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Fan Fiction

 Title: True love
Author: Trang
Genre: Romance/Drama/Humour
Started: 29. July 2001
Finished: 06. November 2001

CHAPTER 9 - Who do you love

The next day, Joey and Jimmy went to the signing at the store. They left early, before anyone else was awake.

Later that morning, Angelo, Paddy, Marie and Jess sat down for breakfast. Jess had woken up early and made breakfast, then she woke everyone up.
"Thanks Jess" Paddy said, his mouth full of food. "This is great."
"No problem" Jess said. "I had a little trouble sleeping, so I got up early and made this."
"Is anything wrong?" Paddy asked, concerned.
"Just the usual. Jimmy and stuff." Jess forced a smile.
"Oh" Paddy said. "Sorry."
"Thanks" Jess smiled. "So what is everyone up to today?"
"Well, I just wanted to visit the guys at the store" Paddy said.
"Am I invited?" Marie asked.
"Sorry, Marie" Paddy apologized. "I don't think you should. The fans would go insane."
"Okay" she said. "Have fun."
"Use my car" Jess said. "The top goes down. That way if you want some air, you know, if you are feeling sick or anything, you can just put it down."
"Thanks, Jess" Paddy told her. 
"So what about everyone else?" Jess asked. "I'll stay home, rent some movies… Marie, Angelo... are you two doing anything?"
"No..." Marie said. "I think I am staying in here too."
Angelo hesitated. He didn't have plans, but he didn't want to stay in with Marie.
"I don't have much to do. Maybe I will go... somewhere." Angelo said.
"Okay" Jess said.
The phone rang and Jess put down her fork.
"I got it." She got up. "Hello?" she said.
"Jess? Or Marie..." the voice hesitated, then sneezed.
"Jess... who is this?" she asked.
"Shane" he answered.
"Shane! What's wrong? Are you sick?" Jess asked.
"Yeah, very sick. And there's a problem. I need someone to cover. Mark is on vacation, remember... I would have called him. I feel really bad calling you, I know you wanted to spend time with your company, but..." Shane stopped.
"Don't be silly, Shane. Of course I will cover you." Jess said.
"Thanks" Shane said, gratefully.
"Well, don't worry" Jess said "I have it covered. What time do you work?"
"From 11 to 8" Shane replied. "I know it's long but..."
"No buts" Jess said. "Get off the phone, eat chicken noodle soup, and rest. I will call you tomorrow to see how you are doing, okay?"
"Yes Ma'am!" he laughed. "Thanks Jess. I owe you."
"Blah, blah, blah" Jess said. "Whatever. Bye."
"Thanks" he said again. "Bye."
Jess hung up the phone and turned around. "I have to work at 11..." she said.
"So you need your car?" Paddy asked.
"No that's okay" Jess said. "Go, have fun. I will figure out something different."
Marie helped Paddy to the car, and then he left. Marie walked back into the house.
Jess looked at her watch.
"Well, I have to go change my clothes now that I have to go to work. I will see you guys tonight at around quarter after eight."
Angelo, Marie, and Joey said bye to her as she walked upstairs to get ready. About 15 minutes later she came back down.
"Bye you guys!"
"Bye Jess" Angelo and Marie said together.

Marie sat at the table with Angelo in silence.
"Aren't you going to talk to me?"
"Nope" he said, standing up and walking into the living room.
Sighing, Marie walked upstairs and went into her room to get her new issue of Glamour. She opened her bedside table drawer. She found her magazine and took it out. A small envelope fell out with it. She picked it up and read it.
"Oh shit" she said out loud. "I totally forgot how I blew off Angelo... no wonder he won't talk to me." She grabbed her magazine and the card, and ran downstairs.

Marie walked into the living room.
"Angelo, we need to talk."
"No we don't" he answered, not looking at her.
"Yeah, we do" Marie said. "We used to talk about everything."
"Sorry, Marie" Angelo said. "I don't want to talk to you."
"Why not, Angelo?" Marie said. "If you give me a legitimate reason, I will leave you alone."
Angelo turned and looked at her. "Okay. I tried to get with you. You got with Paddy. It hurt. It hurts to see you every day. It hurts when I hear your voice. I miss you. I liked you a lot. I wanted us to get together for the longest time. I was very upset but all you did was lust over Paddy. So that's why, Marie. Because I liked you, and you didn't like me, and it hurt. That's why I don't want to talk to you."
Marie sat in silence. 
"See, and now you can't even talk to me, after begging me to tell you." Angelo shook his head. "Marie, I think I am going to leave tomorrow to Kira, maybe she wants me."
Marie quickly regained her voice.
"No!" she said.
"Why not?" Angelo said. "You give me one good reason why the hell not."
Marie panicked.
"Um..."
"See?" Angelo shook his head. "There's no point."
"Angelo?" Marie said. 
"What?" he asked, looking up at her.
"This is why the hell not" she said, pulling him close and kissing him. 

