to watch Scream and Scream2, that is unless your going to get scared?"

Jess - "I'm not going to get scared. My family makes movies I know they're all fake."

Nick - "Well let's eat I'm hungry."

Jess - "Is just the five of us?"

Brian - "Well Christine had to go back to LA to try out for some movie and Kevin just said he had something else to do. And AJ I believe is just spending some family time."

Jess - "Oh I didn't know she was leaving today. I would have wished her luck."
Nick - "Can you pass the rice?"

They then start to eat, and eat, and eat. Howie made so much food. We've got chicken and burritos and rice and veggies and salad. There is just too much.

Jess - "Howie that was delicious I don't think I could eat another bite."

Brian - "But I made brownies."

Jess - "Well maybe I could squeeze one in during the movies."

Nick - "I'll take one."

Jess - "Where do you put it all?"

Nick - "Hey I'm a growing kid."

Howie - "You're growing alright."

Nick - "What's that suppose to mean?"

Howie - "Nothing." Howie puts on this completely innocent look.

Jess - "Well since you guys cooked, we'll clean up. Come on Nick help me clear the table."

Brian - "I'll get it you probably shouldn't be on that anymore then you have to be."

Jess - "Brian it's a walking cast. The name itself implies that I can walk in it."

Brian - "Alright smart ass I don't want to hear it when it starts to hurt."

They all help Jess clear the table. Howie told her not to worry about the pots and pans so she just put the plates in the dishwasher. She goes out and they are ready to watch the movie.

Jess sits on the couch between Howie and Brian and puts her legs up on the coffee table. Now she had never seen either Scream and for all of her big talk about not getting scared. She got scared. In the very beginning of the first one when the ghost guy is chasing Drew she hides her face and starts laughing.

Nick - "Are you crying?"

Jess - "No I'm laughing, cause I know how ridiculous I'm being."

Howie - "Shh." Brian leans over and whispers to her.

Brian - "it's okay I was scared the first time I saw it." He puts an arm around her and he winks. Jess smiles and moves a little closer. She almost started crying when she thought Dewey was dead and then clapped when he was alive. Finally the first one was over. "There that wasn't so bad was it."

Jess - "No I like that one."

Nick - "Are we ready for the sequel?"

Howie - "yeah put it in. I've got the munchies does anyone want a brownie?"

Jess - "Yeah that sounds good."

Brian - "Actually I think I'm going to make a sundae. Want one?"

Jess - "I couldn't eat a whole sundae I'll just take a bite of yours." Howie and Brian go in the kitchen and Nick sits next to Jess.

Nick - "What is going on with you and Brian?"

Jess - "Nothing why?"

Nick - "You two are cuddling on the couch and sharing sundaes." He raises an eyebrow. "It looks very cozy."

Jess - "Nick, he is my friend the same way you are. If you where sitting next to me I'd hide my face in your arm and not his."

Nick - "Howie's sitting next to you too."

Jess - "Howie was too into watching the movie."

Nick - "So if you don't mind if I sit next to you."

Jess - "I don't care as long as you don't mind me grabbing you if I get scared."

Nick - "I don't mind at all." Howie and Brian come back from the kitchen.

Brian - "Okay Nick out of my seat."

Nick - "No I'm sitting here."

Brian - "Funny now get up. I was there first."

Nick - "No move your feet lose you seat."

Brian - "I'm not playing get up." Nick leans back and puts his hands behind his head. "Fine be childish. Howie let me sit there."

Howie - "I was here first."

Brian - "I made this huge sundae to share with Jess I've got to sit next to her."

Howie - "Fine I can see better from the chair anyway."

Jess - "Is everyone situated now? Can we start the movie?"

Nick - "I hope so. Hey man give me a bite."

Brian - "Get your own." Jess gives Nick a bite off her spoon.

Nick - "Thanks Jess." She helps Brian eat the sundae. By the time Jade is getting killed they're almost done.

Jess - "Hey you took the last bite of brownie." She whispers.

Brian - "Here. You can have it." He feeds it to her and gets hot fudge all over her lips.

