Notes:

Additional Cast:

Meghan Ory as Claire

Nathan's POV

One of the things that annoys me on the start of every new year is the people that decide to show up at the gym. Like seriously, what is the point? We all know that by the end of February, all the newbies will be long gone and actually the majority of them will most likely not achieve their goal. The bright side to this is the new acquaintances I am gonna make and all the new phone numbers I am gonna get because let's be honest, at least the ⅓ of the new ladies have come here to meet a guy. Two weeks back in campus and only at the gym I have met already 5 chicks. Or was it 6? I obviously did what a true gentleman would do; show them how to do the exercise properly or how to use the gym machines. They really appreciate my help and some of them have showed me their gratitude already. Today though I want to stay focused on my exercises. There are some tough games coming up and I gotta be prepared for them.

As I see Dean getting up, I quickly take his place to the rowing machine.

"Shit! I wanted to do that!" I see Alice standing next to me giving me a glare.

"Hello to you too, Alice. I guess you'll have to wait." I tell her with a smirk and then scan her quickly from head to toe because that's what every guy would do.

She always comes to the gym with these tights that are almost stuck on her body and with these bras on top that leave her flat stomach on clear sight. Damn, that belly button piercing of hers is not the one to miss! Sometimes when I see Alice like this, I wonder what would have happened if Steve hadn't pulled his ΚΕΓ president card to keep her for himself. Even if he hadn't, there is still this thing with her and Joseph that is quite intense if I might say. I still can't erase from my mind the way she soothed her tongue into his mouth, practically devouring him, in front of everyone before Christmas. It was like watching a freaking show live! I can't believe that if Brenda hadn't gone home I would have stayed in with her and missed it. Well, that would have been fun too but that kiss between Alice and Joseph was definitely more fun. I haven't teased Alice enough about it, if she decides to stay here and wait, I will not miss the chance.

"Damn it! Do you mind if we take turns? I am in a hurry!" Alice says in a polite and soft tone,using her sweet voice. Man, that's a first.

"If you ask so nicely, how can I say no?" I raise my eyebrows at her, satisfied with her decision to stay around. "So what's up?"

"Same old, same old! Second semester is more of a pain in the ass than the first! I didn't see that coming and I already complain about the projects that are about to come!" Alice says with a bit of grumble in her voice. I am about to answer back pretending to be as annoyed as she is about the assignments, but she speaks again. "How goofy I am! I almost forgot! I have my birthday in one week, so I am throwing a party on Friday and you're invited!" she says enthusiastically and her mood changes completely from the previous state.

"It's your birthday, really? Great, thanks for the invitation. I'll be there." I reassure her with a nod. "Is anybody that I know invited as well?" I ask indifferently, focusing on my exercise, as I wait for her answer which of course interests me quite a lot.

"Vanessa obviously! She's co hosting the party!" Of course she is, this is a big chance for her to use her obsessive organizing skills. I shake my head smiling. "Best year's couple Robin and Sophie, Joseph with his two best friends and Vanessa's hot editor Ashton, whom I think you've met if I am not wrong." she muses, touching her chin.

Fucking Ass-ton is invited?

"I've seen him once or twice and I'd say I didn't find anything hot about him." I comment sarcastically.

"Obviously! You're a guy!" Alice sniggers.

"I can be objective as a guy. For example, Joseph! Yes, Joseph is hot! Isn't he? What do you think?" Suck that, Alice. Her snigger stops at once and her posture stiffens a bit. I did call Joseph hot expecting her to tease me for using the same word as her but I think I caught her off guard.

"Why? Do you make a survey?" She shoots with sassiness.

"Hmm, kind of yeah. I believe that you can be accurate, considering your personal experience." I wink at her playfully.

"You enjoy this way too much! Don't you?" She throws a piercing glare with her hands on her waist.

"You bet." I beam at her widely, ignoring her glare. I've heard she can be a little violent from time to time but this is a public place and full of people so I believe I am safe. "So?"

"Are you such a pain in the ass with Vanessa as well?" She changes conveniently the conversation throwing the 'Vanessa' issue at me. Wait, how does she even know about it? She does not know about it. And there isn't anything for her to know really.

