I sighed, rolling into Nick and burying my face in his shirt. He smelled fresh and just a bit like salt water, the black tousled strands of his hair still damp in some places. He shifted, tightening his arms around me as the first rays of light finally started to wake him.

I didn't want to wake up either.

Jericho, apparently, had other plans. Bursting into the room, he pointed at us, then looked at the door, then pointed at us, and exclaimed, " oh my god!"

Nick rolled, eyebrows pulling together under the harshness of the sun, " whoa Jerry, what?"

He pulled back slightly, and so did I, baffled by the sudden appearance of Nick's best friend. The tall boy looked both victorious and scared, like he couldn't believe his eyes. Honestly, It took me a few minutes to realize what was blowing him away. I quickly pulled away from Nick, straightening my shirt before crossing my arms. Nick, on the other hand, dragged his hands down his face as to wash away the exhaustion.

I didn't take the covers off my legs for fear of the cold air. Jericho nearly giggled, " oh my god I ship it so hard." He clapped and did a little dance.

" your either gay, on drugs, or you just woke up." I said, voice flat.

Nick answered, voice slightly coarse, " he just woke up. Give him thirty-minutes to be more Jericho and less twelve year old fangirl."

I nodded, " okay."

Jerry sighed, and shook his head, " I swear babe if you break his heart."

" you can shut up now." Nick and I said in unison.

We both went wide eyed and looked at each other, before sharing the same coy smile. The other boy just watched, looking like he might just pee himself in fear, " oh my god! It's fucking fate!"

" stop saying oh my god." I said, shooting him a nasty look.

Jericho swallowed hard, before smiling like a fool. I honestly had no idea what was going on with him. Standing, I said, " right then. I'm gonna go get some water. Arson, I'll be back to get you when I want food."

As I was walking away, I heard Jericho rush, " Nicky I can't even explain how happy this makes me."

I guessing Nick either raised a brow or smiled knowingly. Then, his friend added, " I... Wow. Alright allow my inner girl some lenience and tell me how it even happened."

" really Jer, really?" Nick replied. Obvious amusement in his voice.

I took silent steps closer, letting myself eavesdrop just for a minute. Jericho shifted, then said, " yeah, I mean come on. What about her?"

Nick sighed, " I don't know. She's.... Not like other girls."

" and?" Jericho prodded.

Suddenly, a very obvious smile was in Nick's voice and I slipped, tumbling into the room. He looked over at me and arched a brow, " she's normally pretty good at being quiet, but she's clumsy."

I narrowed my eyes and him and flipped him the bird. That earned me a good laugh from Jericho and a chuckle from Nick. The alternate boy standing, he shook out his tangled brown hair, " priceless, absolutely priceless."

" I'm hungry." I said, ignoring Jerry.

Nick stood, stretching his arms above his head to reveal a sliver of smooth skin. I kept my eyes on the side profile of his face.

After stretching, he followed me into the kitchen. Then he slipped around me, one hand briefly brushing my waist as he went. Searching through the cabinets, he found an assortment of breakfast foods and produced them to me. I picked bacon and eggs. While he cooked I made coffee and Jericho stood watching with his mouth slightly agape.

" what?" I asked him, handing him a mug of coffee.

He merely shook his head. Rolling my eyes, I set a mug on the counter for Nick then filled one for myself. Nick, on the other hand, straightened his beanie while the bacon sizzled, and continued to flip and serve the eggs and pig.

We gathered around Jericho's four-person kitchen table. The boy took one bite and practically melted in his seat, " oh Jesus, this is heaven."

Nick shadowed his laughter with mock disappointment, pointing at the other boy with his fork, " you're an idiot."

" he had the same reaction I did the first time I tried your cooking." I countered, defensively. It was true; the second his food entered my mouth, I was in euphoria.

Jericho hummed with good intentions, " Before you moved, you couldn't cook to save your life. What happened?"

" Um, I lived on my own and had to make my own meals?" Nick tried, eyebrows pulling together in a way that I had to admit was both dashing and cute. Then I mentally slapped myself. Arson was my friend, not cute and dashing.

While the boys bickered I kept to myself, reashing over and sneaking a strip of Nick's bacon while he wasn't paying attention. Despite my ninja like reflexes, Jericho saw me. While I popped it into my mouth, he said, " you sneaky litte... Nick, are you going to let her get away with that?"