"Jimmy! I LOVE YOU! Look, look!" a girl named Rebecca rolled up her sleeved. "Will you marry me? I love you!"
"Um, here's your autograph" Jimmy said tiredly. "Bye."
"But Jimmy! You haven't proposed, what am I supposed to do?" Rebecca cried.
Jimmy called for the bodyguard, who carried Rebecca away, kicking and screaming. 
Joey bent down to pick up his marker he dropped on the floor. When he sat back up, he was staring at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"Hey" he said, smiling. "Who can I make this out to?"
"My niece" she said. "Right here." A little girl poked her head from behind the women. 
"Hi Joey" she said. "You are my favourite Kelly. Can I have your autograph?"
"Sure" he said. "That's why I am here. What's your name?"
"Jenny" she said. "Well, Jennifer. But I like Jenny." She smiled, revealing her missing front teeth.
"Well, Jenny" Joey smiled and signed the picture. "Here you go" he said, handing it to her.
"Thanks" Jenny giggled. She looked up at her aunt. "Auntie Anna, don't you think that Joey Kelly is absolutely handsome?"
She smiled at Jenny. "Why yes I do, Jenny. But there are people waiting for his autograph like you. We have to go now."

Angelo pulled back. Marie looked at him sheepishly.
"Marie!" he exclaimed. "What the hell was that all about?!"
"Um, Angelo..." Marie hesitated. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Angelo yelled, flustered. "Your boyfriend is my brother! Don't freaking say to me you don't know!"
"Angelo" Marie whispered hoarsely. "I really don't know, it was just impulsed me to do that... I mean, you're right. I have a boyfriend and..."
"That's no explanation, Marie" Angelo said. "I just don't understand you." He got up and walked away.
"Wait!" Marie yelled, running after him. "Don't tell Paddy, okay?"
Angelo laughed bitterly.
"Whatever." He walked up the stairs.
'What have I done?' Marie thought.

The owner of the store finally ushered out the last of the fans, and locked the doors. "Thanks, guys" he told Jimmy and Joey.
"No problem" Joey said.
Jimmy and Joey left the store.
A car pulled up. The horn honked. "Jimmy! Joey!"
"Hey, it's Paddy" Joey said. "Hey Paddy!"
"Where are you guys and these lovely girls heading?" Paddy asked, flashing them a smile. "I can give you all a lift, if you want."
"Well, Paddy" Jimmy said. "I need to head home. I am really tired."
"We're just going to walk" Joey said. "Tell Marie and the others I don't know what time I will be home."
"Okay" Paddy told Joey. "Hop in, Jimmy."
Jimmy walked over to the car and got it.

Marie ran up the stairs after Angelo. She found him in her room, throwing his clothes in his open suitcase.
"Angelo! Stop!"
"Why, Marie?" Angelo said.
"Because, I want you to stay!" she said.
"Marie... I really don't understand you. At all." Angelo said. "Listen to my review of our relationship, okay?"
"Fine" she said, sitting down on the bed. "I'll listen, and then let me have my comments after okay? It's only fair that way. I get to tell you what I have to say."
"Okay" he said. "First, me and you become friends because Paddy broke your heart. We are really good friends. I begin to like you. You're sweet, you're beautiful... what else would one expect? Then, we come here. Me and you, hardly talk. You seek advice from me about Paddy. I thought you were talking about me, to tell you the truth. I found a note you write, I think it's for me. Eventually, we have grown apart. I am crushed because I like you so much, but you are back with Paddy. That's why I have to leave. Then, when I tell you I am leaving, you kissed me. Why, Marie?"
"Angelo... I told you, I don't know" Marie said. "Well, I can think of a reason. But I want you to answer this question. Did you feel anything from that kiss?"
"Let me put it this way, Marie" Angelo told her. "If you really liked me back, then I would have felt more. I pulled away because I knew it was your fetal attempt to keep me here. Of course I felt something, Marie! I have liked you for a very long time."
"You are totally right, in everything that you are saying, Angelo" Marie said. "But the thing is, I'm really stuck right now."
"Why?" Angelo asked.
"Because... hold on... are you staying or leaving?" Marie asked him.
"I don't know" Angelo admitted. "I mean, it's hard to see you with Paddy everyday. Kissing and hugging. When I see you, I feel like it should be me with you."
"I had no idea..." Marie said. "I mean, wow."
"Yeah, well, that's the truth!" Angelo gave her a little smile. "I can't believe I just told you that."
"Me neither" Marie admitted.