"I am not a pain in the ass with her. Or with anyone really." I state casually. "But you know what? I think I might have hit a nerve talking about Joss. You have been avoiding to give me an answer for a while now. I guess it was a hell of a kiss, the one I had the pleasure to see with my own eyes." I lift my eyebrows at her. "I mean there's a huge possibility that that kiss was not the only one between you two." Alice stays frozen for a second and I think I hit another nerve.

"Which facts you've come to this conclusion from, Sherlock?" She sneers.

"Well, my dear friend Watson, you have to be more careful when you sneak on the empty upper floor on a party full of people. You know on Sophie's birthday." If she needs a reminder, I'll give her one. She gulps before she answers.

"I didn't know that the number of 9 people was considered as a party full of people! You suck at mathematics!"

"Then I guess I won't follow a mathematician's career. It was never my dream anyway. But seriously, if you need any advice on how to disappear and go hooking up without anyone noticing, I can be helpful." I smile at her mischievously.

"You should share your advice with Joseph, because he was the one who dragged me upstairs!" Alice blurts in a rush, without realizing it, because of her exasperation and irritation. When she realizes what she said, she facepalms.

"Aha, I can't blame him. He was obviously gonna want a sequel after what happened at Checkpoint the night before."

"Are you done with this?" She points at the rowing machine. "Because I don't have all day, to listen to your stupid quips!" Alice tries to push me off it. She's strong for a girl! I have to admit I didn't expect her to have such physical strength.

"Woah, someone seems pretty tense! Okay, okay." I stop with my exercise. "We said that we'll take turns after all. Go." I give her a nod and stand up, freeing the rowing machine.

"You winded me up, so there's no way I am letting you use the machine until I am done! I don't know how Vanessa put up with you for the sake of your project the previous semester! I swear I would have punched your head against a wall!" Alice raves, before she starts exercising.

"Are you such a nagging all the time?" I eyeroll. "You should ask her then. And I'll ask Joseph about your time together at Sophie's party." I tell her grinning ironically.

"Why are you so eager to know? Did Ashton hire you for the gossip column and you have a deadline to catch?" She raises an eyebrow at me.

"Why are you not that eager to answer?" I shrug and of course I do not comment on the Ass-ton shit part of the question.

"First, it's none of your business and second, there's nothing to tell! Me and Joseph are just friends! Do you understand the meaning of the word frieeeeeends?"I barely hold my laughter with her reaction.

"I do. I just asked if you think your friend Joseph is good looking. Is he? Is he not? It shouldn't be such a problem giving me an answer." I stare at her but she seems too focused on her exercise, huffing and puffing loudly. "But whatever."

"Ok so since we play the 20 questions here, I should ask something as well. It's not fair only for you to have fun." she smiles mischievously, before she asks her question. "Why you were such an asshole to Vanessa?"

Of course someone who has been burnt, doesn't want to get burnt again. Or at least for others to see that he is burnt. Which is why Alice is changing the subject right now.

"I wasn't an asshole." I say casually.

"How would you put it then? Jerk? Jackass? Dick???" She simpers and waits for my answer.

"I see you have a rich vocabulary." I give her a fake smile.

"This is nothing compared to how many words I used to use for you back then!"

"Back then?" I repeat chortling.

"When you had this history project... Does this remind you anything?" she simpers again.

"That was like ages ago." I frown and pick up my water bottle from the floor.

"I know, but it was always itching me to know the reason. When I first met you in this exact same place, you didn't strike me as a bad person and even now that you're badgering me, I don't think you're one. Of course you are annoying and irritating and I want to punch you right now, but you're not a jerk for sure!" Alice stops talking and she smiles at me.

"Thank you?" I say narrowing my eyebrows and smiling back at her.

"Come on, Nathan, just spit it! I won't say anything to Vanessa if you don't want!" She's being persistent.

"I am not worried about you telling her, it's just there was no particular reason for my initial behavior towards her." I tell her honestly and her eyes widen from the surprise.

"Seriously? So you woke up that morning with the mood 'Let's be an asshole today!' and decided to behave badly to one of the sweetest people I've ever met?" she says in sarcasm and disbelief.

"Was I that bad?" I ask while making a grimace. "I didn't intent to be, I just didn't really care. Well, maybe I did intend to, just a little bit, she had kinda pissed me off on our first meeting." I add laughing remembering that day one more time.

