A week past by. Tomi was walking down a hallway with flowers in her hand. She knocked on a door and Kevin opened it. "Hey Tomi," said Kevin, letting her into the room. AJ, Howie, and Nick were already there.
"Hey guys," said Tomi. She looked over to someone sitting up on the bed. "How are you doing, Brian?"
Brian smiled, "I'm doing better. It's nice to be awake again," he said.
"Personally, you were more likable when you were asleep," said AJ. Howie smacked him on the head. "I'm just kidding, jeez."
"It's nice to have you back bro," said Nick.
"So Kev, when do I get to leave?" asked Brian.
"Well, according to Dr. Cooper, next week. They want to keep you for a bit more to make sure you're alright," said Kevin.
Brian sighed and spun his basketball on his finger. "No basketball for a while either," said Tomi.
"Yeah, it sucks," said Brian.
"Just be patient," said Kevin.
"Looks like I'll be stuck playing Nintendo and playstation with Nick," said Brian.
A ringing came from Nick's pocket. He took out his pager out and his eyes widened. "Oh my god!! I actually forgot that I was supposed to be at work!" said Nick.
"I'll take you down there. I gotta go to work too," said AJ.
"I got soccer practice," said Tomi.
"Brian should be getting some rest anyways," said Kevin.
"Oh, so you're kicking us out, Kevin?" asked AJ.
"No, only you, AJ," said Howie.
"Shut up, D," said AJ, "Do you want to walk home?"
"See you later, Brian," said Tomi.
"Later. Thanks for stopping by," said Brian.
After they all walked out, as AJ was about to walk out, Brian said, "Hey AJ."
AJ turned around and said, "Yeah?"
Brian smiled, "Thanks for caring, and if you ever need anyone to argue with, you know who to call."
AJ returned the smile and closed the door.
"What was that all about?" asked Kevin.
"Oh nothin'," said Brian, with a smile.
Nick worked at a local video rental. He was putting some videos away when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and found Misty standing there smiling. "Hey Misty," said Nick.
"Hi Sweetie. When are you off today?" asked Misty.
"About 9," said Nick.
"Can we go on a date afterwards?" asked Misty.
"Where would we go at 9PM and how?" asked Nick.
"I don't know, I just want to be alone with you Nicky," said Misty.
Nick sighed. "I'm sorry Misty, I'm just not in the mood tonight. I have a lot going on lately and I wanted to get some sleep tonight."
Of course, Misty didn't take this too well. "Fine! I see how it is!" said Misty, about to march off.
Nick then said, "Wati! I'm having a party next week for Brian. Would you come?"
Misty thought about this for a moment. "Will that one guy, AJ or whatever be there?" asked Misty, with an evil grin that Nick happened to not notice.
"Yeah, all my friends will be there. It's going to be next Friday. My parents and my sisters will be gone that night," said Nick.
"Of course I'll come Sweetie. I'll talk to you later," said Misty.
"See ya," said Nick, getting back to work.
About ten minutes later, Misty arrived at McDonalds. AJ was busy stocking up some lids and cups He was a bit startled to find Misty standing right in front of him when he turned around. "Hey, aren't you Nick's friend?" asked Misty, although she already knew the answer.
"Yeah..." said AJ, suspiciously.
"What's your name again?" asked Misty.
"AJ," answered AJ.
"AJ, huh? Nice name," said Misty, with a grin.
"Okay...well then, I need to get back to work. SO, see ya around," said AJ.
"Wait, aren't you going to take my order?" asked Misty.
AJ quickly dragged one of the girls up to his register and patted her on the shoulders. "She'll be glad to take your order. See ya, bye!" said AJ, running off into the back. Misty frowned and walked off. On the way out, she bumped into Tomi who had just got done with soccer practice. Misty didn't notice her but Tomi did. But she just went up to the counter to talk to AJ. AJ saw his friend and rushed back up to the counter.
"I see that Misty was here," said Tomi.
"You don't even know. She came here and started flirting with me! She even gave me the look!" said AJ.
"What look?" asked Tomi.
"This one," said AJ, giving Tomi a seductive look and batting his eyelashes.
Tomi blushed until he started to bat his eyelashes, making her laugh. "Okay, okay, I get the point. Are you gonna tell Nick?" asked Tomi.
"Hell no! What if he thinks I was flirting back?" asked AJ.
"Well you didn't did you?" asked Tomi.
"Hell no! Once she gave me the look I ran for dear life! I know I thought she was fine but I'm way over that!" said AJ.
"Then don't worry about it. But if she keeps it up, you gotta tell Nick," said Tomi.
"I know," said AJ, "believe me, I'll be keeping my distance from her."
"Alright, alright, enough about Misty. How about hooking me up with some food?" asked Tomi.
"Haha, you're pretty funny," said AJ.
"Aw, come on AJ!" pouted Tomi.
The next day, Howie came by Nick's work. "Hey Nick. How are the plans for the party going?" he asked.
"Everything's almost in place. I just have to go buy the food," said Nick.
"Okay, good. I guess you're busy right now so I'll come back later," said Howie.
"No, no, wait. I'm gonna be going on a break soon," said Nick.
"Alright," said Howie.
About five minutes later, Nick met Howie outside. "Hey, I have a question," said Nick.
"Yeah?" said Howie.
"I invited Misty to the party, do you think that Brian would mind?" asked Nick.
"I'm sure he won't mind. I have a question for you, and don't take it in the wrong way," said Howie.
"Shoot," said Nick.
"What interested you in Misty?" asked Howie.
"I'm not really sure. She was my crush since the sixth grade and when she asked me out, I couldn't say 'no'," said Nick.
"You don't see her much lately do you?" asked Howie.
