The next day

"I don't even wanna look at it," I thrusted the pregnancy test in Jimmy's hands. I was too nervous to look at the results.

He pulled his hand away, grimacing. "No, girl, you peed on that thing!"

I sighed, closing my eyes. I brought the test closer to me and opened my eyes.

I sighed in relief. Negative.

"Is it negative?!" Daniella said optimistically as she squeezed Marion's hand.

I looked at them, then smiled from ear-to-ear. "Yes!"

They all looked relieved. I raised my hand to my chest, thankful that I wasn't actually pregnant. "Someone hold me."

Jimmy pulled me into a hug, putting my head under his chin. "I will be more careful. Maybe we should put boundaries."

"Maybe," I uttered back.

"What time is it?" Marion murmured, looking at her vintage watch. "We gotta run, guys. Daniella and I have a date."

I weighed out of Jimmy's embrace and faced them. "Ooh, where ya going?"

"Just to a movie and some dinner," Daniella chimed in.

"Alright, we'll walk you out."

We all walked downstairs and went outside, watching Daniella and Marion go, holding hands. They were so damn cute.

As they were pulling out of the driveway, I saw my mother's car pull up. It was 6:30; she's usually not home this early.

"Why is your mom home?" Jimmy asked, perplexed.

"I dunno," I walked down the driveway and up to her car door. She got out and smiled.

"Noel, c'mere," My mother led me to the other side of the car. The car to the back opened, and stepped out a boy. He had blue eyes, immaculate brown hair-probably the same color as Jimmy's-I knew him, I just couldn't figure it out.

"Noel," The boy murmured, grinning. I still had no idea who he was.

After profound thinking, I knew him; he was Carter DeVito. We grew up as neighbors, but then he moved.

I gasped. "Carter?!" I squealed. He let out a giggle.

"It's been so long," Carter's sapphire eyes transfixed on my face.

He pulled me into the hug. His cologne wafted through my nostrils.

"Oh my God, I'm feeling to nostalgic right now," I said though a chuckle, breaking the hug. "How are you?"

"I'm hangin' in there. And you?" He broke the hug and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Oh, I'm good."

"Who are you?" I heard Jimmy's voice say behind me. I turned around. His eyebrows were crinkled, perplexed.

"Oh, Carter, this is Jimmy, my boyfriend. Jimmy, Carter, Carter, Jimmy."

Jimmy shook his hand. He still looked vaguely confused. "Nice to meet you. So, how do you know each other?"

"Oh, we grew up together as neighbors. He moved upstate and we kind of drifted apart. When we were both 12. But, why are you here?"

"Oh, um, my mom and your mom got back in touch, and wanted us to meet again," He flashed a smile. "I'm not sure how long we're staying, but..."

We all sat in a silence. "So, do you wanna catch up on things?"

"Yeah, of course. Jimmy, do you wanna come with us?" Carter asked, thrusting his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"Yeah, sure," Jimmy flashed a smile--it looked reluctant to me.

We all went back inside and to the living room as our moms chatted.

"So, you graduated, right?" Carter asked me, trying to avoid Jimmy's queer glare at him.

"Yeah, you?"

"Mhm," I leaned in and whispered to Jimmy: "Stop doing that, you're freaking him out."

Jimmy then looked away, staring down at his feet.

"Do you have any plans for the future?" Carter asked.

"I'm actually not really sure yet, you?"

"I wanna be a comedian," Jimmy chimed in, flashing a grin. "I've done some stand-up shows before."

Carter paused, then smiled reluctantly. "That's cool."

"That didn't sound convincing."

"Jimmy, can I talk to you for a second?" I said through my teeth. I grabbed his arm and led him to the bathroom, closing the door behind us.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Jimmy said, putting his hand on his arm. "What was that for?!"

"Jimmy, what are you doing? You're intimidating him!"

"What're you talking about?"

"Ever since Carter showed up you've been acting like a psycho!"

He lowered his eyes, inhaling sharply. "Okay, to be completely honest with you, I don't like that guy."

"And why is that?"

"He just looks like a narcissist kind of guy. And did you see the way he was looking at you?"

I snorted. "Jimmy, I am not interested in him. I love you, got me?" I pecked him on the lips before going back out.

"Sorry about that," I smiled.

"S'all good," Carter beamed, crossing his arms. "So, while you guys were in there, um, doing whatever you were doing, your mom told me that I'm apparently staying over here for a couple of days while my mom stays in a hotel, if that's alright with you."

"Oh boy," Jimmy uttered.

"That's great! We can have a slumber party like old times!" I pulled him in for a hug.

"Yeah, I remember those slumber parties," He laughed.

"Okay, I should probably get going," Jimmy looked at his wrist as if he was looking at his watch, even though there was no watch. "Love you," Jimmy placed a lingering kiss on my forehead before going out the door.

"What's his deal?" Carter crinkled his eyebrows.

"Oh, nothing. He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes," I perched on the couch. "Did you bring suitcases with clothes and stuff?"

"Yeah, my mom told me that we might stay over so we packed just in case."

---

8:54 p.m.

"Are you sure you want to sleep on the couch? You can sleep in my bed and I'll just sleep on the floor."

"No, really, it's fine. I don't really want to sleep on top of a sheet covered in flowers," Carter said as he threw the pillow on the couch.

I laughed. "I'll sleep on the other couch," I pointed to the couch next to the one he was sleeping in.

"Okay, since you're so excited that I'm here, you can do it."

