The bright rays of sunshine peeked through the blinds as the morning sprung. It was Saturday in the tiny city, and classes were closed for the weekend. Nichole rolled over in her bed as she forced herself awake. The room was quiet and shady. A gentle sound of far off traffic danced along with the early morning songs of the bluebirds.

“Deivian?” she whispered as she sat up in her bed.

“What is it?”

“Do you have any plans for today?”

“No, why?” he replied as he turned over in bed.

“Well, I and the girls are going to have a movie night.”

“Uh… Okay,” he stated, “You know that you don't have to get permission to do stuff in your own room, right?”

“I know, but it would have been rude to have a gathering without you knowing about it,” she hopped out of bed, “and besides, I have a lot to get ready for till then.”

“What are you talking about?” he turned towards her.

“I will be hogging the bathroom for the next couple of hours,” she smiled as she danced into the bathroom.

“Knock yourself out,” he sighed as he turned back over and went back to sleep.

Tossing her pajamas into the hamper, she took a quick glance at herself in the mirror.

I think that I will go saucy today, she smiled to herself.

The steam from the shower filled the bathroom as Nichole sang pop tunes to herself. She was feeling good today. Although she had turned down Sangre's offer to date, she felt good about things. This was going to be her year. A happy year.

Nichole turned off the water after soaking for an hour. She began blow-drying her hair while continuing her song.

Click!

She turned off the hairdryer as she tossed her long auburn and blonde hair around. Having naturally curly hair from birth, it at once curled up into long twisty ropes. She left it hanging as she pinned in a few diamond clips throughout it to give it a sparkly look.

She called out to Deivian but got no response. After some quick deliberations, she slowly crept the door open and tiptoed out.

I can't believe that I've forgotten my clothes, she quietly stepped out. The fluffy, sky-blue towel that was wrapped around her snagged onto a small nail in the door frame.

“Seriously?” she grunted as she tried to rip the towel free, “Come on!”

“Ah!” she yelled as the towel gave way causing her to fall backward out of it.

Deivian quickly sat up in bed as Nichole crashed into the ground. He looked over at her as she sat there rubbing her hip. She didn't even notice that the towel was no longer wrapped around her as she stood up.

“Oh! Sorry about that. I didn't mean to wake you,” she apologized.

“No problem,” he smiled, “I'm glad you did.”

“Wait what?” she looked confused.

He pointed down at her with the huge grin still on his face.

“What?” she asked again as she looked down to see the towel gone.

Screaming she ripped the covers from her bed and covered herself up, “Seriously!”

“No need to be embarrassed,” he told her, “It’s a beautiful sight.”

Her face turned bright red as they stared at each other.

“But maybe I should leave until you're finished,” he stated as he climbed out of bed.

“I don't want to push you out. I-It's your room as well,” Nichole responded as she sat down on her bed.

“It's no problem. I promise,” he smiled at her as he headed for the door.

“Ugh!” Nichole grunted as she slumped back onto her bed.

It was eleven o’clock when her friends finally decided to show up in her room. As they prepared themselves for movie night, Nichole noticed that Deivian still hasn't returned to the room.

“Have you guys seen Dei?” Nichole asked the girls as she sat down next to the tv on a huge green beanbag chair.

“No,” Melody replied shoving popcorn in her mouth.

“Aww, you miss your boy toy?” Melony jokes.

“He is not my boy… toy,” Nichole turned on the movie.

“Yeah right,” Melody added, “You have been so obsessed with him ever since you moved in with him.”

“I didn't move in with him,” Nichole emphasized, “It's a dorm.”

“Just face it girl. He has got you sprung,” Melody laughed, “And he didn't even do anything yet.”

“Whatever. Let's just watch the movie,” Nichole sighed.

“You know this movie reminds me of the time when I was at camp. There was this nerdy guy that always followed me around. He was totally creepy,” Melody told them, “When it was time to go home, he asked me to be his girlfriend.”

“I remember that!” Melony laughed, “he was head over heels in love with her. It was so cute and creepy at the same time.”

“Did you even give the boy a chance?” Nichole sighed.

Melody grimaced, “Did you give Sangre a chance?”

“Whoa! Let's not make this about me!” Nichole defended, “Besides, we are besties and that would totally ruin our relationship.”

“Oh, get real Nikki!” Melony grunted.

