~~~~~~~

AJ sighed as he plopped down onto his bed.

�What�s the matter?� Calista stood in front of him, looking down at his frowning face.

�I just don�t understand. I�m supposed to be her best friend and now she won�t even let me hug her. All she wants is for Nick to hold her.� He pouted a little and looked down at the floor.

�AJ, don�t you even see it?�

He looked up at her. �See what?�

�Michelle and Nick love each other.�

�How do you know.�

� I heard him telling her. Besides, I�ve known Nick all my life and I�ve never seen him like this before. He cares a great deal for her, you can see it in his eyes.�

�I guess. But, why wouldn�t she let me comfort her?�

�AJ, you may not want to hear this, but I think it�s better that she be with Nick right now. If I was in her situation I wouldn�t want Nick to hold me, I�d want you too. I can�t explain it, but to put it in a way, she might feel more connected with him right now then she would you. It�s kinda difficult to put into words.�

He took both of her hands and held them in his. �I�m glad it�s not you. But it shouldn�t be Michelle either. She doesn�t deserve this.�

�Nobody deserves it. Michelle has gone through a terrible ordeal and it might take a long while for her to get over it. I think you should just let her be with Nick right now, okay?�

�But then I feel so useless, like I�m not doing anything to help.�

�Oh sweetie.� She bent down and kissed his forehead gently. �I think it�s sweet of you to want to be there with her. And you�re not useless. At least I don�t think so.� She smiled warmly at him.

�Thanks. I feel better. Are you going to stay here tonight?�

�Do you want me to?�

�Of course!�

�Okay. Can I borrow a shirt to sleep in or something?�

�Why do you need a shirt?� He smiled wickedly at her.

She playfully swated his stomach. �Oh, I see. You just want to get some more, huh?�

�Maybe.�

�AJ, please get me a night shirt.� She smiled sweetly at him.

He gave in and got her an oversized yellow tee-shirt.

He tossed it to her. �The bathroom is over there.� He pointed to a closed door.

She arched an eyebrow at him. �Are you serious?�

He looked a little confused. �What?�

She laughed lightly at him. �AJ, I�m not afraid to get undressed in front of you. It�s not like you�ve never seen me before.�

He grinned. �Alright.�

She took off her shirt and then turned around so her back was toward AJ and snapped off her bra. She slipped the shirt on and then turned around again to see AJ staring at her.

�What?�

He smiled. �Nothing.�

She unzipped her jeans and slipped them off. She took all of her clothes, folded them up neatly and then placed them on a chair.

By now AJ was already in bed. She got in beside him and made herself comfortable. Her body was right next to his and she could feel his skin against hers.

Then she realized something and burst out laughing.

�What�s so funny?� AJ looked at her as she giggled uncontrollably.

She peeked her head under the covers and then looked back up at the ceiling and started laughing even harder.

�Would you mind filling me in please?�

She started speaking in between laughs. �AJ� you�re not� wearing any�you sleep naked?� She continued laughing. AJ just rolled his eyes playfully.

�Is that a problem?�

She calmed down a bit and within a few moments she regained her composure.

�No. That�s fine. Just don�t try anything unexpectedly in the middle of the night. I can get very grouchy if woken up at the wrong time and I won�t be responsible for my actions.�

�I�ll keep that in mind.� He switched off the lights and wrapped his arms around Calista. She was facing him and every now and then they would exchange little kisses.

�I love you Callie.�

�I love you too.� Soon, they both fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~

The next morning AJ was awaken by Nick yelling at him.

�AJ! AJ! Get up man she�s gone!�

AJ opened his eyes and sat up. He looked down to where Calista had fallen asleep the night before but she wasn�t there. He looked groggily at Nick.

�What?�

�Michelle is gone! And from the looks of it so is Calista.�

AJ sighed. �Nick, they�re probably together. Go look around and see if there is a note.�

Nick nodded his head and left the room. AJ dragged himself out of bed, put on a clean pair of boxers and a shirt. He looked over to the chair and noticed that Calista�s clothes weren�t there. He left the room and went to the kitchen where Nick was reading a note.

�So, are they together?�

�Yeah. Calista took Michelle to run some errands about an hour ago. They should be home anytime. They took my car.�

�At least they are together.� AJ thought about that image for a minute. The girl he was in love with and his best friend, both of whom mean a great deal to him, both extremely beautiful, standing side-by-side. �Wow!�. AJ�s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of 2 car doors slamming shut. Then, Calista and Michelle opened the front door and went directly to the kitchen

When Calista saw AJ she smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

�Good morning sleeping beauty! I�m sorry I had to leave a note but you looked so handsome sleeping! I practically had to use a crobar to pry your arms off of me.� She laughed lightly at him and then looked over to Michelle and Nick. Nick was hugging Michelle.

�So, where exactly did you guys go?� Nick asked breaking away from Michelle and looking at Calista.

Calista looked at Michelle cautiously and when she saw her nod her head, she knew it was okay to tell.

�I went with Michelle to her doctor this morning. They gave her the morning after pill and examined her. She appears to be fine. Then, we went back to my house and picked up some clothes and some necessities from a store and then we brought home breakfast.�

�Ooo! What did you get?� Nick asked, sounding like a little kid.

Michelle giggled at him. �We�re going to make you ommlettes, pancakes, toast and coffee or OJ.�

�Yum! Sounds good! You should stay here more often!� AJ wrapped his arms around Calista�s waist and kissed her neck.

�I�m sure you�d like that. Go up, take a shower, get dressed and by the time you get back down it should be just about ready.�

�Okay.� He kissed her cheek and then brought his lips to her ear. �Are you sure you don�t want to join me?� he whispered.

Calista smiled and whispered into his ear. �Later.� She kissed him on his cheek and playfully pushed him towards his bedroom. �Go on! It�ll be ready when you come back. You too Nick.�

Nick had his arms around Michelle. �Oh, alright. I�ll be back soon okay?� He kissed Michelle softly on the lips. She jumped a little but then relaxed.

�Okay.�

�I�m sorry.�

�Don�t be. I love you.�

�You too.� Nick left the room and headed towards the bedroom he and Michelle had slept in.

Calista took the items out of the grocery bag and placed them on the counter.

�Calista?�

�Yes? And please, call me Callie.� She smiled warmly at her.

Michelle smiled back. �Callie, thanks for everything. I probably wouldn�t have gone on my own and I wouldn�t want to go with Nick or AJ.�

�It�s no problem. If there is anything I can do for you just let me know okay?�

�Okay. Here let me help you.�

~~~~~~~~

Nick and AJ both walked into the kitchen at the same time to see the girls laughing.

�What�s so funny?� Nick asked as he took a seat at the kitchen table.

Michelle and Calista looked up at the same time.

�Oh, hey. Callie was telling me some stuff.� The girls burst out laughing again.

�Calista, what exactly have you been telling her?� Nick asked suspiciously.

�Just about the time when Kevin through you out in the hallway with nothing but your green bikini undies! He was so upset! He called me and started whining on the phone about how everyone was always picking on him because he�s the youngest.�

Both the girls and AJ started laughing again.

�Yeah, I remember that! That was so funny!� AJ said in between laughs.

�I�m sorry Nicky! We were just talking about childhood memories and I just blurted it out!�

�Uh, Michelle, you didn�t say anything about me did you?� AJ looked cautiously at her.

Her lips curled into a small smile and she looked at Calista. Calista looked back at her and smiled.

Then Calista looked up at AJ. �Nothing out of the usual Boner.� Both the girls started bursting out laughing again.

�Ah man! Can�t you girls talk about anything else?� AJ whined.

�You just don�t want to admit that it�s true!� Calista smiled slyly at him.

�Anyway, is breakfast ready?�

�Yep! Sit down and I�ll serve you. You too Michelle.�

The 3 of them sat at the table and Callie served them their food. She sat down next to AJ with her own plate and for the next half hour talked like old friends and had a good time.

�Oh my God! I just remembered something!�

Everyone looked at AJ in surprise. �What?� asked Calista.

�Michelle�s birthday is next week!�

�Oh, yeah. It must have slipped my mind.� Michelle fiddled with her fork, poking it into her leftover pancakes.

�What do you want to do for your birthday?� Callie asked excitedly.

�I don�t know. It�s not really that important. I�m only turning 19.�

�Oh come on! It is important. I know! Why don�t we have a party! We can rent out a club, invite all your friends and just dance the night away!� Nick�s eyes were bright and beaming when he explained the idea.

�That�s a good idea Nicky! And we would already have the entertainment! The guys would love to sing for you!� Calista looked at the guys and they nodded their heads.

�Of course! What do you say?� AJ looked at her expectantly.

�Oh, alright. Why not?�

�Great! It�ll be the best party ever!