Brian came up to a mesmerized Nick. "Frack, earth to Frack. What the hell happened man? She ran out of here as if there was someone out to kill her."
Nick confused, "I was wondering that myself. She was trying to steal that shirt I guess and when I asked her about it she just dropped it and ran off."
Theresa looked at Nick confusingly. 'What seems to be bothering him? We were having such a great time until that girl appeared again.' She thought disappointedly. "Dawn, let's go see what's going on."
The two girls walked over, "What happened?" Dawn asked Nick. Nick explained all over again.
"When I first looked at her earlier she looked like she was crying for days. She looked like a total wreck. I want to help her out. Maybe she's homeless or something. I feel like I owe her that for running into her this morning." as he continued on. "I just wish she would talk to me......"
"Don't stress out on this Frack, you don't even know her." Brian said. He, too, was wondering about this girl. "You're not the only one who wants to help her out. I'll help you find out what's going on alright?"
"Yeah we'll help too." Dawn jumped in.
"Dawn, can I talk to you for a minute?" whispered Theresa. "Alone?"
"Hey, we'll be back, we have to go to the ladies' room." Dawn told the boys. They walked away from the boys still in deep conversation about this mysterious girl.
"What?" Dawn asked looking at a very sad Theresa. "What's wrong? We're hanging with two of the cutest Backstreet Boys and your sad. What's up?"
"I think I like Nick." Theresa confessed.
"Duh, I knew that, who wouldn't? Plus I always knew you liked Nick." Dawn said.
"No, I mean it, every minute I'm with him I like him more and more. It's not just a crush, it's more than that. He's fun to be around and stuff, but he also has that sensitive side that pulls me towards him. Every time we've seen that girl, he looks like he lost a loved one or something. I don't know why, but I get jealous of her."
"Theresa, you've got it hard. We only ran into her twice and he just feels bad. It's not like he'll fall in love with her or something."
"Yeah, but..."
"No, buts! You should be happy, we're hanging with the Backstreet Boys..Just have fun, and if you and Nick were meant to be then it'll happen, if not..then be happy, you got to hang out with him. Not many girls get to do that. Who would've thought that we'd meet these guys? Our friends are going to be so jealous."
Theresa smiled, she felt a little bit better. "Thanks Dawn, your the best!"
"I know!" Dawn grinned. "Let's get back to those boys."
The two girls met up with Nick and Brian again. "Let's go to the next store." they suggested, hoping that the girl was out of their minds.
They walked into HMV cause Dawn wanted to buy some CDs and she spotted the chart. "Hey, look your Millenium CD is at #1."
"Hey that's wicked," Brian exclaimed. "Frack....?" He looked over at Nick, who was off in his own world again. 'Oh no..not again!' Brian thought to himself when he saw what Nick was looking at.
As soon as they walked in the store, something caught Nick's eye again. 'There she is again, should I go talk to her? No, she's just going to run away again.' Nick contemplated.
Theresa looked over at Nick, 'What's he looking at?' Theresa followed his gaze. 'Oh man, there she is again! Here we go again! She really is trying to ruin it for us isn't she?'
The girl turned around and she spotted Nick walking in. 'Him AGAIN!!! Is he following me or something? I've got to leave!' She looked away and casually headed for the door hoping Nick didn't see her.
'She's leaving!' Nick hesitated for a second and ran after her hoping to get some answers.
The girl saw Nick running after her and she too ran quickly out the door knocking down whoever was in her path.
'Where's he going?' Theresa wondered. 'I'm going to follow him.'
"What is he doing? Man, Nick is crazy." Brian said to himself. 'Where's Theresa going?' he thought. "Dawn let's go." Dawn knew exactly what was going on and they ran after Theresa.
"HEY WAIT, I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU!" yelled Nick.
'Just go away.' the girl kept saying to herself. She was crying again. As her eyes blurred, she couldn't see where she was going and more and ran right into a parked car. She fell down and helplessly sat there crying.
Nick caught up to her and sat down beside her. "Are you okay?"
'Why doesn't he just go away?' she wondered. 'Why can't he leave me alone?'
"Why do you keep running away from me?" Nick spoke up. Nick looked at the fragile girl. 'I just want to help, why won't you let me help?' Nick said to himself. The girl didn't answer him. "Please just talk to me, I feel bad enough for running you over this afternoon."
The girl looked over at Nick, 'What should I do? I can't sit here and do this.' She got up and Nick grabbed her arm." No, I'm not lettig you run away from me again until I get some answers." The girl sat down again, scared!
They sat there quietly for a momnet. Then the girl spoke up for the first time. "Why can't you just leave me alone? Why can't you just go away?" Nick listened to her trembly voice.
"I want to help," Nick replied.
The girl looked at Nick.
"Help what? I don't need your help! I'm not a charity case!" The girl angrily said defending herself.
"No, I didn't say that, what I meant to say is.....never mind!" Nick said confused. "Please tell me what's wrong, you look like you've been crying for days and I can't see you like this."
"You don't even know me."
"But I'd like to. I'd like to be your friend...if you let me."
The girl sat there silently. 'I'm just going to get hurt again! I can't get close to anyone.' She looked at Nick again. 'Why does he care so much about a stranger like me?'
"What are you thinking?" Nick asked her.
"Nothing." she quickly replied. 'He looks harmless and kind, but I can't trust him, I can't trust anyone. '
"Please, I want to help." Nick said again.
"I told you I don't need your help, I can take care of myself."
"You sure don't look like you can." Nick commented.
"What? What's that suppose to mean?" she said offended.
"It's just that...never mind!" Nick said. 'Why is she so protective of herself? I know I'm a stranger to her, but why does she shut people out like that?' Nick was more confused then ever.
The girl looked over at Nick's confused face, 'He really does care doesn't he? He looks like he really wants to help me out. But no one can know my past or me..I...' She started crying again.
"Why are you crying?" Nick put his arms around her. She shrugged him off. "Please don't cry, you shouldn't cry, I'm not here to hurt you. Please!" Nick's voice cracked as if he were ready to cry as well.
The girl heard this and eased up. 'Maybe....he really isn't that bad..just maybe.....'
Meanwhile, Theresa stood there absent-minded, wondering where Nick ran off too. She had lost him in the crowd. Dawn and Brian ran up to Dawn panting heavily.
"Man, are you ever fit." Brian joked. He looked at Theresa and she had a serious look on her face. "Where'd Nick go?"
"I don't know, I lost him in the crowd." Theresa said sounding concerned.
Noticing this Brian joked, "Don't worry Theresa. Nick's a big boy, he knows his way aound." Theresa blushed at his comment.
"I know I'm just curious about this girl," she lied. Dawn looked at Theresa. 'What the heck is going on in your head Theresa?'
The three continued walking around, looking for Nick.
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