Skylar:

Can you believe that? She actually blamed this whole incident on me! This is my JOB! I'm living on this gig. How can she expect me to nicely allow junk food eating? And then SHE had the nerve to storm out of MY room and slam the door! What a bitch! Okay, I'm feeling better now. But still, it physically pains me to know that she has such little respect for me and my job. ~~~~

Dakota: "

I love this show," I commented, as the first few notes of the ever familiar theme song to Friends played on the tv. "So no one told you that it was gonna be this way.....your jobs a joke, your broke, your love life's DOA..." I sang at the top of my lungs, sitting on the couch and dancing a little. I looked around the room and found myself getting stared at by the guys.

"Sweetie, have you lost it?" Nick asked walking over to me and kissing me on the forehead. He sat down next to me and pulled me into his lap.

"No, I just like the show! It's not my fault I'm a dork who sits home every Thursday night to watch all the must see shows," I laughed.

"Your girlfriend is strange, Nicky," Howie joked. We all sat around watching TV for awhile, minus Sky who was probably still crying in her room. No one has really said anything to me about it since they saw me storm out of her room crying. I guess they knew it was a touchy subject. It's just now that Sky said I want to impress people....I kinda feel paranoid now. The one thing I know is that I'm not letting Sky win this whole fight thing. As petty as this sounds, I want the guys on my side. So I figure why not try to convert the weakest link, AJ.....he's just dying to go against Sky.

"So, AJ.....you really like McDonalds, right?" I asked and everyone just looked at me strangely.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well doesn't it piss you off that Sky won't let you eat it. I mean your an adult and you should be able to pick the food you want to eat. She's a nut when it comes to healthy food...."

"Yeah, I guess.....now that I think about it.....but its her job..."

"Job or not. She doesn't have to be such a bitch to you," I added and everyone just looked at me in shock. They knew I was trying to get AJ on my side and I knew myself that I was taking a low step. Nick started to whisper sweet nothings into my ear almost to distract me from talking to AJ. But it didn't work....I continued my plan and in the end I got no where. AJ surprisingly stayed neutral. Damnit.

Nick and I walked upstairs and went into my room. My eyes started tearing up and I just fell onto my bed. "Do you think I try to impress people?" I said in between sobs. Nick walked over and laid next to me, pulling me into his arms.

"Shhh....Kota, Skylar was upset and I'm sure she didn't mean to say all that stuff. You're like her little sister......you guys have to fight sometime. It's a rule," Nick said, trying to comfort me.

"I'm a fake person......all I worry about is shallow things. I don't worry about what really matters," I said sadly and turned away from Nick. For once in the months that I've known him, I was ashamed to look at him. The weird thing is I didn't know what brought on this sudden ashamed feeling, but I doubt it had something to do with Nick.

"I don't know how you could ever say you are shallow. You're such a loving person and if this has anything to do with what Sky said, just ignore it. Please. Don't let this eat you up. I love you to much to see you like this,"

Nick nuzzled my neck and pulled my closer. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"You won't find out," I whispered, with tears still in my eyes and then I rolled over to face Nick. "You'll never have to worry about me not being here. We'll always be together. Fate brought us together and fate will do everything to keep us this way." We must have fell asleep that way because the next thing I knew the bright sun was shining on my face through the window. Morning comes and it brings all the possibilities to our future. ~~~~

Skylar:

Today, the boys and I had a nice little 2 mile jog planned. But I'm feeling such love towards them today that we're going to take a 6 or 8 mile run. Hell, let's just run a marathon! Anything to make them pay for that sneaky trick. I guarantee that they won't be laughing when I get through with them!

"Skylar, can't we stop now? Please?" Kevin moaned.

"Sorry, we've still got a few more miles to go." I said cheerfully. "

Well, can we slow down then?" Howie asked.

"You SHOULD all be able to run this pace with breath to spare."

At that point, I silently confirmed the guys' suspicions.

