"Brian, wake up buddy." I heard someone whisper.  I felt myself being lightly shaken.

"Hmm, I'm tired." I mumbled groggily, rubbing my eyes.  Sophia was sitting next to me, her arm on my shoulder.

"Yeah I know, but I can't sleep… and if I can't sleep, then I won't let you either."

"Oh thanks, that means a lot to me." I said, sarcastically, standing up and stretching.

"How are ya doing?" she asked, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Not good Cefi, not good at all.  We were such idiots."

"Yeah I know.  I can't get over how hurt they looked - especially Col.  She's never gonna forgive me."

"Please, don't remind me.  It breaks my hurt to think of the look on her face.  I can't lose her… even though I have a feeling I already did." I muttered, sadly.

"She loves you Brian, and if you explain the situation - she might understand.  I know AJ didn't, but Colleen's a lot better when it comes to these things."

"So you think I should head over to Nick's house, and see what I can do?"

"Yeah… you might as well try your hardest.  You mind if I spend the day here?  AJ needs time, and I wanna give him just that."

"Sure, stay as long as you want.  I'm gonna go, so wish me luck." I smiled, about to head out the door.

"Don't you think you should shower first?" she giggled, scrunching up her nose.

"Nah, but maybe I should brush my teeth." I laughed, running quickly upstairs. 

Sophia's View

I smiled to myself as I watched Brian dash up the stairs to brush his teeth.  That boy is so in love - I hope Col takes him back.  I know she's probably not gonna forgive me for this one.  I bet I just ruined our friendship for good this time.  She's forgiven me so many times… last year I had told her Nick didn't love her, and she forgave me… last month I had accused her of messing around with AJ, and she forgave me when I found out I was wrong… and I can even remember two years ago when I told her Brian had died in a car accident (it was a joke)… she forgave me for that too.  But this… this was different.  What I had done was unforgiveable, and I realize that. 

"Okay, my breath is minty fresh.  I'll see you later." he grinned.

"Alright B, good luck.  Try to explain the best you know how."

"I will." he said, before disappearing out the front door.

I picked up Seventeen magazine, laughing to myself because it belonged to Brian. 

"Oh typical…" I said out loud.  One of the headlines was, 'You kissed your best friends' man… what to do?' 

I threw the magazine to the floor, and picked up the phone.  I figured my mom would be comforting in this type of situation.

Nick's View

"Col, please eat something." I urged, pushing the plate of eggs closer to her.

"I can't.  I have no appetite." she mumbled, pushing her hair behind her ears.

"Look, you can't let Brian do this to you."

"It's not that… well it sorta is, but not entirely."

"So what else is there to be upset about?" I asked, kind of knowing what she was gonna say.

"We slept together - that shouldn't have happened Nick." she finally was able to say.

"What do you mean 'that shouldn't have happened'?"

"Because I'm sick of being this slut who'll sleep with anyone." she shouted.

"I'm not anyone Col!  You told me you loved me last night.  Do you remember that?"

"Of course I remember that!"

"Did you mean it?" I asked, hopeful that she would say yes.

Her eyes stared into mine, as if trying to find the answer in them.

"Thought so." I snapped, getting up and sitting myself down in the living room.

"Nick, don't do this." she said softly, coming in and sitting down next to me.

"Do what?"

"Don't put me through this.  Do you remember last year?  How much pain we all went through, remember that?  I can't hurt you two again."

"Col, this doesn't have to get complicated.  I asked you a question, and you need to answer me.  Either a yes, or a no.  Do you love me?" I stared down at my feet, waiting for her response.

"Yeah, I do.  But I love Brian, and he's who I wanna be with Nick… I'm sorry." she whispered, taking my hands in hers.

"What about that whole 'I can't be with someone who's cheated on me' shit?"

"He didn't mean to Nick - he was drunk.  He loves me."

"Consider me gone." I mumbled.  I was just about to leave the room, when the doorbell rang.  I swung open the door to see Brian. 

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"I need to talk to Colleen."

I moved aside, letting him come in.  He walked over to Colleen, and he flashed me a 'get out of here look.'  I nodded, and headed up to my room.  I slammed my door shut, and ripped the picture of me, Brian, and Colleen to pieces.  I sorta regretted doing that.  It was my favorite picture of the three of us.  It was the day we had all gone to Hershey Park, three months ago.  We were all soaking wet from going on this flume ride, that had the biggest drop at the end… I was so freaked out - Col had to hold my hand.

I pressed my ear up against my door, but I couldn't hear a thing.  I switched on the TV, and tried to clear my mind of Colleen.

Colleen's View

I could feel Brian staring at me, but I refused to meet his gaze.  I wanted to forgive him... I was going to forgive him.   I loved him with all my heart, and when you love someone that much - it should be easy to forgive them... no matter what they did... no matter how much they hurt you.  I finally lifted my head, to look at him.  His sad eyes were staring into mine. 

"Col, please listen to me." he said, weakly.

