“Earth to Nikki!” Melony snapped her fingers at her as she stared off into space during class.

“What is it?” Nichole replied.

“Girl, you have been daydreaming all day,” Melody stated.

“Was I?” she sighed.

“What is going on? Did something happen between you and Dei?” Melony asked.

Nichole blushed, “Absolutely not!”

“You are so lying!” Melody snickered.

“Girls, can you save it for another time?” the professor barked.

“Sorry, sir,” they ducked their heads as the class chuckled.

TING! TONG!

The bell rang as the students poured into the halls, heading for the cafeteria. Nichole and her friends sat outside of the cafeteria in a little stone area that held picnic tables and snack machines.

Melody stuffed a couple of steak fries into her mouth, “So are you going to tell us or not?”

“Nothing is going on,” Nichole declared.

“You have been lost in la-la land all day, and you have barely answered questions in class,” Melony added.

“That proves nothing,” Nichole defended.

“What about— “Melody was cut off by Deivian suddenly showing up.

He leaned down overtop of Nichole as he put both hands on the table beside her.

“What the—“ she shouted as she hunched over under him.

“I missed you all morning,” he smiled down at her.

“Seriously!” the twins said at once as they stared at each other.

Nichole looked down as she fidgeted in her seat, “What are you talking about, Dei?”

“You remember last night?” he smiled down at her, “You were very good.”

Nichole blushed as she covered her face.

“Hey, you guys!” Melody shouted with perked ears ready for some juicy gossip, “What happened?!”

“Nothing! He's kidding,” Nichole waved her hands in defense.

Deivian spun her around on the stool as she leaned back away from his face.

“Do I need to remind you?” he grinned as he leaned in closer to her.

“U-uh…,” she stuttered.

“What?!” Melony shouted, “You two did it?!”

“This is so embarrassing!” Nichole closed her eyes in embarrassment.

“Yeah right,” Melody smirked, “I don't believe it. She's growing up so fast!”

“Unbelievable,” Melony laughed.

“Guys! Nothing happened!” Nichole grunted, “we did nothing, and we definitely didn't have sex!”

“You two did what?!” a voice shouted from across the schoolyard.

“Oh, sh—“ the twins replied as they turned to see Tisha storming towards the group.

“This will be bad,” Nichole prepared herself.

Deivian stood up as Nichole stood up next to him.

“H-hi, Tish,” Nichole forced a smile.

“Don't hi me, Nikki! What the hell is this about you and my boyfriend?” Tisha asked.

“There is nothing going on between us,” Nichole told her.

“Yeah right. The look on their faces says otherwise,” she barked.

“They think what they think,” Nichole replied as she gathered her books to leave.

“What do you have to say, Dei?” Tisha pushed him.

“We are roommates, Tish. Nothing more,” he answered.

“As if!” Tisha argued, “There is no way that you two shared a room and not do anything.”

“Gee, Tisha,” Deivian frowned, “Didn't know you thought so low of me.”

“It's just reputation, Dei,” she confirmed.

“What are you talking about? I have only been with you for the last seven years,” he argued.

“You know what I meant,” she crossed her arms.

“Whatever, Tisha,” he said as he walked away.

“This isn't over, Nikki!” Tisha grunted as she ran after him.

“Whoa,” the twins sighed in disbelief, “I think she hurt his feelings.”

“Dei?” Nichole whispered.

                                                          *******

It was late in the day when Nichole headed back to her dorm room. She watched the ground as she thought about how bad she felt for Deivian. She never thought he was a player, nor did she think Tisha could say such a horrible thing to someone she claimed to love.

He looked so sad; she thought to herself.

“Huh?” she paused as she noticed Deivian sitting alone under a large willow near the end of the schoolyard. She swallowed hard before heading towards him. Maybe I can cheer him up a bit, she thought to herself.

“Dei,” she smiled softly at him.

“What is it?” he replied without looking up.

“Are you okay?” she sat down next to him.

“Why wouldn't I be?” he sighed.

“I know Tisha said some mean things to you earlier, and I was just wondering—” she was cut off by his sudden glare at her.

“Um…” she hesitated, “...if you were going to be o…k?”

“I'm fine, Nik. Although it did kinda hurt,” he forced a smile as he stared at the ground.

What should I say? She bit her lip.

There was an odd moment of silence between the two before she laid her head on his shoulder and took his hand in hers. He glanced over at her and smiled.

She broke the silence, “So how long have you two been together?”

“Didn't we already discuss this?” he laughed.

She nudged him, “I know. I just wanted to get you talking.”

“Heh… You know, I just couldn't believe that she could say some crap like that about me,” he looked up at the sky.

“Well, you flirt a lot, “Nichole replied, “And you're a huge tease.”

He turned to her, “A tease?”

She swallowed hard, “Y-yes.”

Turning away from her, “How?”

“Well, first. You always say weird things and you can get all touchy-feely,” she waved her hand around in the air.

“Well, you have the best reactions, so I can't help but tease you,” he smiled, “And besides when have I actually touched you?”

She crawled over in front of him and stared him in the face, “You're joking, right? You get this close to my face, and you do those dreamy "I want you" eyes.”

“You're reading way to into things, Nik,” he laughed.

She sat up and crossed her arms, “I just see things as they are.”

“And when have I ever actually touched you?” he grinned.

She thought for a moment, “Well, what about that kiss?”

He frowned, “Hey, you kissed me.”

“That's beside the point. Anyway, y-you know what I mean,” she blushed.

“You're too cute, Nik,” he smiled as he stood up.

She stood up next to him and took his hand in hers, “So, I guess you're feeling better now?”

“I guess so,” he squeezed her hand.

“Good,” she grinned, “then my job is done.”

“So, I was just a project, huh?” he pulled his hand away from her.

“That's not exactly what I meant,” she hesitated, “I mean. I'm your friend and it's a friend's duty to help another friend when they are down.”

“Really?” he grabbed her bag and backed away from her.

“Hey! What are you doing?” she started after him.

He turned around and ran off toward the dormitory as she gave chase. They ran around the picnic tables outside of the cafeteria as they made their way down the dormitory walkway. Students moved out of the way as the two dashed through the crowd of busy students. Deivian finally reached the dorm room as he shuffled through his keys to unlock the door. Nichole stopped at the top of the stairs as she caught her breath. He waved her bag in the air as he finally found the correct key.

“You are so going to get it!” she huffed as she dashed toward the room.

He raised the bag high in the air as he laughed at her feeble attempts to reach it.

“That's not fair! You're too tall!” she pouted, jumping to reach the bag.

His heel hit the doorstep, causing him to stumble backward. Nichole grabbed his shirt as she tried to prevent him from falling over. Her attempt was in vain as they both tumbled to the floor.

“Oh, my gosh! Are you okay?” she asked as she sat upon him.

“I think I'm fine,” he smiled up at her as he folded his arms behind his head.

“What do you mean?” she looked puzzled.

He shook his head and sat up, “Are you always this clueless?”

“Hey! I'm not a clueless blonde,“ she pouted, “I just prefer for people to be direct with me and not beat around the bush.”

“Well, to be direct,” he smiled, “you're sitting on my lap.”

“Oh! I'm sorry,” she quickly stood up.

“It's ok,” he replied as he got up, “And you don't have to apologize about everything.”

“Right,” she sighed.