Part 16-A Trail of Roses

<---Texas Part 2 and Diamonds

Joe smiled. "So what do you want to do for Valentine's Day?" He asked. 

"Oh. I don't know. As long as we do it together."

"Hum." He seemed to be pondering something. "How about dinner and a movie?"

I smiled and grabbed his hand, "That sounds great.

-----

Valentine's Day. I had a date, after classes of course. Two to be exact.

It wasn't going to be that bad though. My first class was English with Mrs. Ryane, one of the best teachers ever. After that was Art Appreciation with Mr. Black, and frankly that class was pretty fun. So this was a day I was looking forward to.

Mrs. Ryane was taking roll and I was causally chatting with the girl next to me.

"Tristan?" Mrs. Ryane called.

"Here." I said a turned back to my conversation. 

"Can you see me after class?"

Everyone looked at me. "Ya." I said, now extremely nervous.

Class went well and it was fun, but in the back of my mind I wondered what I did wrong. After class I hung back and waited for everyone else to be out the door before I went up to Mrs. Ryane's desk.

She looked up at me and smiled. "You're not in trouble, dear." She said as she opened a drawer to her left. "I just wanted to tell you that a nice young man stopped by and asked if I could give you…" She reached into the drawer and pulled something out. "This."

It was a single long-stem red rose. A red black ribbon tied a note to the stem. I was choked up a bit. There was no mistaking who that 'nice young man' was.

My hand shook a bit as I took it from her. "Thank you." I stuttered.

"He seems really sweet. Happy Valentine's Day." Mrs. Ryane said, telling me it was ok if I left now.

I couldn't take my eyes off the rose as I walked from the room. The note read "For all the Smiles…" It was initialed J.J. at the bottom.

What a gorgeous and romantic gesture. I couldn't help but think witch of his brothers helped him plan it. As I walked to my next class I slowly spun the stem in my fingers. The whole way I was playing different scenarios in my head about thanking Joe.

I sat down in class and set the rose across the top of my desk. The girl to my right was watching me. "That's pretty. Who gave it to you?"

"My boyfriend." Wow. Joe Jonas. My boyfriend. How strange.

"What's his name?" She asked in a normal tone, but to me it was dripping with disaster.

I tried to think fast but nothing was coming. Finally I blurted out "James." A lie.

"Oh. He must be sweet. My boyfriend doesn't send me flowers."

She believed me. "Ya. He is really sweet to me."

Mr. Black walked it and sat some things on his desk. He went to gather some things from the back of the room and as he passed my desk he stopped for a second. "Can you hang back after class for a minute?"

Again? "Yeah. Yeah I can."

Great. What was it this time? Was it for the same thing? I doubted that. So what had I done wrong? Had Mr. Black graded our papers? Had I failed?

Through class I was going to be thinking about it again. Or so I thought. Class started, and it was amazingly interesting. There was no room in my brain to think about what was after class and when we were released I had almost forgot I had to stay behind.

I stepped up to Mr. Black's desk as the last students trickled out. Sighing I smiled, "You wanted to see me Mr. Black?"

He looked up from his paper and over his glasses. He smiled at me. "You know you have a very romantic young man in your life…"

What? Really? Joe again? I bit my bottom lip and smiled. "Thank you?"

He laughed and started to pull something from under his desk. He looked around and then in hushed tones said "Mr. Jonas asked me to give you this." He started to bring something up on to the desk, but shock must have shown on my face because he froze. "My dear, what's wrong?"

"You… I mean….. Did he tell you who he was?" This wasn't good. The flying felling I had been having in light of the romantic turn of events quickly turned to a falling panic.

"No. I have two teenage daughters." He chuckled to himself.

"Mr. Black…."

He cut me off. "Don't worry. I understand you guys want to keep this more of a secret. That he did tell me. I won't tell anyone. On my honor."

I sighed in relief. I knew that he would keep his word. My smile was back. "Thank you." I said yet again.

He brought up the object he had been holding right out of my sights. Another rose. As I always told Katie, I felt all mushy inside.

I took it from Mr. Black and slowly flipped open the card that was tied to this one. "For all the laughs…" I had a big smile on my face as I left them room, thanking Mr. Black again.

Absent mindedly I walked to the information center to pick up some of my work. Then I headed back to my car. It wasn't a really long walk but my mind was traveling a hundred miles an hour, yet still it was clouded.

I opened the door to my car and froze. On the driver's seat, another rose. Now how did he do that? I didn't really care. Quickly I sat and read the new note, "For every kiss…"

The notes had gotten more sentimental. But I really liked it. What more did he have in store for me?

I had a hair appointment in town and I barely made it. My hair-dresser was a sweet guy named Lyle. I had gone to him since I was in the sixth grade. He felt like extended family.

Walking into the shop I smiled as Lyle looked at me through the mirror. He was cutting the hair of an older lady. "Happy Valentine's Day!" He smirked.

"Same to you!"

"Have a seat. I'll be done in a sec."

Slowly I sat on a big bench that was pushed against one wall. As I did this I picked up a stack of old magazines. I scanned the pages, read the gossip, and laughed at how I now knew that the majority of stories were just truths blown way out of proportion. But it was still interesting.

I had decided to be brave. I was getting a haircut. Not just a trim, a cut. A style. I picked one out of a big style book and stared at it nervously, trying to picture my face in the place of the models.

Lyle said goodbye to his other client and walked over to where I sat. "So what are we doing today?"

About an hour and a half later I walked out to my car. I flipped my hair and ran my hands through it. Then I leaned over and looked at the back window. Smiling back at me was my reflection. My hair was just so different, but in a good way. We had thinned it, added layers, and added some bangs. I really liked it.

As I drove home I kept twisting pieces of hair through my fingers. Right as I turned on to my street the roses in the seat next to me caught my eye. I had to wonder what was waiting at home. Opening the door the house I smiled as Katie walked into the living room at the same time I did.

She had on the powder blue dress and white over coat we had bought her. Spinning around she laughed a bit as her dressed puffed out a bit and then she came to a stop in the middle of the room. As she looked at me her eyes got really round.

"Your hair!" She rushed forward and brought her hands up to my hair.

I smiled and laughed as she pushed some of it around.

"It's… and you… Bangs!" she smiled at me. "It's so cute."

"Thanks. And you look great!"

Her brow furrowed and she placed a hand on her hip. "I can't get the hair right. And I don't know how I should go about doing the makeup."

"I'll help." We both laughed a bit.

"Oh!" she seemed to be remembering something. "I have something to show you." A mischievous smile spread across her face.

"Oh no. What?"

Katie walked around behind me and covered my eyes with her hands.

