Chapter SEVENTY

JC took a deep breath, and stared at the house infront of him. He parked across the street, on the road, and took a good long look at the familiar condo looming over him. He turned off the car, and took the flowers from beside him on the passenger's seat, and locked the door.

***

Sasha put her glass and plate in the dishwasher and looked at her watch. It was after eight o'clock, but she didn't have to be at work until ten. Eryn was asleep upstairs. She walked into the living room and sat infront of the TV.

***

JC walked up the three front steps of the house, and felt rain beginning to pelt his shoulders. He went underneath the over hang, debating whether to ring the bell or leave.

***

Sasha checked her watch again, and sighed. She had a lot of time to kill and she was bored out of her mind. She got up and decided to go get the newspaper.

***

JC took one last look at the house, and turned around to walk back to the car. He pulled his hood of his jacket over his head.

***

Sasha opened the front door and reached into the mailbox. She heard a noise from the driveway. Sasha looked, and saw a figure walking down the driveway.

"Hello?" she called.

***

JC stopped walking at the sound of Sasha's voice, and slowly turned around.

***

Sasha dropped the newspaper, and the sections flew all over the ground, landing in the small forming puddles. "JC?" she whispered.

***

"Sasha..." he said softly.

"W-what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice quiet but her thoughts banging around in her head.

"I came, um, I came to see you," JC answered, hesitantly. "I mean..."

"Who are those flowers for?" Sasha asked, staring at JC in awe.

"No one," he said. "I mean, you, they are for you."

Sasha walked over to JC, and took his arm. "Come inside."

"Thanks," he said, following her inside. "Listen, though, just tell me if you want me to leave. I don't want you to get mad at me, okay?"

Sasha leaned over. "Breathe." She smelled the air that he breathed out through his mouth. "Okay, you're not drunk. What's the story, JC?"

"I first want to apologize," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Well, I was really mean to you, when we first broke up and I feel really bad," JC said.

Sasha smiled. "That's sweet," she said. "But unnecessary. You don't have to apologize."

"I want to be friends again," he said. "I want us to be how we used to be, before we got involved with each other. I want everything back the way it was."

Sasha's eye's welled up with tears. "So do I."

"Then why can't we? Why can't we just say, 'screw the past'?" JC asked her.

"JC..." Sasha looked away.

"What?" he asked. He took his finger and gently wiped a single tear trailing down her cheek.

"JC, don't," she said, taking a step back.

"What, Sasha?" he asked, stepping towards her.

"Please, JC," she said. "I think you should leave."

"Why?" he asked. "What did I do, Sash? I mean, I'll leave if you want me to, but can you tell me what I did?"

"Nothing," she said. "You didn't do anything. I just don't think it's a good idea if you are here. Do the guys know that you are here?"

"Not exactly," JC admitted.

"Well, I don't think they would be really happy," Sasha said. "Justin and Lance don't like Eryn, and Joey... Damnit, JC, Joey is my boyfriend. What's with these flowers?"

"You're not making any sense," JC said. "The flowers... I just wanted to renew a friendship. I know you and Joey are together. I am totally okay with that."

Sasha's stomach fell. "Are you really?"

"Really what? Okay with that?" JC forced a smile. "Sure."

"Oh," Sasha said, turning away. "Well, I have to go to work..." she glanced at the clock. "In an and hour and a bit, and..." her voice trailed off.

"Do you want me to leave, Sasha?" JC sighed. "Just tell me. It's not that hard."

Sasha stayed silent.

"Fine," he said. He took his jacket from the couch and walked towards the front door. "Tell Eryn I say hi." He opened the door.

"Wait!" Sasha said, running over to him.

"What?" he asked.

"Don't leave," she said. "I'll make some hot chocolate. I really want you to stay... We'll talk."

JC smiled and walked with Sasha back into the living room. "That would be great."

Sasha and JC sat down on the couch and she brought in some hot chocolate.

"So, how's Chris?" Sasha asked.

"Better," JC said. "Are you and Eryn coming with us for sure?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "I am really excited."

JC smiled back. Seconds later, his smile faded. "I can't do this," he said, shaking his head, and dropping his gaze from Sasha's eyes.

"Can't do what?" Sasha asked.

JC looked at his watch. "I should go soon, but I can't leave without telling you something."

A flicker of hope sparked in Sasha's eyes. "Tell me what?"

End of Chapter Seventy