I nodded my head, as he slowly sat down next to me.  I shifted to the side, so I was face-to-face with him. 

"I'm so sorry.  I never meant for that kiss to happen - it was a huge mistake.  I love you, and only you.  I had way too much to drink, and I know that's no excuse for what I did... I just can't lose you.  I know I must be the biggest ass alive.  When I finally have you, I go and do something stupid.  But I just want you to know that you're the only one I'm ever gonna love... no matter what happens."

I was nervously fiddling with my hands, trying not to cry.  What he had just said was so sweet.  I reached for his hands.

I smiled, "Bri, you're not gonna lose me.  I forgive you."

"Really?" he grinned, his eyes lighting up. 

"Yeah, really." I replied.

He gave me a passionate kiss, which I returned.

"I love you so much, and I'm never gonna forgive myself for what I did to you."

"Bri, don't beat yourself up over this - it was a mistake."

"So you two are back together, huh?" Nick mumbled, walking into the room.

"Yep!" Brian said, happily, putting his arm around my waist.

"So you're a cheating asshole, and she still took you back.  Amazing..."

"Nick, stop." I mouthed, but he just kept on going...

"Col, I don't know WHY you agreed to get back with him.  You said it yourself - once he cheats on you once... he's never gonna be able to stop.  I would never do something like that to you.  I thought I made that clear to you last night."

"Last night?" Brian asked, looking at me.

"Um, I have no idea what Nick's talking about B." I replied, giving Nick a 'shut your mouth' look. 

"Of course you know what I'm talking about Colleen!  Don't pretend you don't know.  You seemed pretty happy last night, now didn't you?" he grinned.

"Col, what's he talking about baby?" Brian questioned, releasing his grip on me.

"I swear Brian, I have no idea." I lied.

"Oh Bri, Bri, Bri... you're girlfriend is lying to you!  Shame, shame..."

"Nick stop!" I shouted, standing up to face him.

"Stop?  Stop?  You're telling me to stop?  You didn't want me to stop last night my dear."

"What the fuck is going on here?!" Brian screamed, walking over to Nick.

"Well last night, Colleen and I got a bit busy... if you know what I mean." he laughed.  I just stood there... I didn't know what to say.  I stole a glance at Brian - his mouth was slightly open, as if he wanted to say something.  But it was all in his eyes... the pain.  It made me wanna hug him, make him stop hurting.  He had hurt me, but not nearly as bad as what I had done to him.

"Is that true Col?" Brian asked, turning to face me.  His eyes were silently pleading with me... I guess he wanted me to prove Nick wrong... if only I could.

"I'm sorry.  I was upset." I mumbled, beginning to cry.  I could never keep from crying in situations like this.

He took one look at me and Nick, before walking out the door.

"What is his problem?" Nick laughed, plopping himself down on the couch.

"How could you Nick?" I whispered, barely able to control my anger.

"I was just telling him the truth... he deserves to know."

"Yeah, but he didn't need to find out like this Nick!  I would've told him-"

"Bull shit Col!  You wouldn't have told him!" he shrieked.

"I have to go after him." I quickly headed for the door, but Nick pulled me back.

"You know you told me you loved me last night.  Why?  Did you WANT me to get hurt?"

"Nick, please, we can't get into this now."

"Stay the fuck out of my life Col, and I'm dead serious." he screamed, before racing upstairs.

I didn't give a second thought to what Nick had said.  I needed to find Brian, and I knew just where he would be.

Brian's View

"Brian?"

I looked up to see Colleen.  I quickly turned away.

"I thought I would find you here." she continued, sitting down next to me, in the middle of the basketball court.  Whenever I needed to think, I always came to this park... it was up the block from Nick's house.

"Go away." I mumbled.

"No, Bri, I can't go away.  I love you way too much to go away."

"So then why'd you sleep with him?  I mean, you sleep with him the second you get angry with me.  'I was upset' is no excuse.  Yeah, I kissed Sophia, but I was drunk Col!  I would never sleep with someone else, just because I was mad at you!  I would never do that to you, ever."

"Brian, I'm sorry.  I don't care about Nick!  He means nothing to me, compared to you." she cried.

"I don't believe you." I said, firmly.

"You don't care about me?" A voice from behind Colleen stated... Nick.

"What are you doing here Nick?" I snapped. 

"Col, you don't care about me?" he repeated, totally ignoring my question.

"Nick, I-"

"You what?" he asked, a pained expression on his face.

And with that, she took off. 

"I'm sorry man." he said, sitting across from me. 

"Whatever." I shot back.

"Nah, I'm serious.  I loved her, and that's all I thought about.  I don't give a shit about her anymore... and she doesn't care about me either."

"Yeah I'm giving up on women." I added.

"So you're not mad at me?"

"Nope.  I don't give a crap about her either.  Wanna play some basketball?"

"Of course!" he grinned, jumping up, "B, prepare to lose!"

Who was I kidding?  Of course I cared about her... and I know Nick does too.  But for now... this was the easiest way to deal with things.