-Nash-

I could tell you it wasn't everything I'd dreamed it would be, but I've never been very fond of lying. I just don't want to face everyone saying 'I told you so'. But for right now, this is all I'm concerned with.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and I felt her smile. I smiled as well, obviously. Everything about this girl makes me happy. And who cares if I haven't seen her since 8th grade? The only thing I care about right now is the fact that she's in my arms and no one else's. When we pulled away, she stood flat on her feet again and pulled my head down to hers.

I rested my forehead against hers and asked quietly, "So, does this mean we're... You know...?"

"No, not at all. I totally wouldn't love to date you, Nash Overstreet," she laughed sarcastically.

"Oh, well, I wouldn't want to date you either, Cady Groves," I replied with the same tone.

"Well, that's too bad," she pouted, "I think we could have been a very cute couple."

I chuckled and quickly kissed her, "This means you're my girlfriend now, right?"

She smiled back, "Of course."

-Alex-

Everyone was mindlessly lounging and being lazy while I was lying on Jamie, looking around, "Has anyone seen Nash lately?" The group looked around as well.

"Now that you mention it, I don't think I've seen him since we came off stage," Ryan said.

"I'm sure he'll turn up eventually. He probably just went to go buy a drink or something," Ian said. Right after Ian said that, Nash walked in with Cady holding her hand.

Ryan jumped up, pointed at Nash, and yelled, "I knew it! I knew you'd do it!"

Cady looked at Nash as he smiled, "They've been telling me for the past couple days to tell you how I feel. I guess they were right when they said you'd feel the same."

"Yeah, and don't worry about him. He tends to yell a lot. You'll get used to it," Jamie laughed, nodding his head toward Ryan.

"Whatever," Ryan said, "I'm still a genius."

I laughed, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Ry."

"Come on," Jamie said, picking me up, "Time for bed."

"Jamie!" I whined, "It's only 9! I don't wanna go to bed!"

"Nope, you need your beauty rest."

"Why? You need it more than I do," I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Ouch, Alex. That hurts. And I never said anything about sleeping."

"Oh, God. Could you guys at least be done by 12? I would like to get some sleep tonight, too!" Rebekah yelled after us.

Jamie turned around laughing, "Get your mind out of the gutter, Rebekah. I was suggesting we watch movies, gosh!"

I winked at her, "Yeah, babe. Don't think we can't hear you and Ryan making out either." Her cheeks got red and she hid her face in Ryan's shoulder as Jamie walked off victoriously.

~

The next day, we all decided to go out for breakfast, Cady included.

We entered IHOP and I took a breath, "Sweet merciful Jesus, that smells good."

"Calm down," Rebekah giggled, "We don't need you drooling everywhere."

I playfully pushed her over to a table while everyone else followed.

"I call window seat!" Jamie chirped.

"Hey, what if I wanted window seat?!" I yelled in response.

"Well, I guess you're going to have to get over it," Jamie stuck his tongue out at me, sliding over beside the window. I grinned evilly at Jamie, whose eyes instantly became wide, "Alex, what are you doing...?"

I jumped on him and sat on his lap, "Sitting by the window." He raised his eyebrow at me and I smiled innocently at him, "What?"

He wrapped his arms around my waist and smiled, "Nothing. You just look really beautiful today."

I flipped my hair out from in front of my eyes and sarcastically replied, "I know." He looked at me and laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did the way I flip my hair overwhelm you by chance?"

"Yes, Alex. I'm terribly overwhelmed right now," Jamie replied.

"Yeah, same here, Alex. I think we're all pretty overwhelmed by your astonishingly good looks," Cady winked at me. I winked back but immediately turned my attention over to the person bringing us our food. I nearly jumped back out of Jamie's lap.

"Pancakes!" Everyone at the table laughed as I started eating. I looked up at them innocently as I shoved another bite of pancake into my mouth, "What?"

"You eat like a guy," Rebekah laughed.

"Hey," I laughed, pointing my fork at her, "Guys dig this shit."

"Yeah, it's truly the most attractive thing about her," Jamie laughed sarcastically.

-Cady-

When we were all done eating, we just sat around for a while, goofing off. I looked over at Alex, and while she was smiling and having fun, I could tell something was up.

"Hey, um, Alex," I said, "Would you mind coming to the bathroom with me?"

She looked up at me, "Yeah, sure."

We walked back to the bathroom and I made sure no one was in there before I spoke again, "What's wrong?"

She stepped back, a little surprised, "Nothing."

"I know we don't really know each other, but I promise, if something's up, you can trust me."

She looked like she was about to break down and she told me about her dad. "I've only told Jamie about him, but I haven't told him what I'm about to tell you. You have to swear not to tell anyone, not even Nash..." she said.

I grabbed her pinky with my own, "Pinky swear."

She smiled lightly and breathed, "I... I ran into my dad the other night at one of the concerts. Well, he ran into me, but I knew it was on purpose. I don't know how he found me, I just know he did. He said that he's been looking for me. I don't know what to do. If I tell any of the guys, they'll never let me out of their sight – especially Jamie. I know they're only trying to protect me, but I just don't want them to worry. They have enough things to worry about now, I just don't want to be another burden, you know?"

"I know what you mean, but you can't do that. Those boys love you. I haven't even been around that long and I don't know what Jamie would do if he lost you. I'm not saying you have to tell him now, but if you ever see your dad again, you need to tell him then."

She sniffled and wrapped her arms around me, "Thanks for listening, Cady."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around her as well, "I'll always be here to listen, Alex."

-Rebekah-

"They've been gone a pretty long time," I said.

"Yeah, but girls take forever in the bathroom," Ryan smirked.

I laughed, "Not as long as you do, babe." He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes as I rolled my own and smiled, "I'm just gonna go check on them." I got up from my seat and walked back to the bathroom.

I was about to open the door when I heard Cady say she'd always be there to listen to Alex. I'll admit I thought it was a little weird. Alex didn't seem to be distracted while we were eating.

Cady opened the door and I saw that she had her arm draped around Alex's shoulder. Alex's hand just moved away from her face, obviously wiping off a tear.

"Oh, hey, Rebekah," Cady said, "What's up?"

"Um... I was just coming to check on you guys. We thought you got lost or something," I faked a laugh.

"Oh, no. We we about to come back when Alex got something in her eye and I had to help her get it out," Cady smiled.

"Alright..." I said suspiciously.

"Well, the guys are waiting, so we should probably get back to them."

"Yeah, I guess so."

I noticed Alex didn't look at me the whole time I was talking with Cady. I immediately knew something was up. I just didn't get why Alex didn't talk to me about it. I know she doesn't have to tell me everything, but I've been friends with her long before Cady. I hope I'm only overthinking things.