Notes:

Additional Cast:

Grey Damon as Ashton Sanders

Keiynan Lonsdale as Vincent Brown 

Valorie Curry as  Anna Matthews

Vanessa's POV

"And that's how you finish properly a killer article!" Anna announces with pride while she writes her name at the end of her article.

"It is really good, Anna!" I praise her work.

"I know!" She lifts her eyebrows up and down and we burst into laughter. It is really quit at the paper's office today. It is only us and Vincent left. We are taking care of the office's responsibilities since the Times kept Ashton longer than expected.

"What is so funny, ladies?" Vincent approaches Anna's desk.

"It isn't funny. It is dead serious, passionate, provocative and awakening." Anna compliments her own writing. She is really talented though and her kind of bold way of writing is always honest.

"It sounds like Ashton will get in trouble if he publishes it." Vincent smirks.

"It is about our right to vote, dumbass. It is more than catchy, considering everything that happens in politics these days." Anna says.

"It is really incredible and eye-opening. You should take a look, Vincent." I comment.

"I think it's too late for me to do that. Anna's articles are always tough to digest." He whispers.

"I heard that." Anna fakes a smile.

"Well, that's what makes them special, right?" We hear a voice behind us.

"Hey, boss! Long time, no see!" Anna greets Ashton the military way.

"Welcome back my friend!" Vincent gives him a bro hug.

"Thanks, Vinc." Ashton makes a grimace as Vincent squeezes him tight.

"How are you? How did the Times treat you? What did you do over there? Was it fun?" I ask with enthusiasm.

"Wow, you managed to make all these questions with one breath!" Anna looks at me impressed.

"Why don't I tell you all about it at the grill? My treat. You all have been filling my shoes during my absence. It's pretty late for you all to be still at the paper anyway." Ashton suggests with a smile.

"I'm in!" Anna raises her hand in the air in no time and we all laugh.

"Grab your things and let's go then." Ashton tells us.

It's cold outside so instead of walking we take Ashton's car to the grill. I was the only one actually who thought of going there on foot, the others found it funny. I guess they have a point. Vincent sits at the front while Anna and I sit on the back seats. In about 3 minutes, we arrive at the grill. I put on my purple beanie and the scarf that goes along with it. My grandma Candice made this set for me this Christmas and I love it.

"I envy your scarf." Ashton whispers to my ear as we get into the grill. "Look at mine." He is wearing a black scarf which seems nice and simple.

"What do you mean?" I am kind of confused.

Ashton opens his coat and reveals what he was talking about. At the end of the scarf, there is a small deer with a red nose. It reminds me of Rudolph. It must be this year's Christmas present from his grandma too. He has told me that she always makes him one.

"Aw, that's so cute!" I really find it cute and the fact that he is wearing it, even if he doesn't really like it, even cuter.

"For a 5 year-old maybe, for an adult I don't think so." He says smirking and we both laugh.

"Hey, you two lovebirds, move. There's plenty of people here, we need to find a table." Anna pushes our backs from behind.

"You are always so impatient." I exhale. "And stop calling us that."

"Ok, little cupid. Now move it." She gives me a suspicious smile.

"Guys, over here!" Vincent calls us. He accomplished to find an empty table in the middle of the grill.

There are many wooden tables, one behind the other with the regular red couches as seats in between. There is also a pool and some dots to shoot. The whole place is the typical grill but always full of students and with such a friendly vibe. Alice and I come here pretty often. The food is delicious and not that expensive. Plus, I have to admit my cooking skills are almost nonexistent. Alice is way better than me. She knows how to cook the basics to survive since her dad had been away from time to time and she had to make it on her own. She has actually offered to teach me a few dishes, let's see how this goes. Whenever she cooks, we eat at the dorms, the common kitchen is decent enough. But whenever we are bored, we either prefer take out or we come here.

"You are not that useless after all." Anna tells Vincent and sits on the couch next to him. Ashton and I sit across them. "And that was a joke." She adds as Vincent stares at her puzzled.

"You need to do something about your sense of humor. You are the only one getting it." Vincent teases her and takes a menu in his hands.

"Let me inform you, little boy. A bunch of people have fallen victims of my incompatible humor. Think of my sharp mind and my amazing looks and multiply the number you have in mind." She winks.

"Do you need help with your coat?" Ashton asks me ignoring the all-time classic now drama between Anna and Vincent.

