Surpressing all feelings of anxiety, Laurel walked down the empty hall, making her way to the school gym. She could already hear the music blaring through the walls. It felt so good to be back!
As she walked across the doorframe, she smiled at the memories the decorations brought back. The "Have A Spooky Night" sign which hung just above the giant clock was made 2 years ago by her friend Tammy and her. They had such a blast doing it! The orange and black chains which hung from the ceiling ornamented the room beautifully alongside the other decorations.
After about a minute of reminiscing on the good old times, she pulled herself together and went in search of her gang.
"Tam!!" she shrieked as soon as she spotted her best friend at the punch table.
It took a short while for Tamara to recognize who the tall blonde screaming her name was. "Laurel?... Jesus..."
The emotions in her voice were unclear, but Laur didn't care!
"Ahhh, I've missed you sooo much!" she yipped, taking her friend into a bear hug.
Unfortunatly for Laurel, the embrace was not returned "What the hell are you doing here?" Tamara asked coldly.
A bit taken away by her friends response, Laurel took one step back "I-um-I'm off tour! I missed you Tammy!"
Tamara eyed her with her arms crossed over her chest "Where's you're costume?"
"I didn't know I needed one!" she pandered, looking down at her gorgeous powder-pink dress, and then at Tam's Posh Spice outfit.
"Swell!" she roared "Well I guess you wanna see the other..." she said unenthusiastically leading Laurel to the rest of their friends.
Laurel followed; her head hanging low. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to come after all.
**Same Time**
"So,um- How long have you two been together?" Brian questioned, trying not to sound overly discouraged as he kept his eyes on the road.
"Over a year..." Kristy answered uncomfortably. She could tell that, for some reason, her relationship with Rick was the last thing Brian wanted to hear about, but that he felt it necessary to pretend he cared.
There was another unpleasant pause. "Does he know you're coming?" he asked, switching on the wipers after he'd noticed the first drops of rain sprinkle the windshield.
"No" she smiled "I wanted to surprise him!".
Kristy squinted as she tried to see out the window. It was getting increasingly difficult to make anything out since it was raining harder by the minute. Not to mention there was scarcely any light on the dark streets.
"Here-here-here!!!" she scram "To your left"
Brian made a sharp turn and pulled up to a dimly lit house. "Doesn't look like anyone's home..."
"Look!" she pointed enthusiastically "The T.V's on. He must be home..."
She grinned broadly and spun to Brian "Thank you so much for the lift. I owe you"
Before he could even give his goodbyes, she hopped out of the car, slamming the door hard behind herself.
He watched miserably as she ran through the pouring rain, up the front steps. Cleaning the smog away from the window to get a better look, he saw the porch light turn on and the door slowly creep open; the first bolt of lighting brightening the night sky long enough to see what was going on. A pretty brunette in a towel answered the door and then some guy with dark hair came up behind the girl with nothing but his boxers on. He watched as Kristy's hand raised and slapped his face.
He pulled himself together as she ran back to the car in tears.
"Kris?..."
"Just drive" she cried.
Feeling the hurt in her voice, he cranked up the car and sped away.
**Back At The Party**
"Justy!" Britney Spears' voice wailed as she stammered over to him "Are you going to let him speak to me like that?"
Justin peered over her shoulder at James Black from Finger Eleven, and shrugged his shoulders. "Guess so"
Britney's jaw dropped "Justyyyyyyyyy. He just told me that his poodle’s got a higher IQ than me!!!" She puffed "Why did you invite him?"
"Cause he was the only none-pop guy we could get here Brit! Now quit your bitchin'"
"Oh Justin" she comforted fraudly, patting him on the arm "It must be a bitch being the ass of the music industry"
"Do I look like Jennifer Lopez to you?" he retorted "Or yourself!?"
**~~**
Alyssa watched the Fairy costumed girl argue with Justin and turned to J.C
"I thought those two were dating?"
"They're like each others sex toys" he explained "The two are so alike, it's scary! One minute they're at one anothers throat, the next, he's down hers!"