"Where are we…"

"Shh! Just walk forward."

Slowly she guided me to my room and led me inside. I had my eyes closed tight and a smile on my face. "Katie…" I said impatiently.

"Ok. Open!"

I opened my eyes to see my room just as normal. Furrowing my brow I looked at Katie. "Well, to be honest, I though you to would have made my room look like a cupid doll attacked it."

Katie laughed. "Well, we were going to. But… we talked about it and though it was a bit much… Instead we got you this." She side stepped to reveal a black dress hanging if front of my closet.

It was amazing. "Oh! Wow!" I walked up to it.

Katie stepped out the door, "Try it on." She closed the door behind her.

Quickly I slipped the dress on. Katie had done a great job because it fit great and was really cute. It was tight around my chest, pleated, then belled out. I swayed back and forth a few times before calling Katie back in. As she opened the door and I turned to look at her something on the bed caught my eye.

Another rose.

"It fits!" She chimed happily.

I picked up a rose that lay on top of a letter. The note tied to the stem red "For all the little moments…" 

Katie walked up behind me and hugged me. I turned and hugged her back.

"I owe you so much. I wanted to do something for you for once." She touched my hair. "The letter just tells you when the driver will pick you up…"

I held her back. "The WHO?!"

Katie smiled, apparently still knowing more about the evening ahead than I did. "Well I couldn't drive you. I have plans to. And Joe will be busy getting ready…"

"Isn't it a bit risky having a driver pick me up here?"

"Not here. You'll meet them later. But right now we should be getting ready…"

I smiled. "I have the perfect plan for your hair."

We spent the next hour and a half laughing and getting ready. I got Katie's hair done first then her makeup. Then my makeup.

Katie was now running around get everything she would need. She even got my stuff together for me. I laughed as she finally stopped running and sat down in an arm chair.

The door bell rang and I went to get it. Robert stood on the step with what looked like a dozen roses in his hand. "You look nice Tristan." He smiled at me.

"Thank you." I smiled back. Spur of the moment I reached up with one arm and gave him a quick hug. "Happy Valentine's day. I hope you have a good time. Ring the bell again and I'll send her to the door." I winked and playfully shut the door on him.

I walked back into the living room. "It's for you." I told Katie just as the bell rang again. I gave Katie a big hug as she got up to leave. "Have a good time, Ok?" I squeezed her a bit tighter, "And thank you."

Robert hadn't shown up to much before I had to leave so it wasn't long till I was on my way to my rendezvous point. Once there I was surprised to see a black SUV waiting for me. I got in the back seat. It was a longer ride than I was expecting.

We were pretty far up into the mountains when we stopped. Dusk was just gracing the land around us. I hadn't seen a house for miles but we stopped in front of a huge scenic looking cabin. The driver dropped me off out front and left me.

I had to stand there staring for a few minutes. A hill sloped down to the cabin and the ground leveled out somewhere behind it. From this angle I could see that the front door, even though it was at ground level in the front of the house, was actually on the second story. It seemed like it had been pulled from the pages of a fairy-tale.

Slowly I walked down the cobble-stone path to the front door. It was open and I let myself in. There were some rooms off to both sides but the level was mostly a living room. The back wall was lined with large windows and had a veranda doors in the center that led to a red wood balcony. Out the window I could see that the sun had set and it was getting dark quickly and the lighting was turning the grayish color that it does as the dusk falls.

From the letter I got I knew I needed to go down stairs. The stair case was to my right. The railing was a dark wood like the rest of the house. I walked down and had to gasp. This floor was almost the same as the one above it only there were no other rooms. It was entirely a living room. One wall was a kitchen and a dining room table out from that. But that was a minor detail and did not attract my attention.

All the furniture had been pushed against the walls, leaving the entire floor free. Candles flickered from random places all around. Some sat on the arms of the couch and chairs and some just sat flickering on the floor.

The back wall was completely windows. The veranda doors on this level were left open. They led out to a large porch that over looked the forest and a glittering lake. I walked out onto the porch. The railing all around had candles sitting on it. A large section of the edge was stairs that led down onto a large grassy area. Trees surrounded the area.

A large blanket and a basket lay directly out from the steps. They were a good distance from the deck. On the railing next to the stairs lay a rose. I walked over and picked it up. The note on this one was red "For all the ways you love me…"

I heard someone moving behind me as I twirled the stem in my fingers. Slowly I turned to face Joe standing in the door. Behind his glasses his eyes grew wide and he smiled. We both slowly walked towards each other and met in about the middle of the porch. In a leisurely movement Joe stretched his arms out and wrapped them around me, pulling me in close to him. He pressed his lips to my forehead and sighed.

"You look amazing." He whispered to me.

"Thanks." I said shyly. "You too."

He was wearing white button up shirt, tie, jeans, and a nice dress jacket. The sleeves on his jacket were rolled to just above his elbows.

Slowly we rocked back and forth, as if we were dancing. Then Joe pulled away and held me at arm's length. I looked into his eyes and sighed. It had been a long time since I had seen him, let alone really look at him. 

He brought one hand up to my hair and brushed my bangs.

"I like it." He smiled at me. Then he looked me up and down. "Thank you Katie." He mocked.

 I slapped his arm. "Joe!" I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my back to him.

"Kidding…" He laughed and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "Kidding." He kissed the side of my head in apology.

I sighed. "I know."

"I missed you." He told me.

I turned back to Joe and brought my hand to the side of his face. "Joe." I smiled at him and brushed my thumb over his cheek bone under the edge of his glasses. "I missed you too."

Light, weather it came from the candles or the moon that now shown bright overhead I didn't know, danced in his eyes. "Come here. I have something for you." He took my hand and led me down to the blanket. He crossed his legs and sat down Indian style on one side of the blanket. "Sit." He invited.

Kicking off my shoes I took my time sitting down, working to keep myself covered with my dress. Once I was sitting I looked across at Joe. A smile danced on my lips. "So, what is all of this?"

"Dinner." He smiled at me as he started to pull things from the basket. "I cooked it for you…"

"Oh no." I let my shoulders fall and acted disappointed. "Are you sure it's fit to eat?"

He handed me a plate. "Ha ha. Very funny."

"Joking." I told him as I looked down and traced the edged of the china with my fingers.

Unknown to me Joe had pulled out his Polaroid camera. I had a small smile on my face as I looked up. To my surprise a bright flash lit up around me.

"AH! Joe!" I hid behind my plate, a bit too late.

He laughed as he shook the picture. "You're so cute."

"You could have told me…"

"But then it wouldn't be so… real." He said happily.