"Oh, yeah. Thank you." He pulls it off. My scarf gets stuck somehow in an inner button and I fall onto him. "I am sorry." I giggle.

"Let me save you from this mess." Ashton releases easily the scarf from my coat with a smile.

"Aw, I am going to puke the food I haven't eaten yet with all this cuteness." Anna complains in her own way with her eyes looking playfully at us from the top of the menu she is now holding.

"What would you like?" Ashton hands me a menu laughing.

"Um, number 21 is my favorite. Without the pickles though." I think about it a little longer. "A 21 with no pickles for me."

"You are going to eat all that?" Vincent raises his eyebrows at me impressed.

"Yeah. I am kind of hungry." I admit.

"I wonder where you put all this unhealthy stuff you're eating, Vanessa. If I was going to eat that, I would have to go jogging first thing tomorrow morning to shake off the guilt and I hate jogging." Anna emphasizes in despair.

"I hate jogging too. I am not athletic at all." I sympathize with her dislike.

"That means you've got a good metabolism then." Vincent concludes.

"I guess so." I shrug.

"Life is so unfair." Anna says and rests her head dramatically on the wooden table making us all laugh once again.

"Should we order? Are you guys ready?" Ashton asks Anna and Vincent.

"Yes, I am ready for my salad." Anna grimaces.

"Hey, Kim!" Vincent nods at the waitress who is at the table behind us.

"Gimme one minute, Vinc!" She raises her finger in the air. A group of girls pay the check and she comes to our table right away. "Hello, guys. What can I get you?"

"A 21 with no pickles and a 19 for us." Ashton orders for us both.

"A Caesar salad for me so, um... A 11." Anna says.

"I'll get the usual, Kim." Vincent gives her a nod.

"Okay, a 15 with extra cheese then." She writes on her notebook. "Would you like something to drink?"

"A Coca-Cola. Zero though!" Anna points.

"Make them two." Vincent says.

"You, Vanessa?" Ashton asks me.

"Water for me, please."

"And for me too." Ashton hands the menus to Kim who thanks him and leaves.

"From where do you know her?" Anna pats Vincent on the shoulder.

"Ouch!" He yells in pain. "Just from here."

"I'll get the usual, Kim." She mimics his voice.

"That my friend means you come here a lot." Ashton takes part in the tease.

"Yeah, not to mention the extra cheese. There is always something suspicious going on when someone mentions extra cheese." Anna lifts her eyebrows up and down and we all laugh. Well, all except Vincent.

"I come here as often as every other student in campus." Vincent crosses his arms and my phone vibrates, sign someone texted me. It must be Alice, we had organized a Sherlock marathon for tonight.

Nathan: You look really cute in your purple beanie ;)

I smile reading it. Is he here? I take a quick glare around.

Me: That was kind of creepy but thank you. Where are you?

"I come here pretty often but she doesn't know my order. What about you, Vanessa?" Ashton gives me a little nod to go on with this.

"Well, I do come here quite a lot as well but she doesn't know my order either." I speak the truth.

"Not you too, Vanessa." Vincent hides his head in his hands.

Nathan: 12 o'clock. Are you that blind or totally focused on your talk with the paper's geniuses?

I lean my head on the side and spot Nathan sitting two tables behind us. I guess I haven't seen him before since there were some girls sitting in between. He still hasn't shaved. I can't say it bothers me though. Why should it bother me? I have no opinion on his looks! He can wear whatever he wants, shave or not shave, wear his hair however he likes to. I don't think he has to make a big effort. He is so handsome and I can't imagine a way for him to look less attractive. He smirks at me and I giggle. For God, what am I thinking!

Me: I am not blind and our conversation here is pretty entertaining if you want to know.

"I thought that you and Andrea had a thing. Don't tell me that I pretended to be extra drunk for nothing on the Christmas party? You left me without a ride to go to her place. You'd better tell me you scored that night." Anna tic tacs the wooden surface with her nails.

"Well, we are kind of together now. Me and Andrea." Vincent announces to us shyly.

"You are? That is so incredible, Vincent!" I congratulate him with excitement.

"Yes, she is a good girl, take care of her." Ashton warns him.

"Aka stop flirting with Kim the waitress." Anna pretends to write a note in the air.

"I am not. Andrea is really nice. We just began to date, we shall see where this goes." Vincent explains.

Nathan: What are you talking about?