“Yeah! He has been in love with you since—like—forever.” Melody added.

“He hasn't,” Nichole stuttered, “W-we are like siblings.”

“Gross,” Melony coughed.

“He has never looked at your relationship as ‘siblings,” Melody formed air quotes with her fingers.

“Let's just change the subject,” Nichole turned the volume on the tv up a bit more.

“Fine,” Melony smiled, “Let's talk about Deivian.”

“No,” Nichole blushed.

“So, have you two done anything yet?” Melody grinned.

“No,” Nichole choked, “and why would we?”

“Cause you're in this room all alone for hours on end every day,” Melony waved her hand in the air.

“So what?!” Nichole shouted.

“If I was in a room alone with him, I would do everything that he let me do,” Melony laughed.

“That wouldn't be much. He isn't like that,” Nichole reminded them.

“Yeah right,” Melody disputed, “He has a ton of girlfriends.”

“How do you know that?” Nichole asked.

“Everybody knows that Nikki,” Melony confirmed.

“I just think word got around and now everybody thinks the wrong thing about him,” Nichole stated.

“Awe,” Melody giggled, “Nikki, you're so innocent.”

“Whatever,” Nichole grunted.

“It's not like she has ever been in a relationship,” Melony teased.

“I think it's sweet that you believe that about him,” Melony smiled, “It's great that you want to protect your man's reputation.”

Nichole threw a small pillow at her, “For the last time, we are not dating!”

A few minutes went by when a sudden bang came to the door.

“Did you guys hear that?” Melony jumped from the noise.

A couple laughing and snickering could be heard from the other side of the door just as it flung open. Deivian was laughing and kissing Tisha as they stumbled into the doorway.

“Is she for real?” Melody rolled her eyes.

“H-hey guys. Want to—um—to join us?” Nichole forced out a breath.

“Oh, hi. I didn't know you guys were hanging out in here?” Tisha snickered as they tumbled onto the bed, “don't mind us.”

“How the hell could we not?” Melody sighed as she turned up the TV volume.

“Are you okay, Nikki?” Melony asked as she tugged on her oversized sweater.

“Y-yeah. Why wouldn't I be?” Nichole sat back down and continued to watch the tv.

A deep throbbing pain suddenly sprung up in her chest as she tried to ignore them. She could see them lying on the bed together with Tisha on top. They shared small kisses and whispers as the others tried to watch the movie. She could feel the tears beginning to well up in her eyes but they suddenly stopped as Deivian spoke out loud.

“Hey, Tish? Why don't we watch the movie with them? It looks good,” he sat up.

She groaned and whined as she tried to push him back down on the bed, “But I thought we were having our own time?”

“We can tomorrow,” he smiled at her and stood up.

Sighing she relented and slid down onto the floor in front of the bed, “Fine.”

He sat down behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Shooting a quick glance over at Nichole, he flashed her a smile. It did hurt a bit to see them all hugged up, but the gesture he just made helped her feel better about the situation somehow.

                                                            *******

It was 2 o'clock in the morning as the static from the tv calmed the room. The girls had fallen fast asleep on the floor. It was dark except for the faint light of the tv. Deivian sighed and walked over to turn the tv off.

“Dei?” Nichole whispered.

“What is it?” he replied as he took off his shirt.

“Did you stop for my sake?” she asked as she walked over and sat down beside him.

“What makes you think that?” he answered as he lay back on the bed.

“Well, you two were all into each other then suddenly—and I just thought—“she mumbled.

“It's nothing,” he confirmed.

“I mean…” she stuttered, “It was just—“

He sat up and looked her in the eyes. She just sat there for a moment staring back at him.

I know I shouldn't, but one little touch won't hurt, she bit her lip.

Neither spoke a word as her hand slowly raised up and touched his bare chest. She ran her fingers down his stomach as her eyes followed.

“Nik?” he whispered.

She compulsively kissed him before he could utter another word. He deepened their kiss to let her know that he agreed with her decision.

BRNNG! BRNNG!

The light from his cell phone broke their kiss. He reached down and picked it up to see Dante's face blinking on the screen.

“I'm sorry. I should've done that,” Nichole apologized as she hurried back over to her bed.

“Wait a sec,” he called after her.

She ignored him as she pulled the blanket over her head. How could I have been so stupid! Tisha is never gonna forgive me! she pouted.