"Well, I guess we shouldn't rely a lot on first impressions! Look how they proved us wrong!" Alice mutters and I believe she's talking more to herself than to me.

"I think I will agree with you." I state as I look at the floor smiling.

"Ok, I finished!" Alice exclaims and she gets up. "What time is it?" she asks me and then she finds a clock hanged on a wall. "Shit! I am late! I said to Vanessa we will go shopping for the party and she will be waiting for me. Damn!"

"I suggest you get a shower asap and not let her waiting then!" I comment as I sit back to continue my exercise.

"Yeah, you're right! See you on Friday, Nathan!" Alice says and she's about to leave, but she thinks it twice and speaks again. "Also, can you please don't say anything about the whole kissing thing with Joseph?" I give her a mischievous smile. "It was nothing, but still I don't want people to gossip behind my back!"

"I could do that but I was planning to tease him about it like I teased you. It wouldn't be fair to only do that to you, right? But I won't tell anybody else about it. Your dirty little secret is safe with me." I tell her with a smirk.

"Yeah! Of course you should! I wouldn't take this joy from your life!" she grins. "See you, Nathan!"

"See you, Alice! And happy shopping with your roommate!" I raise an eyebrow at her and she turns to give me a frowning glare before she leaves.

Joseph's POV

Graphics was the last lab of the day and I am finally free! Tuesday is by far the worst day in my spring schedule. I have so many labs, since very early, and unfortunately I can't be absent, because they are mandatory. The bright side is that they are interesting and not boring, like the lectures.Thankfully, I had a great Saturday with Alice in DC and it could have gotten so much better if she hadn't ruin it. She keeps turning me down constantly. Is it really true she's not into me at all? No! I don't buy that! It must be something else, but she hides it too well. I saw how she checked out at my half naked body. I think deep down she wished to have been scooped up on the counter and then lied down underneath me. I wonder what crosses that mind of hers when I am around. She's such a challenging mystery to me, but whenever I unlock a part of her, she fascinates me even more, even when I believe it's not possible. Not to mention, I should go shopping buying her a birthday gift. I don't usually spend a lot of thinking on presents, but this time I brood over it again and again. I want to get her something that will excite her. Something that she will love. Fuck! I am going to explode!

A beer is what I really need right now and I know the right place to go! Checkpoint aka Claire's bar! Maybe I should give Nathan a call to join me. I haven't seen him in a while.Due to my classes and projects and his painful basketball practice, we didn't have time to catch up for a while. I text him and he answers he's meeting me there, right away.

After a while I get into Checkpoint, where I see Claire waving at me.

"Hello hot stuff!" she greets with a smile. Her lips always in dark red and her clothes always black. This time black jeans and a crop top. I wonder why we have a long time to get laid.

"Hey hot body!" I greet her with a smirk.

"Alone...again?" she observes.

"I am expecting company!" I answer. She examines me carefully and she simpers.

"Company like Alice?" I eyeroll to her conclusion. She is really stuck with her.

"This time, it is Nathan! You really suck at this game!" I remark playfully.

"Nathan like sexy and big Nathan?" her eyes widen from lust.

"Yes, that's me." I hear Nathan's voice from behind me. "Let me return the compliment, sexy Claire. Hey Joseph." He raises an eyebrow at her as he sits on one of the bar's stools.

"So Nathan, do you have any plans tonight?" Claire asks biting her lip.

"Do you?" He asks playfully and I feel like playing gooseberry.

"Because this is never going to stop and I have to stand for a reputation here... Claire finishes her shift at 10, Nathan, so you can both fuck each other again at the back alley. Get us two beers now, Claire." I chime in.

"It was indeed a really good fuck!" Claire teases me and I make a grimace, which makes her giggle. "Joss, you know you are my favourite, but I need to look for my luck somewhere else, since you have eyes only for Alice." she remarks mischievously and I almost choke. What the hell? What the fuck is she saying?

"Just get us two beers, Miss know-it-all." I yell.

"Ok!" she winks. "But you know I've been around a lot and I can talk about behaviours..." she drops her last bomb, as she opens the beers and then leaves. Claire doesn't mince indeed.She's such a pain in the ass sometimes, but I really like her as person. Nathan is eyeing me intensely with a smirk on his face.

"What?" I say to his intense irritating staring.

