Cody's words filled her ears like wind just brushing through her hair. She wanted to know why he didn't want to meet her anymore. It bothered her walking towards Jason who was waiting. Cody scratches the back of his neck leaving a heavy sigh behind. 

He turns back for work and sees Eve running out the door towards Jane and Jason. She passes him without saying a word. Cody didn't worry about a thing about Eve as he let her be. 

Who knows what she's going to ask them? Cody thought. Maybe she's just going to ask weird questions to know about Cody. 

 

Eve tugs onto Jane's jacket taking control of her breath.

"Wait!..." She says standing up straight, "I want to know more about Cody."

Jason backs Jane away from her, "I'm sorry, but, we're gonna go somewhere else."

"But, I know where he lives, I'll take you two there."

Jane tightens her grip, "Really?"

"Yeah,' she nods repeatedly, "He lives alone. In his apartment - not too far from the plaza here."

Jane looks at Jason as he glares back her. She gives him the puppy-please look and he couldn't help but agree to it. 

"I don't know what happen between the three of you," Eve continues, "But don't you all just want to have a good friendship reunion? Like come on, I want to know Cody just as much as you two do."

Jane gives it a thought and realizes that she's never known Cody that well or ever took the time to talk with Cody about personal things. "Does seven tonight sound good?" Jane asks.

Jason nudges on her arm, the look in his eyes telling her that he doesn't want to go. 

"Sure! I'll prep everything without telling Cody, it'll be a surprise." Eve says. "Let's meet here again around seven then." She waves then claps her hands together and skips away through the plaza. She couldn't wait for tonight and share all her thoughts with the three of them. Especially Cody, her goal was to get Cody's attention. 

 

Jason clasps his hands together, "We're really not going are we?"

"Why not? You haven't seen Cody in a while. I've only seen him a few weeks ago from my memories. It's not that bad to visit."

"He seems different. Don't you think?" Jason couldn't get himself to tell her Cody's condition. He held it in hoping someday Cody will tell her himself. 

The last few words Cody told her made her feel like he was different. Different in every way but she knew he was still the Cody she knew. 

Who cares if he changed his way of style? She thought. So what if he shaved his head. There must have been a reason. The cold words he spilled onto her, she wanted to know why. The urge of how much he can change in two years filled Jane with so many different thoughts. She couldn't figure out if the feelings for Cody were still as a friend or the warm feelings he gave her from making her smile at her weakest. 

"He's changed a bit but, the three of us never hung out like friends would. At least-"

"At least what?" 

Jane looks towards the cafe, "At least we can help Eve with her chance. You know since Cody seems so lonely."

"What do you mean he "seems" so lonely?" Jason asks.

She whispers, "He promised to never fall in love." She turns to Jason, "He's never been in love before from what I know of him. So why wouldn't he want to fall in love?" 

Jason"s throat tightens, "I-I don't know. Maybe a lost lover, who knows." 

 

~7:00 pm~ 

 

It was time while Eve waits in the cold evening holding her camera and a bag of drinks and snacks in the other. Off in the distance she could see the two couple making their way. Eve smiles widely taking another photo. 

"You guys made it." Eve says.

Jane could only grin as Jason did the talking, "I didn't want to come." He points to Jane, "She did."

"It'll be fun. Trust me. His place needs some laughter after all it's just dark and lonely."

"Whatever you say." Jason says. 

They follow Eve towards the apartment buildings surrounded by even bigger buildings with the view of the streets and the city. They stood in front of the building that stood about 30 stories high.

The three walk into an elevator and Eve reaches to press floor twenty-three. The doors shut and it became dead silence. For some reason, Jane felt nervous to see Cody. Jason could only imagine the good and the bad to come. But Eve, for all she could think of was the fun they might all have. 

The elevator doors open and the halls were empty. Door by door they passed on the floor. The very last door down the hall to the left, room D158. Eve rings the doorbell naturally as if she's been inside multiple times. Jane could see the comfortableness Eve had for Cody. The doors open and Cody shows up like he just woken up from sleep. 

He yawns, "Eve?" Rubbing his eyes he peers behind her seeing the other two. "You guys two?"

Jason nods, "We meet again." He laughs and walks in. 

"Personal space Jason. Don't just barge in." Cody says walking towards him. 

Eve just shrugs her shoulders towards Jane and they both walked inside. 

