The next day.

"Thank you for helping me set up this zoom stuff, George. I owe you!"

"No problem, Jess. Let me know if you have any trouble."

"I will. Hey wait! Before you go.."

"What?"

"Do you think this will last long?"

"Definitely."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's the governments way of controlling us all."

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

"Oh.. I'm really worried. Sarah's getting tested today, and Evan works at the hospital! I'm scared for them.."

"I'm sure they'll be okay."

Jessica sighs. "I hope so. Danny told me he's been working through zoom a lot, so that's good!"

"Yeah, that is good. You stay safe, and stay home! Yes?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, I've gotta go. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, thanks again, George!"

**

"Alright class, that's all for today! I'll see you next week."

"Bye, Ms. Jessica!"

"Bye!" Jessica smiles and ends the zoom meeting.

"Well that went well." She says to herself as she scrolls through her messages on her phone.

"Zoom meeting with the gang at eight." Jessica mumbles. She then looks at the time and clicks on the link Sarah sent. "Right on time."

...

"Hey guys! So our chats are being moved to zoom now?"

"Yeah, why not?
What's up, Jess?" Danny asks.

"Just got out of class. Evan! Look at you all covered up looking like those things on Monster's Inc." Jessica laughs.

"Am I rockin' it?"

"Totally!" She chuckles.
"Sarah, how are you feeling?"

"Well.. I've got it."

"What!" Jessica's eyes go wide.

"I've got COVID!" Sarah pouts.
"They sent me home. My mom is here taking care of me. Oh gosh, it's terrible, you guys!"

"Sarah, I'm so sorry! Oh gosh, I want to hug you so bad right now!" Jessica cries.

"I'll be okay."

"This is crazy. I can't believe what's going on."

"Danny and Jess, you should get tested too." Evan says.

"Why?" Jessica asks.

"Because we were all together. They've tested me and it came back negative."

Jessica sighs. "I guess I'll go tomorrow."

"You want me to pick you up and we'll go together?" Danny asks.

"Yeah, that'll be fun!"

"No, no, no! That is exactly what you're NOT supposed to do!"

"Why?" Jessica asks.

"Go alone!"

"It's just Danny!"

"If he has it and you don't, and you get in the car with him.. See how it spreads?"

"We'll wear masks! I don't want to go alone." Jessica pouts.

"Aw she's the baby! Remember Evan? I'll take her and we'll be safe."

"She plays that baby card way too often." Sarah nods. "You're only months younger than I am, Jess."

"I'm still the baby." Jessica smiles cutely.

***

Schedules got in the way and Danny and Jessica weren't able to get tested until two days later.

Danny picked Jessica up after her morning classes. Jessica wore leggings, a cami, and a Lululemon jacket. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun with a headband to hold her flyaways back.

"Thanks for bring me, Dan."

"No problem.  I forgot a mask by the way."

"Shit, me too.  Oh well, we just won't tell Evan!" Jessica smiles.

"Sounds good." Danny laughs.
"You wanna grab lunch afterwards? We can sit in the car and eat since we can't go in."

"Ooh, fun! I'm down."

"Cool. Let's just get this test over with."

"I'm nervous! I heard it's bad."

"I heard the same thing."

"Eh, if Sarah can do it-"

"Than anyone can!" Danny finishes.

"Yep!"

**

Danny was the first to get tested. Jessica watched with her hands clasped together under her chin.

Jessica's eyes went wide when she saw Danny being tested. "Danny!" She shouts.

"I'm okay."

"Oh that looks horrible.
.. Get it out of him!"

"I'm okay Jess." Danny chuckles.
He then turns to her and smiles softly.

"I don't wanna do it!" She pouts.

"You'll be okay, Jessie."

"Will you hold my hand? I'm scared!"

"Sure."

Jessica holds Danny's hand and squeezes it tightly.

"All done! See? It was hell, wasn't it?" Danny smiles.

"Yes! How did you stay so calm!"

"I didn't want to scare you even more than you already were."

"Aw, you're so sweet!"

"Thanks." Danny chuckles. "Shake Shack?"

"Mmm! We deserve it!"

"Absolutely!"

"Your treat?" Jessica smiles.

Danny laughs. "Of course!"

"Woo!"

**

Danny and Jessica sat in the car enjoying their lunch and having a nice conversation.

"Can you believe my twenty fifth birthday is more than likely going to be spent stuck in the house alone?"

"Aw that's sad! Man, twenty five? I still see you as that cute little six year old who cried everytime she was over at the house."

"I'm sensitive!" Jessica whines. "And you boys were mean to me! You, Evan, and Tony! Your sister was always sweet, but you boys didn't let me play with you!"

"Because you cried!" Danny laughs. "And if we were so mean, why'd you always ask to come over?"

"Because!"

"Because why?"

"Nothing."

"Oh just tell me!"

"Alright. Don't laugh!"

"I won't!"

"You're laughing already!" Jessica pouts.

"Sorry, I'll stop. What is it?"

"I liked you."

"Me?! I was in the third grade, you bad girl!"

Jessica laughs. "I thought you were cute. I don't anymore."

"Dodged that bullet!"

"Oh shut up!" Jessica laughs and hits his arm.

"I thought you were cute. Your little pigtails, that baby voice and lisp.. you were tiny, and when you ran you looked like a little doll running around our house." Danny laughs. "But that cry! Oh Good Lord That Cry!"

Jessica laughs. "Took the cuteness away."

"Oh definitely!"

"You jerk."

Danny laughs and takes a bite of his burger.
"Can you believe this shit is going on in the world?"

"Nope." Jessica sighs. "I can't believe I'm living through a global pandemic before ever being in a serious relationship. I mean.. What the hell!" Jessica laughs.

"You've been in a serious relationship. What about Tommy in high school?"

"Are you serious? He was only my prom date, he ended up being a jerk, and you and Evan scared him!"

"We didn't like the way he was touching you."

".. Dan he was holding my waist."

"Yeah well.. I don't know why we were so hard on him. But like you said, he was a jerk so I guess you should just say thanks!"

"Mmmm.. Thanks.."

"You're welcome!" Danny laughs and takes a sip of his drink. "I got in so much trouble for that, Jess! God, you have no idea."

"Aw, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You're the baby so I had to protect you." Danny smiles softly.

Jessica smiles, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "The baby."