She giggle, then saw a suit making its way towards her "Hold on Jace, I'll be right back" she sighed.
A.J's smiled quickly faded when he saw the upset expression on Lyss' face.
"What?" she asked frustratedly.
"Ummm" he began as he scratched his head "It's getting late- we'd better get to the cottage."
She rolled her eyes and went back to J.C
'Well I'm guessing that means yes' he thought.
Alyssa told J.C she was sorry, but she had to leave. He cracked a joke about A.J and then they were off.
"This better be worth my wile" she snorted as she stepped into his BMW.
**~~**
Dawn tapped her nails impatiently on the table waiting for Howie's return. When the tuff of dark curly hair appeared, she stood up and took him by the arm "D, let's leave. Everyone else is gone, and I'm bored out of my mind!"
Never being one to be able to say no to a woman, he agreed. After all, he had been looking forward to being at that beautiful chalet with the woman he loved for a very long time!
**Earlier**
"You can stay in the car if you want" Nick said as he stepped out into the viscous weather "This shouldn't take too long"
I nodded and watched him leap into the school. On the ride over I managed to get him to fess up about the reason we were coming here. I really did think it was nice of him! I only hoped Laurel would appreciate it as much as me...
**~~**
For nearly an hour now, Laurel had been enduring harasses by her so called friends; her patience holding on by a thread. Hey, an hour might not seem that long, but when you're constantly being badgered, it can feel like eternity.
"So, Laur, hun" Sheila, one of the preps grinned "I forgot to ask: what's with the dress? Did all the decorations throw you off, and you were just like "Gee, maybe all these silly people decided to dress like idiots, but heck, now I'm a major celebrity and I don't need to stoop to their level of immaturity. Or maybe you just didn't get the invite. Oh, I forgot. We didn't send you one"
The whole table burst into laughter, Laurel's face flushing more by the minute.
"We're just playin' with ya Laurel" John, the star of the football team kidded.
"I just hope you won't be sending your big-bad bodyguard to beat us up" Sheila quivered, hiding behind her boyfriend's shoulders "Oh-oh, I'm so sorry! Please don't send Big Bad Mr. Hollywood after us, pleaseeeee"
Once more, everyone laughed at her expense. This was getting very tedious and she had just about enough
"You know guys, this just isn't funny any more!" she shouted, finally getting the guts to stand up for herself.
She watched proudly as jaws all across the table fell to the floor.
Pride taking her over, she continued asserting herself "And just because I'm in the public eye, doesn't mean that I'm not a real person anymore! If anything here has changed, it's definitely all of you, and not me!"
She wiped her hands and crossed her arms over her chest satisfactorily. She sure showed them! They're mouths were still wide open..
She then heard a cough. Slowly, she rotated her neck to the back of her chair. What she saw made her clime right off her pedestal.
"Nick?!"
He forced a grin on his lips as he looked at the table of teens still gawking at him.
"Um, can we talk?"
Laurel nodded, still in a dreamlike state. Just as she stood up, 'The Thong Song' stopped playing, and some unknown slow song came blasting through the speakers.
He smiled down at her, and pulled her in, placing his arms around her tiny frame. He saw her gulp, and he chuckled "I'm not going to eat you"
Right then, she recalled exactly what she should be feeling. Bitter hatred!
"What are you doing here?" she questioned angrily, finally regaining her senses.
"I, um... I came to say I was sorry!" he sighed.
"Sorry?!" she murmured, her blue eyes locked in his.
He looked to the ceiling to escape her inquisitorial gaze "To apologize! I've been a total jerk to you. I guess the only reason I've been acting like such a dick is..."
She held her breath in anticipation.