Jimmy and Paddy walked in the house minutes later.
"I'm going to watch TV" Jimmy said. 
"Okay" Paddy said. "I have to go to the bathroom and change this bandage... it's all grubby."
"Sure" Jimmy said.

"Marie, when I was talking to you on the phone those nights" Angelo took a deep breath. "And you would always say, you are such a great friend, and stuff. You honestly never thought of me as anything more?"
Marie hesitated, debating whether to tell him the truth.
"I did." She admitted. "I mean, you were so nice, and stuff... and you were such a great friend..."
"Okay, I just wanted to know," Angelo said, starting to get up.
"Wait" Marie said, putting a hand on Angelo's shoulder. He sat back down. "Angelo... if I told you, right now, that I liked you and Paddy, what would you say to this?" She leaned over and kissed him. This time, Angelo kissed back.

Paddy walked into the washroom to look for a clean bandage. 'I can't find any' he thought, looking through the doors. 'Maybe Marie or Jess had them in their one of their rooms.'
He walked down the hall to Marie's bedroom.

Angelo pushed back.
"Someone's coming" he whispered. He got off the bed, and walked over to the window, pretending he was looking at something. Marie grabbed her magazine.
Paddy walked in.
"Hey guys."
"Hey, Paddy" Marie said, avoiding his eyes.
"Hi" he answered. Marie walked over to him, and kissed his cheek. "How was your day?"
"Good" she said. "And yours?"
"Fun" he said. "Hey Angelo."
"Hey" Angelo mumbled, embarrassed.
"Marie, I need to put on a new bandage, do you have any clean gauze?" Paddy asked her.
"Yeah, it's in the living room, from when I changed yours yesterday" she answered.
"Thanks" he said, kissing her cheek. He walked out of the room.
"Oh, that was way too close" Marie said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I mean, out of all people, too, Paddy had to…"
Angelo slowly turned around and cut her off.
"I love you" he said softly.
Marie stopped breathing. "A-a-Angelo..." she stammered. "I mean, wow... Words can't express what I am thinking, I mean, I just…"
"Marie" Angelo cut her off again. "I don't want you to say anything. I just wanted to…"
"Hey guys" Jimmy said, walking in the room. He noticed how quiet it was. "Am I interrupting? Because I can just come back and..."
"No, no" Marie smiled. "Don't be ridiculous. What would you like?"
"Um, I was just wondering if you guys wanted Chinese food for dinner. Joey was going to order it." Jimmy said. 
"Sounds great" Marie said. 
"Yeah, great" Angelo echoed.
"Good" Jimmy said. "Later on, can I talk to you Angelo?"
"Sure" Angelo said. "Bye..." 
"Hint, hint" Jimmy smiled. "Okay, see you. I'll let you know when it's dinner..."
"Thanks" Marie said, and Jimmy walked out of the room.
"I think I should have kept that to myself" Angelo said quietly.
"Why?" Marie said. "I mean, how long have you felt this way?"
"For a little while" Angelo admitted. "I do... Marie, I really do. It's so hard to see you and Paddy together."
"I really like Paddy" Marie told him. "But when we were friends, I liked you... our conversations made me feel so good. I know this sounds crazy, but..."
"But what?" Angelo asked. 
"I really want to say I feel the same way" Marie said. "But I also really love Paddy. I swear Angelo, if Paddy wasn't here, I would tell you everything. But right now, I am with Paddy, and after being away from him for so long, I can't give him up. I'm sorry."
"That's okay" Angelo strained a small smile. "I understand. I mean, it's okay... Really."
"I'm so sorry, Angelo" she said.
"I said, it's okay" Angelo said. "I think we should go downstairs..."
"They're probably wondering where we are" Marie said. "I'm really glad we talked. Do you think our friendship can stay the way it used to be?"
"I think that would be a good idea" Angelo said.