A.J. spoke for the group. "Look, Skylar, we're really sorry that we tried to sneak food into the house. We shouldn't have done it and we know that it was wrong. But..."

"We miss our McDonald's food!" interrupted Brian.

Nick, who'd purposely been avoiding me since he was a direct link to Kota, spoke up in her behalf. "You can't blame Kota for this. It's our fault. If we weren't here, she'd be allowed to eat normal food. Just don't blame her."

"Dakota is a big girl now, Nick. She can take care of herself. I'm giving up. She can do whatever she wants to do, I just won't be there to help. I mean, mentally that is."

I began slowing down my pace as I realized just how big this thing is. I started thinking aloud, and all the guys quickly added their own thoughts. "We've never had this big of a fight. I mean, we both get mad sometimes, but..."

"I think that the two of you need to get together and talk." A.J said.

"Yeah, just sit down and CALMLY get it all out." added Howie.

"I don't know... what she did was so despicable... it's practically unforgivable. She basically showed me what she thinks of me and my job through one lousy action." I said.

"But that's not what happened." Brian started, he was to my left and I turned to look at him as he talked. I knew he was lying when he bravely said, "It was my idea." He gave me that puppy dog look and made it hard to get mad at him.

"Is she paying you guys with twinkies to clear her name, or what? I've known Kota forever, this was a Kota plan." A moment of silence passed before I just screamed out in frustration. "Ugh! Why is this happening!" My pace started increasing again as my anger level rose. "She just had to ruin this for me. She just could not stand the fact that... that..."

A.J. bluntly stated my thoughts exactly, "Why would she envy you?"

Kevin stood up for me, "Kota doesn't have your dedication, to anything. You two just need to settle down and get everything out in the open and...and..."

"And act your age." stated Howie. "We fight sometimes, but we've all got this friendship that we don't want to lose, and..."

"You and Kota need to make-up because this is a friendship that you don't want to lose." added A.J.

"What the hell is this, The Friendship Show?" I sarcastically questioned. "Or maybe Barney? Guys, things just don't work out that easily! She should apologize for the shit she pulled. She played dirty and she got caught, that's why she's mad."

They all got quiet. I think that they knew that I was partially right. But, the fact that they realized this too sobered my anger. I actually started feeling guilty about the whole food and exercise thing. That doesn't make sense! I'm feeling bad about doing my job!

But nevertheless, maybe I do need to take a chill pill and just loosen up. I'm never going to keep any friends unless I cool off. "Come on, guys! One more mile to McDonalds, my treat!"

With that, the guys got riled up and started speeding up. They actually sprinted part of the way! Kevin, Howie, Nick and A.J. all ran ahead, anxious to get their food. But Brian lolled a few steps behind with me. "Thanks, Skylar."

"No problem, I'm sorry I've been such a bitch! I promise that I'm going to try to loosen up. If my head is ever too far up my ass, just let me know."

Brian laughed, "You're not that bad!"

"That bad?! Everyone treats me like I'm a slavedriver or something. W-psh!" I said, making the whipping motion.

"Everyone has been a little testy lately, not just you." he said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do about Kota. We've NEVER had this big of a fight. I mean, the battle lines are being drawn and... I'm really worried." I said as tears began welling up in my eyes. As McDonald's came into view, I started slowing down. But when Brian noticed that I was about to cry, he completely stopped, and I stopped with him. "It's going to be okay." he said as he put his arms around me for a hug. He just held me there for a minute, whispering in my ear, "Don't worry, everything's going to work out."

Instantaneously, I felt better. Just his reassurance was enough to calm me. "Thanks." I said.

"You know that I'll be here if you need anything, anything at all. My room is right next to yours, just knock on the wall and I'll come over and talk."

I smiled at him. "Seriously." he added. "Just knock." With that, he took my hand and started running towards the guys. "We don't want to delay 'feeding time', do we?"