Me: That's none of your business. B-)

I chuckle and put my phone down as I see Kim coming towards us with our orders.

"Here you go, guys." She rests the serving tray on our table. "A cheeseburger with extra cheese for you, Vinc." She serves him first and Anna with Ashton barely hold their laughter. "A Caesar salad for you." She leaves Anna's order in front of her. "Who said no pickles?" I raise my hand. "There you go, sweetie. And last but not least, a club sandwich for you." Ashton takes his own order to help her. Kim thanks him with a smile, leaves our drinks and then goes to the table near the window where a red hair girl calls for her.

"You still insist you're innocent?" Anna threatens Vincent with her fork.

"You know what they say. Wherever there is smoke, there is fire." Ashton comments and eats a fry.

"I am going to eat now." Vincent chooses to ignore them.

"Seems like you have no excuse." Anna says with a full mouth.

"So Ashton, how was this experience at the Times?" I try to get the attention away from Vincent and he thanks me with a nod.

"It was kind of intimidating. There were students from all over the country and they all wanted to prove themselves." Ashton informs us.

"Don't tell us that you were intimidated by some geeks who know nothing on journalism! You are the boss, boss!" Anna praises him.

"Anna is right. You are so talented. Plus, you are already a step ahead of them all, since you were an intern at Times last summer." I add and take a bite from my burger.

"Thank you both. But it was really competitive. I tried to be cool about it and not to brag." Ashton says next.

"Fair and to the point. That's your style, my man!" Vincent raises his hand for a high five.

"Don't bullshit us, I am sure you gave everyone the best impressions." Anna gives Aston an intense look.

"Hmm... Well, if they asked me for another summer internship, I guess that would be a good thing, right?" Ashton continues to eat like what he just said wasn't a huge accomplishment.

"You moron! You have been playing us all along?" Anna picks a fry and throws it at Ashton.

"That is so unbelievably great, Ashton!" I grab him by the arm. "That's so big! No, that's huge! Congratulations!" I never doubted for a second he will stand out between all the others. Ashton has everything that is needed to make it as a top journalist and he is so humble. He totally deserves it.

"If you ever get tired of journalism, you should become an actor. You almost got us fooled! Congratulations!" Vincent smiles widely.

"We forgive you for that. That is amazing, Ashton! Two back to back summers as an intern at the Times!" I point with eyes open wide. Nobody at our college has ever achieved something like this.

"What about the other chick? The one with whom you did you internship together last summer. Shannon was her name?" Anna asks.

My phone vibrates after a while and I take my hand off Ashton's arm to see who it is. It's Nathan again.

Nathan: What's your fav Ed Sheeran song?

I look up and I see him raising his eyebrows at me. We haven't done this in a while.

Me: That's one of the toughest questions ever. Hm... Thinking out loud and Kiss me. Should I ask for yours?

I push the send button and smile at him.

"You mean Shannen. She is now working for the Times, she was there actually. She was a speaker. She let us know how it is to work there at such a young age." Ashton answers to Anna.

"Wow, good for her. If only we had her luck as future graduates." Anna sighs as I get another text from Nathan.

Nathan: I discovered during Xmas break that my sister is also a fan of this dude. So I heard some of his songs. I liked Sing.

I move a little to the right to see him between Anna and Vincent's head. I narrow my eyebrows in disbelief and he shrugs smirking.

Me: It's been an educative Christmas break then ;) Who is you favorite singer?

I put my phone on the table to drink some water but it vibrates right away.

Nathan: Drake.

Another text comes as well.

Nathan: And the Weeknd. Who is yours?

Me: They are nice. You already know mine.

I answer and observe him discreetly. He is with some guys, teammates probably since they are all wearing the team's jacket. I think next to him sits the guy who gave him a ride when he was drunk. They all talk vividly but Nathan is staring at me, not taking part in their conversation.

Nathan: That was a cheat. I didn't learn anything new about you.

I sigh surprised. He wanted to learn something new about me? I want to jump around but A) he is right across me, B) I am at a public place full of people.

Me: Well, what do you want to know?

I try to play it cool by drinking some extra water.

Nathan: Everything.

I begin to cough since I got almost drunk.

"Are you okay, cupid?" Anna asks me and Ashton pats me on the back.

"Just breathe." Vincent advises me and I do as he says.

