Nichole sat on her bed staring at the ceiling fan slowly spinning around. Her stomach continued churning from the earlier news. It wasn’t like he didn’t have a girlfriend, to begin with, it just hit her harder that it was one of her best friends.

Why am I even feeling this way? She moped.

“I bet he didn't even tell her he is sharing a room with another girl,” she sighed as she sat up on the bed.

BRNNG! BRNNG!

She turned around to see her phone shaking on the desk. Reaching over to grab it, she noticed a photo half stuck under it. She ignored the phone as she reached down to pick up the photo.

“Who is this?” she wondered as she stared at it.

The photo was a picture of a youthful woman with long brown hair and bright green eyes. She was holding a small child as they posed in front of a large waterfall.

“Wow!” she whispered as she admired the photo. Turning it over, she noticed small handwriting on it. It read:

“The best of everything!”

Suddenly the door crept open as Deivian walked into the room. Nichole turned to him and held out the photo, “I found this under the desk.”

He turned around and looked at her, then the photo.

“Who is she?” she asked as he took the photo from her.

He put the photo in-between two books were on the shelf over his bed, “My mom.”

“She is very beautiful,” Nichole smiled, “Is that little boy you?”

He flopped down on his bed, “Yeah.”

Nichole sat down on the bed next to him,” she reminds me of my Mom. Maybe one day I can meet her.”

“Not unless you are going to have a séance,” he sighed.

“Oh,” Nichole quickly shut her mouth, “I-I’m sorry!”

He laughed a little as he turned over in bed, “It’s okay, Nik.”

“When did she pass away?” she asked, placing her hand on his.

“She died a few months after the photo… Cancer.”

“Oh my. You were so young.”

“Yeah, well… She was a great mom.”

Nichole stood up and walked over to the dresser near the window, “So, how long have you been dating Tisha?”

“For about seven years. Off and on,” he sat up.

“It's weird that she was my friend, but she never told me about you,” she stared out of the window.

“Strange,” he smiled, “I heard a lot about you.”

Quickly turning around towards him, she blushed.

“Tisha was always talking about how you were always dealing with your crazy younger sister. She said that you were always with your nose in a book, and never went on dates,” he laughed.

“W-What?” she declared, “I have d-dated!”

“Really?” he asked.

“W-Well, it's not like I don't want to—” she pouted, “I mean— I haven't found anyone that I wanted to date yet!”

“Yet?” he laughed, “I guess a guy has to be special to land a rare gem like you.”

“Rare gem?” she grinned, “It isn't like that.”

“Well, I guess that's just my opinion,” he smiled.

She walked over to her bed, sat down, and let out a huge sigh, “I think someday it will happen. I will meet a loving guy who remembers special occasions, send sweet messages, calls regularly, and always puts me first.”

“That's a bit selfish don't you think?” he laughed as he walked over to her.

“I don't think so,” she giggled, “Every girl wants to be treated like they matter and sometimes... like a princess.”

“A princess, huh?” he asked, “So you're looking for a prince then?”

“I mean. I don't need a prince,” she replied as she crossed her arms, “Also, I don't think there is such a thing as a perfect prince. Everyone has their flaws.”

“I guess,” he smirked, “Not everyone can be a king like me.”

Nichole laughed at the notion, “What makes you such a king?”

“That is something, my dear Nik, that you will just have to use your imagination for,” he stated.

“Imagination?” she chuckled, “It's not like you have a king-like body and king-sized-“

She quickly caught herself as he stared at her for a moment without saying a word. The awkwardness of the situation claimed the bedroom as the two just stared at each other.

“I was going to say crown!” Nichole broke the silence just as a knock came to the door.

“Right,” Deivian laughed as he walked over to the door and cracked it open, “What’s up?”

“Hey, man. I was wondering if you were going to the concert at 10?” Dante spoke from the other side of the door.

“Uh,” Deivian hesitated.

“You can bring Nichole with ya, too,” he added.

Deivian thought for a moment before answering,

“Sure. I will meet you there.”

“Cool,” Dante replied, “And don't forget to bring the funds for the entrance fees.”

“Yeah,” Deivian closed the door.

“So, there is a concert tonight?” Nichole asked as Deivian walked back over to his bed.

“Yeah. Do you want to come?” he replied as he swapped his shirt from a white tee to a dark blue plaid button-up.

“Sure, but I heard him say something about funds?” Nichole questioned.

Deivian laughed, “Don't worry. I gotcha covered.”