"Not on your life!" I muttered, running with him. "They'd NEVER forgive me!" ~~~~

Dakota:

While everyone was out on their run, I got a call from my agent who said that they wanted me for another model shoot. This is great! My agent said that people everywhere had been asking about me. Geez, who would ever think that one model campaign would bring such exposure. I found out some more information about the new shoot and then my mind wandered back to the events which occurred over the past few days. Nick and I have gotten ten times more serious since we started sleeping together, but we both knew that we were way to young to even think about marriage. So while that relationship with Nick was going great, my friendship with Sky is another picture. She is way too sensitive about the issue. I mean, BIG DEAL.......we ate junk food. Oh we should all be shot.... When the guys came back from their run, they were all smiles.

"Why are you all so happy?" I asked, annoyed.

"Sky took us to McDonalds," AJ grinned and I just rolled my eyes.

"You're kidding me. She fucking screams at me for eating normal food and then she treats you to McDonalds!"

"Yeah, she's a great friend," AJ smirked and I smacked him upside the head.

"Dumbass." Nick walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. "

Calm down, Baby."

"Why should I calm down? She's bribing you guys to be on her side. Hell I was happy with the fact that she was ignoring me.....no guilt here."

I looked up at Nick and sighed. "Did you eat her bribary?"

"Uh...well....I was forced. AJ and Brian literally shoved the food in my mouth. I didn't want to eat it! I swear!"

"Oh shut up," I snapped and walked up to my room. Slamming the door, I flung myself onto my bed and pouted. Great now she has everyone on her damn side. A few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door and then Sky walked in. Great, just who I'm looking forward to seeing.

"The guys said you wanted to talk to me...." she said quietly and I shot straight up in my bed.

"THEY WHAT? Uh no....I did NOT want to see you. I NEVER want to see you. You're a bitch who overexaggerates EVERYTHING!" I yelled and then threw a pillow over my head. Within seconds I felt the pillow being lifted off my head and being set next to me.

"Shut up," Sky replied. "Stop acting like a freaking baby. I understand I was being anal about my job, but you're just being stupid. The guys helped me realize something today. This whole fight is about food. Food, Kota. Do you want to end our friendship over a fight about FOOD?" I scoffed at her statement and turned my head away from her.

"Sky, don't you understand. It's not about the food.....at first it was, until you said all those things to me. You said some really hateful things. I didn't deserve them," I explained. "I understand I was kinda sabotaging your job, but you were running a prison basically. It was hell for all the guys and me."

"Well I am sorry that I said all those things about you. It was just in the heat of the moment and all. I didn't mean them.....you're my best friend," she smiled. Aww isn't this just a Full House moment.

"How about we make a deal? You cut back on your pyscho strict food plan and we all become more devoted to the exercise part of your job...."

Who knows if she'd actually go for it, but for the sake of all our sanity; I had to ask. I turned to look at her with puppy dog eyes and she sighed.

"I guess there is always room for compromises."

A month passed and everything was fine again between me and Sky. My relationship with Nick is the same great thing that it was before. I'm still kinda shocked that I'm in love so much at 18. ~~~~

Skylar:

My relationship with Brian is such a wonderful thing. I don't know why it works so well, but it does. It's kind of funny because Brian and Nick are really close, like brothers, just like Kota and I are like sisters. It makes the whole relationship thing between all of us a lot easier. I mean, I get razzed the most (and usually by A.J.) because I work for the guys. But Kota and Nick stand up for me because they still get harassed a bit by A.J. because they are so serious about eachother even though they're so young. I think it's adorable, this is the first major relationship that either has had, and they're really lucky to have found eachother. Kota said that they're getting closer each day, which is good, but I just hope that they don't go too far too fast because I've done it and it's put me in some very uncomfortable positions. I'm sure that they'll be fine, but still, I have to worry a little bit, it's my nature. Well, Brian and I have gone "too far," but in a good way. We both jumped in hearts first. We really have fun together because we understand eachother. Also, we both want many of the same things. Bedtime comes to mind first, but there are other things, too. We have spent a countless number of nights just staring up at the sky and sharing secrets. I feel so...loved. Brian is like my first in everything. All that we do, even if I've done it before with someone else, is new to me. He adds so much to my life that I've begun to think about our future, as in forever. We've slightly dipped into the topic before, but lately, it's becoming more of a reality. I mean, I'm almost 23... it'sabout time that I decided what I truly want from life. And I'm not sure, but I think Brian is on the same wavelength. Tonight it's supposed to be upper seventies outside with a warm breeze, so we're going to lay on a blanket on the beach and look up at the stars. Maybe we'll have a chance to talk about the future. I hope so because it's been all that I can think about lately. ~~~~

