"Friends."

"I'm sorry about that," Heather said apologetically when she got into the kitchen and saw Nicole wearing a gloomy expression on her face. 

"It's not your fault. You don't have to be sorry," Nicole said with a small smile. 

"He likes you. I think he just doesn't know it yet," Heather said reassuringly. 

"Thanks, Heather. But you really don't have to make excuses for him," Nicole said with an appreciative smile as she stood up, feeling grateful that she at least had someone on her side. 

"You do know your clothes are actually very hot and pretty distracting, right?" Heather asked Nicole with a girlie giggle making Nicole blush.

Ben walked into the kitchen and looked at his mother, who was giggling, before turning to Nicole, "Let's go out," He offered.