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Erica's POV

The rest of the week is pretty much the same routine. Avoid Rudy, and all dickheads for that matter. I don't want anyone giving me more headache than I already have. But of course, Moana isn't someone you can just avoid.

She pestered me until I finally gave in to her sleepover invite. I talked to Star and Candy, who were more than thrilled to join the event. Mom offered to drop us off.

Mom parks in the driveway of Moana's house. Jesus, this place is huge. But not that bigger than my own house. I walk to the front door and ring the doorbell. A few moments later, Moana opens the door and hugs me almost immediately.

"Hey, you made it," she says.

"Of course, I had to. I mean, I accepted, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but you could have said that just to make me happy. Hi Star, hi Candy."

"Hey." They greet back in unison.

"I love your house. It's gorgeous," Candy adds.

"Oh, thanks. Let's get in."

We walk into the parlour and leave our bags on the floor. Moana leads us to the dinning room where the rest of the party made themselves comfortable. The Rps are there and some other few girls. A maid comes in with cupcakes and tea is served by the hostess.

Riana speaks up, "Joe isn't here yet?" She asks. The name summons a memory. I heard the Rps speak of him in the washrooms at school. Not that I was interested or anything.

**"So Riana what are you going to do with Joe? I mean he doesn't look like he's gonna go out with you anytime soon," one voice says.

"Oh shut up. He will come to me soon enough. Just wait and see," Riana says. A door opens and closes.

"I don't know why she just can't give up. He will never accept her," someone else speaks up.

"Come on, Bianca, don't say things like that, she's your friend. And I suggest you stop sleeping with him,"

"Whatever. Joe is mine got that?"

"Sure. But I must remind you as always, he can't be trusted. He's a player for God's sake."

"And he loves me. Now, let's go join the others."**

And another time, there was a girl crying profusely in the washrooms still. Her friends tried to calm her down. Seemingly, Joe had ended things with her. In other words, he has been spoken about as a player. So now I'm wondering why on earth anyone would look for him at Moana's house.

"No ma'am, he's not yet here," the maid answers.

"You know, Moana, your brother is really something. I can't wait for him to ask me out," Riana squeals. Joe. Brother. Moana. Ok, I'm getting the picture. Though, what does he look like? I need my picture complete.

"Okay. I guess that's it for now," Moana says, "time for the next activity. Storytelling."

Almost everyone in the room shouts, except for the maid and I. I'm just not used to these kind of things. Fact, I've ever been to a sleepover before, back in Australia, but only because I had been forced. I can't believe I'm sitting here, willingly this time, listening to all these girls' talks about boys, love and stuff.

We enter into some room. It's large with the sofas pushed back against the walls, leaving auspicious space in the centre, where coloured cushion mats have been laid. I take a purple one. Purple is one of my favourite colours, by the way.

The lights in the room go off, leaving a dark interior with only a small amount of light from the moon peeking through the window. Moana switches on the flashlight and positions it under her chin, illuminating her face.

"Who's going first?" She asks.

Riana squeals. The flashlight is handed to her. She tells of stupid story about a dead man who appears in dreams and the end result is death of whoever dreams of it.

Another girl tells of something about werewolves attacking people and taking there most treasured part of the body. Now that's stupid.

Just then, a wolf howls somewhere in the distance and the room falls into a frenzy, as though it was right there in the room. The lights go back on.

I excuse myself and head to the kitchen. A maid offers to help me but I decline and she goes off. I take a glass and pour myself some water, sit at the counter and take a sip.

After about three sips, approximately half way down my glass, a deep raspy voice says behind me, "Who are you?"

That voice! The minute I hear it, I get goose pimples along my arms, my voice hitches in my throat and my panties begin to wet.

Yep, that's the kind of effect this guy has on me. Though I have tried to deny it time and again.

I slowly turn around to look at the speaker and my eyes meet the blue ones in front of me, the glass that is still in my hand at the counter almost topples over.

What the hell is he doing here? I thought this was a girls only sleepover. Well, some people do invite boys. But this is girls only.

Or is he Moana's boyfriend?

Please God, don't let him speak again. I don't think I can handle the uncomfortable wetness in my pants.

"Oh, it's you. Never thought I would find you here," he says, half smirking. Jesus, this guy is going to kill me.

I'm not going to talk to him. I decide, because apparently I still remember what he said a few days ago.

I turn back to the counter to finish my water. I can feel his stare piercing holes into my back.

I down the glass and stand to leave, but to my dismay and surprisingly my joy, strong arms circle around my waist as I'm about to go through the door.

"Not so fast, princess. Can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about. Now, let go of me."

"Of course, there's a lot to talk about, sweetheart. C'mon, don't play hard to get."

"Says the guy who has a girlfriend and only talks to me to give me credit in society." I encounter, folding my hands to my chest.

"Oh...well, let's just forget about that, yeah?"

Before I can give this bird-brained guy a reply, Moana enters the room and immediately hugs him. Okay, I'm a bit jealous.

"There you are! We've been looking for you. Or rather waiting. Especially by a certain someone," Moana says while breaking away from Rudy.

