Nick peeked his head out from the behind the curtains and watched as first the sophomores entered the auditorium and took their seats. Looking at the time he noted that in about ten minutes the freshmen would be rolling in. Then it’s show time! Closing the curtains he adjusted his head piece and looked over his check list making sure every thing was set and ready when needed. Walking backstage he knocked on the dressing room door and entered. The sight he was met with was priceless and he began to laugh hysterically, grabbing his digital camera and snapping a few pictures of the man in front of him.

"I swear Carter, if I see that shit all over the internet I'm gonna chop your ass off," Marshall said, frustrated and angry as he tried to pull the stockings up his leg. His previous stockings had a run in it.

Nick's laughing fit started to calm down a bit as he shook his head. "You in a Catholic school's girl uniform and two braided pig tails," he said stepping closer to Marshall and trying to suppress his laughter. "Oh baby," he said in a deep husky voice as he wrapped his arms from behind Marshall.

"Fucker, get the fuck off of me," Marshall grumbled but failed miserably to contain his amusement and laughter.

Just then a few of the other cast members turned around and got a look at Marshall wrapped around in Nick's arm and they began to laugh. One of the guys came over and grabbed Nick's camera and took a few pictures of the 'couple' posing.

"You know," Brian said with a contemplative frown on his face, resting his body against the corner of the door, having just walked in and witnessed this scene. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you two," he paused to wave his hand that held a glass of lemon-salt water towards Marshall and Nick, "are just the most adorable 'straight' couple I've seen!"

Nick made a face and Marshall narrowed his eyes at Brian but being in a funky mood that morning Marshall turned around in Nick's arms and grinned up at him mischievously.

Nick raised his eyebrow in question as he looked down at Marshall's smirking face. "Uh oh," he said widening his eyes. "Why don't I like that look on your face, snoockems?"

"Oh honey bun," Marhsall cooed in a sweet voice as he batted his fake eyelashes and reached up to run his hands with french manicured nails through Nick's hair. "That's because you have good women's intuition!" With that said he cupped Nick's face in his hands, puckered his own red lipstick covered lips, and began to place kissed all over Nick's face before kissing him closed mouth on the lips nice and hard before pulling back.

Brian's eyes had widened as did everyone else’s that were in the room before, as if on cue, they all started clapping, whistling, and making cat calls. Brian looked down at the glass in his hands, it's lemon-salt water that he uses to gargle in his mouth to help his vocal abilities and wondered if there was something else in it to make him hallucinate and delusional.

Nick stood there, lips pressed together, eyes wide, his newly dyed hair a mess, looking right at Marshall, stupefied. He was vaguely aware of flashes going off and someone replacing his digital camera in his pocket. "Dude!" He was finally able to exclaim a few second later when the fog cleared.

Marshall smacked Nick's chest playfully and spun around. "Sweet, what does mine say?"

"Dude...ette!" Nick said again shaking his head. "I would punch you right about now but I don't hit girls." And then he let his eyes trail Marshall up and down before focusing on his 'breasts.' "Besides I like 'em real and big, nice ass as well... something you ain't got."

Marshall gasped in mock shock as he looked himself down and then in the full length mirror. "What the fuck ever!"

It was then that something occurred to Nick, seeing that most of the boys in the dressing room were dressed just like Marshall was. "Um, aren't you supposed to be a guy?" He questioned looking at the script of the play on his chart which was right under his check list.

"Yeah," Marshall said as he walked over to the dresser and started to apply more lipstick on. "I bet you'd be surprised if you lifted this skirt up." He wiggled his eye brows as he paused to turn around to look at Nick.

Nick looked at Marshall's outfit and frowned. "Um, last time I checked, guys don't wear five inch school girl skirts, stocking, heels, make-up, braided hair in pig tails, a tight blouse that reveals boobs and a bra..." he trailed off. "Unless this is a fricking nightmare in a twisted fricking world... Marshall what the hell is going on?"

Marshall paused from puckering lips lips to look at Nick's reflection in the mirror. "Trust me," he said with a smirk. "We're gonna give something for the school to remember for years and years to come. The class of 2004 is gonna make a huge bang!"

"Marshall..." Nick said worried and panicked as he shot a glance over at Brian who too was looking worried and scared. That didn't help ease Nick's mind in the least. "What the hell are the seniors planning?"

* * * * * * * * * *

Justin and his homeroom were seated in the first three rows on the right side of the auditorium, everyone was excited about the play. They were also excited because of the rumors they've heard about the senior Christmas play being that off a hilarious riot. The anticipation was in the air.

Licking his lips, Justin sat back in his seat and got comfortable. The play was supposed to start at 9 on the dot and looking at the time he noted that it was 8:50 AM. And just as he predicted Brother Michaels, their dean, and guidance counselor all came up to the podium and said their usual 'happy holidays and merry Christmas, hope you all relax and enjoy this time of the year... blah blah blah' speech before finally introducing the play, "Christmas Comes to Detroit Louie."

As soon as the curtains opened everyone gasped and then started laughing, this was obviously not part of the play. Justin looked over at Brother Michaels and chuckled as he noticed that he was not amused by this. 'This is great,' he thought to himself as he watched all the 'girls' in their tiny uniforms walk to their seats of the make-shift class room on stage. It was a comedy skit, a long time running joke between them and their sister school. The girls would dress up like the boys and act ridiculously, mimicking their behaviors and attitudes, while the boys dress up like the girls and do the same. The first scene was of one of the girls raising her hand to go to the bathroom, her two friends doing the same thing. 'So, true,' Justin thought to himself as all three girls got up and walked to the pretend 'bathroom.' The two friends waiting outside the stall, fixing their make-up and their hair while talking about their pathetic boyfriends while the third girl used the bathroom.

The second scene was a girl in her bedroom picking out an outfit to wear for the day as well as for her date that night. Clothes were all over the place, music playing in the background, phone in one hand as she talked to her friends, and a magazine in an other hand reading 'dating tips' and other such articles. She then proceeded to get ready by waxing her legs, literally. Justin cringed as he watched... Marshall? 'Holy shit!' He thought to himself. Yes, as he watched 'Marsha' wax her legs and yelp and scream because of the pain.

The last scene was while she was on her date with the boyfriend, all the tests and flirting and mixed signals she gave to the guy, all thanks from the advice from her friends and that stupid teen magazine.

By the end of his little segment all the boys ran off the stage, leaving the audience in a laughing frenzy. The curtains closed. There was a bit of commotion behind the curtains and then the piano started to play. The curtains opened upwards and there in white robes stood Xavier high's four time state championship winning choir. This was Justin's first time hearing them sing and it was breathtaking. The lights were great visual effects as well as the video playing in the background, it was something pertaining to the songs. Justin was in awe and he took note that both Brian and JC seemed to be the sopranos that led the rest of the choir. They both had beautiful voices although Brian's voice was crystal clear, making smooth transitions from and between notes, hitting each note right on the dot. Justin wanted an autograph.

The choir sang the traditional hymnal Christmas songs and also up tempo fun songs like 'rocking around the Christmas tree, Rudolf the red nosed reindeer, twelve days of Christmas, and so much more.' When that was done there was a five minute break before the curtains opened again, revealing a small waiting room and a few people sitting around. Justin watched as a brown haired Marshall, the guy, walked on stage with his sidekick, Scott, both playing the poor pickpocketers. The play began. There was a lot of laughing. Fifty minutes later, the play ended with the audience standing up and clapping their hands into bruises. The cast came back out for the introductions and their final bows. More clapping, and then the auditorium was emptied for the Junior's and Senior's turn to watch the play.

* * * * * * * * * *

The skit was about a half hour long, the glee club was another thirty minutes, and the play was fifty minutes long. The introduction speech from the faculty and administrators would be approximately ten minutes. So, all in all, Justin figured everything would be done in two hours at one, give or take a few minutes. While the freshmen and sophomores had been in the auditorium the juniors and seniors took that time to go around school and give out their gifts and greeting cards to the faculty and friends. And now that they were in the auditorium it was the freshmen and sophomores turn to go around and give things out. Justin figured that he didn't have to hurry and that he could take him time in visiting his teachers and a few of his other friends from classes.