I leaned over and snatched the camera from him. "Give me that." I scooted over closer to him and leaned in next to him. Stretching my arm out I held the camera pointed back at us. "Smile."

Dinner was actually really good. Katie had told him how to make one of my favorite dishes and he had done well. As normal when we were together, we laughed a lot. I loved that Joe was wearing his glasses. It was such a personal part of him and it just felt more private, special.

We talked as we ate and the night air settled around us. I shivered a few times and Joe took off his jacket and draped it around my shoulders. He rolled down the sleeves of his shirt to make up for the loss of the layer.

After we finished eating we put our plates back into the basket and moved it off the blanket. Stretching out, we lay next to each other looking up at the stars. Joe had one arm around over my head. I rested my head on his shoulder smiling up at the sky.

Even though we talked often we still found a lot to talk about. And even when we fell into moments of silence, it was amazing. I was content to lie there in is arms. As we both watched the stars, neither of us notices as they disappeared and clouds filled the sky.

Lighting flashed through the sky and a clap of thunder rolled through the air. I sat up strait. "What?" I turned my face to the sky as a few drops of rain fell onto it. "AH!" I jumped up laughing. Joe followed suit.

The rain started to poor down as we gathered the stuff around us. We danced back up to the porch, laughing and spinning as the rain fell against our skin.

Once back on the porch I looked down over myself. "I'm all… wet."

Joe laughed. He was watching me with a gentle expression. "And very beautiful." He said.

I spun around once then shook my head, making water fly. Joe and I both laughed.

We sat down on the porch and watched the rain on the lake below us. I had my head rested on Joe's shoulder and he rested his head on mine.

After a while we fell silent. We sat like that for a few moments, then Joe took one of my hands. "I love you. You know that, right?"

I raised my head and looked at him. "Of course I do. And I love you too. Why?"

He reached up and brushed some wet hair from my face. "Sometime… when I'm gone for a long time… I just need to know that you know I love you. I can't always tell you or show you that as often as I would like to."

"Joe." I smiled and kissed the hand he had on my face. "You find ways to show me you love me that you may not realize. I hear it every time we talk. I see it in your eyes every time I see you. I can feel it when you touch me." I raised our hands in the air and pushed our palms together. "My only wish is that you know in the same way how I feel about you."

He smiled at me. "I do know." He took my face in both hands then kissed my forehead. "I know."

I smiled up at him. "It is nice to hear it every once in a while though."

He laughed.

We sat there for a while, talking and just being together. I said something about dancing and Joe looked up and smiled.

He propped himself on his elbow. "May I have this dance?"

I turned my head raised my eyebrow at him. "What dance?"

He smiled and took my hand. We got up and he led me back into the house. "Joe what are you doing?"

He didn't answer me but picked up a small remote and hit a button. Somewhere a radio clicked on. The song was slow. Joe pulled me to him and we started to sway.

"Can I show you something?" He whispered in my ear.

"Sure…"

Joe pulled back a bit. He placed one hand on the small of my back. He reached up with his other hand and took one of mine.

"I rented this movie…" He explained as he started to step, leading me in a ballroom dance. "And it taught me basic steps."

He spun me and pulled me back to him. "I thought it was something we might like to do some time." 

Yes--->

Animations

Currently we here at FaF are working on ways to make this whole process more fun for you. Without you what we do is rather pointless. So we have come up with the idea of doing short animations. These will include clips of the actual story plot as well as their very own plots and twists. Mostly they will sever as humors clips meant to get you more acquainted with the characters and their relationships.

In this process we have brought in a couple of our friends to do some character designing and maybe even the actual animating. We are pleased to share with you some of the first designs. These are not necessarily the final results that will end up being in the animations. These are just the first designs.

We welcome ANY coments you have, for or against these designs.

Without futher adu:

(Click Image to see larger)

 

Style 1

Style 2

Style 3

A Possible Change!

Hey guys, this is N.S. Katherine. Lately I've been feeling that I don't have a strong base of Katie's POV or just of her's and Rob's relationship. The development is lacking and I feel like a lot of it is just being...mushy, for lack of another term. So, for a while now there has been this idea shifting around in my head of another way to start it. A completely other sequence of events and just events in general of their relationship getting started and progressing. It has really been growing on me. I really think that it would be a lot stronger and, frankly, a great deal better than what I already have. I'm not completely depleting what's there already nor am I changing the main parts of the plot, just shifting or adding on to it. 

I'm not going to tell you details of what I'm wanting to do instead, but I do want your thoughts. 

In a while though I might have written a little of this new version and I might share it and ask for your opinion, but for now, just tell me what you think of this! 

Thanks!

~N.S.Katherine

Part 15-Texas Part 2 and Diamonds

<---Part 14

Tapping my fingers on my knee I smiled as we piled into the back of the big red truck. Kevin Sr. had just finished hooking up the boat and had joined Denise and Frankie in the cab. The bed of the truck had benches along the sides for riding in it. Somehow we managed to fit me, Katie, Joe, Nick, Kevin, and Danielle into the back comfortably. Last to join us was Elvis, who happily jumped up into the back among our legs.

It wasn't a long ride to the lake but needless to say it was fun. I mean, we were all crammed in the back of a truck!

As we pulled up to the lake Elvis lifted his head off of Nick's lap, where it had been for most of the ride, and looked longingly at the small waves breaking on the bank. I couldn't help but thinking I probably had the same look on my face.

After we completely stopped and the truck was turned off, Kevin put down the tail-gate. We all started to stand and I hopped down first, Elvis right on my heels. With a small smile I threw my arms up and yelled "Water!"

I started for the lake at a dead run and was not surprised to find Elvis bounding along beside me. We hit the water at the same time, sending splashes all over. Laughter echoed from the direction of the truck as I bounded through the waves with a golden retriever at my side.

 ----------------------

With a sigh, I greedily shoved enough pieces into my mouth and swallowed them, scraping my throat.

I desperately wanted to reach out for more, but I resisted knowing I just needed time. I normally wouldn't have resisted and just done it with no one to tell me any different, but Nick was sitting next to me.

I momentarily imagined him smacking my hand as I reached for the bag again, but was too worn to let the amusement of the image show on my face.

 ----------------------

I played with one of the ruffles on the front of my shirt as I flipped my ponytail around. Glancing over my appearance I giggled. Katie always said I was a country girl at heart. My shirt was hot pink and black plaid, my shorts had a big cuff and hit right above my knees, my hair was up with a few wavy strands hanging down, and to top off the look I had on cowboy boots. It was perfect for Texas .

Danielle walked in to see if I was ready. "Oh, you look so cute!" She said as she took me in. Smiling she asked, "Do you and Joe plan to match? Or does it just happen?"