"Dude, I think I had the privilege to be the only one who knew about the Alice thing. Seems like it's been spread around." He says with a cocky smile.

"Claire doesn't know anything about that. She has seen me and Alice hang out together a few times and she thinks that gives her the right to mock me. Think what her spicy mouth would have said is she knew about the kiss." I point out, since that day Claire had a day off.

"She's indeed good with this stuff then. If at the times that she has seen you, you were both keeping your hands to yourselves." He lifts his bottle up at my direction. "Which I totally doubt." I raise my eyebrow at his comment.

"Dude, do you really try to pull a chord on me?" I ask looking down on him. "I have invented that!" I state with a smirk.

"Well, can you blame me?" He shrugs. "There is some serious sex tension between you two that must be relieved!"

"Well, can you blame me? She's hot as hell!" I exclaim, remembering how is Alice everytime we meet.

"I was the one who told you that first! There was a time when she was just fine and not your taste. Remember?" He says making quotes with his hands. He is so fucking right. I was so pissed at her back then that there was no chance to admit that Alice is attractive. To be honest, I kind of believed it at first, but only because I thought I hated her so much.

"Will it make your ego feel better if I let you tell me 'I told you so'?'" I drink a sip from my beer, annoyed.

"I guess I could say that. But do you remember what else you told me? That I can have her if I want to." He remarks as he clinks his beer bottle with mine. His comment made me clench my jaw and tighten my fists, because only the thought makes me mad. Nathan and Alice? With my blessings? I was such a fucking idiot and thank God it didn't happen. And I should thank idiot rich boy Steve for that? I want to hit my head on a wall.

"But you weren't good enough to get her!" I shoot back at him.

"Imagine if I was. Now we would be fighting instead of drinking!" He pushes me slightly with his elbow.

"It seems that Alice proved to be way more dynamic for your standards." I point out indifferently.

"And yours too. Since you haven't banged her yet." He shoots at me smirking.

"Because that's not my purpose!" I retort. Maybe it was when we started talking like normal people and not knowing her very well, but now I don't definitely see her as a girl to bang.

"And that doesn't sound like you, man." Nathan comments raising his eyebrows. "Just saying." Yeah man, you're right it's nothing like me at all. What's happening to me?

"As I've told you Alice is not one of the girls that we are used to hang out with. My aim is not those girls. I can't stand the sentimental drama!" I huff, looking at him.

"Who talked about sentimental drama? From what I've seen,you're both eager to take the next step when you were soothing each others' tongues into each others' mouths. It would be a total waste not to." He states casually while drinking some of his beer.

"Alice is not this kind of girl! What is it that don't you understand that?" I raise my voice without intending to. It always irritates me when Nathan refers to Alice as the chick to only have fun with, when she is obviously more than that. Nathan looks at me really startled and I have to sway it somehow. "For example, would you do something with umm... let me think of someone... let's say... Vanessa! Would you do something with Vanessa, when you know that she's obviously not the type of girl to have fun for one night?" I ask raising an eyebrow, being aware that something's on between him and Vanessa from the texts between them, that I accidentally read. Who said he was the only one who was able to tease?

"This is something completely irrelevant. I haven't soothed my mouth against hers while having a fair amount of people as an audience. You and Alice though..." His tone continues to be teasing.

"Maybe not yet..." I remark. "Do you know a fair amount of guys wanted to sleep with Vanessa in high school? She really had a mini fan club, even though she was clueless about it!" I take a sip from my beer waiting for his reactions.

"What?" Nathan exclaims after choking with his drink. "What the fuck, Joseph!"

"What you've heard! Her innocence and her timidity is a turn on for some guys. I can say I had my eyes on her as well, but as I've said those girls are not for me!" I keep throwing comments at him and I am glad I turned the tables. Vanessa seems a sensitive issue to him, just like Alice is to me.

"What's that supposed to mean? Have you ever made a move on her or something?" He asks me frowning.

"Believe me I had plenty of opportunities, but it would be like corrupting a teddy bear!" I smile mischievously to him.

"What? She is not a fucking teddy bear!" He puffs annoyed. "And you had plenty of opportunities? Meaning what? Was Vanessa into you back then?"

"There was not a single girl in high school, who wasn't into me." I wink. "Especially when I was a senior. You know how girls fantasize getting laid with someone older right?" I keep teasing him, because it's so fucking hilarious.