"Oh, really?" He looks up at me.

"Yeah," Moana turns to me, "oh, I see you too have already met."

"Oh, your boyfriend is really nice," I say.

The duo exchange looks and bust out laughing. They laugh so loud I suddenly feel self-conscious. Did I say something wrong?

Probably they are laughing about the 'nice' part. Their laughter dies down. Rudy wiped a tear at the corner of his eye while Moana pours herself a glass of water.

"I hadn't found something to make me laugh that hard in a while," Rudy exclaims. So now I'm a joke. Great.

"Erica my dear, this isn't my my boyfriend. He's my brother, Joe."

Whoosh. I can hear the air rushing out of my lungs. I start chocking on air. I swear the room suddenly became a vacuum.

Nice to meet you, not. Oh God. Rudy is the Joe guy? And, he's Moana's brother? Could this day get any better? No, that came out wrong. I meant worse.

I picture little future images. If I hang out with Moana, that would mean, Rudy...Joe, will be a little closer and I would see him quite a lot.

My heart does a little dance as though in complete, utter happiness. That is wrong. It should be weeping, not rejoicing.

Well, incase you haven't noticed, we like this guy. My heart and mind whisper in my ears. No. No, no, no. We shouldn't be liking him. He's a...a Don Juan. We can't ____

"Erica?" Moana calls. I zoned out noticing? This is bad. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I turn to meet Rud...Joe's amused expression, "nice to meet you... Joe."

He smirks. Oh, man, I'm screwed. "Look Moey, she's is already drooling over me."

What? Am I really? No, of course not.

Moana does me the favor of smacking his shoulder to shut him up. He chuckles, his gaze lingering to me, as if checking me out. I feel like I'm melting under his gaze. He looks in the doorway. He's face takes on a frown.

"Joe, you are back. Oh my God, I missed you," Riana squeals.

"Oh no!" He breathes out as the heavily made up girl pounces on him in a tight hug. He eyes Moana, silently asking for help, but she just smiles and leads me out of the room.

"So," I start, "you had a brother all along."

"I thought you knew. I mean, everyone at school knows. That's why I didn't bother. Just know it gets so tiring and nerve wrecking having him for a brother."

"I can only imagine."

"Should I tell you?" She doesn't wait for my reply as she continues, "Everyday, the phone receives over a million calls, voicemail, all asking for him. Well, I maybe exaggerating the number but you get what I mean. When we go somewhere, he's praised like a Greek god. And not only to the teenage population, but to the entire female population, young and old. Even insects are attracted to him. Saying I'm surprised you didn't throw yourself at him would be an understatement." We go up a grand staircase with red velvet carpets.

"Hmm."

"Trust me, all the female friends I get go all over him the moment they set eyes on him. Didn't you see Riana a while ago? Well that's an example." We round a corner into a grand hallway, one that I suspect might be where the rooms are located.

Instead of entering one of the rooms, we continue ahead, finding a lift. We go to the rooftop, well, that's what I think. We are welcomed by a sky full of stars and a giant telescope. Several poster beds were lined at the far wall. I looked around in awe.

"Welcome to the observatory."

"Wow." I look up and immediately spot Polaris.

"I know, right? My dad is sort of an astrologist, though it's not his profession. It's more of a pastime."

I'm totally dumbfounded at this. It looks so beautiful. I feel much at peace, like I'm in heaven. I rush over to the telescope. I spot the Big Dipper and the Small Dipper. Just then, the lift opens and in comes Joe. I step away from the telescope.

"I. Hate. You. Moana," he states, "how could you leave me with that sick psycho?"

"What? She likes you. And besides, those are your problems to handle, not mine."

"So you are implying I go out with her?" He asks, incredulously. I snort.

"What?" He asks.

"Well, as far as I know, you are the Don Juan. I mean, it's that easy to date her," I say.

The look on his face is priceless. "That's what you think?"

"Of course. I mean, that's what everyone says. And I believe them.

"Excuse me, lemme go check on my guests." Moana takes her leave.

The place remains quiet for a while, with Joe and I standing there. I can feel Joe's stare. God, I feel the room closing in on me.

I swallow and turn to leave, only for him to grasp my hand with his big perfect fingers. My skin tingles and the feeling settles down in the pit of my stomach.

"I quite believe you would want something from me. Like a relationship." I look up at him. He has a smirk across his face. Just that look makes my blood boil.

"Don't flatter yourself. Just because you can have every girl you want doesn't mean I'm included. Besides, don't you have a girlfriend?"

He looks at me quizzically. "If you heard so much about me, then you would know I don't date."

"But that's what you said the last time."

"I was only kidding." He starts stepping forward, taking me along with him, until I make contact with the wall behind me.

Tiny sparks ignite a fire inside me, feelings I've never had before. Joe looks down at me. I suddenly feel like he can read my thoughts, soul, everything.

He leans into me slowly, until I could feel his warm breath fanning my face. I want to do this. I want to kiss him. But I want him to make the first move. I don't want to make a fool out of myself.