What does Nathan mean by everything? I see him smiling brightly, two tables behind us, his eyes still on me.

"I am okay." I reassure everyone.

"You sure?" Ashton looks at me concerned.

"Yeah, I just choked." What else can I tell them?

"So what do you think?" Anna asks me. I have no idea what they were talking about.

"About what?"

"Hellooo, about my idea to include anonymous cupid love messages on the paper's next issue! It goes out just a little bit before Valentine's day so I believe it's going to drag people's attention." She sums it up for my good.

"I think it is a brilliant idea. It will also drag people's attention to the paper itself." I didn't hear a think about it but I find it interesting. Anna gives me a wink satisfied.

"Cupid herself agrees with this, Ashton! Please, please, please!" Anna bats with her eyelashes at him.

"Fine then." Ashton eyerolls and Anna raises her fist in the air like a true victor.

Nathan: Are you alright over there? I was ready to come over and give you a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

He didn't just say that!

Me: That is not needed!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am too embarrassed to look up and see Nathan's face. I decide to eat my burger instead.

Nathan: Too many exclamation points. Either you absolutely hate the idea or you desperately want me to. ;)

WHAT? I choke on my food this time.

"Here, drink some water!" Ashton hands me my glass. I thank him with my eyes. Is Nathan out of his mind? How can he say something like this? How can he joke with something like this?

"Today you are more entertaining than ever, little cupid." Anna raises an eyebrow at me.

"I am glad you are having fun." I try to fake a smile.

Me: You are kidding, right? Of course I hate the idea!!!!!

I delete some exclamation points before I hit send. I won't let him use it against me again!

Nathan: Sure you do................

I can feel my blood boiling and smoke coming out of my ears. He talks about my exclamation points when he uses a million suspension points?

Me: What's that supposed to mean?

I can hear Nathan laughing and I struggle with the urge of getting up and throw at him every drink that is on the table. He can't tease me like this when he... when I... when we... I am going crazy! He can say anything he wants. He said he doesn't remember a thing about that night. This is convenient for him. But what about me? I managed to barely think about it during Christmas vacation, he can't throw it back at my plate like this! I hit my hands on the table.

"Woah, okay. I won't then." Vincent raises his hands in defense. "Relax, Vanessa."

I give him a puzzled look. Great, I am here at the grill with my friends and once again I have no clue on what we were talking about. I know there is only one person to blame.

Nathan: I said sure you do. It means what it means unless you want to interpret it as something else..............

Again with the suspension points! He is really irritating me. I choose to focus on my friends' conversation instead of answering to Nathan. Vincent is talking about the classes he selected for this semester and Anna interrupts him every now and then to give her opinion on each matter.

"Is something wrong?" Ashton leans closer and lifts my chin up. My eyes go instantly to Nathan across us but I look away immediately.

"No, everything is fine. I think I ate too much." I give Ashton a reassuring smile while he sits up to see what I was looking at. Or who I might say.

"Okay, then". He moves his hand and rests it on the couch behind me. "You know that you can talk to me, right? I mean, if there is something going on in this pretty head of yours. And bothers you." He pats my head with his finger and I giggle.

"Thank you, Ashton. I think I really overdid it with this burger." I make a grimace and he laughs. My phone lights up since I put it on mute showing I got another text.

Nathan: What is your fav movie?

He texted me again, even if I ignored him, to ask me this? I look up at Nathan and see his eyes on me and Ashton. Actually on Ashton's hand behind my back which he now places on my shoulder. Nathan's face changes right away. He has turned red and he is puffing his chest. Why would Nathan react like this? If a glare could kill, Ashton would be drop dead on the floor now. Could Nathan be....? Nah, of course not.

"Excuse me, I have to answer this." I point at my phone.

"Sure." Ashton smiles at me.

Me: A walk to remember. What's yours?

Nathan is still staring at us but now he is smirking like a champion seeing me texting him back, I guess. I hit send.

"Can we ask for the check? I feel really tired." Anna leans her back on the couch, Ashton looks at me and I nod in confirmation.

"Alright." He says.

"I'll call for Kim." Vincent offers.

"Boys will be boys." Anna eyerolls.

Nathan: Inception. Let me guess. It is some romantic crap, right?

I chuckle reading his text.

Me: If you mean it is a really touching wonderful romantic movie, then yes. Inception? Really? I thought you would prefer something with more blood and violence.