"Well I guess it's just 'cuz I have an enormous amount of respect for you!" he chuckled "You kinda intimidated me. You're real tough for a 15 year old, you know?!.... In fact, you remind me a lot of myself"
She giggled "Do explain"
He smiled at her again. It felt so great to not be quarreling with her for a change. "The image! The young blonde innocent one. The baby! After a while, you learn to be anything but; and you fall into trouble. I've been through what you're about to go up against, and let me tell you, it's not pretty! I guess I just wanted to make you a stronger person. Sorta like those people that walk on hot coals. After a while, they build callous’ and they can't feel pain any more, ya know? You become resistant to the hurt, so that you can't stumbled on pebbles."
"Great metaphor Carter" she laughed.
He gave her a serious look "All I'm saying is that the world's your oyster..."
"And that you were just trying to build my guard against its dangers. Yes, I get it, I get it"
He grinned "Good. Friends?" he offered.
"I suppose" she answered coyly, rolling her eyes.
At that moment, the song medlied into something a little more up-tempo.
"Yikes, I'd better get going. Eli's waiting in the truck!"
"Then go"
He moved away, and started towards the exit when he heard his name being called.
"Thanks" she said sincerely. He blinked, then disappeared.
Her head still in the clouds, she didn't notice Tamara and Sheila come up behind her.
"Nick Carter, huh?!" Tamara spat
"Guess that guys in school just aren't good enough for you to dance with." Sheila said snottily.
Laurel glared at them "You know what?" she said loudly.
The two girls waited for her response. They did get one; but not what they were anticipating.
Laurel's frown turned around into a radiant smile "You're right! I am too good for you!"
turned her heals, and walked away; punching her fist into the air victoriously.
**Later That Evening**
Alyssa had been silent for the majority of the car ride; too pissed to actually say anything. Why was it that this man kept raining on her parade? Couldn't he see what a great time she was having at that party? Why couldn't he have just gone with someone else. Yes! Of course. "Why didn't you take Amanda?"
"Pardon me?" A.J said, surprised by the sudden brake in the silence.
She watched as he continued to keep his eyes on the road, and it made her blood boil. "You heard me you bastard!" she cursed "Why the hell couldn't you take your beloved Amanda instead of me? You always have to do this to me! I know you hate me Aje, so why the fuck do you keep dragging me through the mud?"
The next thing she heard was the car come to a scrieching halt; both passengers violently being restrained by the seat belts. She looked at him in shook! "Do you wanna kill us or something?" she yelled.
"I don't hate you Alyssa..." A.J said, surprisingly not in an upset tone "What the hell made you think I hated you?"
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe all the times you purposely pressed my buttons; just to get a reaction! Or rather like just know, when you took me away from the only fun I've had in months." she said arrogantly. "Just because you don't like J.C doesn't mean that I can't! I mean, I don't care much for Amanda, and I don't mind you and her being together"
The last part was fibbed, but it didn't matter.
"Ya well" A.J began, looking away from her "You won't have to put up with Amanda anymore, anyways. She broke up with me"
Alyssa looked at him blankly "I'm sorry" she said in a low whisper.
He shrugged. "Whatever." He paused a moment, then looked at her. "Forget this shit! I'll drive you back to the party"
With a sigh, he started the ignition. Nothing. He turned the key again; once again without result.
"What the fuck?" he murmured, desperately trying to get the engine to start up. After about 8 tries, he dropped in his seat and looked at a very worried Lyss. "The damn car won't start!"
"You've got to be kidding?" she whined.
He shook his head and reached into his pocket to get his cell "I'm gonna call the triple A". He continued to feel his pocket, but it was empty. "Oh no!" he exclaimed, smacking himself on the head "I left it at the damn party. Shit!"
"I don't have mine either" Alyssa panicked "What do we do?"
A.J looked out the window and observed the wooded area. Everything was pitch black; the reflectors off the road polls and the moon were the only source of light around. (Authors Note: Ok, I really doubt that Florida has a really foresty district, but for the sake of the story, there is! Just use your imagination) "Well I'm sure as hell not staying here; no one ever comes by!" he tried to get a better look when lightening came crashing through the sky. "I'm pretty sure we're not too far from the cottage! I recognize the place. I'm gonna go looking for the it, and phone triple A from the cottage."