“You don't have to do that. I don't need to go,” she quickly responded as she pulled the covers back from her bed.

“Why not?” he told her as he walked over to her.

“Because I don't need for you to pay my way,” she sighed, “I am more than capable—”

He leaned over her back as he pressed up against her, “What if I want to?”

“Well…” she choked.

He whispered in her ear, “It could be fun.”

Her body shook under the weight of his. He was so touchy and hands-on it made her beyond nervous. It has been the first time that she has ever had a guy flirt with her. He was a complete tease.

“F-fine. I will go with you,” she blurted as she capsized under him onto the floor.

He laughed at her as he walked toward the door, “Let's go.”

Quickly jumping to her feet, she remembered the earlier incident, “Isn't Tisha going to be there waiting for you.”

“Probably,” he smiled as the door opened.

Great, she sighed.

A loud boom sounded across the football field as sparks of fireworks lit the night sky. There were crowds of students and faculty spread amongst the field. The tunes of the performing band on the large stage decorated with vast lights gave the field a rave-type of feeling.

“Hey, Nikki!” Melody called out to her as she stepped onto the field.

“Hi,” she replied as the twins ran over to her.

“I didn't think you would come,” Melony smiled.

“You know, being broke and all,” Melody snickered.

“Ha. Ha. That's so funny I forgot to laugh,” Nichole shoved her playfully.

“I'm sorry,” Melony laughed.

“And you being my besties, I thought you would invite me and cover my fees?” Nichole pouted.

“About that,” Melody scratched her head, “Someone covered for us.”

“Anyway, we're glad you could come, but you better be careful though. Tisha is pissed about you sharing a room with Dei,” Melody warned.

“How does she even know about that?” Nichole replied as she sat down on the bench, “And why would she be mad about it?”

“Sometimes Nikki, your blonde really shows,” Melody sighed.

“You are sharing a room with her boyfriend,” Melony explained, “That's intimate.”

“You girls are really out of it,” Deivian laughed, “There is nothing intimate about roommates.”

“To a guy maybe, but to girls… It's a relationship,” Melody confirmed.

“Well, she is my friend, and she should have nothing to worry about,” Nichole forced a smile.

“Tell her that,” Melony told her as she pointed at Tisha walking towards the group.

Nichole gulped as she prepared herself for the onslaught of babble from her close friend. They have been friends for a long time, but as any girl knows, once it comes to men the relationship can go sour fast.

“Nikki!” Tisha called out as she approached them.

“Oh, hey Tish,” Nichole grinned and prepared herself.

“What is this I hear about you shacking up with my man?” Tisha asked, folding her arms and taking an abrupt stance.

“Well, it isn't what you think. There was—” Nichole was cut off by Deivian brushing pass her.

“It’s nothing,” he told Tisha as he grabbed her hand and led her away from the group.

“That was close,” Melody sighed.

“We better go get a good seat for the next show,” Melony scurried toward the stage.

The concert lasted a few hours into the night as a few students stay on the field. Nichole sat alone on the bench, staring up at the sky. It was too cloudy to see any stars as the dreary sky hid the moonlight.

Maybe I should just go back home? She thought to herself.

“Rough night?” a voice whispered to her.

She turned to see Sangre standing next to her. He had on a soft white dress shirt and straight black dress pants. He was standing a few inches from her with his hands in his pockets.

“Why are you dressed up?” Nichole stretched.

“Well, you would know if you answered any of my calls,” he smiled softly, “I had a concert today.”

“A concert?” she asked.

“Yeah. I am in the Performing Arts,” he stated.

“Oh right,” she giggled, “I forgot.”

“Maybe you can come to the next one?” he asked, “If you aren't too busy with your new boyfriend.”

“New boyfriend?” she stared, “No! It's not like that. We are just roommates.”

“Right,” he sighed as he looked at the ground.

She looked at him for a second, “What is wrong with you? You have been acting weird lately.”

“I'm just wondering why we aren't dating yet,” he replied as he sat down beside her.

“Because we are best friends,” she smiled to herself.

“Is that all we will ever be?” he told her.

“We have been friends for a very long time,” she added, “And I don't really want to ruin that.”

“You like Deivian, right?” he proclaimed.

She looked at him then turned away, “Where did you get that idea from? And besides, we are roommates and nothing more.”

“Well, I guess I will have to try again next year,” he laughed.

“Yeah. Maybe next year will be better,” she smiled at him.