I hadn't seen Joe yet, hadn't spoke to him since lunch actually. His family was treating this like a really big thing. It reminded me of a prom scene in a movie. "I didn't know we were matching. It seems to just happen." I laughed a bit.

Katie walked in then carrying my newest brown ruffled purse. "I got your things together." She said smiling. "You look cute."

"Thanks." I beamed. They were the only two who I had seen since I was ready and they both approved. "Everything else ready?" I asked as I took my bag and slung it over my shoulder.

"Yup. Everyone is waiting down stairs." Danielle said as we left the room headed to the stairs.

I looked over the railing before I headed down. Kevin and Nick sat casually in a couple of chairs across from each other, playing a game of cards with Frankie standing over them. Joe leaned against the wall watching them without any interest in what they were actually doing. Kevin Sr. and Denise stood in the doorway to the living room, watching their boys with soft smiles on their faces. It seemed so normal you would never guess this was the family of rock starts.

I smiled down at them, so happy to be as accepted into this as I was. Danielle and Katie walked up behind me and looked down too then Danielle coughed to get their attention.

Immediately, all eyes snapped up to the stairs and Joe stood up straight and stepped forward. Now I really thought of that movie as I started down the stairs with everyone looking at me. The reason I had come up with for this being such a big deal was that it was really the first time we had gone on a one on one date leaving his house. Normally he picked me up from my house or we met somewhere. The only time we had left from his house was when we where going somewhere with his brothers.

Stepping off the last step I rocked up on my toes and waited as Joe walked over to me. He leaned down and pressed his lips quickly to my cheek. "Shall we?" He said as he stepped aside. I couldn't leave the room without saying goodbye to everyone so first I went over and gave Kevin Sr. a hug. "Thank you." I said smiling up at him. He shook his head with a smile.

Then I turned to Denise. "You look great." She said, smiling big and holding open her arms for a hug as well. "Thank you." I told her.

As I turned to Nick and Kevin to give them a hug and mutter goodbye Joe walked over to his mom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. My heart melted as that picture froze in my head. He was a close to his family as I was to mine.

Last I turned and waved to Katie and Danielle who had remained at the top of the stairs. Joe came up beside me and waved as well.

"Do you have your house key, Joe?" Kevin Sr. asked.

I hadn't known we would be out late enough for him to need his key so I was a bit surprised and looked at him. "Ya, Dad. I have it." Joe sighed with a small smile directed at me.

"Oh wait." Denise said as she turned and grabbed a camera from the table next to her. "Smile!"

"Mom!" Joe murmured with distaste.

In response I turned to the side and pushed myself in to his arms, my hands on his chest, and a big smile on my face. Joe couldn't help but smile and Denise snapped the picture. As a joke I threw up one leg behind me with a laugh. Everyone else laughed too as Denise took another picture.

Lost in my sudden playfulness Joe rested his cheek on the top of my head for a few more pictures before he said, "We good now?" to his mom.

"Yes, Joseph, we're good. You can go now."

"Thank you." Joe smiled at his parents and with one arm around my waist lead me out the door.

"Drive careful in my car!" Kevin Sr. called as Joe shut the door behind us.

"His car? We're not taking your car?" I said, wondering how many surprises I was getting this evening as we walked down the driveway.

"I thought we might take the truck." He said with a smile as he opened the passenger door for me.

I jumped in and slid into the middle as he walked around and climbed into the driver's seat. He hadn't expected to find me sitting in the middle so he smiled down at me for a second before her stuck the key into the ignition. We slipped our seatbelts on as he pulled out of the driveway.

The radio rang out a country song and I smiled and rested my head on Joe's shoulder. "Where are we going?" I asked casually playing with the rolled up sleeve of his blue and black plaid shirt.

"It's a surprise." He said as we pulled out the gate of the community.

"You're really not going to tell me?" I asked pouting out my lip and blinking my eyes.

His smile grew as he sighed and shook his head. "No. You'll just have to wait and see."

"Fine." I said sticking my tongue out at him.

Laughing he wrapped one arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to his side as we drove out of town.

We had been on country roads for a good twenty minutes both of us singing along to the radio. His arm was around my shoulder again and I had one hand on his knee as we turned onto a dirt road. My interest peaked.

"Really Joe, where are we going?" I said, leaning forward and trying to see something.

"I told you you'll see." He said more excited as we pulled up to an old ranch gate. He put the car in park and hopped out. I watched him in wonder for a moment, and the thought crossed my mind that I really loved him in those blue jeans. The black boots weren't bad either. Realizing he was opening the gate to let us in I slid into the driver's seat and pulled the truck through so he could close the gate behind us.

Jumping back into the driver seat he drove us down into the ranch and up to a big barn. It wasn't the old red barn you would think to find, but rather a nice, up kept brown one. Joe put the truck in park and turned it off. "What do you think?" he asked with a smile that could melt anyone's heart.

"To be honest, I don't really get it." I said, not able to take my eyes off him as he ran his hand threw his hair.

"Come on. You'll see." He said as he jumped from the truck and started jogging towards the barn.

I climbed out the other side and called after him, "You keep saying that!" before I followed.

Walking slowly in the direction I smiled to myself, Joe's smile still in my mind. I hadn't quite reached the door before Joe came walking back out, leading two fully saddled horses behind him.

A gasp escaped me as I looked at him. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Are we riding those?"

He smiled at me. "You like it?"

"Well, ya. But you rented horses? I would have been fine jus-"

He cut me off. "We're not renting them. Family friend." He said as he tied off the horse's reins to the side of what I now knew was a stable. "Let me help you up." Joe said as he took my hand and led me to the side of a beautiful deep brown horse.

After he helped me into the saddle he untied the reins, handed me mine and then climbed onto his horse, who was a soft tan with dark black mane and legs. The light caught in his hair and danced on his skin as he turned to look at me. "You ever done this before?" He asked.

In response I tapped my heels into the horse's side and called "Yaah!" leaned in and dashed forward into the rolling fields. Laughing I glanced back over my shoulder to see Joe bent over racing after me, a smile lighting up his whole face.

We rode around for hours just laughing and chasing each other through the rolling hills that made up the ranch. As the sun started to set Joe asked me to follow him and we went deep into the ranch and over a large hill. Stopped at the top Joe looked down at something and I slowed and walked up to his side. We were looking out over the most amazing view. Tall grass blew around all over the hills and caught the light of the setting sun. Below us a river snaked by, glistening.

We sat in silence for a minute, looking out over the beautiful landscape before us. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Joe watching me so I turned to him. I tried to tell him it was beautiful but I couldn't find words as I stared at him.

