ISOK13

    Sabrina climbed up the stairs to her room, fighting tears the whole time. This is nuts, he�s just stressed out, it�s nothing personal. Halfway up, she stopped. But what if it is? What if he�s right. I have been a bit too "mothering" to these guys. They�re full grown men, not some group of little boys that needs a mother. Besides, they all have their own mothers.
     She made it up to her door, and leaned her forehead against it, before grabbing the knob on it, twisting it, and opening her door. There, laying on her bed, was Justin, looking up at her overhang and the pictures that were stapled on it. Sabrina used that slant over the head of her bed as a bulletin board, and put all of her prized pictures on it.
     He reached up and touched one of Sabrina and Lance at Disney World. There was also Sabrina and Lance at his high school graduation, the two of them at her high school graduation, and the six of them (all of the guys and Sabrina), the day they had helped her move out of her parent�s house and into her own, near OSU. "So many memories," he murmured. "So many happy memories."
     She leaned her hip on the door frame and smiled. She hadn�t seen Justin this relaxed since way before the tour had started. "Yeah, that�s why I keep them near me."
     Justin jumped and fell off the bed, barely missing the foot-locker Sabrina used as a night stand. "Sorry, I didn�t mean to be in your room alone. I came up here to talk to you, that�s all."
     She chuckled. "It�s okay, Justin. Don�t worry about it. Just as long as you don�t steal my underwear, that�s all that matters."
     Justin ran a hand through his curls and smiled. "And I�ll have Joey return the cow print pair just as soon as I can."
     She grinned back at him. "Thanks, you�re a pal. Now, what can I do for you?" She motioned at the bed, and sat down with him.
     He ran a hand through his curls again, but this time nervously. "I need your help."
     She grabbed his hand as he made another pass. "You run your hand through your hair one more time, and Laura is gonna have your head. What�s the problem?"
     He sighed. "I�m clueless what to get Lauren for her birthday. Can you help me?"
     She raised an eyebrow at him. "Justin, you�ve been best friends with her since, what, birth?"
     He nodded, and she continued. "I think the best person to ask that question is you," and she pointed to his chest, right in the middle of his black t-shirt. "Search in here, and I�m sure you�ll find your answer."
     He shook his head, and his curls went everywhere. "I�ve always tried to give her a gift, but I never satisfy myself. I always think that I could do better, but I can never seem to find what it is!"
     She had to smile at his pleading look. He sure did try. Lauren was his whole world, and her and JC had a running bet on how long it would take the two of them to hook up, if they ever did. "Well, here�s a new idea. How about you do something for her, instead of giving her something?"
     He looked at her like the idea had never entered his mind. "That�s a great idea. Only one problem." He flopped back on the bed.
     "What�s that?"
     "I�m about as clueless on what to do for her as I am on what to give her!"
     She turned so she could face him better. "Well, why don�t you surprise her. You know, like, blindfold her, and take her somewhere. That always works."
     He grinned. "Still smiling from Lance�s surprise?"
     She blushed and smiled. "Duh."
     He rolled over so he was laying on his stomach, turned around so he could face her, and propped his chin up in his hands. "How do you feel about Lance?" She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth, but he interrupted her. "And don�t even think about giving me that �we�re only friends� shit, cause I know there�s something more there. I can see it in the way you look at him with that glow in your eyes."
     She groaned. "You�re waaaaaaaay too nosey for your own good, you know that?"
     He grinned and sat up excitedly. "So, there is something?!"
     She put her hand to his forehead and pushed on his head. "Don�t get too excited, nothing is going on right now between us, besides friendship."
     He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. "Don�t be too sure."
     She looked at him with a confused look. "What the hell do you mean by that?"
     He kept on grinning and shrugged his shoulders. "I don�t know, what do you want it to mean?"
"Justin, I�m gonna knock that stupid ass grin off of your face if you don�t either tell me what you mean, or get out."
     He got up from the bed and walked out the door, still grinning. Calling over his shoulder before he left the room, "by the way, don�t assume everything is apparent on the surface" and he pulled the door shut behind him
     She grabbed her pillow and placed it on her lap. Looking up at the pictures of her and Lance, she wondered what Justin could mean by what he said. I seriously doubt it�s the most obvious thing, that�s for sure. I mean, Lance would tell me himself if he had feelings for me. Wouldn�t he? And why am I letting a nineteen-year-old smart ass make me second-guess my best friend's true feelings for me?