AN- Ah well, no reviews for the first chapter, perhaps this one will have more luck? We shall see. Come on people, review, it takes all of five seconds. Please, please, please, please???? I'll do a dance. Err, actually, I can't really dance, but I'll sing if you prefer...........

"Ari, hey Ariel, wake up," I felt my shoulder being tapped softly as I was shaken from my once blissful state of sleep. I opened my eyes, my senses swimming as I felt the warm bed below me. Strong arms were wrapped around my torso. Jake, the man I'd wanted for so long, and I'd finally had him. I looked up to meet his unmoving gaze, his teddy-bear brown eyes focused on my face, in a way that both unnerved me and made me shiver.

I glanced at the clock, it was 6:30am, we hadn't gone to sleep until 3:30, "Why are you waking me up?"

"So that you can get back out onto the couch before Jamie wakes up and wonders why you aren't there and then walks in on us, naked in bed. It'd be rather incriminating," Jake shrugged.

"Jamie wouldn't care," I answered, twisting my body to move closer to Jake's, "He knows I'm responsible, in fact, he'd probably be glad that I'm finally, you know, moving on."

"Oh Ari," Jake shook his head, "Are you blind?"

"What?" I asked genuinely confused. "I'm not blind, I can see just fine, your walls are bright blue, the carpet is white. I can see, what does this have to do with me leaving the room?"

"Never mind," Jake laughed and kissed my forehead, "I just think it's best that we have some time to digest the whole idea of 'us,' before we tell Jamie about the aforementioned 'us.'"

"There's an us?" I looked up at him hopefully.

"If you want there to be, I have no objections, besides," Jake cocked his head to the side, "I don't do one time things."

"Good, because I don't either," I gave him a small smile and kissed his lips quickly.

"Now go on, get out of here," He gave me a light shove.

I groaned and stood up, gathering my clothes from random sections of the room, "whatever you say," I glanced over my shoulder as I dropped my tank top over my head, happy to find Jake's unmoving gaze trained on me. "Enjoying the view?" I teased as I stepping into my jeans, doing the zipper and slipping the button through the hole.

"Highly," Jake admitted.

"Good," I laughed and leaned over to give him a quick peck.

"See you at breakfast."

"Ciao, bella," He called, I let out a small giggle (much to my disgust), and left the room collapsing on the ever familiar couch I had spent so many nights on in the past. I pulled up the old beaten up blanket that I assumed Jamie had laid over me when I'd fallen asleep earlier on, closed me eyes and was promptly a part of dreamland.

**********************

"Rise and shine gorgeous," was the first and last thing I heard before I found myself faced with a bright and awake Jamie, who'd just thrown himself onto me, without any warning other than his greeting which had rudely pulled me out of a wonderful dream in which I was eating lots of chocolate ice-cream.

"Jamie," I groaned, trying to push him off of me, "Being crushed is not the best way to wake up you know?"

"Crushed? I'm crushing you now, do you think I'm fat?" He raised an eyebrow and gave me a mock glare, his green eyes twinkling as they met with mine, causing a smile to spread across my face.

"No Jamie, you aren't fat, but you do however weight more than 120 pounds, which is a bit much for my poor rib-cage to take at once," Jamie slid down so that he was straddling my hips.

"Better?" He asked, as he tipped his head to one side as if questioning me.

"At least I can breath," I grumbled.

"Morning," Jake spoke as he came out of his room. My breath caught in my throat, he was dressed in a pair of black boxers that hung off his hips, accenting the small trail of dark hair that disappeared below the waistband. His hair stuck up in every direction and his eyes, sleep blurred. It was hard to believe that me, plain old Ariel had spent the night with this utter sex god. Sweet, smart, and educated sex god for that matter.

I glanced at Jamie who was still sitting across my hips. He was as always, not wearing a shirt. His jeans held up my a brown woven leather belt. His chest smooth and pale, that crazy grin on his face, my best friend, how I appreciated him.

"Jamie, are you going to continue crushing the poor girl?" Jake asked.

"What is it with this whole 'Jamie is crushing people' thing. I am not fat!" Jamie pouted and slid off of me.

"No dear, you aren't," I confirmed, "But my hip bones are not meant to be sat on," I laughed and stood up at his disgruntled expression. "Oh honey, come on," I gave him a firm hug. I swear, Jamie was so self obsessed, I often debated the possibility that he was gay.