Angelo and Marie walked downstairs. "Hey guys" Angelo said. "Who just left? Jimmy?"
"Yeah" Paddy said.
"That's great" Angelo said. "I wanted to suggest something that we could do for Jimmy..."
"What is it?" Joey asked. 
"Okay, you know, he's pretty down lately, right? I mean, the thing with Jess, and I don't think this break was the best thing for him. He seems lost without his singing and dancing."
"I know what you mean" Joey said. "He really needs something to lift his spirits. What did you have in mind?"
"A surprise party" Angelo said triumphantly. "He'll love it."
"That's a great idea!" Paddy exclaimed.
"Sure, I have only great ideas." Angelo smiled. "But the only people we can invite are who are here... and Jess."
"That's enough" Paddy said. "We'll get everything he likes. We'll have it here, I guess."
"Yeah" Angelo replied. "I don't know, and I think we should go all out and buy him something special. Something that he would really like... but I have no idea what."
"Neither do I" Joey said. "But we have about a week to figure it out." The front door opened. Joey dropped his voice down to a whisper. "Okay, he's home, we'll talk about this later."
"Hey guys" Jimmy said, setting down two brown bags full of Chinese food. "Time to eat!"

"Okay, I have to tell you something, but don't answer till you hear the whole thing," Joey told Jess. "It's about Jimmy."
"Joey... leave me alone." Jess groaned.
"Nope" Joey grinned. "Angelo had this great idea... Jimmy is pretty bummed lately, well, because of you and him, and…"
"And what?" Jess said. "Get back together? No."
Joey laughed.
"Yeah, right Jess. That's the last thing I want." He stopped laughing. "I mean... never mind."
"Okay... anyway, what then?" Jess raised an eyebrow.
"Well, Angelo was thinking that we should through him a surprise party..." Joey hesitated. "Would you come?"
"No" Jess said. "I have to work that night."
"Do you even know what night it is?" Joey asked.
"No" Jess said. "But I don't want to go. Sorry, Joey, but Jimmy is being a pain in the ass. He ignores me, and if I try to be nice, he isn't back. I don't want to go to a party for him."
"Listen, Jess" Joey told her. "I know that, but it's going to be at your house, and it's only going to be me, you, Marie, Paddy, Angelo, and Jimmy. That's all. You don't have to get him a present... but please come. It won't be the same without you." He smiled.
"Thanks, Joey" Jess said. "But it won't work."
"Jess!" Joey exclaimed. "Come on!"
"Joey!" Jess mimicked. "No!"
"Well, think about it" he said. "I want a final answer by the time we get to your house."
"Fine" she said.
The two sat in silence for the rest of the ride. When they pulled into the driveway, Joey turned off the car, and looked at Jess. "Well?"
"Well..." Jess smiled. "I will come…"
"Great!" Joey said.
"Under one condition" Jess smirked.
"What is it?" Joey asked.
"If Shane can come too" she said.
"Shane!?" Joey asked. "Why?"
"Because we're friends" she said.
"I think you just want to make Jimmy jealous" he replied.
"That's not it" Jess said, looking hurt. "I don't play those games like Jimmy does."
"Fine, then why would you want Shane there?" Joey asked her.
"Because everyone there is good friends with Jimmy. Except for me" she pointed out. "Since I will feel a little left out, I want Shane there, to keep me company."
"Jess!" Joey said, surprised. "Jimmy might be my brother, but you're still my friend. I won't leave you out. And, Jimmy will flip out if he sees Shane there. That would be making you be as, well, like you say 'immature as him.'"
Jess sighed.
"You're right" she said. "Sorry. But if no one talks to me, I get to leave the party. Okay?"
"It's a deal" Joey said. He opened his door. "Let's go inside. It's always a good idea to not sleep in the car."
Jess laughed.
"Good plan."
They walked inside.