At noon, however, Justin found himself sitting in the bench outside the main office that was adjacent to the auditorium, bored out of his mind and waiting for everything to be over with. He heard laughter coming from the closed doors and smiled to himself. The seniors in the play really out did themselves this year. He just hoped that Brother Michaels wouldn't be angry with them for doing that little prank. Even though it was common knowledge that their sister school and them always teased each other never once did they ever have it done on stage. This was a first.

A few more minutes of waiting later the doors opened and laughing students walked out of the auditorium. Standing up Justin waited patiently for everyone to exit before walking through the side door and down to the front of the stage. Climbing the stairs and walking past the curtains he found the door to the dressing room and knocked on it. The door wasn't locked, he realized as it just creaked open with the knocking. He could clearly hear excited voices coming and as he peeked inside he saw chaos. Everyone was busy gathering their things together, getting changed into their regular clothes, and just plain goofing off. He then looked around the room wondering if he could pick Nick out from the crowd but he didn't have to stress so much since he saw Brian sitting on the couch, some guy with reddish-brown hair sitting next to him, and Lance on the other side of him.

"I can't believe you guys did that," Nick said shaking his head that was resting on the back on the couch, his eyes were closed. "You might get detention, ya know?"

"Yeah, we know," Marshall said getting out of his characters clothes. "But it was worth it man. Did you see the look on Brother Michaels face?"

Scott laughed. "He looked like he was gonna shit a brick," he said as a few of the other cast members gave in their opinions.

Justin shook his head to clear his thoughts. "You guys were awesome though," he piped out, smiling as he walked into the room but giving Nick a weird look.

Nick's eyes immediately shot open as he looked in the direction of Justin's voice. "Justin, hey!"

Brian snickered as he saw that look of disbelief on Justin's face as he watched Nick. "So I take it you enjoyed the show?"

Justin simply nodded his head. "Do I know you?" He questioned nodding at new guy.

Nick raised his eyebrow wondering if Justin was joking or if he was pissed. "Um, yeah," he said as he looked at Brian and then at Lance. "You do know me." He looked at Justin.

Justin put a thoughtful look on his face. "Um, I don't think we've met though," he said. "I dont remembe-"

"Oh c'mon Timberlake," Nick said rolling his eyes.

It took Justin a few minutes to realize that the guy between Lance and Brian with red lipstick in the form of lips all over the face was Nick. Carter. His Nick. What the fuck? "Holy shit, Nick?" He questioned with wide eyes. "What the hell..." He trailed off as he took in Nick's appearance.

"What?" Nick questioned looking around him and then focusing on Justin. "Why you looking at me like that?"

Justin just scrunched his face up in confusion staring at Nick.

Brian looked at Nick for a few seconds wondering what Justin was so confused about. It was then that he noticed all the lipstick still on Nick's face and that Justin hadn't seen Nick in brown hair before. He started laughing.

Nick looked at Brian like he'd lost his mind. "What the hell is so funny?" He questioned, still not understanding why Justin was looking at him like that and why Brian was laughing like there was no tomorrow. "Some body TELL ME!"

Lance chuckled as he got a hold of Nick's sleeve and tugged him up. "I'll do better than that, I'll SHOW YOU," he said escorting Nick over to the mirror where Marshall and Scott were trying to get the remaining makeup off of their faces.

"What..." Nick trailed off as he bent down a bit and looked in the mirror. "Oh for heaven's sake..." He groaned for the first time since he left home looking in the mirror. "I look like I got some kinda disease!"

"I'll say," Justin said walking up behind Nick and squeezing himself between him and Lance. He grabbed a tissue and started to wipe at the lipstick trying hard not to think about just who the fuck was kissing his man.

Lance made a face behind Justin's head before walking away to go grab his book bag.

Marshall grinned in the mirror as he caught Nick's eyes that were glaring at him. "Oh honey bun," he said batting his eyes sweetly and puckering his lips. "You know you liked it as much as I did."

"I'm gonna kick you ass Marsh," Nick hissed, turning red. "I can't believe I walked around all day looking like THIS!" It was then that he realized that if Justin continues to wipe at the lipstick, his own make up that's covering the almost faded bruises would come off to. Quickly he ducked his head away as he looked at Justin. "I can take it from he-"

"Hey guys, I'm gonna jet," Lance said fixing his winter coat and grabbing his bag of presents. "You guys have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and I'll see ya'll next year."