Jamie answered the hug, "Anyway, I made breakfast, shall we?"

"What did you make?" Jake asked, grabbing my hand and giving it a slight squeeze before entering the kitchen. I watched his graceful form sit down in one of the chairs, left foot sliding under his right thigh.

"French toast," Jamie answered, bringing it out on plates, perfectly presented, just like I was sure he'd been taught in Culinary School.

"Looks good Jamie," I spoke, as I cut off my first piece. I stuck it into my mouth and closed my eyes, it was perfect. I loved having a best friend who was on his way to being a chef. It was fantastic.

"Nice job," Jake said as he took a swig of milk, "Tastes great, as always. When I get rich, I'm hiring you Jame, just thought I'd let you know."

"Yeah right," said Jamie as he sat down at the table with a glass of orange juice. "You wont be able to afford me."

"Besides, I've already claimed Jamie," I spoke up, smiling across the table at Jamie and giving Jake a glare.

"That's right, when you become a world famous singer, I'll be your cook on the road," Jamie said sincerely, and somehow, I didn't doubt he meant it.

"Fine then," Jake scowled, "I'll just have to tag along as the 'infamous sidekick,' or who knows, maybe I have vocal talent, you never know."

"Right Jake," I laughed, "The chances of you having vocal talent are about as high as the chances of me turning into a six legged duck. I've heard you sing in the shower. It's a wonder you can speak on key you're so tone deaf."

"Humph," Jake crossed his arms and concentrated on his toast.

"You can be my road manager though," I said staring across the table at Jake's beautiful features. I was sure there was a look of undying adoration in my eyes that I prayed Jamie didn't see. Unfortunately, I should've known Jamie better. The way his eyes flickered from me to Jake as we were wrapped in a staring contest where there was no winner told me that he knew. After all, Jamie knew me better than I knew myself. Maybe Jake thought we could keep a secret but I knew better.

"Fine, if you insist," Jake sighed, shrugging his shoulders once in mock defeat.

"And I do," I smiled, squeezing his hand across the table, and action that was not missed by Jamie, who's smile faltered slightly.

*************************

"Liz, you're kidding right?" I asked, as I glanced at the outfit she'd laid out for me to wear on my date with Jake.

"Ummm, no, it's time you changed out of your oversized guys pants and sweatshirts Ariel dearest. Come on, don't you want to impress him?"

"Are you forgetting the fact that I already did? I mean it's not like we didn't have sex or anything," I glared at my friend, my eyes taking in the fitted jeans, v-neck top, and tight sweater she'd chosen for me.

"Ok, ok, but still, so what, make him remember what he's got, just try it on Ari, when was the last time you got dressed up?" Liz asked, crossing her legs on the bed.

"The evil bastard's prom," I answered, glaring at my friend, and then glancing at the picture that I had yet to remove from my bedside table, we were smiling, things were good back then. "Thanks for reminding me though Liz," I glared.

"Sorry," She sighed, "But seriously, just do this, maybe, it'll help you forget about him. Just this once Ari..."

"Fine, fine," I grabbed the clothing and disappeared into the bathroom. Just then the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey you," I smiled at the sound of Jamie's voice.

"What's up?" I asked, precariously balancing the phone between my shoulder and ear, as I removed my sweat pants and wiggled into the overly tight jeans.

"Nothing at all, you wanna do something tonight, Jake's going out with some chick, and that leaves me with nothing to do but sit here and watch the Disney movie of my choice over and over again. I'm thinking The Hunchback of Notre Dame, what do you think?"

"Sorry James," I sighed, "Liz and I are doing something tonight. Wish I could hang out. But I'll be there in spirit."

"Alright gorgeous, fine then. Call me later ok?"

"Yeah, love you."

"Love you too, bye," Jamie hung up the phone, and I slipped the low cut white tank top over my head, which was soon followed by a black turtleneck sweater. And then I realized, I had just, for the first time in my life, lied to my best friend.

Pushing that thought out of my head, I unlocked the bathroom door, and stepped out.

"You look fantastic Ari," Liz gushed, coming over to circle around me, checking out her handy-work.