"I love you." He said softly.

My heart beat wildly and I felt tears building but I forced them back. "I love you, too." I said smiling at him. "I'm so lucky."

Our horses were so close that our legs brushed together then. Like the force of a magnet I was pulled to him, and he to me. One of his hands found the back of my head as our lips found each other's.

After a minute he pulled away and looked at me. "Let's get outta here." He smiled and took off fast back down the hill. Laughing yet again I followed him.

We made it back to the stables and put the horses back. Then we jumped in the truck and headed out of the farm but when I expected to turn back the way we had come, Joe turned the other way.

"Do I get to know where we're going now?" I asked.

"To watch the sun set." Joe smiled at me.

We drove up some hills and into a slightly wooded area that told me we where near water. Sure enough we pulled right up to the edge of a river, probably the same one as before, and Joe put the truck in park parallel to the running water. The area we where parked in was mostly surrounded buy trees but the area next to us over the water was clear and gave us a perfect view of the setting sun.

Joe got out and I followed him as he climbed up into the bed of the truck. The benches that had been in there on the way to the lake had been removed so we sat on the side of the truck, looking out over the water. After a minute Joe stood and went over to the ice chest that I hadn't noticed until now. He returned with a couple of sandwiches and brown-bottled root-beers.

I chuckled as I took mine from him. "Real classy," I said as I examined my sandwich. "We go on a big date and for dinner we have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and root-beer."

Joe looked at me with worry in his eyes. "Are you disappointed?"

I laughed. "No! Joe, I'm not disappointed. I love it. It's perfect." I said in complete honesty. "Really fitting. And yummy." I said as I took in a mouthful of the sandwich.

Joe smiled as he took a bite of his. "Good." He said with relief. "I tried to think of something else, but it was all too hard to try to keep until now."

"Ya, I get it." I said as I took a swig of my root-beer. I couldn't help but laugh again. "But I bet we look really country right now!"

Joe laughed. We ate and joked as the sun in front of us set. Looking at me Joe smiled. "You know, that is the shirt you were wearing the first time we met. Of course at the time you were covered in blood…" He trailed off looking at me.

That was something I hadn't noticed and it made me smile. "Wow, you remember that?"

He laughed. "Well, you kinda fell into my arms covered in blood. That's a pretty memorable thing. But honestly," He said through the laughter. "I like that shirt a lot. Of course at that time I didn't know I was going to fall in love with the girl wearing it."

As the light started to fade away the fireflies started to come out and I was excited about that because I had never seen them in real life before. The mood of the whole place brought to mind a song so I jumped down from the bed and went to the cab.

I didn't turn the car on all the way, just enough to roll down the windows and turn on the radio then shut it off. After a second I realized I was stuck. If I opened the doors the radio would shut off so the only way out was through the open window. As I was climbing out I heard Joe laughing. "Couldn't you have got out and restarted the radio through the open window?" He asked with a mocking smirk.

I furrowed my brow in frustration. He was right. "This is much more… sexy." I couldn't come up with anything else.

Joe laughed more. "Well, I would have to agree, but I'm a bit bias."

After I had successfully climbed from the cab, luckily without injury, I scurried back up into the truck bed. Somehow I managed to slip doing that. Quickly grabbing my elbows before I fell to the ground Joe pulled me up and into his arms.

The world seemed to be inline with us at that moment because as my feet rested onto the truck a soft song came on the radio and Joe smiled down at me. Without a word I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his chest. He already held me to him and we started to sway back and forth, slow dancing in the dark.

As we danced I took in a deep breath and sighed as his scent filled my nose. Then his voice drifted softly to my ears as he sang to me, nearly inaudibly. It sent a shiver down my spine as he harmonized with the girl on the radio. My head was still rested against his chest and I felt the tears from earlier return. This time I couldn't hold them all in and a few rolled down my cheeks.

Joe kissed the top of my head and left his lips there, mumbling the words into my hair. I couldn't help but say the one thing that clouded my mind. "I love you." I whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.

He pulled back a bit and looked into my face. I didn't want him to see me crying but it was too late. The smile faded from his face. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing." I said smiling up at him. "Nothing could be wrong right now. I just- I love you so much." Wiping my eyes I sighed. "I'm sorry. I just didn't know I could ever feel like this about someone."

Joe smiled softly down at me. "I know. This-" He sighed trying to find the words. "I have never felt this strongly before. Didn't know I could."

Smiling up at Joe I though back to Turlock . I thought about an older lady and her husband. And in that instant I knew how true it was when she told me that the realist, truest love was the most impossible, the most incredible, and the deepest.

It was just after midnight when we pulled back into the driveway of the house.

----------------------

"Katie, I've been around long enough and have had enough of my own relationships to be able to see real love when it's there. … You have that with Rob and it's not going to change how much you two are supposed to be together."

----------------

My book was getting interesting. Sitting on the couch I had hunkered down under my big blanket and continued the novel I had picked up at the store a few days earlier. Thumbing through the soft, new pages as I read I lost myself in the story.

The doorbell rang and I looked up from my book in surprise. I wasn't expecting anyone and Katie was working her last shift of the week. Crawling out from under my blanket I went to the front door and was shocked at who I found on my doorstep.

"Rob. Katie's at work and…"

"I know. I was actually…" he was staring at his feet and he ran a hand through his hair as he quickly glanced up to my face. "Well, I was actually hoping to speak with you. If I could that is…"

"Of course. Come in." I stepped aside and let him in. I followed him into the living room where he turned to me.

"I-" He couldn't seem to find any words and he turned from me and went into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Folding his arms in front of him he sighed and rested his head on his arms.

Without a word I went to the cabinet and pulled out two large mugs, making us some hot chocolate. After they were done I walked over to the table and sat his in front of him.

"Thank you." He mumbled as he sat up and took the warm mug in his hands. After a moment he took a long sip. We sat in silence for a while and I tried to be silently supportive of whatever he was going through.

As I sat there staring at Rob I smiled. I had known this complicated man for nearly two years now and in that time I had the privilege of watching him grow. He had taken it upon himself to be better for Katie. I loved him for that.

But more than that I had also grown close to him. He was my friend and as much as I would be there for him, I knew he would try to be there for me. And I trusted him. I trusted him with my biggest secret and he trusted me with his, and I knew we would both protect the other.

These thoughts rolled around in my head as I watched him struggling to tell me what he had come to talk to me about. Without thinking I reached out and placed my hands on one of his. This brought his eyes up to mine and I saw a layer of stress melt away, but just one layer.