Kim comes to our table. We all take our wallets out but Ashton interferes.

"My treat remember?" He reminds us and we all thank him.

Nathan: You are so predictable. Why you say so? Do I seem like a violent person to you? You just offended me, special friend. Inception is fucking mind-blowing! I like Marvel's movies, Fast and Furious, Rocky... Do these seem more appropriate to you?

He is really in a garrulous mood today indeed. I give him a brief smile as he shoots up his eyebrows while drinking some water.

"Thank you guys, good night!" Kim wishes us and brings back the change. Ashton gives her a generous tip and stands up first.

"We can go now." Anna puts on her jacket and so does Vincent. Ashton takes my coat and helps me put it on. I put on my scarf as well and answer back at Nathan.

Me: I didn't mean to offend you, special friend. I was just expecting Rocky to be your number one choice.

Ashton opens up the door for me, we get out and we follow the others to the car.

Nathan: Where are you going?

Anna sits on the back and I sit along with her even if Vincent insisted for me to sit on the front.

Me: It is kind of late so home.

"We are going to leave the ladies first and then go to get your car, okay, Vinc?" Ashton starts driving.

"Ladies first. Such a gentleman." Vincent pats Ashton on the head and he laughs.

Nathan: Whose home?

I frown reading this.

Me: Mine? It is late as I said, I need to take a shower and get some sleep.

"Who are you texting to all night long, little cupid?" Anna knows nothing about tact.

"Alice." I lie. "I kind of bailed on her tonight. We were supposed to stay in and watch Netflix." I still can't believe I didn't text her to let her know I will go to the grill. I was about to but then Nathan texted me and I magically forgot about it

Nathan: Okay. Who is you favorite actor?

Speaking of the devil.

Me: Eddie Redmayne. Yours?

"You should have told her to join us." Ashton says and I feel bad for lying.

"Next time" Vincent proposes.

"You are kind of committed, don't forget." Anna teases him for the millionth time tonight.

"So? What's the problem with it?" Vincent asks

Nathan: Robert Downey Jr. Who's your fav actress?

I hold my giggle. I've missed this. Him. I mean, I have to answer.

Me: Hm, I'll go with Anne Hathaway. Who is yours?

"Oh, so there is no problem if you are dating someone and flirting with someone else?" Anna can't help but always give Vincent a hard time.

"What? Of course there is a problem. Anna, your little games have stopped to interest me." Vincent exhales and Ashton laughs.

Nathan: Scarlett Johansson is really good. I mean really really good.

I eyeroll. Of course he would pick a blonde goddess. He must have a thing for blondes. Susan is blonde.

Me: She is a talented actress, I won't deny it.

Nathan: Yeah, that and she is damn hot.

Who is the predictable now?

"First stop, dorms." Ashton yells as he stops close to the main entrance.

"Thank you so much for the lift, Ashton. And the treat. And congratulations once again on your early Times internship!" I clap my hands and he laughs.

"Yeah, yeah, thanks boss and congrats. See ya, guys." Anna pushes me and I open the door. Vincent and Ashton greet us goodnight and we wave back at them.

"I'll join you in the elevator. Those 19 steps seem like a Marathon to me right now." Anna opens the elevator's door and we get in.

Me: Is that all you guys think?

Nathan: Mostly.

I eyeroll once again.

"I thought you were texting with Alice?" Anna gives me a suspicious look.

"Yes, I just informed her I am here." Anna needs an explanation for almost everything.

"Aha." She raises her eyebrow at me as we reach the first floor.

"Goodnight, Anna" I close the elevator's door smiling. I won't survive her possible interrogation at such a time.

Me: This is such a stereotype.

Nathan: I'm messing up with you. Of course it matters if a girl is hot but that's not the only thing I notice ;)

Me: It's good to know that you're not a pig.

I try to find my keys and I open the door quietly. The light is still on, Alice is talking on Skype with Ren. I give her a wave and get into the bathroom.

Nathan: Haha, it's good to know that too. Are you home?

Me: Yes, just got here.

Nathan: Good. I'm leaving you then, special friend. Enjoy your shower. Goodnight.

I text him back goodnight and get under the shower with a smile on my face letting the water try to hide it.

Alice's POV

One more January cold morning, that I had to get my ass up to go to class. Seriously, winter is the most difficult season to get out of bed, because it's too hard to leave your warm sheets and blanket, where you snuggle like a puppy, to get out in the cold. It's a real struggle. The only thing that keeps me going, like all the other mornings, is my addiction to coffee. I can't wait to feel this hot drink bring ecstasy to my body.

