The party was a week ago, and Eric and I had yet to even mention our little kiss. Don’t get me wrong, I had absolutely no intention of doing so, I just couldn’t figure out if Eric wanted to or not. I was perfectly fine just staying best friends with him, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there could be something more between us.

Anyway, today everyone was busy, so I decided it would be a good day to wash my car; it was sunny and warm. Jordan, Marc and Jared all had hockey practice and Eric went into the city to go over all of his contracts and paperwork for the Hurricanes. I was bummed, but I took the opportunity to actually do something productive for the first time since we’d moved back to Thunder Bay.

I decided to start washing my car bright and early; before it got to hot outside. I got dressed, put my hat on backwards, got the soap and rags from the garage, prepped the hose and headed outside. “Fuck,” I shouted to myself; I forgot my iPod upstairs in my room. I stomped up the stairs, grabbed my boom box on the way, and went back outside. No one was around, so I decided to blast my music as loud as it could get.

I put my iPod on shuffle and my favorite song came up first; “When Darkness Falls” by Killswitch Engage. I started singing along and rocking out as I washed my car. I didn’t think anyone was watching, but boy was I wrong.

Eric's P.O.V.

I had gotten home from the city about an hour ago to find Jean washing her car, music blasting. I doubt she heard us get back. I just sat in my room, in front of my window, watching her. I was completely entranced by her amazing body, barely covered by the bikini top and short shorts. I was also pleasantly surprised at the size of her breasts; her top left very little to the imagination, and you could say I felt a disturbance in my shorts. Her hair was gorgeously long, and the sun made it shine beautifully. I was positive I was in love with my best friend, and it scared me to death.

I jumped when there was a knock on my door. It was Mom. “Oh, hey Mom,” I said as I looked back out the window.

She sighed as she sat down on the bed next to me. “Sweetheart, you need to tell her how you feel. Look at you; you’re making goggle-eyes at her through the window.” I looked at her like she was insane. “Don’t give me that look; you know I’m right.”

I sighed and lied down on my back. “But what if she doesn’t love me back?” I asked worriedly.

She sighed before answering. “Don’t tell her I told you, but she does love you. And not just like a best friend. She’s worried about the same thing you are; that you don’t love her back. She told me a few days ago when she, Mrs. Komis and I went shopping. But hey, don’t listen to me; you have to listen to your heart and give it a shot. You’ll never know until you try,” she said and patted my leg. She then left the room.

“Fuck it,” I said as I stood up. I wasn’t going to tell her how I felt just then, but I wanted to mess with her a little. I headed out the door and headed over to her, making sure she never saw me. She wasn’t using the hose right now, so I picked it up and sprayed it at her. “Ah!!” she screamed and turned around.

Normal P.O.V.

I was in the middle of washing the hood of my car when I was hit with a blast of cold water. “Ah!!” I screamed, and then turned around to see Eric with a smug smile on his face. “Eric! You asshole!” I shouted and laughed as I threw a wet sponge at him.

He dodged it, picked it up and threw it back at me. “What was that for?” he asked.

I scoffed. “Why the fuck do you think? You sprayed me with the hose! Which was freezing, by the way,” I replied, going back to my car. He then proceeded to spray me again, laughing as he did it.

I glared at him. “Okay, that’s it,” I muttered as I rushed at him. I was determined to get the hose from him and get him back. I chased him all over my front yard until I caught up enough to jump on his back. “Gimme the hose Staal!” I shouted, trying to reach for it. He just turned the hose at me and sprayed me in the face. “My eyes!” I screamed as I fell to the ground on my back, hands over my face. I wasn’t really hurt; I was playing possum. I was going to get that hose one way or another.

He of course rushed at me, dropping the hose right next to me. “Oh my God Jean, are you okay? I’m so sorry!” he said worriedly. My hands were still covering my face, so he couldn’t see me smiling. I took the opportunity to grab the hose and spray him all over. By the time I was done he was twice as soaked as he was. We both lied down in the grass laughing when I finally put the hose down. “That was just mean,” he chuckled as he sat up.

I scoffed. “And you sneak-attacking me from behind wasn’t?” I asked as I also sat up. To my surprise, he started leaning in like he was going to kiss me. Before he could make his move though, my parents’ car rolled onto the driveway. They had gone grocery shopping.

Both got out of the car and grabbed the groceries. “Jean, sweetheart, hurry up and dry off. Remember you have a doctor’s appointment in an hour?” she asked as she headed into the house. I groaned as both Eric and I stood up.

“Why are you going to the doctor?” he asked nervously.

I shrugged. “Just something going on with my foot that Mom wants to get checked out. I’m not worried about it though,” I replied as I pulled him into a hug. “You can come over tonight if you want; my parents really don’t care since it’s you,” I said as I let go and started to grab all of the car-washing stuff. “Bye Eric!” I called as I headed inside.

“Bye Jean!” he called back. I could have sworn in heard him say ‘I love you’, but I was sure I was just hearing things. I headed into the house to get changed. Ten minutes later I was ready and heading to the car with Mom. “Do we really have to do this? My foot feels fine,” I protested as she pulled out of the driveway.

She sighed. “I told you; I just want to make sure there’s nothing wrong, okay?” I sighed in response. “Is Eric going to come over tonight?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “I invited him though.”