*Kissable And Quiet* Nick Jonas

*Chapter Eighteen*

Joe

            Fifth day on the cruise and it was not even close to how we planned it to go. Of course-when we planned it, Brittany wasn’t going. We went to breakfast and I saw Abby sitting with Ash. She looked miserable and exhausted. We sat down, ordered and Nick said he’d be right back. We saw him walk past Abby and a few seconds later Ashley stood up. Se looked at Abby and headed to us. She sat down, breathing angrily through her nose.

            “You ok?” Kevin asked cautiously.

            “Your brother has his best friend in tears.” She said, visibly keeping her anger in check. “I realize you can’t control him, but please-that’s not right. At least she shows up.”

            “I know. This will be ok, I promise.” Kevin said.

            “Oh yeah? How? Can you tell that poor girl how it’s going to be ok? Because right now-she’s not seeing it.” She hissed. I was feeling guiltier by the second-it was my idea.

            “You better pray your head off that this idea of yours works, Joe.” She said as Nick headed back over to us. She stood up and walked back over to Abby. She looked around confused before throwing her hands in the air and walking out.

            We finished eating in a testy silence and I left the guys to go find Jessi. I headed towards the girls’ room only to find Emma headed up the stairs, talking on her phone. She hung up when she saw me. I smiled.

            “Hey.” She said.

            “Hey-have you seen Jessi?” I asked.

            “Yeah-actually. I saw her a few minutes ago up around the corner from the stage room.” She said.

            “Thanks.” I smiled and turned around, jogging back up stairs. I saw her standing outside of a room on her cell phone. She looked up, smiled and hung up. I started to walk over, but her gaze wasn’t on my face. I felt someone walk past me and over to her. She took his hand and they walked away from me-like I wasn’t even there.

            “What?!” I mouthed. I groaned and hit my head. ‘What was I thinking?’ I asked myself. I headed to the outside decks and went up to the top level of the decks with the lounge chairs. I sat down and closed my eyes. I heard someone come up the stairs and I opened my eyes to see Emma with her sketch pad.

            “Hey-where’s Jessi?” She asked, confused.

            “With some guy.” I mumbled.

            “What?” She asked, sitting next to me and taking out her pencil to start drawing.

            “I went to go find her and this four foot nothing kid showed up and they left like I didn’t even exist.” I mumbled. She rubbed my back gently.

            “I’m so sorry, Joe.” She said softly.

            “It’s not your fault.” I sighed. “I don’t know what I was thinking-liking someone like her.” I groaned.

            “If you ask me-she doesn’t know what she’s missing out on.” Emma said. I looked at her doubtfully.

            “You’re just saying that.” I whispered.

            “No, I’m not. Joe-you’re an amazing guy. You’re hysterical, incredibly talented, adorable, smart, and sweet and if she can’t see that-then she doesn’t deserve you.” She said. I felt my face get warm. “And no-I’m not just saying it to make you feel better.” She said and I laughed.

            “Thanks, Emma. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I said honestly. She smiled.

            “Now who’s lying?” I looked around.

            “Who?” I asked and she giggled.

            “You, silly.” She said and I felt more relaxed, just talking to her. She has no idea how simply incredible she is. She continued to draw, but wouldn’t let me see.

            “I’m not lying-I could never lie to you.” I said and she looked up at me.

            “Really? Never?” She asked, surprised.

            “Only about your birthday presents and stuff like that, but those don’t count.” I said and she smiled.

            “So you’ve never lied to me-ever?” She asked, glancing up at me from her paper every once in a while.

            “Nope.” She smiled, her cheeks blushing slightly.

            “Why not?” She asked. I looked up at her, the sun just behind her, giving her an angelic look. I smiled.

            “I just can’t. I’ve never been able to. You, my family and Abby, who’s like my sister anyways, are the only ones I can’t lie to-it’s just not physically possible.” I said. She blushed more. She was so adorable. I loved making her blush. I noticed she had stopped drawing.

            “Are you done?” I asked. She nodded. “Can I see it?” She hesitated before shaking her head and holding it close to her chest. “Please?” I asked, giving her the puppy dog eyes.

            “No-you’ll make fun of me.” She muttered, dropping her gaze.

            “Never.” I said.

            “Again with that word.” She smiled.

            “Can I please see it?” I asked sweetly. She sighed.

            “Do you promise not to make fun of me?” She asked self consciously.

            “Cross my heart.” I promised. She was too cute for her own good. She hesitated before slowly, reluctantly handing it to me. I went to take it from her but her grip tightened. “Emma, please-I’d really like to see another one of your amazing drawings-it’s been so long.” She looked at me and sighed before letting go. I looked at it and was shocked to see that it was me she had drawn. She groaned.

            “You hate it.” She mumbled.

            “You drew me.” I said obviously. She looked at me.

            “Yeeees.” She said slowly.

            “Me. Why me?” I asked-still stunned.

            “Because you’re one of my best friends, Joe. And the look on your face was just so………innocent-I just wanted to capture that.” She said quietly.

            “Can I have this?” I asked and she looked surprised.

            “Why? So you can burn it?” She asked.

            “No-so I can frame it and when you become famous I can look at it and say I knew her once upon a time.” I said and she laughed. “I mean it.”

            “Sure, you can have it.” She said, still chuckling. I beamed.

            “Thank you.” I said happily.

            “If you keep smiling like that then you can have any that you want.” She said, giggling. I smiled.

            “You really are talented.” I said. I wanted to tell her so much more than that-but I just wasn’t ready. She smiled.