Jason chuckles, "Oh please, lets just get together have a little fun. It's been a while and Eve thought it'd be nice."

Cody drags his hands down his face, "Ugh, fine...since you guys took the time to come here. Enjoy my place." He glares at Jane blankly then walks away to the kitchen. 

She gulps and had shivers from his glare as she hesitates to walk even further into his place. It was as if she was entering the wolf's cave. Jane could see how empty the place was. Everything was in it's own place untouched and neat. 

Jason made himself at home leaning on the couch. Jane went towards the window and saw a spectacular view of the city. Down the streets were cars were driving by, out towards the city where buildings and skyscrapers roam. High enough to see bids fly by. It was beautiful in the night with other buildings lighting up from top to bottom.     

Eve set down the bag of drinks on the table. She glances to Cody who was drinking a glass of water. 

Jane couldn't stand the silent awkwardness between them all. "Can I take a tour around?" She asked. There was no answer from Cody. She walks down the small hallway and sees the first door. Her hands held the cold door knob as she turns it, Cody came behind her and brushes her hand off the knob. She could feel the hair behind her neck stand. She carefully backs away from the door turning around face to face with Cody. His deep silver eyes reflected back at her of fear. 

"I'm sorry." She whispers. She pins strands of hair behind her ear and walks away to Jason. 

Eve saw everything and was envy. She wondered why Cody wouldn't look at her that way. 

To bring up the mood, Eve blasts some music and brings some beer over. Cody came over and sat down. Jason opens a can of beer and drank it like there was no tomorrow. 

He cheers to Cody, "Come on man, take a can."

Eve opens a can for herself, "Cody doesn't drink." She stated.

Jason laughs, "Oh please, he's a wild drinker. Remember?" He narrows his eyes towards Cody, "Drunk Playboy."

Cody snickers, "Still going to use that against me?"

Jason brings Jane into his arm, "How else was I going to win Jane?"

Eve's eyes widen just hearing their conversation. Did they have love's quarrel over Jane? She thought. 

"Oh, is that how it is?" Cody crosses his arms, "Oh well, you got Jane, I got myself. Fair enough for the both of us. This suppose to be a small party for us. Let's enjoy it." 

And to enjoy, they sang, danced, joked, and drink. Cody couldn't drink and stayed with juice and water. They shared dumb secrets of their childhood. And by the time they knew it, Eve was drunk to the core. 

Jason was drunk and Jane was just getting their. Cody couldn't do anything but watch. 

Jason stood up shouting with two beers in his hands, "Let's play my favorite game!"

Eve looks at him with drowsy eyes, "Which is?"

"Spin the bottle." He laughs loudly chugging down his bottle then placing it on the coffee table. 

Cody began to have flashbacks of the video he first saw of Jane. He wasn't so amuse with the game but they forced him to join in. Jason spins the bottle and it lands on Eve.

Her eyes opened as she points to herself, "Me?"

Jason smiles, "I dare you to...lets see..." He couldn't think of anything with his blank mind. He shook his head, "Spin the bottle."

Eve was clueless but spun it anyways. It lands back to Jason. She giggles and whispers into Jane's ear for permission for her dare. Jane couldn't help but smile too nodding her head. 

Eve took a sip of her drink and lets out a refreshing sigh, "I dare you, to kiss Cody." She laughs as Cody got up.

"Oh no! No, no, no. Never." Cody denied quickly and Jason grabs his hand dragging him to sit next to him. 

He comes close to Cody and whispers to him, "Come on man, it's dare."

Cody tries to back away, "I don't care. We're both dudes."

Jason shifts Cody's chin towards him, "Let's show them some boy's love." He smirks at Cody.

Jason caresses Cody's cheek and places his lips onto Cody's. Cody tries to not close his eyes. He could feel Jason's moist lips giving more pressure. Once Jason got the chance, he slips his tongue into Cody's mouth. Cody panics and pushes Jason as hard as he can away. Jason didn't stop as he pushes Cody down onto the couch then kisses him again. 

Eve and Jane didn't want the two to stop. Even though Jason was Jane's boyfriend, she didn't mind at all that he was kissing Cody. Eve was biting her nails in excitement. To save this moment, Eve took out her camera and began recording trying to be steady as possible without shaking the camera. 

The feeling of another guy's tongue touching Cody made him feel disgusted. He didn't know why Jason was so strong pinning him down even intertwining their hands together. Cody closes his eyes and gives back the kiss. 