I glanced in the mirror, "I look ok. God, how do you sit in these jeans, I wiggled one leg uncomfortably.

"They stretch darling," Liz grinned, and pulled out her makeup kit, "Now just sit down and let me-"

"Oh no, no, no, no. No makeup, absolutely not," I pushed her away.

"Oh don't be stupid," Liz sat me down with a forceful shove.

"I hate you, I really, really do. With a passion, the kind that never fades, ever," I grumbled as she began to attack my face with all sorts of cosmetics.

"No you don't, I'm your sister," Liz said cheerily.

"Why does my younger sister know more about cosmetics and clothing than I do?" I grumbled as she applied gloss to my lips.

"Because, you've never bothered to learn," answered Liz, "there done."

I stood up, ok she'd done a good job. She'd gone for the 'barely there' effect in which my eyes were enhanced, as were my lips, but the makeup was tasteful and I didn't look like a cheap whore, or an expensive one for that matter.

"Alright, it's decent," I admitted. "But I'm not wearing these jeans," I said pulling my baggy oversized pants off the floor.

"What?" Liz cried out, "Come on it looks so good."

"I'll keep the top, but I can't move in these pants. Jake said comfortable, comfort involves the ability to move." I dropped the jeans I was wearing and changed back into my good, nice, worn in, baggy pair, that I'd stolen from Jamie months ago.

"Fine," Liz pouted. But before she could say anything else, the doorbell rang.

I scampered downstairs, and threw the door open, revealing a very good looking Jake.

"Evening beautiful," He smiled at me. Flashing a set of perfectly white teeth, "You look amazing."

"Thanks," I muttered, looking down. He was dressed in a pair of loose khakis and a black t-shirt, with a brown jacket on top, left open. His hair was messily skewed. "You don't look too bad yourself," I looked up and smiled, taking his hand in mine and following him out to his beat up 87' civic.

"I need a new car," He sighed, looking at the vehicle.

"Yeah you do," I answered.

"Ah, the life of a college student, never enough money to buy everything I need."

"But look at it this way," I said, as we got into the car and he pulled away from the curb, "When you get out, you'll have that nice degree and you'll be able to go make millions."

"Except that I'm majoring in pre-med, so I'm in for several more long years of medical school after that," he said, as he switched gears and floored the gas pedal as we sped up the on ramp of 280.

"Where are we going?" I asked, somewhat confused.

"That's a surprise," Jake answered, taking my hand in his.

"I hate surprises," I mumbled. "Can't you just tell me."

"That would ruin the surprise."

"Didn't you just hear me say I hated them?" I growled. I wasn't kidding either, I liked to know where I was going, at all times. If I didn't I was liable to panic.

"Fine, we're going into San Francisco, to have a picnic."

"Where?"

"Haven't decided yet, but probably the beach," Jake answered with a smile on his face.

"It's freezing cold though," I pointed out.

"Well, that's what I've got blankets for," he smiled at me, as we passed the tollbooths of the bay bridge and followed the road that arched hundreds of feet above water.

"Don't you always think of everything," I scoffed, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Ari, I'm in pre-med, at UC Berkeley, of course I think of everything," He flashed me a grin.

"So does that mean you've already planned what you're going to say in response to this comment?"

"No," He shook his head, "I like to leave some things up to fate."

"Cute," I laughed, and closed my eyes, absorbing the warmth that was radiating off his body.

*********************

We pulled up at Baker Beach at about 8:30pm. I kicked the door open and breathed in the salty ocean air. I could hear the waves crashing against the sandy shore, wave, after wave, after wave. Perfectly timed, one after the other. The ocean always reminded me of Jamie, because that was where we'd met. I had been five and he'd been 8.

"You coming?" Jake asked, blankets slung over one arm, basket of food in the other.

"Yeah" I said, snapping out of my trip back in time, and following Jake down the path.

We sat down on top of a large rock. Jake spread out the blankets and handed me one, which I wrapped around my already shivering frame. He came up behind me, rubbing his hands up and down my arms, before linking them together around my stomach and pulling me in closer. He picked up the basket off of the ground, and opened it up.