Taking a deep breath he put his other hand into his pocket and pulled something out. Silently he placed a small box into my hands and he closed my fingers around it. Slowly I brought it closer to me and looked down into my palms. It was a soft velvet box, black, and I was pretty sure I knew what was in it.

Still I had to open it. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring that made the breath catch in my throat. It was a larger center diamond with two slightly smaller diamonds set on either side of it. The silver band came up on the sides and to the middle of the center diamond before it came out a bit, forming little rounded wisps on each side. "Oh, Rob." I sighed.

"It's bad isn't it?" He said sitting up on edge.

"No!" I quickly responded, reassuring my friend. "No, Rob, it's perfect. You did amazing."

He looked at me. "I'm going to ask her to marry me." He seemed scared to admit he had even thought of it. His eyes shot back down to his own hands as he lowered his head a bit. "I just- I don't know why she would say yes."

I raised my brow and laughed softly. "Rob, she has no reason to say no."

He looked up at me again, a bit more hopefully. "You think… You think she would want to marry me?"

I had to pat his hand again. "I know she does Rob."

His eyes gleamed and I realized something. "But Rob, I can't answer for her. I don't know if for some reason she would hold back. She might, but I don't know why she would."

The doubt clouded his face again. "I should just wait then, until she's ready."

I didn't know how to approach this. "No, Rob. If you feel the time is right, then ask her. You alone know the depths of the turbulent raging waters of her heart."

He still looked at me doubtfully.

I sighed. "Rob, you two are perfect for each other. All of us know that. Trust yourself and you'll know. She loves you, know that."

Softly he smiled at me. "Thank you." He said, and I knew he believed me.

Smiling I smacked his arm. "So, how are you gonna ask her?"

He laughed a bit, trying to shake off the nerves. "Don't know yet. I planned to think about that while I'm gone and ask her when I get back. Just figured I should have the ring approved first." He joked with me. Our laughter died down and he looked around. "So, what were you doing before I showed up?"

Rob was a fellow reader so we soon found ourselves chatting about books over our cooling hot chocolate. Eventually we ended up back in the living room, me reading my book and Rob at the other end of the couch flipping endlessly through the TV channels.

After a few hours, Katie walked in. 

A Possible Change
 Animations
Part 16--->

Part 14-Feet and Texas Part 1

Part 13--->

Rob and I were sitting next each other on the couch that was only meant for two. He was playing with my fingers as I enjoyed his warmth.

Joe and Tristan appeared around the corner with suspicious grins.

"Make room!" Joe said as he charged sofa.

Rob quickly wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me onto his lap. He held me close and ran his lips along my jaw.

"Hey!" Joe said.

I turned and saw him sitting on Tristan's lap. His body was facing me and his feet were straight up. I could see that Tristan was resisting insane laughter.

"Feet war. Now." Joe demanded.

I squinted my eyes and put my feet flat against his, accepting the challenge.

"Hold on to me Rob." I warned and he tightened his grip on my waist.

Tristan copied him and held onto Joe.

Joe and I gripped each other just below the elbows and the battle was on.

It was obvious that Joe would have stronger legs than me; therefore I was already losing as soon as it began. I cried out in surprise and Tristan couldn't hold in her laughter any longer.

Then Rob reached over with one arm and shoved Joe as hard as he could. Joe began to fall off the couch, but neither he nor Rob let go of me and we all went down leaving Tristan on the sofa about to die of laughter.

I rolled over away from them as Joe shouted, "Hey, that's cheating!" and he tackled Robert with a battle cry.

They wrestled on the floor while laughing.

Tristan came and stood next to me and watched.

Joe had Rob pinned and I wasn't going to have that. I rammed into Joe, pushing him off of Rob. I held him for a second and then made way for Rob who pinned Joe. I then put my weight on Rob to keep Joe down.

"Tristan!" he groaned out from under us, "Help me!"

Without a word from Tristan walked over and sat on me.

We all moaned in protest.

"That's not what I meant!"

Once we were free I laid on my back while Rob laughed next to me leaning on his elbow.

"Joe! Run!" Tristan said and they disappeared.

I smiled, so it was a game now?

"Come on." I said as I got up.

I grabbed Rob by the hand and pulled him into the kitchen.

"What're you-" he tried to say through his laughter as I dug through some drawers.

"Weapons." I declared.

I stuck a caulender on his head and then equipped myself with an oven mitt and with that hand held a pot lid; in the other I held a rubber spatula. I offered the other mitt, another lid, and a wooden spoon to Rob.

He shook his head, "No, come here."

He took my hand and pulled me behind him, "Get on my back."

I laughed, "Okay."

I jumped onto his back and he held my legs. I raised my arms over my head as he walked out of the kitchen.

Once out, we came face to face with Joe, and Tristan wasn't far behind. After a moment of wide-eyed stared and a blink, Tristan started to run the other direction screaming with her arms in the air. Joe copied right behind.

After a second Rob ran as well as he could after them straight down the hall.

Once they saw our pursuit they darted into Tristan's room. We followed until we reached Tristan's closed door and we waited.

A few moments later we found ourselves running away from Joe was in his famous helmet and one of Tristan's dresses over his clothes and Tristan in a scarf and snow hat.

We made a run for it out into the backyard.

Rob dropped me over his head onto the trampoline. "Stay behind me." he said as he picked up the hose that had been on.

Joe appeared out of the house and got blasted. He spread his arms out and took it, turning around to get the backside good and soaked.

After Joe was good and drippy Rob stopped, climbing onto the trampoline with me. I lay down to stretch out my stomach from the laughter and he lay next to me.

"I think we won." I said.

"Pfft. Of course we did." he replied pulling me onto his chest and kissing me.

I laughed again after a moment and sat up after hearing Tristan let out a cry of small horror.

She had been trying to help Joe back into the house but he was chasing her trying to hug her with his lips pursed.

After a moment of her laughing so hard she could hardly breathe, he caught her and held her too close to him and kissed her right on the lips with a big "muah" sound, but then it changed.

I giggled a little until Robert pulled me down to his lips again.

--------------------

Katie looked out the deeply tinted window at the large building that we would be spending the next few hours rocking out in. I smiled at her. "A little different from the last time, ya?"

She took a deep breath and smiled a genuinely excited smile. "Ya. But this whole thing is… just different."

I looked over at Joe sitting next to me and smiled at how true her statement was. As I looked at him he turned his head and his brown eyes meet mine, sending a shiver down my back. Neither of us could look away for a moment and he smiled softly as he slipped his hand into mine. I tried to look away before anyone else could notice the exchange but I was too late.

"Going to be great having Tristan and Katie in the audience tonight, right Joe?" Said Kevin Sr. as he smiled at me in the rear view mirror.

