"And she just brings girl after girl home all the time. She's brought a guy or two but that's besides the point," Peter told his best friend Ned.

He felt a familiar discomfort when he woke up this morning and remembered what he had done night before. If Michelle ever found out about how he'd thought about her, he was sure she'd never speak to him again.

"Damn," Ned muttered from Peter's couch. Michelle had went out to dinner with a friend and Peter invited Ned over for some Star Wars marathon on HBO. "I never really pictured her as the type. Dude, you've gotta take notes. When's the last time you had a lady friend, anyways?"

Peter chose to ignore that question. Partially because he didn't want to answer and partially because he hadn't known the answer himself. He focused on his studies and his part-time job at the grocery store down the street. He didn't have the time or the money to think about girls.

"I just don't get it. Did she wake up one day and decide she didn't want to be a loner anymore?" Peter finished washing the dishes and began making the popcorn he promised Ned.

"Is that such a bad thing? I mean, don't get me wrong, she's a cool girl and all but she was just as much a loser in high school as we were. Can you blame her for wanting something more than that?" Ned sighs shaking his head. "Now, here we are, watching the same Star Wars movies we've seen 15 times and she's out meeting new people and reading new books and travelling. I've got to hand it to her. "

It had seemed like Ned was just as bummed about their lifestyle as Peter was. At least Michelle was branching out. That was more than he could say about himself.

"Yeah," was all Peter said. "I guess you're right."

♡ ♡ ♡

Michelle didn't come home until 2 a.m. that night. She tip-toed into the kitchen to make herself some tea. Peter and Ned had passed out on the couch hours ago.

While she waited for her water to boil, she walked back into the living room to set her stuff down and turn the tv off. She couldn't help but notice Peter's light snores.

How cute.

Michelle began to walk over to the couch and grab the blanket hanging off the back and gentally placed it along Peter's sleeping body. She watched as he snuggled into the blanket and groaned softly.

Has he always been this adorable?

Michelle's teapot began to screech causing her to jump and run to the kitchen. She suddenly realized how bad of an idea it was to use the kettle. Oh well. Peter didn't even stir. He must be exhausted from all those extra shifts. Michelle thought to herself as she poured the scorching hot water into her mug.

She was brought out of her thoughts when Ned popped up and began to collect his things to leave.

"Hey, Ned. Long time no see." Michelle whispered. To be quite honest, she was still getting used to this whole friendly thing.

Ned just nodded in response, too tired to collect his thoughts. He waved slightly and walked out of the apartment, unknowingly slamming the door.

Peter jumped out of his sleep and sat up. He looked around bewildered and furrowed his eyebrows at Michelle in the kitchen. He looked like a discontented kitten and Michelle had to hold back a smile.

"Hi, Peter. Ned just left and I think he's still half asleep. He kind of slammed the door." Peter nodded and looked down at the blanket on him, confused. "I put it on you, s-sorry. I thought you looked kinda cold."

Michelle had never felt so intrusive. She'd woken Ned and basically Peter because of that.

"No, you're fine. I just, I didn't know where it came from. Thank you." Peter said groggily. He stood up to walk towards the kitchen, as well. "Why are you up so late? Don't you have work?"

"I just came from a work party actually." Michelle sat down at the table with her tea and a book she'd just received in the mail. Some things never change. "I have tomorrow off. Perks of being the boss's pet."

Peter chuckled. He uncapped the apple juice and drank straight from the bottle. "Yeah, tomorrow's my day off, too."

"Yeah?" Michelle looks up from the beginning pages of her book. "Maybe, we can do something together," she said while looking back down at her book.

Although it came off as nonchalant as any question, Michelle had instantly become nervous after she'd asked.

Little did she know, so did Peter.

Well actually-- Of course she knew. He stuttered like an idiot whenever something made him even slightly uncomfortable.

"I-I, t-that would b-be, I mean, yeah yeah. Fun. Sounds l-like cool."

"I mean we don't have t-"

"No!" He shouted a little too loud. "I mean, I want t-to. If you don't have any plans, I mean."

"Cool." Michelle had to bite her lip to keep from smiling.

"Cool." Peter didn't even try to hide his.

-