�But Melissa and Nick get to sleep outside!� Cried the whiny adolescent voice of BJ.

�Nick and Melissa don�t have to get up and take a science test tomorrow morning,� Jane explained, trying not to sound angry. �You do.�

�This has nothing to do with a science test,� BJ yelled back. �This has to do with the fact that you let Nick do whatever he pleases. And you know why? Because he�s going to be rich and famous someday. You know that, and you suck up so that he will be the provider of this house.�

�Bobbie Jean Carter! You know that is not true. I love all you kids equally,� Jane tried to reason.

�Sure,� BJ retorted in a sarcastic voice. �I see the dollar signs in your eyes when you look at Nick. And the same thing is starting to happen with Aaron. That�s why those two boys are outside, and I�m stuck in here!�

�Aaron�s outside?� Jane was suddenly concerned. She rushed to the window, where she could see the young boy�s head bobbing up and down in the deep end. �Aaron Charles! You get out of that pool right now!�

�See? You didn�t even pay attention to what I just said!� BJ stomped her foot in frustration. �You heard the word �Aaron� and went a-running.�

�BJ, I don�t have time to deal with this right now. Aaron was supposed to be in bed two hours ago.�

�UGH!� Throwing her arms up in frustration, BJ stomped off to her bedroom. Meanwhile, Jane had opened the window and was motioning for her youngest son to make his way inside.

�But Mom! There�s all these quarters stuck to the bottom of the swimming pool, and I can�t seem to pick �em up!� Aaron protested.

�Well, if they�re really stuck, they�ll still be there tomorrow after school. You can try then.� That seemed to please Aaron, as he was soon on his way up to bed.

�Noisy night, huh?� Melissa asked Nick. Though the two were standing on the Carter family boat, all the way across the yard, the ruckus going on closer to the house was clearly audible.

�It�s like that all the time,� Nick said gruffly. Melissa could tell by the tone in his voice that this wasn�t a favorite topic of conversation. She let it slide.

�Its such a pretty night,� Melissa changed the conversation.

�You�re right,� Nick said. For a moment, he stopped what he was doing, as he watched the water lapping up against the sand. �I love it out here, especially with the ocean scent. I�m glad you suggested this.�

�So am I,� Melissa agreed. �I just can�t believe that you�ve never had a sleep-out on the deck of the boat before.�

Nick shrugged. �You know me and Brent. We�re not that creative. You�re the idea girl. So when you�re not here, we don�t do much. We pretty much just sit around and play video games.�

Melissa shook her head. �You boys just don�t know how to have a good time.�

�Not without you here,� Nick said honestly. Melissa cherished the sincerity in his voice, even if it only lasted a moment. Melissa watched as he pushed his blonde hair out of his face, looking down at their creation. �So you think this bed is ready yet?�

Melissa looked at the pile of comforters and pillows lying on the deck of the boat. �Looks good enough for me.�

Together, the two plopped down on the mess of blankets they called a �bed.� They were silent for a moment, just soaking in the surroundings. The sound of the water gently crashing against the base of the boat. Nick crossed his arms behind his head, staring up at the stars. There wasn�t a cloud in the sky. It was one of those nights where you could just smell how clear and perfect the world was.

Careful not to cause to draw too much attention to herself, Melissa looked at Nick out of the corner of her eye. A peaceful, contented smile turned up the corners of his lips. Melissa could tell by the expression on his face, combined with his happy body language, that Nick was in his element.

�You�re happy, aren�t you?� Melissa finally dared to ask.

Nick rolled onto his side, facing Melissa. �I am. There�s something calming about the ocean. I think that�s why I like it so much. Whatever�s going on in my life, I know I can just go to the water and relax. I don�t know, its like my worries wash away with the tide or something.�

That wasn�t the response Melissa had expected to hear. �That�s the most deep comment I�ve ever heard you make, Nickers.�

�Hey- just because I�m blonde, doesn�t necessarily mean I�m dumb. I have a meaningful thought every once and a while,� Nick defended himself in the joking manner Melissa was used to.

