Nathan jumped when he heard a knock on the door. He immediately exited out of the game session and called out, [color=firebrick]"Coming!"[/color] He got up from the couch and opened the door. He wasn't surprise to see Rachel, Vanessa, and Jess there, but he could pretend. 

[color=firebrick]"Oh hey girls, what are you guys doing here?"[/color] he asked with his perfected fake smile. [color=firebrick]"And who's your friend?"[/color] He made it a point to take a long look at Jess as if he was observing her for the first time. And to further sell it, he added, [color=firebrick]"Oh by the way, you guys just missed James. He stepped out for a minute..."[/color]

[color=pink]"Actually... babe..."[/color] Vanessa started, being the first one to speak after Nathan's rambling. [color=pink]"This is James... Well, obviously she's a girl and going by a girl name but... Yeah."[/color]

Nathan's eyes widened in feigned shock. [color=firebrick]"J-james? Is that really you? Wow... I couldn't even recognize you,"[/color] he bit his lower lip. He wasn't that good at acting, but it seemed to convince Vanessa and Rachel who stood beside Jess awkwardly. 

[color=pink]"I know it's a lot to take in but let us introduce you to Jessica Alice Reese."[/color]

[color=firebrick]"Nice to meet you, Jess,"[/color] he said, mentally noting the sense of dejavu from earlier today. 

[color=aqua]"That's all you have to say? She was so freaking worried about how you were going to react!"[/color] Rachel scolded him. 

[color=firebrick]"... I don't know... it's just kind of a shock. Jess, you know that I still care about you. It's just.. weird..."[/color] He knew that she would know that he didn't mean that. Hopefully? And he hoped that Rachel wasn't suspicious about how he was acting either.

[color=aqua]"I think we should give them some space to talk, Nessa,"[/color] Rachel said, dragging her friend back out of the apartment.

[color=pink]"But-"[/color]

[color=aqua]"No buts, let's go. Hope you guys figure it out or whatever,"[/color] Rachel said with a wave of her hand.

It was obvious that Vanessa wanted to stay, perhaps she was worried about Jess being alone with Nathan. [color=pink]"Text me tonight babe!"[/color] she called out before Rachel closed the door behind them. 

Nathan stood there for a moment. He couldn't believe that it had worked. [color=firebrick]"....Thanks...."[/color] he said finally after what felt like an eternity. [color=firebrick]"... I'm the worst friend in the world."[/color]