pt.4 Just Friends

I was curled into a ball under my blanket. Pathetic, I know. i didn't feel like doing much of anything. I heard my door open then three bodies plop down.
"C'mon Joe, it wasn't that bad," Kevin said.
"That was probably her brother,"Nick said.
"When are you gonna play games with me again?" Frankie asked.
"It was that bad," I mumbled,"She doesn't have a brother and I don't know..."
"Joe, seriously, Mom's getting worried," Kevin said. I pulled the balnket off my head.
"She should be," I said,"I'm a mess. I stink and I'm pretty sure I'm living without a heart now." Kevin looked at me angrily. He was about to say something but Nick stopped him.
"Why don't you go for a walk," Nick suggested," That seemed to clear your mind before."
"Yea...because—"
"Just do it," he hissed," But you might want to shower and change first. You've been up here for a week."The three of them stood up and left me alone again.I decided to get up because I had a feeling Nick would probably drag me out by force. I took a long shower then I put on some jeans and a t-shirt. I popped my head in Nick's room.
"Do you think—" I began. Nick looked away from the book he was reading.
"Will you just go!" he snapped.
"Nevermind then..."
I had planned on walking in the opposite direction, but my feet weren't listening to me. I ws just about to walk past the park when I heard laughing. I backtracked and went into the park. _ was there, with her sister this time. They were chasing each other on the slide.
"Hello _," I said walking towards them.
"Oh. Hi...Joe," she said," I...haven't seen you in a while."
"Oh yea," I laughed shortly," Well this past week I've been in hibernation. But, the week before that I've been here."
"Well that's funny," she smiled," I have too and I haven't seen you."
"You don't have to lie," I said. She was taken aback.  "Um..Belle. Why don't you go swing for a while." Belle ran off for the swings.
"What makes you so sure I'm lying?" she said.
"After that first night you told me you were always, since you wouldn't give me your number. Funny thing is...you weren't here at all. So I figured you were avoiding me. I go out to Starbucks with my brothers and I see you. And you're not alone."
"I..."
"Why don't you just stop trying to think up a lie and tell me the truth?" She sighed and sat down at the foot of the slide. I sat down on the small steps.
"Fine...if you must know," she started,"I was with my boyfriend, Terry."
"Why didn't you just tell me you had a boyfriend?" i asked sadly.
"If you were me and a celebrity asked you out, would you turn him down?"
"Probably not," I admitted,"But I wouldn't not mention that I was already seeing someone."
"Well," she said throwing her hands up," I guess that's the difference between me and you. i tend to keep things to myself." I looked over at Belle. She was still swinging. She lifted her hand and waved over at us. i waved back.
"How about this," i said,"We'll just be friends.No dates or anything."I must like you if I'm saying this. _ looked up at me and smiled slightly.
"I'd like that," she said.
"I could help you watch, Belle. I'm not doing anything else since the tour's over."
"Okay." I smiled and started to walk away.
"Oh wait!" i said turning back,"Since you won't give me your number, here's mine." Bold move, Joe. I gave her my number then walked home. Of course when I got home they were waiting for me.
"Dang it! Nick, it didn't work!" Kevin exclaimed. I stopped in the doorway and lookedat them strangely.
"It worked the last time," Nick said.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Your walk," Kevin said,"You're not happy; you're indifferent."
"What happened?" Nick asked. I sighed and sat down in a chair.
"Well," I said leaning forward and folding my hands," She has a boyfriend."
"No way!" Kevin said. I nodded.
"And?"
"We're...just going to be friends..."
"Who re you and what have you done with my brother?" Nick demanded.
"What?" I laughed.
"The Joe Jonas I know wouldn't give up that easily," he said. I stood up and smiled.
"Who said I was giving up?"