�So the rumors say.� Melissa acknowledged. �I was just thinking about it, and you and I never really have serious conversations. Why is that?�

The calm body language disappeared, as Nick�s muscles grew increasingly agitated. He was silent, as her carefully planned out his next choice of words. Melissa could sense his concentration, as his tongue barely peeked out between his lips. A pit grew in Melissa�s stomach as she worried about her friend�s next statement. Finally, �I don�t know.�

Typical, Melissa thought. �I mean, you�re supposed to be my best friend. But we never really talk about anything of importance, besides our careers and our mothers.�

Nick�s next sentence came out slowly, as though he wasn�t exactly sure if he should be saying it. �Sometimes I feel like I can�t come to you with important stuff.�

�You can�t come to me?� That both shocked and saddened Melissa. My own best friend can�t come to me with his feelings? What kind of person am I? �Why not?�

�I don�t know,� Nick began. Melissa couldn�t help it. She rolled her eyes. She was getting sick of that response. �Its just that you have three best friends- me, Brent and Jorge.�

�So? So do you. Okay, well not Jorge. But you have Brian.� Melissa pointed out.

�I know that,� Nick responded. �But sometimes I feel that people have different best friends for different reasons. To fulfill different needs.�

Whoa, Melissa thought. I must have severely underestimated this boy He�s a lot smarter then he looks. �What do you mean by that?�

�Take you for instance. Jorge is like your girlfriend- to talk about guys with. And Brent�s the guy you turn to when you need emotional support. And I�m just the guy you turn to when you need a laugh.� Nick shrugged and turned his face slightly away from Melissa�s gaze.

�You don�t think I think of you in that respect, do you?� Melissa gawked, amazed.

�Well, its true, isn�t it?� Nick retorted. It was the coldest comment he�d ever made toward Melissa.

�Maybe it seems that way,� Melissa began. She was trying her best to stay cool and collected. �But I never intentionally meant for it to be like that. I just never pictured you as much of a talker.�

�Maybe that�s because you never tried to talk to me.� Ouch. Nick was still avoiding eye contact. Melissa pushed his chin towards herself with her index finger. He lowered his eye focus. �Nick, look at me.�

Reluctantly, he looked up. �Nick, I know you may have thought that. But I sincerely never meant you any harm.�

�I know,� Nick said quietly.

�Good. And now that I know how you feel, maybe we can try and change the situation. Have actual, grown-up conversations.�

Nick grinned charismatically. �I think I�d like that.�

Fights never lasted long between Nick and Melissa. They adjusted their bodies, moving closer together. When they finally lay face-to-face on their sides, they were met with an uncomfortable bit of silence. Neither knew how to begin their new conversation.

Eventually, the awkward silence lead to a burst of laughter from both Melissa and Nick. When the chuckling calm down, Melissa spoke up. �How about we play �Skeletons in the Closet?��

�What�s that?� Nick asked.

�You never saw that episode of �90210?�� Nick shook his head reluctantly. �Man, you missed out. That episode was classic. Kelly told all the girls at the sleepover that she was raped�and they all started crying. Quality dramatic television.�

�Was there a point in all of this?� Nick asked.

�Oh yeah!� In her rambling, Melissa had forgotten. �Anyway, let�s just go back and forth asking each other questions- about anything. But the catch is that we have to be completely honest and have to answer everything.�

�Alright,� Nick agreed, though he was undoubtedly a bit wary. �But you go first, since you�ve see the show and all. You know what to ask.�

�Okay�� Melissa scanned her brain for a moment, trying to think of something really good. �Who was your first kiss?�

�My first kiss?� Nick was thrown off for a second. He�d never really considered telling Melissa that sort of stuff before. �Brynn. When I was eight.�

�Brynn?!?� Melissa exclaimed, as she started to laugh. �The girl with the big hair?�

�I wouldn�t be talking,� Nick comment, as he tugged on one of Melissa�s curls.

