Selena starred at a man she once knew, a man she once longed for. But now, she called on him for comfort. Comfort she needed because a man she loved (howie) didn't understand her anymore. She thought to herself, "Was it right to fall back into another man's arms? His arms?"
His deep voice startled her from her thoughts, "Oh Sel, you should have called me sooner. You know I could've been here for you in an instant. I knew he was wrong for you, all wrong."
"But, Eric...I'm just so confused. I didn't know who else to talk to about this. Liz is devastated about Nick, and I couldn't really burden her, so I needed you to comfort me, I needed a friend."
"I'm here for you. I promise. Just start at the beginning. Tell me, what has Howie done to make such beautiful eyes pour with tears?" Eric had and still was a sweet talker. He always knew exactly what to say to make it all better,true or not, especially when those girls had just broken up from a relationship and were vulnerable.
Selena looked deep into Eric's eyes. Nothing had changed, she could tell. He was still as sweet as ever, so sincere, so caring...always there when she needed him. At this moment...so unlike Howie. But most of all, she could still see his spark of love for her in those eyes.
"Eric, first let me say that I'm sorry for how our situation turned out. It was so hard to chose between the two men I loved with all my heart. And now, even after I chose Howie over you...you are still here for me. Still standing by me. I don't know if who I chose was right, but...at the time....Howie seemed right."
"And now...what seems right?"
"I don't know...I love Howie, I do. But..."
"But you have feelings for me too?" Eric sounded hopeful, too hopeful.
"Maybe, I don't know anymore. I'm faced the same decision I had to make over a year ago."
"Now you have the opportunity to chose again, choose the right lover."
"I needed you for comfort, a shoulder to cry on. But once again, I find myself confused. Oh Eric, Who Do I Love?"
Inching closer to her by their space on the couch, "Maybe this will help."
At that precise moment, Howie burst through the unlocked door. He froze mid-step as he watched his Sel, his love, intensely lip-locked with his EX-best friend. Unable to grasp the situation fully, he stared on as their heated kiss grew passionate, breathlessly passionate. A second later, Sel saw someone standing by the doorway. She pulled away from Eric instantly. She gasped in horror. At that second, when Selena saw the look on Howie's face, she knew she had made the wrong choice. She wasn't supposed to be kissing Eric, she was and always had to be with her Sweet D.
"HOWIE!" she said with a shortness of breath, partly from her heated kiss with Eric, partly from the shock of Howie's tragic face.
Pure hate bubbled inside Howie, a feeling that was so unsettling to him. Fighting didn't solve anything. At least that's the last thing he thought before he stormed across the room, driven by rage, to be face to face with his lying, betraying best friend. On impulse, Howie grabbed Eric by the shirt, and flew an out-of control punch in his direction.
***At Becca's Apartment***
She quickly shoved the tissues away under her pillow as she heard Kevin's voice calling from outside her room.
"Hey honey, I'm home! Hehe...I've always wanted to say that."
She sniffled, "Hi Kev, what a surprise. What are you doing here?"
"What, a guy can't come on a surprise visit to see the lady he loves?"
"No, I'm glad you're here." She said quietly, putting on a phony smile, and patting the bed for him to sit next to her.
He looked at her, and he noticed her eyes were all red, it looked as if she had been crying. "Baby, what's wrong?"
Brushing her hands over her eyes to dry any leftover tears, she snapped at him. "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine!"
"Don't tell me your fine, you've been crying...what's the matter?"
"Kevin, I'm fine. Stop worrying. it's just my allergies. My eyes are all watery from that. I'm okay, really."
Kevin nodded, but knew deep down that everything was not fine. Something was wrong, very wrong. And he had this gut instinct, that he wasn't going to be able to fix it with a couple of tissues and a hot cup of chicken soup.
"Come on Kev, Let's get to bed."
He quickly changed out of his clothes, sleeping only in a pair of flannel pants, and climbed into bed next to Becca. Becca felt comfort in his strong arms that he encircled around her. He kissed her goodnite on her forehead. As he drifted to sleep, his mind overtired with worry. She looked over at him, so peaceful, so ANGELIC. She whispered aloud, "Oh Kev...baby....how can this be happening?"
She closed her eyes as the tears flew out from under her closed eyelids. She fluttered her eyes open, seeing Kevin's face blurred from her tears.
***At Mel's place***
Melanie stretched out in bed, resting her head on the fluffy pillows. She dreamed back to her kiss with Nick. Back to their conversation that night...his baby..that's what she was to him. She held on to that thought as the sweet melody of 'I Need You Tonight' entered her room, and sent her peacefully to sleep.
***Back to Michelle's Apartment***
She groggily wiped the sleep from her eyes, as Michelle reached for the phone on her night stand.
"Hello?"
A familiar southern voice answered her, "Hi Michelle, it's not too late is it? I hope I didn't wake you darlin'."
Laughing slightly, "Well, I was just about to drift off to dreamland, but that's okay. I'm glad to hear your voice."
"Sorry about the late wake up call, but I just needed to speak to you one last time before getting myself to bed."
"It's ok, I was hoping you'd call soon. You kept your word. I like that in a man."
"See, us southern gentleman always keep their word, especially with pretty ladies such as yourself."
"Gee, Bri, you're too sweet. You're gonna make me blush."
"Good, mission accomplished then. Plus, I wanted to see if you would join me for breakfast tomorrow. Just you and me. We'll leave the gang at home this time. I know this perfect little place."
"That sounds great Brian. I can't wait."
"So I'll pick you up at 8:30 am."
"Ok, sounds good to me. Goodnight, thanks for letting me fall asleep to your voice."
"Anytime, anytime. Until tomorrow Michelle, goodnite."
She hung up the phone, and smiled to herself. Tomorrow morning couldn't get here fast enough, as far as she was concerned.
***Back at Anna's Apartment***
Anna grabbed the phone quickly as she wondered who would be calling at this hour. She listened to the voice on the other end. He asked for AJ. She called out, " 'J...phone!"
AJ quickly wrapped a towel around his waste, and ran out of the bathroom, (he had just gotten out of a quick shower before bedtime) . He kissed Anna quickly on her cheek, as he took the phone from her.
AJ began, "Hello."
His draw dropped slightly. "How'd you get this number?"