" What?" Nick replied, innocently, " the bacon?"

" am I really that bad at being a ninja?" I said, disappointed in myself or lack there of.

They ignored me. " yes," Jericho said, shocked, " That is bacon, food of the gods. You don't give that away."

The beanie wearing boy shrugged, " It's fine. she can have it if she wants." The way he said it sounded so natural, riddled with slight confusion at Jericho's over exaggerating. I was kind of flattered; I also took the opportunity to swipe another rectangle of bacon.

Jericho scoffed, " stop it!"

" what? he said I could." I replied, realizing it was Nick's last piece and ripping it in half, giving the black haired boy one part and me the other. While we nibbled at our bacon portions, Jericho watched us with a flabbergasted expression.

Closing his mouth briefly, the taller of the two said, " well, aren't you too just peachy?"

Nick and I both gave him our best cheesy smiles. Jerry shook his head, completely baffled by our ease around each other. Spidering his fingers through his chocolate brown hair, he squeezed his eyes shut and said, " That runs deeper than love guys, deeper than loves."

" oh no." I said, waving my hands in defense, " I just like bacon that's all."

Nick shook his head in real disappointment, " calm yourself Jer."

" much deeper. Like, bacon deep." Jericho said, standing and taking all our plates to the sink. He made sure to whisper, " deeper." when his head was between our ears.

My phone beeped, signally a text from Chasity. while the boys bickered, I answered every text I had acquired.

Gavin: Hey you! Funny story, I'm dating Eillie. how'd you see it coming?

Nora: Hey, call me or something I bored

Nora: Don't call me anymore, I'm at work

Nora: How's it going with Nick? ;)

Chasity: Hey :)

Chasity: OH MY GOD I GOT A BF!!!

Chasity: Facetime me asap because you are MISSING OUT

Chasity: So sorry for spamming you but I have to. He's too cute! :D

Chasity: :)

Chasity: How long does it take to fall in love with someone?

Chasity: I can't even! Oh, how's it with Nick btw? It seemed good when we facetimed at the funeral, but i'm asking JIC.

One by one, i replied.

Carter to Gavin: I knew it! ha! call it lady's intuition c;

Carter to Nora: You spamming little twit. jk, I'll call ya next time you ask, ya? and no, just no. Nick and I are strictly friends/bffs.

Carter to Chasity: you know i love it when you text spammy to me. This boy hm? I'm evaluating him when I get back. Send me a pic. I don't know how long it takes to fall in love, i'll tell you when I do. and it's all good with Nick, we're like friends or something now. I have things to tell you. JIC? just in case maybe?

Jericho and Nick leaned over my shoulder. with a sigh, I flicked on the camera and held up my phone, " smile."

They both did, Jericho smirking slightly, Nick flashing his tilted grin. I made sure his batman was straight in the camera, before smiling myself and snapping the picture. My lips tilted up slightly at the idea of the picture, some warm bubblies tickling the bottom of my lungs and my stomach.

Nick sat next to me and asked, " what time do you want to head out?"

" Whenever you're ready. I know you and Jer are close so... yeah." I smiled, and shrugged.

Returning the smile, Nick arched a brow, " you're letting me make the decisions now?"

" Technically you've always made the decisions, I'm just accepting it now." I replied, propping my legs up on his lap.

" Touche." He replied, drumming his fingers on the table. With a small sigh through his nose, " alright, here's what we'll do. After lunch, we'll pack up and head out."

" whatever tickles your peach." I said, slipping my phone into my pocket and turning my chair and body completely to face him.

He chuckled, " I think you know what would tickle my peach."

I scrunched my nose up in faux disgust, " Ew nope. I don't even want to think about what your peach would be."

" My epidermus." He replied, and I frowned. Rolling his eyes, he indulged me, " My skin, that thing that covers your body."

" yeah I know... That's your peach?" I asked, an amused smile playing my lips.

He nodded, " everyone has their own peach."

I leaned forward, then tickled his side. He jumped, then reached for me. Trying to pull away, I lurched backwards. Nick wrapped his arms around me then set us on the couch, where we could safely embark in a tickle war with minimal casualty.