The next morning, Marie asked Jimmy to go pick up some milk, and she gathered the rest of the group in the kitchen.
"Okay" she said. "Jimmy's party is in about a week. I don't think he has a clue. Is everyone here coming?"
Everyone nodded.
"Against my will" Jess added.
Joey shot Jess a look.
"Jess..." he warned.
"Sorry" she said.
"Anyway" Marie continued. "We need to plan what's going to go on."
"Okay, how about I bring Jimmy out?" Angelo suggested. "Sometime in the afternoon, and then I will bring him back at six."
"Sounds good" Paddy said. "I can be in charge of food. And you can help me, okay Marie? "
"Okay" she smiled, but stole a quick glance at Angelo, who frowned. "What should we get?"
"Snack type stuff, and a cake" Joey said. "We don't want to make it too cornball. It's not like we are thirteen."
"How about karaoke?" Paddy suggested.
"That would be good" Joey agreed. "I'll do that."
"Okay" Angelo said. "Joey will get the karaoke, Paddy and Marie are getting food, I am distracting Jimmy, and there's nothing else. Sorry, Jess."
"Oh, that's okay" Jess smiled. "I am being forced to come anyway."
Angelo looked at Jess carefully.
"You don't have to come, if you don't want to."
"Oh, I'll come" Jess said. "Don't worry about me."
"So it's all settled" Angelo smiled, and he heard the front door open. "I think that's Jimmy."
Jimmy walked in the room, seconds later.
"Hey guys" he smiled, and handed a bag of groceries to Marie. "There's some stuff you wanted."
"Thanks Jimmy" she said, walking into the kitchen. When she was putting things in the fridge she looked into the living room. The only person she could see was Angelo. He was sitting on the armchair that was beside the doorway.
"Angelo" she whispered. He looked over, and she motioned for him to come in the kitchen. He held up a finger and mouthed 'one minute'.
"I'll be right back" she heard Angelo say. He walked into the kitchen.
"You beckoned?" He flashed her a smile.
"Yeah" she said. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure" he said, concerned. "Is anything wrong?"
"I don't know" Marie answered "That's why I called you in here."
"Okay" he said. "What did you want to know?"
"I wanted to know if you were mad or upset because me and Paddy are going to plan the food thing together" she smiled a little. "I know it's not a big deal and stuff, but you looked a little upset and..."
"Well, if you are wondering if I wish it was me with you, you already know the answer" he said. He sighed and looked away. "Marie, why are you even asking me? Why does it matter how I feel?"
"Angelo!" Marie exclaimed. "Don't be silly... of course it matters how you feel."
"I'm not trying to be stubborn, but it matters how Paddy feels. In case you have forgotten, Marie, Paddy is your boyfriend, I'm your friend" he said.
"We talked about this before" Marie said. "I told you how I felt."
"No you didn't!" he said. "Well, you did, but you weren't very clear."
"I'm sorry!" Marie said. "I don't know what I should say." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Paddy is in the other room. I can't tell you that I like you... that's not how it works."
"You like me?" he asked. "Or were you just saying that."
"We're friends, Angelo" Marie said. She felt safe with saying that much.