When I get in the cafeteria, I see it is full of people and the bad thing is, that they don't sit. All of them are shaping a long line and they are waiting to order. I huff loudly, swearing in silent, but I have to accept my destiny, which is go to the end of the queue.

Suddenly, I observe Joseph in the middle of the line, supporting his weight on one leg, scrolling on his phone. He's wearing jeans with a blue sweater and a black jacket. On his right shoulder, his laptop bag is hung. Why does he have to look like a Burberry model, without even trying? He is absorbed in his phone and he hasn't noticed me yet. Should I go over there? I want so badly to go there and, bonus, he's in the middle of the line. If I do that, I will fail again on my task to get my distance from him. What the hell! It's just a friendly greeting! Plus, I have to get coffee like NOW!

"Good morning, Joseph!" I greet him with a smile, when I go near him. Joseph raises his eyes from his phone and when he sees me, he flashes one of his most brightest smiles.

"Good morning! I assume you've just woken up!" He raises an eyebrow.

"What did you assume that from?" I ask, trying to hold a yawn.

"From the yawn, that you try unsuccessfully to hold and from the zombie pace." He answers playfully,eyeing me from head to toe.

"It's not that bad!" I complain, as the line moves a bit.

"Well, you're cute even if you've just woken up!" he answers playfully again and I try so hard to maintain a poker face, while he managed to fully awake me now with his words.

"I don't think you look bad yourself being bleary." I answer casually, as another one yet just took his coffee.

"That's because I am not! I've been awake since 7am." he says, like it's not big deal. "Truth be told, I am breathtaking even half asleep!" he smiles, but since sometime, his smiles stopped being cocky and obnoxious.

"Seriously?" I exclaim loudly and some people from the line turn to look at me. Joseph starts laughing wholeheartedly.

"Seriously!I had a meeting with mr. Roberts and unfortunately he's a morning guy!"

"About your project?" I like to know everything about it, because when he talks about it or generally for things he loves, his whole face lights up. That makes me more eager to know.

"About that too. Actually, I would call you to tell you about this, the meeting" He wanted to call me? A warmth is spread instantly through my body. "but since you're here, taking advantage of me for cheating the line..."

"I don't do that!" I protest, stubbornly. "I just enjoy your company!"

"Your last sentence totally gave you away..." He remarks, smiling. "Anyway, mr.Roberts wants me to go to DC for an important seminar about our project, this Saturday."

"Seriously?You're going to DC?" I exclaim, not being able to believe my ears.

"Yeah, isn't that great?" He cheers and the line moves a little bit more.

"Yeah, it's amazing! So you're going alone or with the team?"

"Alone. Mr. Roberts wants me to get properly informed on some areas." He replies, taking a step.

"Well, you're a fast learner, so that will be a piece of cake for you!" I wink at him.

"Was that a compliment?" he exclaims with a smirk. "Alice, the new year transformed you completely.".

"It was on my new year's goal list, to be a better person. Be nicer to poor Joseph, as it's a pity to see him struggling." I announce with a deep voice and he chuckles. "Anyway, I am happy about that seminar, but it's a pity not being able to see the city. It's beautiful."

"Did you want to take me on a sightseeing tour?" he smirks and damn this smirk is getting to me. That would be so amazing, but I can't let my face express it.

"I can propose some places, but I don't think that you will have the time."

"Surprisingly, it's a 4 hour thing very early in the morning, so after that, I am free. Would you like to be my guide?" he tells me with a beautiful smile and I almost gulp. I would love to show him my city, my favourite places, but no! It will be a disaster for me.

"I would like to, but I will go there next Saturday, so I have to catch up with the classes and the papers..." I answer trying to be as much persuasive as I can. It's true that I am going to DC, but the lie about the classes is so lame. That's something that Vanessa would say, not me. Joseph eyes me carefully, in disbelief.

"Too bad!" he signs and I see his cheerful nature faded. That makes my heart ache. I wish I could say yes, but if I feel like this by being with him some minutes, what will happen if I spend a whole day with him? "There's a special occasion in DC next Saturday?" he asks indifferently. Yes my birthday, that I want to spend with my dad, but before I manage to answer my phone rings. Speak of the devil. It's my dad!