He went for my sides and I went for his, squeezing my elbows to my ribcage in a desperate attempt to stop or crush his fingers. Sadly, he was winning.

Small panicked laughs found their way through my lips during my demise. It wasn't a beautiful loss. The more I struggled, the more strands of blond hair got in my face. Nick's nose scrunched up slightly in his smile. Somehow, I got the tables to turn and ended up with Nick on the couch, me straddled on his hips. This didn't last long, though, because he was quickly able to roll us to where he had the advantage once again.

But this was war.

To an outside source our battle may have looked something skin to a couple teasing each other rather adorably. In reality, it was friends teasing each other somewhat adorably. The longer our squabble was, the less effort I put into it. I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt, and my voice mixed with Nick's voice made for such a memorable moment that I didn't want it to end.

All good things come to an end, sadly.

Luckily, they can mean the beginning of more good things.

Jericho quite literally dropped his glass on the carpet when he saw Nick and me. The mug fell to the hardwood floor and shattered, sending coffee all over the glossy finish and even tinging the carpet some.

We shot up, bumping into each other as we went. My arms tangled with Nick's and next thing I know he was catching me so I didn't fall off the couch. He let out a breath of relief, " Jesus you two scare the hell out of me."

The whole of the moment started out good. I was saved from a bruise thanks to Nick and Jericho was still seamlessly shocked. Except he looked more than shocked. He was frozen.

Nick studied the other boy carefully, his eyebrows knitting together and his lips falling into a confused line. He leveled me onto the couch before untangling us and sitting straight, " Jer?"

Jericho seemed quite literally paused. His hands were still suspended in mid air, as if he were still holding the cup loosely. His eyes had fallen from us to the floor, and his expression was blank. Nick slowly walked towards him, cautious, like he had seen this before.

Jerry blinked.

Looking up at Nick, he shot him a brief shaky smile and said, " sorry... I should clean this up."

" I'll help." I pitched quickly, rushing to a stand and nearly flying to a washcloth. Soaking it with water, I went straight to absorbing the coffee out of the coffee while Jericho got some paper towels to wipe up the hard floor. Nick grabbed some spray that would help remove the stickiness and made sure the evenly cover each section the scalding liquid had come into contact with.

After we finished, Jericho took all the supplies and said, " thanks."

While putting them away, he called, " ah dammit, now my carpet's gonna be stained."

And he was back.

While Jerry hit the restroom, I quietly asked Nick, " what happened?"

" later." Was all he said.

When the other boy came back, I suggested we make cookies. Seeming like the star idea of the day, we worked together and broke out the ingredients: flour, sugar, vanilla, two eggs, butter, baking soda, salt, milk. we also had the smarts to get aprons.

Setting out the butter to soften, Nick cracked the eggs - one in each hand - into a bowl of milk and vanilla. We let Jericho stir that mix and worked together to sift the correct amounts of all-purpose flour and sugar into a larger bowl. A small plume of flour came up at us and We laughed, coughing and leaning back away from it's wake.

Me, being as classy as I was, wiped my flour and sugar covered hands on Nick's apron. He stood back, hands up as he looked down at his now handprint smeared cover, " I-I... You just... My apron!"

I shot him my fanciest of childish grins and said, " sorry."

Reaching forward, he patted his hands on my stomach, " well, me casa es tu casa so..."

I scoffed, mouth agape and tilted up at the corners, " you didn't just do that."

" I think I did." He replied, smiling in faux apology, " sorry Angel."

If it was war he wanted, it was eat he'd get. Dipping my hands in the dry mix, I reached up and ruffled his hair. As a comeback, he smeared some on my face.

Jericho whipped around to face us, distaste riddled in his features, " hey, I'd rather eat that then have you two wear it." I could see a spark of amusement in his eye

With a nod, I said, " yep, sorry."

" sorry Jer." Nick said.

After Jericho had turned around, we gave each other knowing looks. A small simper on each of our lips, we grabbed the bowl and silently went to Jericho.

The flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients fell in slow motion onto Jericho's head. His mouth went open in surprise and his shoulders curled up, eyes squeezing shut again the makeshift sand storm. We emptied the whole bowl on his head.

When he turned around, he smelled like flour and sugar and a pinch of salt. He also looked like he was about to kill us.