"This isn't fair, you know" Angelo told her. "Can't you just be straight with me? I don't care that Paddy is your boyfriend, I just want to know how you feel about me. Just tell me. Who am I going to tell?"
"You're right" Marie admitted. "Fine, here's the truth…"
"Hey guys" Jimmy said walking in. He stopped. "Am I interrupting anything?"
"Nope" Marie said, relieved to get out of telling Angelo the truth.
"Uh, Angelo" Jimmy said. "We still need that talk later."
"Sure" he said. "Can you, um…"
"Leave?" Jimmy put in. "Sure, I was just getting some water." He got a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and walked away.
"As you were saying..." Angelo pushed.
"Why is it so important?!" Marie exclaimed exasperated.
"Marie" Angelo said. "I need to know. Just how you feel right this minute."
"Annoyed" she said. "No, I'm just joking."
"Good" Angelo said. "Tell me. I swear I will never mention it again."
"Fine Angelo!" she said. "I like you. I love you and I love Paddy. But I love Paddy more. There you go, okay? Paddy is my boyfriend, he's the one I want to be with. You, to me, are the type of guy that... I don't know... I like you on the side… and you are much younger than me… That's all... that's how I feel."
Angelo stared at her.
"So you do like me?"
"Yeah" she said. "But don't tell anyone... except Jimmy. You can tell Jimmy... I trust him. But that's it."
"Okay" he said slowly. 

"Okay, so everything is set tonight?" Angelo whispered to Marie during breakfast. 
She nodded. "We'll talk about this later."
He smiled. "Okay."
She smiled back. Raising her voice, she spoke.
"Paddy" she said. "I need some groceries. Do you want to come with me to the grocery store?"
"Sure" he said, standing up. "I just have to change. I don't want to go in my boxers and a T-shirt."
Marie got the keys and they all walked out the door. Jess and Joey were put of the house.
"I guess it's just you and me" Angelo said to Jimmy. "Let's go out somewhere."
"Sure" Jimmy said. "But first, I want to talk to you on what's going on with you and Marie. I've been trying to talk to you for like, a week and a half... but we're always busy."
"Yeah, I guess I owe you some sort of explanation" Angelo said. "I'll tell you in the car."
"Okay" Jimmy agreed. "Where are we going?"
"I don't know" Angelo said. "We'll take Jess's car and go somewhere, okay?"
"Okay" Jimmy said.
They walked out to the car and drove out of the driveway. Angelo was driving.
Jimmy turned to Angelo.
"Okay, Angelo. What's going on with you and Marie?"
"A lot" Angelo said. "What do you want to know?"
"She's still with Paddy, right?" Jimmy asked.
"Yeah" he said. "Do you want to hear the whole story?"
"Sure" Jimmy said. 
Angelo told Jimmy everything that had happened between him and Marie, ending at last week when she told him how she felt.
"So she likes you?" Jimmy asked.
"Yeah, she said she did" Angelo smiled. "But you can't say anything."
"I won't" Jimmy promised. "Does Paddy know?"
"No one knows" Angelo answered. "And it is going to stay that way."
"I know, I know" Jimmy said. "Don't worry."
"Thanks" Angelo said. "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know" he looked out the window. "Want to go to the movies? I want to see that new one... what's it called... the one David Duchovny and dinos"
"Evolution?" Angelo asked.
"That's the one" Jimmy said.
"Okay" Angelo said. "Let's go. It's on me."
He drove off in the direction of the cinema.