To that, he opened the door and stepped out "Stay here!" he ordered, locking the door behind himself, going to the trunk to check out if he had any supplies. He inspected its interior, and all he found was a flashlight. He grabbed it and slammed the hood shut. He felt a hand place itself on his shoulder and spun around. It was Lyss.
"I'm coming with you!" she scram through the pouring rain, already soaked.
"No!" he yelled, taking her by the shoulders "You'll get sick!"
She yanked herself away from him, and began walking down the black road. A.J rolled his eyes and went in her pursuit.
**A Short While Before**
Naila and Kevin decided that it would be best to simply not return to the party. It seemed boring and they were almost certain the others had left by now! So why not stay home and snuggle instead? They both slipped into sweat pants and T-shirts to get a little more cozy.
"It's almost ready" Naila announced from the kitchen as she prepared the hot coco.
"Ok" Kevin responded, lounging comfortably on the couch as he channel surfed.
There was then a ring at the door. "Great" Kevin grumbled "I'll get it!!" he declared, priying himself from his seat. He stumbled over to the door, and without even checking who was there, he flung the door open. His eyes grew large and his heart skipped a beat.
"Hello Kevin" an extremely drenched Sarah greeted timidly.
"Kev, did you get it?" Naila asked emerging from the kitchen with a mug in each hand. She froze in her tracks when she saw the stunning brunette standing at the door. She didn't say a word, but gave Kevin a confused look.
Swallowing hard, he widened the space between himself and the door "Um, come in Sar"
"Thanks" she smiled shyly as she stepped in.
Naila took a look at her, then at herself. Here she was dressed in rags, and there stood this natural beauty in a pair of tight jeans and a now see-through white tank top. "I'll get you something to change into" Naila said politely excusing herself.
Sarah walked into the room and noticed boxes on the floor "She's your- girlfriend?" she asked, her voice catching in her throat.
"Um, yeah. Naila"
She looked at him with hurt in her eyes "A little young, isn't she?"
"Age is only a number" Kevin said wisely "You should know that"
Sarah nodded with a chuckle "I didn't think you'd find someone to mend your broken heart so quickly!"
"What do you want?" Kevin finally said, irritated by her comments.
"I was passing by and saw that your light was on. Thought I owed you a visit"
"Is that all?"
"Basically"
Naila came back in a room with a pair of sweats in her arm plus some hot chocolat for Sarah.
"Here you go" she smiled.
"Uh- no thank you" she courteously declined.
"Sarah doesn't eat chocolate" Kevin explained.
"Try to cut those carbs out as much as possible, ya know" she said, looking Naila up and down "Well of course, you wouldn't know"
Kevin took her by the arm and led her to the door. "I was just leaving anyway" she said as he slammed the door behind her.
"Sorry about that" he apologized nervously.
She smiled "Ex?"
"Yup!"
She nodded "Ok, well, just sit down and I'll make some popcorn and we'll watch a movie"
Kevin leaned over and gave her a small kiss "God I love you"
She went back to the kitchen; and he to the couch. The whole experience had went smoothly considering how ugly it could have gotten. God, but Sarah was just so beautiful! Why would Kevin want her when she could have Sarah? She looked down at her mug and grimaced "None of this" she thought, emptying the chocolate into the sink.
"Baby, you coming?" Kevin hollered.
"Just a sec" she answered, forgetting about the popcorn and only coming back with his coco in hand.
**Meanwhile**
"Where is everyone?" I asked Nick as we walked through his house. The Carter home was never empty.
Nick simply walked until the kitchen and slid the door open "Mom went trick-or-treating with Aaron and Angel, and after went to my uncle's to spend the night there. B.J has a sleep over and so does Leslie!" he then stepped back out into the pouring rain and ran to the pool house.
Once Nick got inside, he switched on the light and removed his jacket; dismissing it to the floor. He waited for Eli to fallow and laughed when she slipped and fell in a puddle of water.
"Okay; not funny!!" I whined when I reached him, my red devil costume even more drenched than before. I remove my horns and threw them next to his jacket.
