I Don't Wanna Be Anything Other Than What I've Been Trying To Be Lately

"I'm so sorry. Matt's just dumb."

 

"It's okay. Is he, uh, into you?"

 

Jeanie laughed. "No. But he might be into you." She said with a wink.

 

"Oh, good." Joey smiled, moving closer to her.

 

"Uh, was this boring? I'm sorry."

 

"Nah, it was fun. The movies and all. Better than some lame pop stars performing at Times Square on TV."

 

"Oh cool." Jeanie smiled widely.

 

"So..." Joey sat on the edge of her bed. "How long do you think we'll be in here?"

 

"Maybe Matt will get bored or something. No clue."

 

"Oh. Hm. We might as well sit and wait it out. It can't be long, right?"

 

"Right." Jeanie paced anxiously.

 

Joey tugged awkwardly at his shirt sleeve. "I think he might be right. A little. About us not being on the same page?"

 

Jeanie stopped pacing. "I thought we were."

 

"We are. Mostly." He blushed. "I really like you Jeanie. And I know you don't want a serious relationship, and I don't wanna force myself into your life. But I think we should at least try something."

 

Jeanie looked taken aback. "I just...that's not what I want."

 

"What do you want?"

 

"I don't know. I don't do relationships."

 

"So we're just leaving it there?"

 

"I don't know. That's not what you want."

 

 

"I want what you want."

 

"That's sweet. But that's not true."

 

Joey rested his forehead in his palms. "I know," he replied sadly. "I feel like when we first met, things were going great. And then...I don't know."

 

"It didn't feel right."

 

"I guess. I thought we were fine. God, this is so difficult."

 

"Well, it's just that... I feel like we're not in the same place."

 

"I understand. Can we compromise? We'll be friends, and I won't push for me. But can we see if it goes anywhere?"

 

"Okay."

 

"Great. So do you think Matt's listening at the door? Or are we gonna have to break outta here?" Joey asked, grinning.

 

"Maybe." Jeanie showed Joey her watch. "It's midnight."

 

"Would I be crossing the line to ask for a kiss?"

 

"No," Jeanie giggled. "It wouldn't."

 

"Happy New Year." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her playfully. Jeanie kissed back chastely.

 

They heard a click of a lock. "I guess we're free." Jeanie said with a smile as she led Joey out. Joey sat back down on the couch.

 

"I'll be right back." Jeanie said, still standing. "I'm going to check on Annaleigh."

 

After she left Matt spoke up. "Look, the thing about Jeanie; it's really hard for her to let her guard down, but once she does she's got this amazing heart."