"Hey dad!" I answer and Joseph's eyes widen in surprise.

"Hey sweetheart! How are you?"

"Sleepy!" I retort. "You?"

"Fine!" he tries to answer casually, but I understand the fatigue in his voice.

"Dad, are you ok? Did you have another difficult case that kept you up all night?" I ask worried and Joseph turns immediately his head, towards me. Do I discrete a bit of fret in his eyes?

"Well, you caught me. You took after your mother more than I realise." he says in a low voice. His comment made me happy and sad at the same time."So spill the beans!" I command,with a steady voice, pretending I didn't hear his last words.

"The bossy nature comes from your grandmother." he chuckles. "That's the reason that I've called you actually! Your grams was sick last week. I was trying to keep up by taking care of her, while I had a serious case here in DC."

"So you're exhausted!" I conclude. "How is she now? Does she feels any better?" I ask worrying about my father's mother as well.

"Thankfully, much better! The problem is that I have to leave on Saturday morning, due to that case, but I will be back late at night. So, can you come only for Saturday in DC to take a look at her? I wouldn't normally ask you that, but the sickness left her weak, even though she doesn't admit it and I am really worried.But you know how grumpy and stubborn your grams can be... She says that the nurses at home are a disaster and that she's not that old." she huffs and I can't help it but chuckle. Grams Prudence is one of a kind. "I have dealt with the most dangerous criminals and yet I can't deal with your grams." he groans at frustration. "Perhaps you can make her have a change of heart. I know I can count on my beloved daughter."

"Don't worry, dad, I've got your back!" I say still chuckling. "It's not a big deal to go to DC. It's only two hours away."

"Thank you honey! You're the only one she can put up with." He sounds relieved.

"She's a sassy queen, even at that age." I remark and my dad chortles. It's not easy to deal with two sassy women.

"No one can shake her from her throne!" he jokes and I laugh. "Are you sure you can come?I know it's irrational, but I am running out of options."

"Yeah, I am sure!" I assert him, still laughing. If I am the princess of stubborness, grams Prudence is the queen. Even one of the top FBI agents,chief of a successful crime investigation unit, who catches criminals before breakfast, can't deal with her.

"Thank you so much again and I am sorry I drag you into this mess!"

"You owe me next Saturday!" I say firmly.

"I know I do! Thanks again, sweetheart. Gotta go! The team's waiting for me in the conference room. Love you!"

"Love you! Bye!"

"Everything's ok?" Joseph asks, after I hang up the phone

"Yeah! As you've heard my plans changed for the weekend. I am going to DC to check on my grams."

"Is your grams ok?" he asks worried.

"She was sick and a little grumpier than usual." I state and I observe, that we're almost at the coffee bar.

"I can see from whom you took after." he jokes and I laugh.

"Shut up!" I poke him playfully and he chortles. "I just have to go there and make sure everything's ok. Like cook for her and give her the medicine and persuade her to accept some help from a nurse..."

"So we can go together." he proposes and I stay frozen. I have totally forgot about our previous conversation, because dad's phone call distracted me. What can I say to that?

"I don't want to take you off schedule." I try to find a good excuse, but I think I find the lamest ones. When I am near him my brain just shuts down.

"Not in the slightest!"

"So we can go together..." I finally say and my heart is dancing breakdance right now, even though my brain says it's wrong. "But I will drive!"

"Yes, sir!" he jokes and then smiles at me and I can't help it but smile as well.

Finally, we are in front of the coffee bar and we order. After a few minutes, we take the coffees and we get out of the cafeteria.

"We will leave first thing in the morning around 7 and don't dare to be late." I command him.

"I am not the one who oversleeps." he smirks and I try to give him a glare and I fail even at that. Damn! "Will you come to pick me up?"

"What am I? Your freaking chauffeur?" I shoot at him.

"Well you offered to be..." he flashes a childish smile.

"No way, princess Diana. 7 at the dorms!" I say in a bossy tone.

"Ok!" he finally says. Then, he leans closer to me; his face inches from mine. "I can't wait." Then, he turns and leaves. I stay there frozen gawking at him going away and I have to say I can't wait either. How close am I to my doom?

A/N:Thanks for reading. Don't forget to vote and comment. What did you think about Vanessa and Nathan's texting? Alice and Joseph are going to spend a whole day together. What are you waiting to happen?