"Oh, no" Paddy said. He grabbed Marie's arm. "We forgot Jimmy's present!"
"No, we didn't" Marie said. "The other day, I don't know where you were, we took the money that everyone put in and we bought him a laptop!"
"Are you kidding?" Paddy asked.
"No" Marie laughed. "You didn't know that?!"
"No" Paddy laughed too. "I'm so stupid. Where did you get it?"
"Joey went and bought it. It's a really good one, we bought him internet hours, too" Marie shook her head, still laughing. "I can't believe you never knew that."
"Maybe it was when I brought Jimmy out" Paddy said.
"I think it was, because maybe one of us told you to bring him out" Marie said. "Oh, forget it. We're worrying over this. Anyway, what do you want to do now?"
"I have two ideas" Paddy grinned.
"What are they?" Marie asked.
"Number one, we could wrap his present" Paddy said.
"Already done. What's number two?"
"This" Paddy replied, pulling Marie close for a kiss.

"Okay, they should be back any second" Joey said to Marie, Paddy and Jess.
"Let's shut the lights" Paddy suggested. "We'll pretend no one's home."
"So we are going to shut the lights, shout surprise, eat, give him the present, then just hang around?" Joey asked.
"Yeah" Paddy said. "The food is on the table. It's from that place Angelo said that Jimmy likes. It's all catered."
"Great" Joey said. "Maybe instead of just hanging around, we can figure out something else."
"We'll see what Jimmy wants to do" Paddy said.
He heard a door slam outside.
"Okay, hit the lights." Marie shut off the lights, and they all crouched around the living room.
The front door open and the group heard Angelo and Jimmy talking. They walked into the living room, and Angelo flicked on the lights.
"Surprise!" Paddy, Marie, Joey, and Angelo shouted. Jess faked a smile.
Jimmy's face broke out into a grin. "Thanks guys." He said. "Whose idea?"
"Mine" Angelo said, hugging his brother.
"Thanks" he said again. "But why?"
"No reason, just to have fun!" Paddy replied.
"Time for food!" shouted Joey. Everyone followed him into the kitchen and filled their plates.
"Joey, I think I am going leave" Jess whispered an hour later.
Joey looked at her.
"No" he said. "Why?"
"Because... I'm not talking to anyone... I feel so out of place. Jimmy doesn't want me here anyway."
Jimmy looked over and Joey and Jess who were deep in conversation. 'Why are they so close lately...' he wondered.
"Present time" Marie said, going into the kitchen and coming out with a big brightly wrapped box.
"Oooh" Jimmy smiled. "I wonder what it could be?" It ripped off the paper. "A computer? This is great! Thanks!" He smiled.
"There's a card, too" Marie said. She gestured to the table. Jimmy opened up the card.
It was a blank card, with messages from his friends and brothers written on the inside.
Jimmy,
We all love you.
Paddy: Jimmy... you're such a great brother. I'm glad that you're here, and I can't wait until tour, it will be the best. God bless. 
Joey: Well, Jimmy... you're still older than me, but I'll catch up one day. That didn't make sense. Anyway, buddy, have a good day.
Angelo: Although this party was my idea, this is from all of us. Jimmy, lately we have been closer. It's usually you and Paddy, but it's been you and me. Thanks for being there, man.
Marie: Jimmy, it's hard to write so little to you, but thanks for staying, and I really am glad I've gotten to know you. Have a good day. Love ya.
Jimmy looked up from the card, and looked at Jess, who was still engrossed in conversation with Joey.
"Thanks" he said, clearing his throat. "It's a great present."
"As long as you like it." Marie smiled.
Jess looked up.
"I almost forgot" she said. "Here." She handed Jimmy a card.
Relieved, he opened it up. 
Jimmy,
Have a good day. Just to let you know, I was forced to come. I know you are wondering why I am here, and that's why. Because I was forced. I know you don't like me, so feel free to kick me out.
Jess
Jimmy looked up, surprised.
"Jess, can I talk to you in the kitchen for a second?"
Angelo looked worried. He leaned over to Jimmy and whispered.
"Let me see the card." Jimmy handed it to him and Angelo read it.
"Jess!" Angelo exclaimed. "What the hell is your problem?"
"Stay out of it, Angelo!" Jess said to him. "Anything you want to say to me in the kitchen you can say in front of the others. We are all friends here."
"Fine" Jimmy said. "I just want to know why you are treating me the way you are?"
"Jimmy, don't even start. You treat me just as bad" Jess was fuming.
"I do not! I'm past that, I haven't hardly said a word to you in a week!" Jimmy said.
"Stop it guys" Joey cut in. "Jess, it's his day."
"I don't care! I wouldn't even care if he was on his deathbed! This has to be said!" Jess said. "Jimmy, from the day I met you, I should have realized you were a mistake." Jess yelled.
The words slapped Jimmy.
"I-I- I was a mistake?"
"Yeah, you were" Jess said. "I regret spending every second with you."
Tears welled up in Jimmy's eyes.
"I'm sorry" he said softly.
"It's not your fault" Angelo said.
"Yeah it is" Joey blurted out.
"What?" Jimmy asked.
"Stop bitching at her, Jimmy" Joey said. "Just leave her alone."
"This time it wasn't my fault!" Jimmy said.
"That's enough!" Marie shouted. "Just stop it! I think the party's over. Sorry Jimmy."
"That's okay" he said to Marie. "I have to do something upstairs anyway."
Jimmy walked out of the room. Angelo followed him.
"Jimmy, wait!" He yelled.
Jimmy turned around.
"What?" he asked.
"Where are you going?" Angelo asked. 
"To use the phone" Jimmy said. 
"Why?" Angelo asked.
"Because I am calling that hotel where we once stayed down the street and seeing if there is room" Jimmy said.
"Don't leave!" Angelo said.
"This time, I am" Jimmy said. "I really am. Sorry, Angelo, but Jess is just too much."
Angelo walked back down the stairs.
"Nice one, Jess. He's leaving."
"He won't leave." Jess looked at him uncertainly.
"Yeah, he called the hotel and is packing his bag" Angelo answered.
"What?" Marie said. She turned to her friend. "Jess, you have to stop him."
"Let him leave!" Joey put in. "I'm sick of this. I can't take it anymore either. Am I the only sensible one here? Hello!! Jimmy is an adult and he knows what he is doing."
"No" Paddy said. "You're not sensible. The only reason you are agreeing with... never mind. Anyway, Jimmy needs some time away. Let him leave, okay? He'll be fine."
"I guess!" Angelo said.