"YAY!" I squealed and jumped. I ran upstairs and grabbed a blanket and a couple of pillows and darted back downstairs. I laid the blanket down in the couch and the pillows. "Okay, we should get into our pajamas and I'll make popcorn and I'll get my season one disc of Seinfeld!"

Carter's eyes widened. "You're really excited, aren't you?"

"Yes, aren't you?"

He paused, then started jumping. "Yes, let's do it!"

---

I changed into a school t-shirt and plaid pajama pants. I put my hair in pigtails. Carter was in a white t-shirt and sweatpants.

I took out an uncooked bag of popcorn and put it in the microwave.

"Okay, so what're we gonna watch f-"

"Seinfeld, I guess," I interrupted.

"Okay, I guess you like Seinfeld," He laughed. "It's good."

The microwave beeped. I ran across the floor, and accidentally slipped on my sock.

"Jesus, are you okay?" Carter helped me up.

"Yeah, I'm good," I muttered. I took out the bag of popcorn and opened it up.

"Okay, let's do this!" Carter jumped onto the couch. I sat next to him and clicked play on the disc. I took a handful of popcorn out of the bag, eating them one by one.

As the episode started, my phone started buzzing. I looked at the Caller I.D. It was Jimmy. I rolled my eyes and paused the episode. I clicked answer and paced around. "Hello?"

"Hey, watcha up to?" Jimmy asked.

"Just watching Seinfeld with Carter, you?"

Pause. "Oh, that's our show."

"Apparently it is," I laughed anxiously. "Why are you calling?"

"No reason," I could tell he was lying. "I gotta go. Love you."

"Love you too, bye."

"Bye."

I slowly hung up. I felt like Jimmy was feeling jealous because I was hanging out with another boy. I shook off the thought and continued watching.

---

2:43 a.m.

Carter and I had watched a half a season until we decided to do something else.

"Am I the only one who is wide awake right now?" Carter asked, chuckling.

"No," I laughed. "So what do you wanna do?"

"I dunno," He said as he went on his phone. Out of nowhere, he gasped.

"What? What happened?"

"I just...oh my God."

"What?!"

Carter stood up, widening his eyes. "I got accepted!"

"Accepted to what?" I squealed back.

"A college that I've been wanting to go to for my entire life!"

"Oh my God!" I shrieked. I hugged him tight, digging my head into his shoulder. "That's so great! Congrats!"

I raised my head up until our faces were inches apart. I lowered my eyes, avoiding the tension in his eyes. I tried to wriggle out of his grip, but he took his finger and lifted my chin up. Before I knew it, his lips were pressed against mine. His tongue asked for entrance, and I let his tongue explore my mouth. He bit my bottom lip. I involuntarily let out a sexual moan.

I let go, knowing that what we were doing was wrong. "We can't," I was craving for more, but this was wrong.

Carter bit his lip, lowering his eyes. "I-I'm sorry..."

"No, Carter, it's not you. It's not your fault," I raised my hand to my forehead, closing my eyes. "Jimmy's gonna kill me."

"No, he's not," He held my hands. "We don't have to tell him. Let's just forget it ever happened and stay friends."

I nodded. "You're right."

He smiled. "Okay, let's continue our Seinfeld marathon."

I giggled and nodded. "Yeah."

---

The next morning

I went back to consciousness, fluttering my eyes open. I sat up, looking around. Carter wasn't on the couch. I looked at the clock on the TV, and realized that it was almost 12.

"Mornin', sleepyhead," Carter said. He was walking out of the bathroom.

"Did I really sleep this late?" I ran my fingers through my tousled hair.

"Yes, yes you did."

"What time did you wake up?"

"Not too long ago."

I rubbed my eyes, standing up. "Do you want someone to eat? Like, breakfast?"

"I would, but it's noon now," Carter laughed.

I felt my phone buzz somewhere. I lifted up the blanket and picked it up. It was Jimmy again.

"Hello?" I said once I answered.

"Noel, can I come over?" Jimmy ignored my greeting.

"Um, I guess," I felt unsettled about seeing Jimmy again; it'll make the truth stumble out of my mouth.

Once I hung up, I turned to Carter. "Jimmy's coming."

"Okay."

---

Around ten minutes later, we heard a knock on the door. I jumped off of the couch and started for the door.

"Hey," I said vaguely melancholy, letting Jimmy in.

"What's going on? You sound sad."

I closed my eyes, briskly debating whether I should tell him or not. "It's nothing. I stayed up late last night."

I led him to the living room, where Carter was quietly watching TV.

"You again," Jimmy said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Yeah," Carter replied awkwardly.

"Stop," I whispered in Jimmy's ear. I was getting sick of his jealousy.

"So, what did you two do yesterday?" Jimmy asked, flashing a reluctant smile.

"We watched Seinfeld until two a.m.," Carter chimed in.

"Cool. Who's your favorite character?" Jimmy perched on the recliner.

"Kramer, I guess."

I couldn't help but let one tear escape. I turned away so they wouldn't see me. Then I involuntarily let out a whimper. At the corner of my eye I could see Jimmy looking at me, confused. "What's going on?"

"Can I talk to you for a minute, Jim?" I led him to the bathroom. I quickly closed the door and locked it behind us.

"Noel?"

I paused, taking a deep breath. I wiped away the tears that were falling. "I, uh, I have something I have to get off of my chest that has literally been killing me, and I feel terrible about it."

"Go on."

"Last night...I..."

"What?"

"Carter and I...kissed. But it was only for like a second! I can explain!"

Jimmy's eyes widened. "Oh my God, I never had a good feeling about him."