�Oh, its completely different,� Melissa defended herself, as she snatched her hair away from Nick. �My hair is big for style. Her hair is big because�well, I don�t know why. But it looks like her cat coughed up a hairball on her head!�

Nick burst into laughter. �That is quite possible the meanest thing I�ve ever heard!�

�I know,� Melissa admitted. She was blushing with embarrassment. �I�m normally not that mean. But I was just so surprised that you actually kissed her of all people!�

Nick shrugged. �I was eight. What did I know?�

Melissa nodded. He had a point. She had done some pretty crazy things when she was eight as well. �Well, now that you�re a grown-up man of fifteen, who would you kiss if you had the opportunity?�

Nick quieted down, as he thought. How should I answer this? I could always go with an easy answer, like naming a supermodel or something. But the rules of the game are to be honest. But I can�t be honest, when the person I want to kiss is Melissa herself. I guess I'll just be semi-true. �How about that girl in �Casper?��

�Christina Ricci?� Melissa asked, wrinkling her nose.

�Yeah, what�s wrong with her?� Nick asked.

�She has a big forehead,� Melissa critiqued.

�So do you,� Nick pointed out.

Melissa clamped her hand over her forehead. �Why do you turn everything around on me?�

�Hey, I�m just being honest.� Nick admitted with a smirk.

�Whatever, smart ass.� Melissa told Nick. �But you know who is cute? That guy who plays Casper.�

�The computer-animated ghost?� Nick asked.

�No, silly. The real Casper. The boy at the end. I wouldn�t mind kissing him.� Melissa smiled as she pictured the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Devon Sawa.

�That scrawny thing? I could take his ass any day,� Nick said in his manliest voice.

�With what?� Melissa asked. She picked up one of Nick�s lanky, limp limbs. �This? I don�t think so?�

Nick laughed. �Alright, so I�d get Kevin to take his ass. I have a posse now, you know. They�ve got my back.�

�Oh do you know?� Melissa questioned. Nick nodded eagerly. �Well, I�ll have to tell Devon that the next time I kiss him.�

�Hey!� Nick realized. �You never told me who your first kiss was!�

Melissa�s face immediately turned as red as her hair. �Do I have to say?�

�It was your idea.�

Melissa sighed. Very quietly she squeaked out, �Brent.�

�Excuse me?� If Nick had been drinking soda, he would�ve spat it out. �Did you say Brent? As in my best friend Brent?�

�Yes, Brent.� Melissa said meakly.

It was now Nick wearing the shocked expression. �When did this happen? And why didn�t I know about it?�

�The first time was when I was thirteen. That night I got home from dance camp. You were asleep already, and we were up talking. Neither of us had been kissed before, so we just went for it.�

�This first time?� Nick asked. �How many times has it happened since then?�

�I don�t know�� Melissa trailed off.

�Yes you do,� Nick insisted. �Come on, Lissie-Liss. We promised to be honest.�

Melissa grunted. �Maybe a dozen or so.�

�A dozen?� That certainly was a higher number then Nick expected. �So what, are you guys dating or something?�

�No!� Melissa insisted. Then after a moment of thought, �I mean, not really. I live halfway across the country. Its kinda hard to date.�

�But if you lived here, would you be dating?�

�Maybe.� Melissa admitted.

�So what is it about Brent that you like so much?�

It was a simple question, which was much more difficult to answer. �I don�t know. Sometimes you just like a person, you know? But I guess when I first had a crush on him, I think it was because he was so huggable.�

�Huggable? What makes a person huggable?�

�I don�t know. You can just look at them and tell.�

�Am I huggable?� Nick asked.

�No.�

�Why not?�

�Boy, you�re too damn skinny to be huggable.�

�Oh.� Nick let the news sink in for a moment, while he formulated a new question. �So how far have you and him gone?�

�Nickers!� Melissa exclaimed.

�You said I could ask you anything.�

Melissa sighed. Her words were really coming around to bite her in the butt. �All we�ve done is make-out.�

�You�ve been kissing for two years and all you�ve done is make-out?� Nick asked, in a typical boy reaction.

�I�m only fifteen!� Melissa defended herself.

�That doesn�t stop plenty of other fifteen year olds from having sex.� Nick pointed out.

�Yeah, well I�m not other fifteen year olds. I don�t do that.� Melissa said stubbornly.

�You mean, while you�re still so young?� Nick asked.