I watched him head to the bathroom, but quickly cut him off "No way!" I said, my finger on his nose "I'm taking a shower!"
He grabbed my finger and held it firmly "This is my place."
"And *I* am your guest" I said coyly.
He put up an angry face and let me go "Fine!" he surrendered.
I giggled and ran to the washroom "Thank you Nicky"
He stuck his tongue out at me and I closed the door. Seconds later, he heard the shower water turn on. He smiled to himself when he thought of Eli. God how he loved her! He made his way back to the living area and turned on his stereo. His Bryan Adams CD started to play. He returned to his room and turned on his lap top. He hadn't checked his mail in forever. Just as he logged into his AOL account, he heard the shower turn off. He threw his PC on his bed and sat at its foot; waiting for her to come out of the shower.
I came out of the bathroom in a fluffy violet robe. "All yours!" I smiled as the steam settled behind me.
"Gee thanks" he said sarcastically. Just as he hit the door frame, he heard a shriek.
"What??" he panicked.
I gave him with a pitiful look "Bryan Adams. I just- I just love him!"
He sighed with relief. "You scared me!"
"Sorry" I chuckled.
At that moment, the song came to an end and 'I'll Always Be Right There' started to play.
We looked at each other and grinned shyly. "I guess I owe you a dance, huh?!" he said quietly as he approached me. I blushed. He placed his arms around my waist, and I, around his neck. I nuzzled into his shoulder as we began swaying to the music.
I swear to you
I'll always be there for you,
There's nothin' I won't do.
I promise you
All my life I will live for you,
We will make it through.
Forever we will be Together, you and me.
Oh, 'n'when I hold you, nothin' can compare,
With all of my heart, you know, I'll always be right there.
Nick softly began to sing along to the music; every word that left his lips floating into the appropriate ears. He felt her heart palpitations against his chest, and now more than ever wished she knew how he felt for her.
I believe in us,
Nothin' else could ever mean so much,
You're the one I trust.
Our time has come,
We're not two people, now we are one,
Ya, you're second to none.
Forever we will be
Together, a family.
The more I get to know you, nothin' can compare,
With all of my heart, you know, I'll always be right there.
Forever we will be
Together, now just you and me.
The more I get to know you, the more I really care,
With all of my heart, you know, I'll always be ...
You know I really love you, ya, nothin' can compare,
For all of my life, you know, I'll always be right there.
The song came to an end, and I had to practically pry myself away from his hold. I immediately looked away from him, my cheeks burning. I just couldn't look at him!
"I-um. I think I'm gonna take that shower now" Nick stuttered, stumbling into the washroom.
When I heard the water turn on, I sat down on the bed in a daze. Something had just happened between the two of us. Something had happened to me!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the lap top at my side. Curiosity getting the best of me, I checked it out. It occurred to me he hadn't checked his mail in a very long time, because there were 108 unread messages! I assumed they were from fans because they were all title "Can I marry you?" or "Are you really Nick Carter?" I laughed to myself right until I came up to the subject line that read "Felicity". The sender was: Chickmagnt69@aol.com. (Authors Note: See chapt8!) I'm not a nosy person by nature, but I wondered what I could have possibly done to become the topic of their E-mails. Ultimately, I gave in and clicked.
( It read: )
dude!
you're even bumming ME out over this felicy thing! shit. you're really in bad, aren’t ya? poor nickster! does bri know about this? well man, what i'd recommend is just telling this felicity chick how you feel about her. you're obviously in love with the girl... why deny it?
Later,
Chris
I was so distracted and confused by what I had just read, I failed to notice the shower had stopped.
"What are you doing?" Nick said as he emerged from the mist.
Startled, I jumped! He looked at me, then at the screen. His face lowered as he realized just what she had discovered.
Before either could utter so much as a syllable, a lightening bolt came crashing trough the somber sky and knocked the power out; leaving the two in silence with only the sound of the cascading rain to remind them that this wasn't all a dream. Or nightmare...
