The doorbell rang, and Eryn sleepily walked to the door. Her eye caught the clock on the way, and it was only eight in the morning. Sasha left for work about an hour ago, and the others were all asleep.

She opened to the door. No one was there, except for a white envelope on the welcome mat.

Eryn picked it up and turned it over in her hands. It was the same as the previous one from James. Or Kevin. She opened it.

Eryn shuddered, and dropped the letter on the front table. He couldn't be serious.

"Eryn!" a voice said. She turned around.

"JC, hey," Eryn said. "Why are you up so early? Don't you like to sleep?"

"Yeah, but I heard the doorbell, and now I can't fall back asleep," JC answered. "Who was it?"

"No one," Eryn said. "I'm serious. It was this." She handed him the letter, and told him about the other one.

"Shit," JC said, after reading it. "Who is this guy?"

"An ex," she said. "We went out before Justin and me, and in high school."

"That's crappy," JC said, still frowning. "If you ever need anyone to protect you, call me."

"Sure," Eryn laughed. "You wouldn't hurt anyone, with those scrawny arms."

"Shut up," JC said. "I'm buff. You know it."

Eryn shook her head. "Sure, JC. Whatever you say."

"Eryn! You're stressing me out!" JC cried.

"Do you want to go watch TV and eat breakfast?" Eryn asked.

"Sure," JC said. They walked to the kitchen.

Eryn made some fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and toasted some english muffins.

"How's that?" she asked, putting the plate in front of him.

He smiled. "Great," he said. "I wanted to ask you something too. You don't have to answer me if you don't want to, I am just wondering…"

"What?" Eryn said.

"Do you like Justin?" JC asked.

Eryn coughed on her eggs. "Yeah, he's a good friend. Why?"

"No, do you like him more than a friend," JC asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Tell me," JC said.

"Will you swear that you won't say anything?" Eryn asked, seriously.

"Yeah," JC said. "So you do?"

"A little," she admitted. "I mean, I do want to get back together with him. But I sort of have a thing for someone else, too."

"Who?" JC asked.

"I don't really like him a lot," Eryn said. "I don't want to say anything yet."

"Okay, I respect your decision," JC said.

***

Later that day, Eryn opened up her diary and began to write. The last entry was over a year ago, but she really needed to write something.

Eryn put away her diary. Although she had slight feelings for Lance, he would never have to know that. She needed to talk to him. She needed advice on Justin.

***

JC went to visit Sasha at work. Eryn told him when her lunch break is, so he decided to surprise her with flowers and take her out for lunch.

***

"Lance!" Eryn shouted.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"Can you come here a second? I want to talk to you."

"Coming," Lance answered. He walked into her room.

"Hey," Eryn said, smiling. "I need some advice."

"What about?" Lance asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

"A guy," Eryn hesitated. "But I don't want to use names, so I'll call him… Blah."

"Blah?" Lance laughed. "Okay." Blah is probably Justin, Lance thought.

"Okay, lately I am having feelings for a friend…" Eryn stopped.

"Okay…" Lance said. "And?"

"And I think I want to do something about it," Eryn said. "Blah, I think he might be interested in me. But I am not sure. I don't know."

"Give me a scenario. It'll be easier to solve then." Lance suggested. She doesn't know for sure he's interested? It can't be Justin. She knows. He told her.

"Okay, say a girl liked you. You two are friends, okay?" Eryn wasn't sure how much she should say, without giving it away. "You might like her. What would be a good thing to show that you are interested? The girl to the guy, I mean."

"Hmmm," Lance thought. "I've always liked house dates. The girl makes dinner, and then they rent some romantic movie or something. Most guys like stuff like that."

"Okay," Eryn said. "That sounds good. I think I will talk to Blah later on today. Thanks, Lance. You're a great friend."

"No problem," he said. He left the room.

***

"JC!" Sasha smiled in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, Sasha, these are for you," JC handed her a bouquet of daisies, her favourite flower.

"Thanks," Sasha said, kissing him on the cheek.

"And, I have come to take you out for lunch," JC told her.

Sasha frowned. "I can't. I have to do stock, because we got a new worker, and I have to show the ropes," Sasha smiled. "How about dinner?"

JC felt disappointed, but didn't show it. "Okay," he said. "Well, I guess I will see…" his voice trailed off.

"Sasha!" shouted a voice from the other side of the room. "Come and help me with these boxes."

"Who's that?" JC asked her.

"The new worker," Sasha answered.

"How come a guy is working here?" JC asked.

"Jealous?" asked Sasha. "One word. Melissa."

"Okay, I'm sorry," JC said.

"That's okay," answered Sasha.

"What's his name?" JC asked her.

"Shane, or Sean or something like that," she said. "He just moved here, from somewhere south of here."

"Oh," JC said. "Well, I will pick you up after work."

"Okay," Sasha said. "I get off at six."

"Bye," JC said, walking out of the store.

"Bye," Sasha called after him.

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN