After washing up and changing Brianna thought she should give Nick and Aaron some time alone to talk or whatever. She got a book and lay down on the bed to read. Escaping into the storyline of the book she forgot her worries of the moment about Nick and all the involved complications.

Nick and Aaron snacked on junk food, played video games, and picked and teased at each other. With the fight from earlier that afternoon long forgotten, the brothers fell into their typical routine of aggravating one another and laughing over it.

During Aaron’s turn Nick became serious. “Aaron man, listen, I’m sorry about earlier.”

Aaron cut his eyes in Nick’s direction before giving his attention back to the game. He spoke quietly but just as serious, “Don’t worry about it.”

“No really, I am. It’s just well, I worry about you. Don’t laugh. I do. I just wish I could be around more often to look after you.”

Pausing the game Aaron studied his older brother before speaking. “I know you do. And trust me, I wish we were around each other more often too. But, you’ve taught me good, even if some of your bad habits have worn off on me. So don’t worry too much, ok?”

Nick was sitting Indian-style on the floor with his hands in his lap. Looking down at his hands he nodded his head, cracked a smile, and said as serious as he could. “What bad habits? I don’t have any bad habits.”

“Oh yeah, sure, and I’m 10 feet tall!” Just as Aaron un-paused the game Nick tackled him. “That’s it! Now you’re gonna pay.” The video games were forgotten as the brothers wrestled each other into exhaustion.

Sprawled out on the floor and trying to catch their breath, Aaron was the first to speak. “So, what’s going on with Brianna?”

“What do ya mean?” Nick looked over at the bedroom door and wondered why she had never come out of the room.

“What do you mean, what do I mean? Is that so hard of a question? Just what’s going on between you two? Anything good?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Shut up. Why’s everyone always wanna know what’s up between us? Nothing’s up. We’re just friends, I guess.”

“You guess? But I thought…”

“Well you thought wrong. Look, I thought at one time something might change between us, but apparently I was wrong. She is dating other people and we are just friends. End of story.”

“What ever you say, man. What ever you say.” Aaron stood up and stretched. “I’m gonna get some sleep. It’s way late.”

Nick just stretched on the floor. “Yeah, I should probably do the same. Wanna have breakfast tomorrow before we head out?”

“Sounds good to me.” They gave each other a hug before heading off to their separate rooms.

Nick walked into the bedroom he shared with Brianna and stopped just inside the doorway. There in the bed was Brianna asleep with an open book on her chest. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched her sleep for a few minutes. Looking at her clean face he smiled, picked the book up and set it on the nightstand before turning the bedside lamp off. Pulling his shirt off he carefully scooted under the covers. Laying on his side with his head propped up on his hand he let his eyes adjust to the dark and continued to watch her. As he watched her he made a mental note to himself that tomorrow would be a better day. They would be alone on the bus and he would put his feelings aside and make the day like old times, fun. Slowly he leaned down and barely placed a kiss on her lips before putting his own head down. Just as he closed his eyes he heard her sigh and roll over snuggling up to his chest. Nick couldn’t help but smile and wrap his arm around her before falling asleep himself.

<~ Chapter 66 or Chapter 68 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003