Jess - "Thanks." She wipes it off. "I'm done. Thank you it was very good." She turns back around and move closer to Nick as Sidney is talking about the killer. He puts his arm around Jess like Brian did. She's very aware of Brian watching them. Once again everyone thinks Dewey is dead. But he's not and the movie's over. "That one wasn't as scary."

Howie - "that's cause you knew what to expect. Well it's getting late and we've got rehearsal tomorrow so I think I'm turning in. Good night all." He kisses Jess's cheek and heads up.

Jess - "I should probably head back to my hotel. Can I use your phone?"

Brian - "sure. It's over there on the table. Who are you calling?"

Jess - "A cab. Nick probably wants to go home so I'll just call a cab."

Nick - "You're not calling a cab I brought I can take you home."

Brian - "And sit there and play Playstation all night, I don't think so. You go home I'll take Jess back."

Jess - "You both need your rest I'll call a cab."

Both - "No."

Jess - "Fine. Nick you go home I'll catch a ride with Brian." The phone rings and since she's standing next to it Jess answers. "Hello. Oh yeah just a minute. Brian it's Christine."

Brian - "Hey. No we were just watching movies...."

Nick - "She's always doing that."

Jess - "Doing what?"

Nick - "Calling. She calls him like three times a day if not more."

Jess - "he does seem to mind."

Nick - "He does when she calls in the middle of practice. Well if he's taking you home I'm going to take off. I should really get some sleep."

Jess - "Alright, I'll see you soon."

Nick - "When are you leaving?"

Jess - "Tuesday."

Nick - "So you'll come to the arena tomorrow."

Jess - "I guess so I've got nothing better to do."

Nick - "Okay bye." He hugs her then leaves. Brian's still on the phone so she sits on the couch.

Brian - "Okay well I got go sweetie okay bye... okay... kisses to you too." he hangs up.

Jess - "Kisses to you."

Brian - "Hey I know it's stupid but she likes it. You ready."

Jess - "yeah." She gets up and they walk out to his car.

Brian - "You're moving slower then usual."

Jess -"Well I think I over did it. Don't say anything, I know I should have just sat on my ass and not did anything." He helps her in his car.

Brian - "I wasn't going to say a word."

When they get to the hotel Brian once again makes sure Jess get her room. She takes too long getting out of the elevator and it closes on her.

Jess - "Ouch!! Ouchy, I really did not need that."

Brian - "Come on you." And once again she's carried to her room.

Jess - "What is it about me that makes people want to pick me up."

Brian - "You're little nose. Open the door." She does and he takes her in and sits her on the bed. Then he lingers a little to long over her.

Jess - "What?"

Brian - "I... never mind. I'll see you tomorrow." He starts to leave.

Jess - "No Brian what is it?"

Brian - "I can't do this. I can't be around you and not want to kiss you or hug you or smell your hair. I know you said that you didn't want anything like that with me and it's making me crazy. When we were sitting together on the couch I couldn't even concentrate on the movie and then when you were sitting next to Nick I got jealous. Jealous of Nick, and he's like one of my best friends. I can concentrate with you around."

Jess - "I'm sorry Brian. I wish I could be with you. I wish my head and my heart didn't conflict with each other like they do but I have to watch out for myself. I can't get involved with you." He's on his knees in front of her holding her hands.

Brian - "Why?"

Jess - "It's all too familiar. Ask Donna or Johnny about me they know."

Brian - "What are you talking about?" Jess takes a deep breath.

Jess - "The person I left at the alter was Donnie Walhberg."

Brian - "The guy from New Kids?" She nods. "What's that have to do with us?"

Jess - "That's why I can't get involved with you I've been down this road before and I just hurt everyone. I 'm not going to hurt you. Besides this is a pointless conversation, you're with Christine remember."

Brian - "Christine." He sits on the floor with his back against the bed. "She's jealous of you. She told me that I was to not take you home. Nick brought you and he can take you is what she said."

Jess - "She seems like she's a nice person Brian."

Brian - "You're the only one who thinks so."

Jess - "No I'm not. You must think so too otherwise you wouldn't be with her." He smiles.

Brian - "I know the guys think she's a pain but she's different when they're not around."

Jess - "well you asked me to give her a chance and I'm going to."

Brian - "You remember."

Jess - "well ya it was only last night."