�I mean ever.�

�EVER?! What, are you going to be a nun or something?�

�No, not like that! I just mean until I get married.�

�You�re going to be a Mary?� Nick asked, making a reference to the virginal Biblical character. �Since when did this happen?�

�Since forever. I�m Catholic. What�d you think I wore this promise ring for?� Melissa waved her left hand around in front of Nick�s face. Sure enough, she wore a gold-and-diamond ring on her finger.

�I just thought that was one of those pieces of jewelry you picked up at a flea market with AJ.� Nick answered honestly. He rolled onto his back while he soaked in her news. �Until you�re married, huh? That could be a long time. Like ten years or something.�

�What, are you in a rush to go out and loose your virginity?� Melissa asked. �Wait- you haven�t, have you?�

�No, I haven�t.� Nick admitted. �But I sure as hell am not waiting until I�m married.�

Melissa shrugged. �It�s a personal choice.�

�Does Brent know about this?� Nick wanted to know. Melissa nodded in response. �And he�s okay with that?�

Melissa shrugged. �It hasn�t been that big of a deal yet. We�re not even really dating.�

�That�s good, I guess.� Honestly, Nick was relieved to hear Melissa�s vow of chastity. He didn�t know how he would have reacted if Brent and Melissa had consummated their friendship. �So did you ever think I was cute?�

�Are you kidding?� Melissa gaped. �I thought you were the most beautiful little boy in the whole world when we first met.�

�But not anymore?�

�It didn�t take me long to realize you were going to be a superstar, Nickers. I didn�t want to get attached to someone who�d have millions of other girls chasing after him.�

That makes sense, Nick thought. Damn it. Why does Melissa have to be so smart all the time? �Funny, I don�t see any millions of girls chasing after me.�

�Just wait, Nickers. They�ll be here soon.� There was a twinge of jealousy in Melissa�s voice, as though she just realized what she was missing out on. �So what about me? Did you think I was cute at first?

�Cute? I was head over heels for those auburn curls,� said Nick as he brushed Melissa�s hair out of her face.

A pleasantly surprised smiled crossed her small pink lips. �So what changed with you?�

�Nothing has changed with me.�

�Well I guess that makes it your turn to ask me a question.� Melissa stated, as she inched her body closer to Nick�s. She wasn�t going to let an uncomfortable silence ruin their conversation. She�d gnaw over his most recent comments some other time.

�Is it?� He asked, looking down the bridge of his nose at Melissa. She nodded her head. I can�t deal with her oohing and aahing over Brent anymore. �What�s your biggest fear?�

�My biggest fear?� Melissa repeated. �I guess its letting down my mama. She puts so much pressure on me, to be the person she wanted to be. I�m afraid I won�t be able to fulfill her dreams. Or worse, I won�t want to. As much of a pain in the butt as my mama is, I still love her. I don�t know what I�d do without her in my life.�

�I hear that,� Nick agreed. �I guess that�s kind of what I�m afraid of too- but not specifically directed towards my mom.�

�What�s that supposed to mean?� Melissa prodded.

�I�m kind of afraid of being alone. Of not having somebody in my life at some point in the future.� It was the most pure, honest comment Melissa had ever heard Nick say. When Melissa didn�t speak up right away, Nick spoke again, �I guess its kind of stupid.�

�No, it�s not stupid.� Melissa tried to reassure Nick by wrapping an arm around his neck. �Its just not what I expected to hear from you. I mean, you�re always surrounded by people. So I don�t know where that comment would come from.�

�I think that�s exactly where it comes from. I have a big family, so I�m never alone. I don�t know what I�d do with myself if they all disappeared someday.�

Melissa leaned forward, her lips almost grazing the top of his ear. She whispered, �I�ll always be here for you, Nick.�

She never calls me Nick, he thought. Its always Nickers, but never Nick. Nick scotched his body closer to Melissa, wrapping his arms around her waist. To adjust to their new position, their legs became intertwined. One sandwiched between the other.

�I guess we should be going to sleep,� Nick said reluctantly. �We have to get up early tomorrow.�

Melissa didn�t say anything. Instead, she closed her eyes and nodded. A slow, lazy nod- as though she were already half-asleep. Nick took this as his cue to get some shut-eye as well.

A minute later, �Nickers?�

Nick peeked one eye open. �Yeah?�

�I think this is the best day I�ve ever spent with you.�

�I think so too.�

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