Jimmy walked downstairs into the living room. He walked over to Marie and gave her a hug.
"Thank you so much for letting me stay, Marie. Thanks for the great present, too."
"No problem, Jimmy" Marie said smiling. "Keep in touch with me, okay?"
"Sure" he said.
He turned to the guys.
"I'll see you guys in a week, I'll meet you here the morning of our flight."
Angelo nodded. "Okay, buddy" he said. "Bye."
"Bye" Jimmy said, turning around and walking to the front door. The group sat in silence as they heard the front door open, and shut.
Jess looked down at the ground and felt everyone in the room's eye's on her.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled.
"Jess, it's not all your fault" Joey said. "I mean, you guys just didn't get along."
"Joey's right!" Paddy agreed, leaning over and hugging Jess. "Don't worry."
"I didn't think he would actually leave!" Jess said.
"It's okay" Marie said. "Don't worry, Jess. They have to leave in a week anyway. Jimmy just needed some time."
"I know" Jess said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I have to... I'm going to bed." She got up and walked out of the room. 'Getting involved with Jimmy was a mistake from the beginning. I used to be a carefree teenager, and now, I am in a huge mess...' she thought.

Jimmy sat on his bed and turned on the TV. He put it on MTV, and laughed as he watched himself on TV... He picked up the phone, as someone called him.
"Hey, it's Jimmy" Jimmy said.
"Jimmy! How are you?" Joey asked. "Thursday morning you have a photo shoot with Bravo Magazine in Berlin. It's at ten in the morning. How's that?"
"Great!" Jimmy exclaimed. "Thanks, that's really great. Should you call the others, or me?"
"I will, don't worry" he said. "I will see you Thursday morning."
"Yeah, thanks" Jimmy said again. "Bye."
"Bye" he answered, hanging up the phone.
On Thursday morning, Jimmy packed his suitcase and walked down the street to Marie's house. He let himself in.
"Hello?" he called. He heard someone running down the stairs.
"Hey, Jimmy" Marie said. "The guys are just about ready."
"Great" he said, smiling. "I'm sorry I left, but I feel a lot better now that I had a break."
"That's good" Marie said. "So when am I going to see you guys again?"
"I don't know" Jimmy said truthfully. "But Marie, I really don't want to see Jess."
"I understand" she said. Behind her, Paddy, Angelo, Joey walked down the stairs, each carrying their suitcases. "Well, I guess you better be going. I'm driving you all there, right?"
"Right" Joey said. "Let's go." 
Jess walked into the hallway.
"Don't I get to say bye?" she asked.
"Of course" Joey said. "We have a few minutes." He walked over to Jess. "I'm really going to miss you!" he whispered.
"I'm going to miss you, too." Jess whispered back, tears forming in her eyes. "Don't forget to call me, okay?"
"Okay" he said. "Next time we are around here, I'll visit."
"Thanks" she said. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. 
She walked over to Paddy and hugged him.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too." he said, returning the hug.
She hugged Angelo, wishing him well, and saying she would miss him.
"See you, Jimmy" she said.
"Bye" he said, curtly.
Jess turned around and walked up the stairs.
Marie walked outside, and Angelo, Paddy and Jimmy followed her. Joey hesitated. "Jess?" he said. She turned around, standing on the second floor.
"Yeah?" she answered.
"I... I..." he stopped. "Bye."
"Bye" she said, smiling sadly.

They reached the tour bus and Marie parked the car.
"I guess we should say bye now" Joey said, uncomfortably.
"Yeah" Marie said quietly. "I guess."
Joey hugged Marie.
"Thanks for letting us stay at your house."
"No problem" she said. "I'll miss you."
Jimmy hugged her next, and said good bye. 
"Bye" she said to Angelo, unsure what to do.
"Bye" he said. He pulled her in for an awkward hug.
The three guys walked towards the bus to wait for Paddy and Marie to say good bye.
Tears began to fall down Marie's cheek's.
"Paddy" she whispered hoarsely. 
"Marie" he said. Soon his cheeks were wet with tears. He pulled her close for a hug. "I will miss you so much."
"I'll miss you, too." she said. She pulled back to look at his face.
He gently took two fingers and brushed away her tears.
"I never knew how hard this was going to be" he said. "I can't live without you. I love you."
Marie hesitated. She smiled and looked up at him.
"Paddy, you better go."
He nodded and pulled her close for a kiss. Seconds later, they pulled apart.
"I'll watch your bus to leave" she told Paddy. 
"I'll call you when I get there" he said. He kissed her again. "Bye."
"Bye" she said. Paddy picked up his carry on and walked to where the guys were standing.

"Attention boys" the driver said. "We have a small technical problem, will be on our way at least in 10 minutes. Sorry about the delay."
"That sucks" Angelo said. He turned to Paddy. "Did you say that Marie was going to watch our bus to leave?"
"She is waiting out there" Paddy said pointing at Marie.
Angelo nodded and sat in his seat for a few minutes.
"Oh shit" he said. "I wanted to buy a magazine. I forgot. I'm going to go get one" he lied.
"Okay" Jimmy said. "Hurry, though."
Angelo quickly got out of his seat, and ran to the front of the bus.

Marie turned around, hearing someone call her name.
"Angelo!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Marie, I couldn't give you the good bye I wanted to when Paddy was here" he said.
"Angelo your bus." she pointed out.
"I don't care" he said. "I can't leave without doing this. Let's go with me for a while." 
They went to a store's back. He pulled her close and kissed her.
Paddy looked through the window of the bus, into the waiting area.
"Hey, Jimmy" he said, tapping his brother's arm. He pointed into the building. "Look at those two... going at it like they will never see each other again." He laughed. "Even Marie and I aren't that pathetic."
Jimmy looked at the couple and laughed. "That's me and Jess, a couple months ago." He looked closer at the people. Suddenly his face went pale.
"P-Paddy. Here. Look at this new magazine I bought. See if your stupid face is here again." He threw a magazine in Paddy's lap and panicked. "Um... can we switch spots so I can lean against the side?"
"Sure" Paddy said. He got up and switched with Jimmy.
Jimmy put his pillow in front of the window so Paddy couldn't sleep and pretending to sleep.

"Angelo Kelly, come back to the bus" a voice came over the loud speaker.
Angelo pulled away from Marie.
"Angelo" she began.
He put his index finger on her lips. "I'll call you." He said.
She nodded and he ran to the bus.

Chapter 10: The truth must be told