Brian - "You were pretty out of it." He sits next to her. "You said something else and I haven't been thinking of anything but that since you said it." She's thinking oh god what did I say. "Do you remember?"

Jess - "No did I give you me speech about the environment."

Brian - "Nope."

Jess - "Oh I know the dangers of not wiping off the top of your soda can."

Brian - "Not that either." Now she's really confused.

Jess - "I don't know what." He leans over slowly to kiss her. She doesn't stop him. Figuring what harm can one kiss be, besides maybe it won't be that great and I'll get over this thing I have for him. His lips touch hers and at first it is soft it felt like feathers are touching her lips. Jess leans towards him a little and he gets the hint. He reaches up and touches her hair. She put her hand on his shoulder and pull him towards her. They lean back and lay down on the bed. Before she knew it things got a little out of control. Brian has his hand on her hip and is untucking her shirt. "Wait Brian stop." The realization of what they were doing hits him. He rolls over and puts his hands on his face.

Brian - "I'm sorry Jess. I didn't mean it."

Jess - "You didn't mean to kiss me."

Brian - "No I didn't mean for that to happen."

Jess - "Brian nothing happened.

Brian - "Cause you stopped me. If you wouldn't have come to your sense Lord knows what I would have done."

Jess - "I have more faith in you then that. But I don't have faith in me. I still can't see you."

Brian - "This is going to be hard. Even harder know."

Jess - "I know. I think we should just not be alone together until we get passed this."

Brian - "okay." He doesn't sound very enthusiatic. "I better get going."

Jess - "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." He looks at her and runs his hand down her face. "Please Brian just go. I haven't got that much will power." She is so ready to cry and doesn't want him to see it.

Brian - "Alright. Sleep good." He kisses her nose and leaves.

Jess grabs the phone and calls Loren. Danny answers the phone.

Danny - "Hello."

Jess - "What are you doing there?"

Danny - "Dropping Tristen off."

Jess - "Where's Loren?"

Danny - "In the tub can she call you back?"

Jess - "No! I need to talk to her now."

Danny - "Loren, its Jessica she sounds desperate."

Loren - "Hey Jess."

Jess - "I have so messed up."

Loren - "What's wrong?"

Jess - "I let him kiss me and then to make things worse I kissed him back."

Loren - "I'm guessing this is about Brian."

Jess - "Of course it's about Brian! What am I going to do? We had such a nice night and then he brought me home and we were talking about his girlfriend of all things and he kissed me."

Loren - "What you were on a date with him."

Jess - "No. Howie cook dinner and I was over there with him and Nick and Brian. Then we watched some movies and Brian brought me home."

Loren - "So you're back in New York."

Jess - "No! Loren you are making me crazy on purpose you know I'm at a hotel. Now what am I going to do?"

Loren - "Well first of all how was it?"

Jess - "Oh. My. God. He has such nice lips. I was hoping that maybe he would be a bad kisser that way it would be easy to forget about it but know such luck."

Loren - "That good huh, so what else happened."

Jess - "Nothing I stopped him. He had his hand on my hip and you know what comes next so I stop him. What have I done to myself? Why didn't I listen to my dad and just become a nun."

Loren - "Cause you like boys too much."

Jess - "Oh yeah that's right."

Loren - "So what happened after the kiss?"

Jess - "We talked I told him that it didn't change anything I still couldn't see him and that we should try to avoid being left alone with each other for a while."

Loren - "Oh sweetie, why do you do this to yourself. You should just give things a chance, it's not going to be a repeat of the whole Donnie thing."

Jess - "I can't take the chance. If I hurt Brian like I did Donnie, I couldn't live with myself."

Loren - "One day you will realize that you should be with him and hopefully it won't be to late."

Jess - "It's already to late. He has a girlfriend."

Loren - "Okay let's look at the events of tonight. He kissed you and wants to be with you. Do you really think he wouldn't dump her if you want to give things a try?

Jess - "Great then I'd be a home wrecker. I'm giving myself a headache."

Loren - "How's your ankle?"

Jess - "It's sore I walked too much today."

Loren - "Take it easy. Oh Hun, I'm sorry I got to go. Tristen just got stuck in the laundry shoot.

Jess - "Again. Okay I'll talk to you later." They hang up and Jess tries to go to sleep.