“I’ve been here two weeks and three days and I still haven’t found a job,” Kassy whined.

“Work for us,” Nick said, hanging upside down on Kassy’s bed. “You can be a groupie or a dancer or something.” She snickered and pinched his nose.

“Yeah, I’m sure Brian would appreciate that,” she said, sarcastically. “And Leigh-Leigh would be just thrilled.”

“Maybe it would get rid of her,” Kevin suggested hopefully, pushing at Nick’s feet from the head of the bed.

“Hopefully,” Kristin laughed, resting her had against Kevin’s chest. “It’s no fun with her around. It’d be so much cooler to have you on tour when I go, Kas.”

“I’d love to go with you guys when you go in July,” Kassy sighed, “but I’m gonna have to find a job sometime.”

“Nah, you can stay here with us,” Nick said. “We’ll support you.” Kassy shook her head.

“That’s a nice offer, Nick. Really, it is. It’s just not logical.” She sighed. “Also, I wouldn’t feel right staying where I’m not wanted.”

“But you are wanted!” the blonde protested. “Even ask Howie and AJ when they come home from shopping for your bi-“

“For groceries!” Kristin interjected. Kassy laughed.

“Nice try, Kris, but I already knew they’re shopping for my birthday.” The three of them raised their eyebrows at her. “AJ doesn’t exactly have a small mouth.” They all laughed.

“But, seriously, Kas,” Kevin said, looking at her worriedly. “Why don’t you feel wanted?” She looked at him expectantly. “It’s him, isn’t it?”

“What else would it be?” she asked, seriously. “No matter what, it will always be him. Every time you guys are with me, he gets left out. Every time you’re with him, I get left out. It’s not fair to anyone that this has to happen. He doesn’t want me here. The longer I stay, the longer I’m in the way.”

“Of course he wants you here!” Kevin exclaimed. “He just doesn’t know how to show it!”

“So, instead of showing it, he just ignores me and never bothers to call?” Kevin was silent. “That’s what I thought.” Kassy stood up. “I leave in a week. I need to get started in finding a job if I want to keep my house.”

Sighing, Kassy leaned against the bedpost. She looked at Kevin and Kristin and how happy they were. Once he’d called her, she’d agreed to meet him at a local coffee shop. They’d met, discussed their differences, and now they were cozier than ever. Kassy envied the, yet was happy for them all the same. Kevin was a good friend to her. One of the best. He deserved the best and she believed that for Kevin, Kristin was It.

“At least stay until your birthday,” Kristin begged. “Please?”

“Yeah, at least until your birthday,” Nick whined. Kassy looked down at him. The blood was rushing to his head from hanging upside down. His face closely resembled an over-grown tomato.

“Do you even know when my birthday is?” she asked him. He smiled shyly.

“I was kinda hoping it was in May or something,” he said, meekly. She laughed and shook her head.

“Fine, you’ve convinced me. I’ll stay until my birthday. But, only until my birthday. You guys have two weeks left with me.”

“Yay!!” Nick cheered. Then he closed his eyes. “Whoa, head rush.”

“Then sit up,” Kevin commanded. Nick did so and fell face first on the bed.

“That was dizzying,” he muttered into the silver satin sheets. Kassy looked at Kristin.

“And he is how old?”

“We’re assuming 18 going on two,” she laughed.