Jason stops and gets up from Cody. He chuckles wiping away the saliva from his lips. Cody got up dazed in thought of what just happened. He wipes his lips roughly. He didn't dare to look at the others. He felt humiliated and walks away to his room. 

Cody walks around his room with mixed feelings. He could hear their laughter outside. His body was burning up every time he tried to forget the scene of what just happened earlier. He took off his shirt and crawls into bed. 

 

_________

Hoping it was all a dream, Cody's eyes opened up. The place was quiet, the sun was up. He checks the time and it was barely nine. He got up to wash his face, brush his teeth, and came out of the bathroom. He didn't pay any attention and walks into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. He was still shirtless from last night but couldn't careless. 

The stench of coffee filled the house. While Cody waited, he opens up the blinds and brightens up the living room. 

Jane was laying on the couch and could smell the strong scent of coffee. She slowly sat up straight with her eyes closed. She rubs her eyes and turns around seeing Cody's flexing as he stretched his arms up. 

He turns to get a cup and Jane lies herself back down. She was startled but didn't know why. She couldn't remember a thing last night. She tried hard to think but nothing was coming through. All she saw was a big blur. She could hear the coffee being poured into a cup then a spoon stirring the coffee. Once again she sat up.

"Morning?" 

Cody turns around, "Jane?"

"Yeah?"

Cody bursts into a not so confident laughter, "Oh my god...." He groans, "Please tell me it was a dream...."

"I'm sorry? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing." 

He wasn't even drunk last night but now he wished he was so he wouldn't remember such a sin upon his lips. He stirs his coffee in an irritated mood. Jane couldn't understand what was wrong with Cody. He walks towards the couch and sees that Jason had knocked out on the couch and Eve was on the floor. He sighs heavily placing a pillow under Eve's head. 

Jane's eyes followed Cody where ever he went. From the kitchen to walking around the living room. 

"Tell you boyfriend to wake up and go." Cody says. "I don't want to see his face."

"That's rude of you to speak that way so early in the morning." Jane stood and sits next to Jason -placing his head onto her lap. She runs her fingers through his hair as if he were a sleeping cat. 

"He irritates me." He mumbles.

"What?" Jane asks.

Cody scoffs, "I can't believe it really happened." He turns towards Jane, "Do you mind knocking me out?"

Jane couldn't stand the way Cody was acting. "What is wrong with you this morning?" She hisses.

"First of all, this is my place. I can kick out anyone I want, and right now the least person I don't want to see is Jason. I feel like I'm gonna go crazy."

As they continued to argue, Jason groans, "Shut up! The both of you!"

Eve then wakes up from all the chaos. She yawns deeply, "What's going on?"

Cody clenches his fists and went into his room to get changed. He came out wearing a sweater and sweats. "I need to go for a jog. Leave when you're ready to leave." He left without another word. He marches down the halls and took the stairs instead. 

Jason was dumbfounded by his attitude. He looks at Jane as she shook her head, "Don't ask. I don't know what his problem is too."

Eve sat up without a clue of the awkward atmosphere. Next to her was her camera. She thought that she had left it in her bag. She cocked a brow and wondered why it was next to her. She went through her memory and found the video she took from last night. 

She watched it secretly without Jane and Jason. Her face was flushed red. She glances at Jason and back to the video. 

 

Jane's eye caught Eve glancing here and there. "Why are you looking at us like that?" She asks curiously. 

Jason laughs weakly, "Why are you so red?"

"Do you have a fever?" Jane asks. 

She gulps and clears , "I-I think I know why Cody's acting weird this morning."

The two look at each other and asks at the same time, 'Why?'

Eve hands her camera to them. They clicked play and watched the video together. Jane was embarrassed but Jason watches the video with no expression. 

Once it ends Jane took deep breaths fanning herself. 

Jason was trying to comprehend what he just watched. "Well then...uh..." He couldn't say anything at the moment. His mind was trying to remember but at the same time he didn't want to.

The three of them sat there in silence until Cody came back. 

 

Cody came up to his door hoping that they had left. He opens the door and walks into the middle of the room. He sees the three of them just sitting there in silent. 

He and Jason locked eyes with each other. Something strange triggered inside Cody making him touch his lips. Jason didn't know what to say to Cody as he bit his bottom lip. 

 

 

***To Be Continued***