"So it's not Jamie's cooking," Jake laughed, "It's mine, but I figured you can't mess up pasta. And I bought the sauce separately, as well as the bread. So I'm pretty sure it's edible."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it's fine," I turned around cupping his chin to give his lips a forceful kiss. I opened up the container and grabbed a fork, "You don't mind if we just eat straight from this thing do you?"

"The doctor in me is screaming about the millions of dangerous germs I could be contracting from you, but as I'm planning on kissing you later tonight, I think it's ok. Besides, I forgot plates," Jake chuckled and took a separate fork, plunging it into the container, making sure the pasta was firmly attached and bringing it up to my mouth.

"Oh I see you have no faith in my ability to feed myself."

"None," Jake answered, pushing the fork towards my lips. I opened my mouth and let the food enter.

"Pretty good," I grinned, "It's not Jamie's cooking, but it's good."

"Jamie's spoiled us both," Jake said as he fed himself a fork full. I picked up my own fork and started feeding myself.

After a fantastic dinner on the beach, of pasta, Jake pulled me closer against him, setting the food aside.

"Thanks for coming tonight," He smiled.

"My pleasure," I smile, twirling a lock of shaggy brown hair between my fingers.

"Can we switch positions, my but's going numb," Jake said honestly, shifting slightly.

I laughed, "Yeah sure," I slid downwards, laying down on the rock, thankful for the blanket beneath me that gave me some padding. Jake joined me on the ground. "Ouch, hard rock," he groaned.

"This was your idea," I reminded him, pressing myself closer to his body for warmth.

"It was a good idea," he answered, his hand's making their way through my hair.

"Cocky much?"

"Shh," He pressed a finger to my lips.

"Jake, what-" He cut me off with a kiss, which I eagerly answered.

And right there, on that rock, all our clothing came off, and I found myself having sex at 9:30pm, on a rock, at Baker Beach in San Francisco, California, and it was amazing. Absolutely amazing.

*********************

"Night Ari," Jake said as he pulled up in front my house.

"Night," I answered, leaning over in the car to pull him in for a kiss. His lips lingered against mine, before capturing them for another go, I pulled away reluctantly, "If I don't go now, I never will."

"I don't see a problem with that," Jake answered, pulling me towards him again.

"My parents are expecting me home tonight, I'm still 17 you know, and while you 19 year old college students have your own apartments where you never have to come home, we highschool students need to make it home unless we give our parents a reason as to why we wont be home. So goodnight Jake, I had a fantastic time. Next time, I'm taking you out," I leaned over to give him a final kiss.

"Later beautiful."

"You should know that sweet talking wont get you anywhere."

"Whatever," He smiled at me, and I got out of the car, I slammed the door behind me and blew him a kiss.

The relationship was unlike anything I'd ever been in before, we moved fast. Jake knew what he wanted, and he knew exactly how to get it as well. It was thrilling. I brushed out my hair as I got ready for bed. I shivered as I remembered the way he'd touched me, made me want more and more, until I didn't know what to do with myself anymore. It was a very different relationship. Didn't mean I enjoyed it any less.

I slid underneath my covers, before I noticed the light on my answering machine blinking letting me know that I had a message. I sighed, kicked off the covers and stood up, pressing play, half listening to the announcement of when the still anonymous person had called:

"Hey Ari," Jamie's smooth tenor voice greeted me, "I know you're out with your sister, but I just finished watching Hunchback, and I was bored, so I decided to leave you a message for when you got back, but now that I've called I have no idea what to talk about. Don't you hate it when that happens. I cooked amazing cheesecake tonight, when you come over tomorrow you'll have to try a slice, it's really fantastic. Anyway, I should stop wasting space on your answering machine, love you gorgeous," The message ended with a beep, and I found a small smile playing on my lips.

I was so lucky to have him as a friend. I glanced at my desk and saw my notebook sitting there. I picked it up, along with a pen, and got back into bed. Flipping it open to the second page, as the first was already covered in writing, I put the tip of the ball point pen to paper.

December 12th 2003.

Little did I know that my decision to enter reality would be such a self fulfilling prophecy. I have never been in a relationship like this one before. Were every touch is so real, no beating around the bush. No innuendos, just straightforward reality. It's different to say the least.

On a different note, I lied to Jamie today. I can't believe I did that. I felt awful afterwards, the guilt was eating me alive. Maybe I'll ask Jake if we can tell Jamie about us yet.