We chose a spot on the beach that was about 200 yards from both the house and the beach. I held a couple of pillows and a basket with a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses inside while Brian laid out the large blanket. Once he'd finished, I threw the pillows onto the blanket and walked around to where Brian was standing. He was staring up at the sky, deep in thought, so I came from behind and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I love you." I whispered.

He turned around and lifted me up, "I love you, Sky." As he brought me down, I arched closer to him and met his lips for a sweet kiss. "God, I love you, Sky." he said this time with an achy voice. "Do you know what you do to me?" He looked at me with sincere eyes, "I can't live without you. You're a part of me... the biggest part of me..."

"Well that's up for debate." I sarcastically joked.

Again, his mood turned serious, "Sky, I... I... I..." Noticing that the words were obviously not forming, I again leaned in and passionately kissed him. I then moved closer into his arms and put my head on his shoulder.

"I know. I love you so much. I never want this feeling to end. I just want to stay here with you, right here in this moment, forever," I whispered. We stood there and embraced one another for what seemed like years, until Brian gently moved us down to the blanket. We stared up at the moon and stars, Brian with his head on the pillow and me with my head on his chest.

Our legs were entangled and a feeling of utter content washed over me. Brian softly began sitting up, and so I, too, got up.

"How about some wine?" he asked.

"I'd love some." I replied. He was sifting through the basket, as if missing something. "Need some help?" I asked.

"No, no... I'm just looking for the bottle opener." he said. I laid my head down on the pillow, figuring that it would be another century before he was ready.

The waves crashing on the beach was so peaceful and soothing that I fell asleep within a minute or two. I awoke to Brian's lips upon mine in a tender kiss.

"You fell asleep without me." Brian whined.

"I'm sorry, it's just so nice out here. And it's comforting knowing that you're close, even though I'd rather have you closer." I said in a slow, sleepy tone.

With that, Brian nudged me onto my right side and slipped behind me. Instantly reacting to his movement, I turned so that we were facing one another. Again, we entangled our legs and then we began kissing.

"Sky," he whispered. "Hmm..." I said, still kissing him.

Between kisses, Brian said "Sky... I... want... you... to... marry... me..."

Our kiss ended abruptly as I realized what he was asking.

"You want to marry me?" I questioned in disbelief.

"Yeah, I love you." he said and passionately kissed me.

"I love you, Brian." I whispered.

"Will you marry me, Skylar Jeffries?" he asked.

"Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you." I answered him. My heart caught in my throat as Brian slipped his hand into his pocket and produced a ring. He slipped the gold band with a diamond onto my finger. It was the perfect ring. It was gorgeous and beautiful, yet it was small and simple; it was the exact ring I would have chosen. He knew me so well, and I him, that I could not even imagine my life without him. It suddenly dawned on me just how vital Brain was to my well being. A tear slipped from my eye and Brian quickly wiped it away.

"Are you okay, honey?" he asked, giving me a loving squeeze of support.

"I love you so much, Brian... so much you wouldn't believe." He tenderly drew me closer to him.

"I believe, because I love you just as much, if not more." We laid there on the beach for hours, just holding one another. Neither of us got any sleep, we just reveled in our new-found status. We didn't talk of future plans, instead, we held eachother close. In fact, we didn't talk at all, except for a million hushed "I love you"s. We were drunk with happiness, which is funny considering that we never touched the wine. We just laid there and watched the sun come up.

Chapter 10 coming soon