My face started to turn a deeper shade of pink and I looked away.

"Were they staring at each other again?" Frankie asked with a little bit of disgust in his voice. He was still getting used to Joe and I, having been the one to see us together the least.

"Ya, Joe! Were you staring again? Gosh! Disgusting!" Kevin laughed from the seat in front of us.

I kicked his seat in response. "Look who's talking!" I said in a playful hiss.

He turned and quickly stuck his tongue out at me before turning back to his window.

"Speaking of Kevin and staring, where is Dani tonight?" Katie asked turning to look at him.

I turned back to him. "That's a good question!" I said.

"She'll be here waiting for us. She left early because she was picking something up for you guys on the way." He said as he looked at Nick a smile on both of there faces.

I raised an eyebrow but shook it off. "Okay. Anyway. I'm happy she is gonna be here." I said. I genuinely like Danielle and was happy to spend time with her.

We had pulled up to the back of the venue and the car was put in park. We sat there for a minute, all quiet, taking in the moment. Sighing I leaned against Joe and he squeezed my hand. The spell was broken when Kevin Sr. clapped his hands together and said, "Let's get this show on the road."

We all kicked it into gear and jumped out of the car. Katie and I ducked around the wall we were parked next to as the boys got out the other side, causing a roar to erupt for the line half a mile away. Katie and I laughed as we crouched waiting for the others to join us.

After a minute of screaming the boys ducked around the corner and we all started into the venue. As we where walking in Kevin put his arm around my shoulder and shook me a bit. "This is gonna be great!" He said as he pushed me into Joe.

"Hey!" I laughed as Joe put his arm around my waist and pulled me into his side. I put my arm around him as well.

Frankie ran ahead of us and into a large black door, obviously knowing where he was headed. We followed him in the door and found Big Rob clearing the hallway. As we walked past him I waved and gave a big smile. He waved back and chuckled as he eyed Joe's arm around me. I couldn't help but blush again.

We made our way into the arena and looked around. I glanced over to see Katie's mouth hanging open a bit, as I'm sure mine was too. The stadium was huge and seemed bigger on the inside that from the outside.

I looked around. "Oh my gosh. This is going to be… amazing!" Remembering the size of our concert, and the energy we felt there, I tried to imagine how that would feel from a group this large.

Last time we had went to the concert Katie was freaked out and worried about the crowd. This crowd was going to be bigger. Much bigger. So as the boys went off to check how things where running I went over to Katie. "What do you think?" I said as I gestured to the stadium. "Is this going to be crazy or what?"

She looked around. "Ya. It is. But it's gonna be totally awesome!"

I laughed. "And you're not nervous like the last time?"

"Surprisingly, no." She shook her head. "I think it's because, well, I've been to a concert before. And I know we are going to be safe. Being here with them and all." She smiled evilly as she nudged my side with her elbow.

Kevin Sr. walked up to us then. "Sound check is going to start soon, so would you girls like to go up to the box while we let people in?" he asked. He was always so good and understanding about how much I wanted to avoid people seeing me.

"Ya." I said, smiling in gratitude at him. "Lead the way."

He took us up to the door of the VIP viewing box then had to leave to get back to supervising the sound check. I opened the door and stepped inside to find Danielle sitting at a bar stool watching below and Frankie playing a video game on the couch in the middle of the room. As we walked in Danielle turned around to look at us.

A smile speed over her face as we came into the room and shut the door behind us. Without any kind of notice she jumped from her chair and came over to us. Throwing her arms around me she chuckled. "I'm so excited you guys are here tonight!" She let go of me and gave Katie a hug. "We are going to have a blast."

I couldn't hold in my smile. "How could we not? I mean…" I dropped my voice and joke whispered to them. "We are at a Jonas Brothers concert!"

Both of them laughed and we turned to the window as suddenly we could hear a large group moving in.

"They must be letting the VIPs in for sound check now." Said Danielle as she walked back over to the window.

Katie and I joined her and watched as about one hundred (good number?) girls moved into the stadium. We all stood there for a moment, just watching as girls flocked in around the stage. I sighed. "Does it ever get easier watching girls flock Kevin?"

Danielle smiled. "It does, with time. You learn to except that even though they think they might catch his attention, you are the one who has it."

I smiled at Danielle as she smiled back at me then gave me another hug. "Oh. I almost forgot! I pick something up for you guys." Quickly she walked over to a couple of large black bags hanging over a chair that I hadn't noticed before. "We all decided, since you're going to be going on tour for a bit with us that you guys needed these." She handed us each a bag.

The bags where zip-close and had hangers out the top, which indicated clothing. Slowly I unzipped my bag and so did Katie. I reached in my bag and my hand closed around something leather. As I pulled it out, I couldn't help but smile.

In my hands was a nice black leather jacket. It was really high quality and looked amazing. I gathered the sleeves in my hands and pulled it to my face, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I loved the smell of leather. "Ummm." I sighed happily.

"Awesome!" Katie said. She had actually taken a look at the jacket where I had simply smelled it.

Turning to look at what Katie had seen I found her looking at the back. It had been embroidered with gold thread to say Jonas Brothers in script and also had their crest on it. The jackets where stunning.

"These are… amazing!" I said looking back to Danielle. "These are for us? Really?"

She laughed. "Ya. The guys thought you should have them. Not only did they want you to have them but they make you blend in with the family and crew. We all have them and wear them when we are on tour."

I slipped mine on and smiled. It fit like a dream. "I love it." I said looking at it on me. "Although… its way too hot to wear it right now!" I said and slid it back off. "Thank you." I hugged Danielle.

We watched sound check from the booth and laughed at the boys. They could be so silly. When they where done they joined us.

"So, what do you think?" Joe asked as he walked up behind me and put his arms around my shoulders.

"I love it. Thank you." I said as I kissed him softly.

"What do you think, Katie?" Nick asked as he sat on a stool.

"They really are amazing. Thank you." She said to him.

"Do we get to come down into the audience during the concert?" I asked, hoping to be a part of the crowd, to feel the energy and love from all the fans.

"We have seats in the third row, right next to the cat walk, if you want them." Said Denise as she joined us at the window.

I turned to look at Katie, silently asking if she was up for it. She nodded her head once in a quick response.
"Ya. We want them." I said with a smile.

---------------------

Something hit me then.

Nick glowed in a different light and I wanted nothing more at that moment than to be sitting next to him on that piano bench, our shoulders and thighs just barely touching, so that he could know that I was with him.

I turned to Kevin Sr.

"When's the next time that they go under-stage?"

"After the next song." He yelled back at me.