"Yeah, but that's okay. I'm with you guys," said Nick.
"Just another random question," said Howie.
"You're asking a lot of questions today," said Nick.
"Answer this truthfully," said Howie.
"Okay," said Nick.
"Do you have more fun when you're with Misty or with Tomi?" asked Howie.
Nick thought about this for a moment. "I guess I'd have to say Tomi. I mean, I have the most fun when I'm with you guys," said Nick.
Howie smiled and said, "Alright. Just wondering."
"You in a curious mood today or what?" asked Nick, giving Howie an awkward look.
"Yeah, I guess you can say that," said Howie.
Finally, the day of the party came by. Nick and Kevin went to pick up Brian, while AJ, Tomi, Howie, and Aaron stayed behind to set everything up. Misty showed up while Nick was gone and AJ answered the door. Misty gave him a smile and said, "Hey AJ." Tomi grabbed AJ by the shoulder and pulled him aside.
"Hi Misty," said Tomi, with a smirk. Misty rolled her eyes and pushed her way in.
"See?! I told you!!" whispered AJ.
"AJ, don't worry about it. She flirts with everyone," said Tomi.
Kevin and Nick helped Brian with all of his stuff. "You ready to go home Brian?" asked Kevin.
"Heck yeah! You can only stay in a hospital for so long without going crazy," said Brian, "And besides, I need to start thinking about what classes I'm going to take at the community college."
"Brian, I'm really sorry about that," said Kevin.
"It's cool, cuz. I mean, now I don't have to leave home and I get to go to school with you and Howie," said Brian.
Kevin smiled and finished packing up for Brian. "You ready?" he asked on more time.
Brian looked around one last time and said, "Yep."
"Then let's get goin'," said Nick. They got everything into the car and drove off. "Hey Kevin, can you stop by my house first?" asked Nick.
"Sure," said Kevin.
When they finally got to Nick's house, Kevin and Nick helped Brian in. Nick openned the door and it was all dark.
"Nick, I think you need to get your lights checked man," said Brian.
Suddenly, the lights turned on and everyone yelled, "Surprise!!" And indeed, Brian was suprised.
"Welcome back, Brian!" said AJ.
"Who, what, huh?!?" asked Brian.
"It's your welcome home party," said Tomi.
"Well it's not exactly my house, but okay, this works," said Brian. He saw Misty there but he decided he would ignore her and enjoy the party.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get the party started!" said Nick, turning up the music. For the next two hours, they goofed off, ate, and just had fun. Misty tagged along with Nick for the whole time so AJ was a bit relieved. Aaron came from Nick's room and brought out a box. He walked up to Brian and handed it to him.
"What's this?" asked Brian.
"I dunno, open it," said Aaron.
Brian did so and inside the box, was an envelope. "Gee, an envelope. Just what I always wanted. Ooh, and it's the color I wanted too," said Brian.
"Just open it Brian!" said Howie.
Brian opened the huge envelope and took out a certificate and started to read it, "Congradulations, Brian Thomas Littrell, you have been accepted to..." He stopped reading out loud in shock. It was a letter saying that he had gotten accepted to the university.
"You got accepted, and you're going bud," said Kevin, with a smile.
"But, how?!" asked Brian.
"McDonalds pays off. Nah, just kidding. We all got together and figured out a way for you to go. Congrats bud," said AJ.
Brian was still in shock. He would be able to go to the university afterall. "I don't know what to say," said Brian, doing his best not to cry.
"A simple 'Thank you' would be nice," said Nick.
Brian smiled and said, "Thanks, guys."
AJ stood up and said, "If anyone needs me, I'll be outside taking a break." He walked out to Nick's back porch and lit a cigarrette.
A few minutes later, Misty said, "Nick, I'll be right back. I'm going to the bathroom."
"Okay," said Nick.
Misty looked around to make sure that there was no one looking and she walked out to the back porch. She smiled at AJ and said, "Hi, AJ."
AJ saw Misty and almost choked on the smoke. He quickly put out the cigarrette and asked, "Misty?! What are you doing out here?!"
"Well, you said to come out here if we needed anything," said Misty, walking closer to AJ.
"You are the only person that was NOT directed towards," thought AJ, taking a few steps back. "Uh, so what do you need?" asked AJ.
Misty kept moving towards AJ. "I have a question for you," said Misty.
"Well, you can ask me from right there," said AJ, realizing there were no more steps he could take back.
Misty ignored that and stepped right up to AJ and smiled. "Do you think I'm pretty?" she asked.
AJ, with a very perplexed look, replied, "What?! Uh, yeah, I guess."
"So you do find me attractive," said Misty, now pressing herself against AJ.
"Uhhh.." said AJ, turning red and panicking. She moved in to kiss AJ and right when she got close enough to do it, AJ pushed her away. "OKAY! What in the HELL are you trying to do?!"
"I'm just acting upon my feelings," replied Misty, "You said you find me attractive and I find you VERY sexy."
"That's very nice and all but... what about Nick?!" said AJ, trying to move aside.
"What about him?" asked Misty, not letting AJ get away.
"Oh gee, let me think. Could it be the fact that he's YOUR BOYFRIEND?!" said AJ, getting very aggrivated.
"So?" said Misty, not giving up.
Seeing that there was no reasoning with her, AJ pushed her away and started to walk back towards the house. "Look, I don't know what the hell you're thinking, but I ain't gonna have any part of it."
Misty heard the door open and grabbed AJ by the arms and before he could get away, she kissed him on the lips. All AJ could hear was Nick's voice say, "Hey, AJ. Do you want to..." Which was followed by an eerie silence and a sound of a dropping basketball rolling towards him. AJ could literally feel his heart sink...