"You're back!" Jade exclaimed when Lea and Dylan re entered the apartment later that night. She threw her arms around both of them, pulling them into a heartfelt group hug. "I was so worried..." she whispered in their ears.
"Well, there was no need to be," Dylan told her and pulled out of the hug. "Lea had a handle on the whole thing." He sent a cruel look in Lea's direction, that sent shivers down her spine, then let his eyes roll dramatically.
"Dylan, don't do this," Lea told him, almost begging.
"No no, Jade should know that we were stupid to think you needed help. You knew exactly what to do despite Sam's hands around your neck."
"Sam had his what around your what!?" Jade exclaimed, looking over at Lea in bewilderment.
Dylan scoffed and then stalked down the hallway and out of sight.
"Okay...Call me crazy, but did I miss something?" Jade asked, turning to face Lea again.
Lea nodded solemnly. "Dylan's angry with me. With good reason, too. He saved my life back there. If Dylan hadn't of shown up when he did, Sam would have literally killed me. But I was a lot less than thankful. I don't blame him for hating me...and that's not all."
"What else could have possibly happened?" Jade asked, and Lea looked up and into her eyes.
"He kissed me," she said. "He actually kissed me. In the middle of the street, arms wrapped around me, right on the lips. And it was wonderful."
Jade smiled. "Finally he decides to take my advice! Damn, I'm a good advice giver people should listen to me more often!"
"Huh?" Lea asked her friend, confused.
"You guys like each other, okay!? Dylan made a move and now it's time for you to make one back!" Jade threw her hands up in the air for emphasis.
"You're crazy, J!" Lea shot back quickly. "What Dylan did back there...that was not making making a move!"
"He kissed you, Lea!" Jade argued. "Dyl smashed his lips right up against yours and kissed you with everything he had in you, just like I know you've been wanting for centuries! That's what I would call a move! What the hell would you call it!?"
"I don't know...proving a point?" Lea let out a distressed sigh and rubbed her face with the palms of her hands. "Look, I don't know what it was...but he couldn't have possibly been coming onto me, okay? There are too many things in the way for him to ever do that."
"Oh yea?" Jade raised an eyebrow. "Like what? Like Sofia?"
"He's not over her...not even a little bit," Lea answered quietly.
"But he wants to be." Jade took a step toward Lea and put her hands on her friend's shoulders, shaking them slightly. "Look Lay, I know my brother. He's crazy about you, and even though he loves Sofia with all of his heart, he wants nothing more than to be able to get over her. You can help him do that...please, help him move on. My brother deserves to move on."
"How can I make any sort of move on Dylan when he completely hates my guts!?" Lea sighed, running her fingers through her tangled, auburn hair. "Lea, I really messed up tonight. I told Dylan off for saving my freaking life! How is he going to forgive me for that?"
"Are you kidding me!? Dyl may be acting all tough as nails now, but he's really just a puppy dog at heart. Trust me, all you have to do is apologize and he'll be right as rain!"
"Are you sure?" Lea asked, biting down on her lower lip with uncertainty.
"Of course I'm sure. I told you...I know my brother." Jade winked and took a step back. "Now, get in there and talk to him before I take initiative and talk to him for you."
