“So, what did you and Brian talk about?” Kayla asked sitting down beside her on the couch.

They were all hanging backstage in the green room of TRL studios. Dani was practically sleeping, having been awake all night watching a marathon of 90210. Kayla was trying to get Sara to open up about her talk with Brian but so far, Sara had kept her mouth shut. Kristen had been pacing the floor nervous for their cue on TRL but was now waiting for Sara’s answer.

“Kayla, please, can’t some things be kept private?” Sara asked with this hopeful expression.

“Yes, some things can be kept private but unfortunately this is not one of those things. So spill!” She ordered.

“Fine, we just talked about...well stuff,” Sara replied unsure of hot to explain things without going to far in depth.

“Stuff? What kind of answer is that?” Kayla asked pissed off.

“Okay, Kayla, ya need to chill babe. And Sara, look, give her a little piece of information,” Dani said before the two started fighting.

Sara rolled her eyes. “Fine, we talked about many different things, including Scott. I felt that, in order for him to understand me better, he would have to know everything. Now he does.”

Dani smiled softly. “Hey, that’s great chica. So now what, are you dating or together?”

Sara knew she had the dorkiest grin on her face but she couldn’t prevent it. “We are together.”

“Isn’t that a bit of a difference from the friendship you two had a couple days ago?” Kristen asked perplexed. That was kinda a rash decision for someone that had been terrified of a relationship before.

“Yeah, it is,” Sara blushed. “But he said something that just amazes me and made me realize a small detail about myself.” Kayla waited a second before she couldn’t wait any more. She frowned. “Well, what did he say?”

Sara chuckled at her friends lack of patience. “He said that I didn’t seem like the type of person who would hide in fear. He heard or maybe it was read, well whatever. A quote that he follows. If he’s going to dance like nobodies watching, sing like nobodies listening, be what he wants to be, then maybe he should love like it’s never going to hurt. Also, the final thing that drew me to him was when he said, there are no guarantees in life. It would be boring if there was. Taking chances makes life exciting.”

Her friends had all been totally absorbed in what she was saying that a moment of silence passed before they commented.

“God, that’s just sweet,” Kayla said in awe.

“Is he like Mr. Perfect?” Dani asked sounding bored. She felt a momentary pang of regret when Sara gave her a hurt look. Maybe all the mushy crap was giving her a headache but that was no reason to snub her best friend.

“No, he’s not Mr. Perfect, he’s Brian,” Sara said simply.

Kristen exchanged a smile with Kayla. Sara was head over heels and they couldn’t be any happier for her. “That makes him your perfect.”

Sara was about to respond when they were asked to take the stage. As they made their way down the hallway towards the curtain that lead right to the stage, someone was screaming at them. Telling them how to act and what to say.

Kristen was the first to enter and she smiled as she gave some fans in the audience fives.

“Carpe Diem everyone!” Carson yelled over the cheers of the crowd.

“How y’all doing today?” Sara asked waving at a girl in the back row.

“Y’all? Sara you’ve been hanging out with Brian too long,” Kayla whispered in her ear.

“I’m sure they are all doing great. I mean, they’re hanging with us,” Carson said making everyone laugh. “So, girls, 2nd singles doing great. On tour with the Backstreet Boys. Album’s out today.”

“Yep,” they all said nodding.

“The Backstreet Boys! How’d you land that gig? They’re like, major league tour,” Carson said the surprise evident in his voice.

“We were singing at a charity event and they saw us and the rest is history” Sara said shrugging her shoulders.

“We’re still unsure as to why they picked us,” Dani said making Carson chuckle.

“It cold be they knew your single would be number one on the top forty or that you’d be nominated for a VMA,” Carson said. He grinned when they all stared at him in shock.

“What?” Dani asked, she must have heard wrong.

“You are up for the Best Newcomer Award,” Carson said. “You’re up against singers like Alicia Keys, Michelle Branch, and others.”

“Geez, we don’t stand a chance,” Kayla said. “Michelle Branch is such an awesome singer/songwriter.”

“Well, more with Carpe Diem after song number 4, it’s Mandy Moore, Crush,” Carson said facing the camera.

Sara waved as the camera went by her. But as son as it was gone she turned to Kayla. “Why didn’t we know we were nominated.”