"Can you get me under there?" I asked.

Tristan looked at me, confused.

Kevin Sr. nodded and waved down one of the security guards. When it was getting close to the end of the song we got moved through and under-stage.

I didn't know why, I just had to be there.

I watched the area where the stage was going to lower.

Tristan might have said something, but I didn't hear her.

We both turned to the sound of footsteps as Joe came in.

I watched Tristan smile and go over to him, him planting a quick and gentle kiss on her lips before he ran off.

I heard another sound and turned.

Nick.

I almost ran to him and threw my arms around him.

"We've got this." I whispered only to him.

He gently hugged me back and I felt his head softly on my shoulder.

"Nick." Kevin said softly, tapping him on the shoulder.

He was looking strangely at us.

Nick began to walk away, looking back with a look in his eyes. Not surprised, but curious.

I sniffled a little as I felt myself wanting to cry a little, but I didn't know why.

---------------------

 I leaned back a little in my chair, glancing at my finished plate satisfied. I looked around the table to see who else was finished when I noticed an empty chair.

"Where's Nick?" I asked breaking a conversation.

Oops. I flushed a little.

"He ran off pretty early this morning." Kevin speculated.

"He must be working on something." Joe said quickly, shrugging it off like it was natural.

"Okay." I sighed to myself, thinking about how I hadn't seen any sign of Nick for several hours.

I didn't want to bother him if he was working, but maybe I'd just peek in on him and make sure he's aware of the time so that something doesn't go wrong with his blood sugar.

I got up from the table and rinsed my dishes in the sink. I felt Tristan's eyes on me and felt a small twinge of guilt. I'd been feeling very drawn to Nick since the concert and I knew Tristan hadn't missed it.

I went to the bathroom and when I came out the slight sound of a piano wafted from up the stairs.

I followed it, the gentle melody wrapping and pulling me closer. I walked up the stairs slowly, still not accustomed to the simple elegance of the house that was so beautiful and warm.

I made my way towards the lit room at the far end of the hall the closer I got the louder the notes played, filling me. It was comforting.

I silently came to the open doorway, which wasn't difficult since I was barefoot, and peered around the doorframe.

Nick was sitting at a glorious black piano. The lights filled the whole room brightly making the instrument shine and gleam.

Nick's fingers flowed over it and I sighed internally with a edge of envy. He made it look so easy.

He repeated a stream of notes twice, paused, tried a number of keys, then repeated the same stream adding the new notes. I smiled. I really liked it.

He reached up to make scribbles on the sheet music set out in front of him when to both of our surprise an alarm sounded from his PDM sitting on the top of the piano to his left.

After he looked at it, freezing momentarily, he almost hastily scribbled his notes down then reached for his PDM setting it in his lap. I figured now was a good a time as any to announce my presence since he was already being interrupted.

"I was just going to bug you about that." I said as I stepped into the room silently, walking forward cautiously in case he wanted to send me away.

He turned quickly when I first spoke, but relaxed as he looked at me.

He smiled.

"But it looks like you've got it covered." I smiled back. "Atta boy." I said, giving him a thumbs up.

I stopped when I was behind him and he was still looking at me. What was that gleam in his eyes?

After a moment that seemed like an hour, he turned around again and tested his blood sugar.

"How is it?" I asked, keeping my distance. I didn't want to be leaning over his shoulder.

"Perfect." He said simply, holding the meter up for me to see.

"Nice!" I exclaimed.

A small smile appeared on his lips for a moment as though he wasn't truly interested right then. He set it back on the piano and stared at his sheet music, then the piano keys, with his hands in his lap.

"'You working on something?" I asked carefully.

He sighed a little. "Yeah."

"I'll leave you to it then." I said turning to leave. I was worried that now he'd been interrupted, he'd lost the moment and I really didn't want to make it worse.

"No," he said quickly and I stopped.

"You can stay." He said, slower this time. "It might actually help."

I blinked, curious and a little embarrassed as I came back over to him and stood behind him again, still keeping a respectful distance.

Nick was still turned around, his eyebrows up in a polite worry. "You can sit here." He said motioning to the empty space of the piano bench next to him.

I walked over nervously, feeling like I was crossing some boundary. Or was I being brought into some sort of confidence?

Once I was close enough, Nick stood and put his hand on my back like the gentleman he was as I sat down on the very edge. I felt a muscle twitch in my back, but I wasn't sure if it was because I had been startled or from the small trace of a tingling sensation that remained where his hand had been.

He sat down after me stared back at his sheet music. Without warning, his fingers met the keys gliding on them as the song began. I couldn't help but watch his face as he played, seeing his expression change with the notes, knowing how they filled his head and chest as they were doing mine at that moment. His eyes were gleaming with such intensity it made my heart warm.

At first I didn't realize when he had turned his gaze to me because the notes were still wafting from the marvelous instrument, from his capable hands as he stared back at me.

The song was about to reach its crescendo when it stopped abruptly, the last chord echoing throughout the room. And we continued to stare. Why couldn't I pull away? What was it that I was seeing in his eyes? Why couldn't I read it yet? Maybe there was just too much at once, blurring it all.

Someone might have coughed, I wasn't sure. All I know was that we both turned away suddenly. My heart was racing as the awkwardness settled in. Was there water in my eyes?

Nick cleared his throat. "So, um…it's not done yet, that's as far as I've gotten."

"It's amazing. I like it." I mumbled, instantly feeling like an idiot wishing that I was able to say more adequate words like beautiful or perfect.

I saw him nod out of the corner of my eye.

After a moment of awkward silence, I glanced over at him quickly, unwilling to look right at him again, to find him staring at the sheet music again as though something were going to appear on it. I looked at it closely for the first time to see it blank on the top.

"No title yet?" I asked slowly.

"Not yet." He sighed.

His eyes flashed at me too quick for me to read. "But I think I'm starting to get an idea."

I looked away, biting the inside of my mouth and praying that I wasn't blushing, at least not enough for him to notice.

"KATIE! NICK!" I heard Tristan's voice flow from upstairs and I was relieved, though a part of me was disappointed.

"Time for a lake party!" Joe declared from downstairs, more than likely beside Tristan.

"Coming!" Nick called after a second, though I was the first to get up.

He seemed reluctant to leave the room, but he followed closely behind me after a moment and we made our way back to the rest of the group. I prayed that they were all too excited and occupied to notice the tense way we both walked, our eyes averted to the ground, only every once in a while glancing up at each other and both noticing every time.

I broke the dance, rushing forward and linking my arm into Tristan's, staying very close to her as we climbed into the back of the truck, feeling a steady panic begin to rise in my chest.

Part 15--->