Giggling to myself, I gave him a thumbs up. He sighed, " thanks guys." Before suddenly gripping us both in a hug. Nick tried to push away from him, squirming and writhing, " no no no no no n-...... Awe it's all over me Jerry."

I, on the other hand, stood and accepted my fate. I did glare at him though, " aren't you just lovely?"

He smiled coyly, " sometimes."

Nick hugged the boy back, reaching behind him for the wet ingredients. Getting two scoops, he slathered on in his hair and the other down his back. Jericho stood extremely straight, letting go of us to run his fingers through his locks.

I took the opportunity to grabbed the bowl of wet ingredients and fling the inners at Nick's. The items clung to his shoulder and torso, soaking his apron and part of his shirt. I set the bowl down in laughter.

Grabbing my waste, he pulled me toe to toe with him, my body practically becoming part of his. This was when I struggled, the feeling of cold egg and milk sending shivers down my spine, not to mention the smell. But Nick didn't let go; he continued to hold me to him, smiling in content at my torture.

While i was in my limb prison, Jericho grabbed the removable faucet head and shot Nick with a stream of water. I pulled away from him and grabbed a cup of agua, tossing the water at Nick - who was now losing.

Then Jericho turned and sprayed me. I jumped, shivering at the impact. Cold, wet, and covered in flour, I probably looked pretty bad. But then again, Jericho had a clump of sugar rolling off his eyelash and Nick's normally soft black hair was now dusty and damp. We had the full effects of war written across our bodies.

Jerry hooked the faucet back up and looked at the floor, the hard wood both sandpaper and puddles. One of the cabinets had a ball of egg dragging down it and the granite of the countertop was completely shielded from view.

" oh." Jericho said.

" my." I added.

" god." Nick finished.

While we stared at our conundrum, a light hand knocked at the door. " um." Jericho said, " who is it?"

A sigh, " me... Jericho, let me in."

" why?" He said, trying to swipe away at the mess on his clothing.

" I left something."

" what?"

" don't make me say it."

" what is it, Kara."

She pressed her forehead against the door, " please cocoa."

" what?" I said, covering my mouth to muffle my giggles.

He shot me a nasty look but Nick was laughing too. Giving up, Jericho fully stripped his shirt and apron, walking to his room and dropping them in a waist basket. Then he started unbuckling his jeans. I squeaked, " what's with you guys and having no modesty!?"

He looked up, " what? Oh, sorry." And shut the door.

While he changed, I looked at Nick and asked, " do all your friends look that nice shirtless?"

" well, seeing as your my only other friend, I'm going to say yes." He winked.

My face set in a glower, I crossed my arms, " Ha. ha."

he chuckled, seeming to get a kick out of it. The girl, Kara, on the other side of the door said, " Jerry! come on just let me in. I can see the other car, and I'm pretty sure you didn't spontaneously get a van."

" Oh he's getting changed sweetie, give him a moment." I called.

" wait is- is that a girl!? Jerry you're such a whore!" She yelped. I could practically see her cute little face contorting into a frown.

Jericho came out of his room in an unbottoned flannel and a light blue pair of jeans. Ruffling his feathery hair, he laced his brows together and asked, " is she still there?"

We both nodded. With a sigh, Jerry pulled on a pair of converse and opened the door. I silently noted that he cleaned up well.

The girl standing on the other side of the door was average height with dark hair, some strands riddled with highlights. Her locks were also short, set in a fancy boyish cut. She was naturally slender with wide eyes and dark eyelashes, the arch of her brow complimenting the planes of her face. Lips painted red, smiled smiled, revealing that her teeth were as pristine as the rest of her. She wore dark blue jeans with a black t-shirt crop top, a small sunflower patterned pocket on the left side. Over the top she wore a grey cardigan, the sleeves tappering off over her hands, where her nails were painted white, " Jericho, who's your girl toy?"

" actually," He started, simply, " That's Nick's future girlfriend, Carter. Carter, Nick, my lovely ex, Kara."

She waved, then said, " Can I talk to you alone?"

" What do you want, Kar?" He asked, tone falling tired.

Suddenly, her expression became just a grim, " In front of your friends?"

" spit it out." He said, voice hardening just slightly.

She mumbled, " my birth control."