“I have no clue, I hate how they sprung that on us on National TV,” Kristen complained. “It wasn’t very nice.”

“So, girls,” Carson said interrupting them. “What do you think of TRL so far?”

“It’s great but um, well, why didn’t we know about the nomination beforehand?” Sara asked attempting to sound curious but it still came out with noticeable anger.

“We hoped we could surprise you with it,” Carson explained. “Usually everybody knows right away and when we found out you didn’t, it was too good a chance to pass up.”

“And we’re back in 5 4 3 2 1,” the producer said.

The rest of TRL went by quickly and before they knew it, they were ta the number 1 video.

“Wow, N’Sync was at number 3 and Backstreet at 2,” Carson said shaking his head in bewilderment. “Well, who’s taken over the number one spot? Let’s see, and at today’s top spot, it’s Beautiful Goodbye by none other then Carpe Diem.”

They waited ‘til the song started playing before they all had one big group hug.

“We did it girls,” Kayla whispered. “We are on top and there’s no where to go but farther up.”

Pat ushered them off the stage and hurried them to the limo. They had another interview.

Brian walked into Kevin’s room. He was calling a meeting. AJ was sitting on the bed tossing his hat in the air well Nick made an attempt to snatch it away.

“Good, now that we are all here,’ Kevin said from his position on one of the beds by Howie. “We can discuss how to help the girls’ celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” AJ asked confused.

“Their nomination and they were also number one on the charts and TRL,” Kevin explained.

“Damn, I missed that yesterday, didn’t I?” he said slapping his head. “Don’t tell Kayla she might flip.”

“So, you two are together then?” Nick asked curiously.

“Kinda, we haven’t voiced anything out loud but I hope she wants that, because I do,” AJ said biting his bottom lip. “Mostly we’ve both just admitted we liked each other.”

“What about you?” Nick asked turning to Brian. “Did she chill out and quit being a worry wart. Damn she’s dramatic.”

Brian glared at him. “She’s not dramatic, just unsure of how this would come out. Her ex-boyfriend kinda burned her.”

“Ooh, ouch, I hate when they talk about ex-boyfriends,” Nick said grimacing.

“Not me,” Howie said. “I’d let my girlfriend talk about her past.”

“Howie, you’d let your girlfriend talk about her imaginary friend Bob as long as she would be your girlfriend,” Nick teased making Howie blush. “How long has it been since you got some? Two or has it been three years?”

“Just last week if you have to know,” Howie said pissed off.

“You were sharing a room with me and you definitely didn’t get any,” AJ denied making all the guys laugh.

Howie felt his face flush. “I did too, I didn’t sleep in the room every night Jay. Ever think of that?”

“Man, you’ve got your excuses down pat,” Nick said starting to laugh but stopped when he saw the look in Howie’s eyes. It wasn’t exactly friendly.

“Okay, not that we are done discussing Howie’s sex life,” Kevin said making a face. He really didn’t want to know about his friend’s sex life. He wasn’t on a need to know basis with that area. “Lets get back to discussing what we should do.”

“We could take them out on a celebration dinner. Ya know a nice candlelight dinner and maybe some dancing,” AJ suggested.

“This isn’t going to be one of your seduction attempts,” Kevin said rolling his eyes.

“No Kev, I agree with him. A nice dinner, maybe no candles and a little dancing sounds cool. Besides, if we go expensive, we won’t have any teen fans there. They couldn’t afford a fancy restraunt,” Brian said smiling. “Jay’s idea was good, as much as that scares us, it was a good one.”

AJ glared at him. “I’m going to take that as a compliment and not, I repeat, not kick your ass.”

“Like you could,” Brian dared.

“Guys, enough,” Kevin warned. “We don’t need any of you onstage with a black eye or a bruised butt.”

“I could’ve taken him though,” AJ mumbled.

“I like Brian’s idea, we’re going with it. Unless anyone has any others,” Kevin said looking at each guy for any idea. “Nope, okay, his idea stands.”

“But it was my idea,’ AJ whined.

“Now, they’ll be back sometime today so plan on it tonight. I’ll make the reservations.”

They all stood up to leave when AJ followed behind more slowly still saying, “it was my idea.”