the next morning, i got up early to take my black labrador- percy- on his usual walk. dream decided it would be a good idea to accompany me, though i had no idea why.

"i thought you didn't even like percy," i told him once we made it out of the house.

"he's not as good as patches but i don't hate him," dream replied. he shoved his hands in his hoodie pocket and glanced back at the house. "actually i came because i need to talk to you."

"am i in trouble?" i asked.

"no, it's about nick, actually. i don't think he's all that happy about you having a boyfriend," he admitted.

i rolled my eyes at that and said, "nick doesn't get to choose who or if i date. and if he has a problem then he'll get over it."

"no no. hold on i'm saying this wrong," dream said before adding, "it's not because you have a boyfriend, i think it's because he didn't know anything about this guy. and i know it's because you couldn't talk to him while we were on the show, but i think he feels left out- if that's the right way to put it."

"i'll talk to him later," i said. "but he should know he's my best friend and that's not going to change."

"what about me?" dream pouted. the tension that had been there a few minutes ago was gone in the blink of an eye.

"you have your british man,"
i teased.

"just one more question," dream said suddenly.

"yes?"

"how does your boyfriend feel about you living with two single guys?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

"it's never actually come up, i don't think. but if he has a problem, then oh well. i'm not moving out for a guy," i replied.

"good."

---------

"nick, are you ready to go?" i yelled from outside his bedroom door, knocking hard on it.

"i've been ready for ten minutes," nick said from behind me.

i jumped, not expecting him to be there, and turned around to smack his arm. "next time you sneak up on me, i won't hesitate to punch you."

"except you won't," nick scoffed.

"i hate you."

"you don't," he said.

"ugh," was all i said in return.

a few minutes later, we were on our way to the bowling alley, me driving because nick drives too slow.

"thalia, you're literally going seventy five in a fifty five, you speed demon," nick pointed out.

"i see no problem. you focus on the music, not my driving," i told him.

nick connected his phone to the car's bluetooth and put his playlist on shuffle. of course, i skipped through the songs until i found one that i liked.

"you missed the turn for the bowling alley," he said, almost having to yell because i kept turning the music up louder.

"we're not going to that one," i replied.

"why not?"

"honestly nick, are you stupid? we can't even go to the grocery store by the house without people noticing you and wanting to take their picture with you. i am not going to spend the whole time bowling waiting for you to get done taking pictures with fans, so we're going to one that's farther," i explained.

"thalia monroe, you aren't about to drive an hour to a bowling alley, are you?" nick asked, incredulous.

"do you have a problem with that?" i asked, looking over at him.

"you're ridiculous," he said.

"but think about this: they have bowling shoes that aren't ugly. that's reason enough to go," i said.

nick shook his head at that and smiled.

fifty three minutes later, we were at the bowling alley. there was only one other group there and it was just group of old people practicing for the bowling tournament. i went to pay while nick grabbed us both shoes. julian was there a second later, enveloping me in a hug from behind.

"hey jules," i said as i squeezed his hand. "this is my best friend, nick. nick, this is julian."

julian let go of me and held out his hand to nick. "it's nice to meet you. thalia talks a lot about you."

nick shook julian's hand and smiled at that. "that's always nice to hear."

to nick i said, "i made julian watch every episode of reality slaps with me and i'm pretty sure every time it showed you, i slapped his arm and pointed you out at my best friend."

"my arm was red for a week," julian said grimly, giving me a smile. "but it was worth it to watch her scream at you through the tv."

"okay, we can talk later. it's time for me to show you losers how to bowl," i told them. i grabbed julian's hand and pulled him to lane two. nick was right behind us.

"i haven't been bowling in years," julian said.

"you're so lucky," nick said. "thalia takes me and dream bowling at least once a week. and somehow she still sucks."

i stuck my tongue out at him and said, "i'm better than you are."

"we'll see about that," nick replied.

nick went first, then me, then julian. we got into an easy rhythm of banter and trash talk as we bowled. it was almost like the three of us had been friends for years. julian and nick got along really well, sometimes teaming up to trash talk me.

at the end of the game, nick and i were somehow tied with julian close behind.

"wow, thalia," nick said, "either you've got better or i just sucked today."

"don't act like you normally win. we both know it's always me or dream who wins," i said back.

"that's a lie."

"wow, you guys are so competitive over bowling," julian remarked. "i'm going to have to step up my game to beat you guys."

"not a chance," nick and i said in unison.

"you guys are like twins," said julian. "always in sync."

"it's because we are the bestest of friends," i told him, linking my arm through nick's. "now, let's go get ice cream."

julian glanced down at his watch then back up at me. "sorry, but i've got to run. my niece is supposed to be born soon and i want to be there for it."

"i will only excuse this behavior if they name her teagan like i suggested," i joked, leaning in to give him a kiss. "be careful and tell sarah i can't wait to babysit for her."

julian left and nick turned to me. "who is sarah?"

"his sister," i replied. "do you want to get ice cream with me?" i gave him my best puppy dog eyes and pouty face, knowing he'd never say no to me.

"yeah, let's go. i'm in the mood for some ice cream today," nick said.

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