"Are you fucking serious right now?" He stands up kinda irritated. "Hell no she was fantasizing about getting laid with you!" I can't help it and I start laughing.

"You should have seen your face!" I utter between my chuckles. "It was way more amusing teasing you than I thought!"

"You're such an idiot." He sits back on the stool giving me an eyeroll. "And your teasing was pretty pointless. This is the reason why second round is on you, my friend. Hey Claire!" He gives her a nod and she brings us two more beers.

"Whatever makes you sleep better at night!" I flash another mischievous smile at him.

"So was she seeing anyone back then?" He then asks after getting his temper back.

"Since my teasing was pointless, what's with the sudden interest in Vanessa's high school love life?" I ask, giving him another smile, which I know it gets to him.

"You were the one who started it." He points a finger at me. "I...", he shrugs, "you know, I was just curious."

"That's a strong argument..." I say sarcastically and he eyerolls,before I continue. "I remember she was dating a guy at some point and that's it! I don't think it was a long time thing."

"Was she? Hmm..." He gets lost in his thoughts while rubbing his chin. "Do you know anything about that Ashton guy?"

"I've met him through other people, but we don't talk a lot. We greet when run into each other, but nothing more. He seems like a nice guy, from the brief chats I'd had with him on parties and hangs out. Why do you ask?" I take a sip from my beer. Why are we talking about Ashton?

"He is also the paper's editor. I think he is trying to make a move on Vanessa." He remarks while keeping his eyes on his phone.

"Really?" I exclaim and Nathan nods. "I am sure Vanessa hasn't understood a thing. Typical her!" I say to him, remembering how Vanessa was in high school. Not so many things have changed since then.

"I don't know there is something about that guy... I just don't like him. He seems too sneaky. I bet he doesn't let her take a single breath at the paper's office. He must keep her at a close distance." Nathan says nodding his head again. I smell a green creature here.

"Are you jealous, Nathan?" I ask, amusing myself on one side and trying to understand what's going on on the other, even though I think I am getting the hints.

"What? Of course not!" He narrows his eyes and clenches his jaw. "I am just concerned. She is a common friend of ours. A really innocent and clueless one as you said yourself already. I think we should keep an eye on her. And that ass." Yeah right! I think he tries to persuade himself more than me.

"Don't worry. Vanessa has Alice as a back up, so she has nothing to fear about!" I remark, because I know Alice cares a lot about the people who are close to her. "Ashton will have a really hard time if he's being an ass to Vanessa."

"That's the only thing I can tell for sure. Speaking of Alice," he raises an eyebrow at me, "I saw her at the gym yesterday. I do insist only a fool would not get advantage of this whole thing going on between you two."

"And she let you leave alive? I am impressed." I answer.

"I did put my life at risk, while giving her a little tease as well but we were surrounded by lots of people, so I was safe." He remarks grinning and I chortle.

"So what did she say?" I ask very curious, but knowing Alice I am sure Nathan fell on a dead end.

"I was sworn in secrecy. Sorry, buddy!" He raises his hands up chuckling.

"Fuck you, man! You are my friend, not hers!" I complain.

"But she's the one who will cut me in pieces." He insists shrugging. "I do prefer being alive than dead. I haven't seen Alice in action, but from what I've heard, it would be better if I never find out."

"Better not! But this danger makes her even more appealing!" I point out.

"You don't say!" He lifts his eyebrows up, sign that he is back on teasing me and I chuckle.

"Man, this woman will be the death of me!" I exhale, knowing that I am doomed and I am somehow glad that I can share this with someone, even if I know that this someone won't stop making stupid quips about it.

"Interesting confession!" Nathan comments mischievously before getting a sip from his beer.

"Anyway, look who's losing on TV. It's not a good year for the Celtics!" I remark, pointing at the TV in an attempt to change the conversation's topic.

"Shit! Claire, can you turn the volume up?" He asks her while keeping his eyes on the tv.

Then we passed the rest of the evening watching the game and talking about sports, until Claire announced that her shift was over and I knew pretty well what that meant. I said goodnight to both of them and I headed home, bringing again the conversation that I had with him. I think Nathan is pretty screwed like I am, but he's totally clueless about it.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Alice's bday party is next! Don't forget to vote and comment, your support means the world to us. xx