And Yet Again

Nice

James

"Yooouuu... seem different." Bret spoke in between practicing his lines.

"Yeah? How so?" James inquired.

"Well you're calmer, less irritable... pleasant. What's with you? Drop the act."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on James! We're best friends! I think I know you enough to call you out when I know you've been behaving oddly." Bret put down his script.

"So tell me, what is it?" Bret's full attention now on him.

"Well," he sighed. "I have decided to be nice to Nadine."

"Whaaaat? Tell me more." Bret was intrigued.

"There's nothing to tell really. Our trip to San Fo was nice. It went well and I just-- I mean we've always been good on-cam and in "off-cam" moments when they think we don't know they're still shooting, to hype up the kilig or when fans are watching... so, what's the difference if I just be nice?"

"Are you babbling? I think you've always got this little crush on her but you just choose not to entertain the thought. And now, you can't help it! Cos imagine, you're such a bastard and yet she sticks with you all the way! Ha!" James gave Bret a slight glare.

"I am not a bastard to her. I just don't want people getting too close, especially if I think it won't be permanent. "

"Yeah you are a bastard. Plus, dude how permanent can this get? It's been two years! All she's been is good to you--defends you, believes everything you say, takes care of you too."

"Well that's cos she's in love with me." James scoffed. Bret was shocked at how vulgar his friend can be and stared at him with wide eyes.

"What, like I didn't know? Pfsh. Please, I so know she is." James replied dismissing Bret's reaction.

Nadine would always be there at his beck and call. She would prepare food for him, remind him to take his vitamins and save his ass whenever he's in trouble.

Sometimes he wonders if she has a life outside their loveteam. Like a real guy she spends time with playing her silly video games or something. So now, he decided, why not be nice?

"Aren't we just a little bit too full of ourselves." Bret commented.

James shrugged. "Hey bro, I never pretended to be someone I'm not."

"Yeah, I know."

Was Bret right? Was he really starting to crush on Nadine? It was the thought occupying his mind while stuck in traffic on his way to another shoot.

This week he knew he would see plenty of her. And he refuses to acknowledge the stirring feeling in his stomach, whenever he knew he was seeing her soon.

When James arrived at the shoot, she was already there getting prepped and ready.

"Oh Kuya, patapos na si Ate sandali nalang ito then ikaw na. Stand-by ka muna diyan." Jelly, their makeup artist informed him.

He watched as their glam team fixed Nadine up. She was leaning back against the chair, eyes closed, rollers and clips in her hair and several paper towels hanging by her t-shirt's collar. She looked peaceful and calm. Oh wait, she's asleep. Her chest rising and falling slowly.

He moved closer towards her. Suddenly one of her eyes popped open. Her opened eye blinked several times. Albeit taking a curious, questioning, peek at him. Adorable! She was like a cutesy anime character! He suddenly had this urge to pinch her cheeks.

He quickly dismissed that thought but decided to flick her nose instead.

"Oww!" She said a little weakly as her hand shot to cover her nose. When she got to her senses, she gave him a tight smile and asked, "Anyare sa'yo?"

"Hello to you too." He greeted her.

"Weirdo nito." She mumbled as stood. "Oh ikaw, na! Thanks Jelly." Nadine gave Jelly a toothless smile and went towards the wardrobe stylist to get her change of clothes.

James felt someone staring at him. He turned towards Jelly. "Ano?"

"Wala. Weird mo lang today. Titig na titig ka pa kay Ate habang nag nap siya. Kinalabit mo yung ilong, eh kung sabihin mo nalang kaya na she looks nice and I did a good job?"

"Ano? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oooh-kay. Siya! Sige, upo na."

Again he felt that stirring feeling at the pit of his stomach. Is he really starting to have a crush on her? Was his decision to be civil, though it is still not noticeable, a mistake? Is this a side effect of his decision? He's overthinking and he knows it.

"There, all set ka na. You don't need much naman eh, paka ganda kasi ng balat mo. Sayo na--"

It was odd that someone like Jelly was a lost for words. James followed the direction where Jelly was staring and like her, he was speechless.

What the? Ow, there it goes again.

Again with the stirring feeling in his stomach.

What did I eat today?

Maybe he ate something bad?

And now its doubled, he felt a little ache in his chest. James brought a hand up and clutched his chest.

Ugh, am I having an attack. Where's my puffer?

Is he coming down with something?

A/N:

Sorry it took a while!

The very very very good news in JaDineland last February kinda threw me out of the loop and jumbled my thoughts about this fic.

Still, I AM SO HAPPY FOR THE BOTH OF THEM! MAY FOREVER!!! <3