Marshall walked over to Lance and did a little hand shake thing that ended in a half hug as Scott did the same thing. A few of the other guys also wished the same to Lance. And Justin tried hard not to shoot invisible daggers at Lance when Nick walked over and gave him a hug and wishes.

"Hey," Nick said standing beside Justin again. He watched as Justin stared at the door that Lance had just walked out of with hatred on his face. "Oh leave the poor door alone, will ya?"

"Huh?" Justin questioned turning his head towards Nick. "What?"

Nick chuckled. "You were glaring at the door as if like stole your puppy or something," he said nodding in that direction. "What's up with that? Don't tell me its still that," he lowered his voice to a whisper so only Justin could hear him, "jealousy thing."

Justin looked down at his shoes, guilty. "I can't help it," he mumbled under his breath.

"Oof-" Nick said as someone jumped on his back. "You fucking monkey, get off of me," he said turning around in circles hoping to dislodge who ever was on his back.

"Oh but you like monkeying around with me," a deep voice said with a cackle.

Nick stopped all movement as he just stood there. "Alex?" He questioned with a chuckle. "The hell..."

AJ jumped off of Nick's back and turned him around so that he could inspect him closely. "You changed your hair color and you already got girls all over you?" He questioned taking in Nick's disheveled appearance. "Why the fuck didn't that ever happen to me?"

Nick snorted. "Um, maybe because this wasn't a real girl who did this to me?" he suggested.

AJ's eyes went wide. "You dog, you, it was a transvestite?" He questioned, and then began laughing.

Nick looked over at Marshall with a grin. "I suppose you could say that," he said and ran over to where Brian was, trying to hid from Marshall who started chasing him. "Help!" He exclaimed shoving Brian between himself and the attacking Marshall.

"You the hell you calling a transvestite?" Marshall questioned trying to get at Nick.

AJ stood on his spot confused for a few seconds before everything clicked and he started laughing. It was then that he noticed Justin standing there with a displeased look on his face watching Marshall, Brian, and Nick. "Hey spiky," he greeted walking over to him.

Justin raised his brow as he turned his attention to AJ. "Oh hey, um, AJ?"

"Yup," AJ said as he watched as let Brian go and made a mad dash past Marshall to the other side of the room with Marshall hot on his heels. "I swear those guys are so not past kindergarten."

"Look who's talking, monkey boy," Brian said coming over to them, fixing his clothes.

"Hey guys," JC greeted walking into the dressing room with a big bag of gifts and cards. "Here you guys go," he said looking in bag for a few cards he'd written out for them. He handed one to Justin, Brian, and AJ. "Where's NiiIIAAAAHHHHHH?"

Nick had run over to them a little out of breath as he twirled JC so that he would be between Marshall and him. "Hey man," he greeted with a smile still trying to block Marshall off.

"Man, stop shaking him," JC said closing his eyes.

AJ chuckled. "Yeah K, stop shaking the poor guy," he said placing his hands on both their shoulders. "He looks like he's gonna break or some shit!"

"Oh what? Oh sorry," Nick said slowly letting go of JC and holding his hands up in surrender. "I give up, Marsh, I'm sorry. Okay, you're not a transvestite and you're one hell of a kisser, okay?"

Marshall smiled big, content with that. "Okay," he said walking over to Nick and pinching his cheeks. "Honey bun."

Nick sighed as he stood there, his cheeks red, not just with the lipstick but from where Marshall pinched him. "Anything for you snoockems," he retorted before walking next to Justin and pouted.

"He kissed you on the lips?" Justin questioned for the first time noticing that Nick's lips were more than just naturally red, it had lipstick on them. He was hurt.

Nick looked into Justin's sad, hurt filled eyes. "J," he said. "It's not like that. C'mon," he said taking a hold of Justin's arm and pulling him out of the dressing room and over to the dark area of the stage, where no one was.

Justin reluctantly let Nick escort him to the private place. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just wanted some privacy," Nick said with a shrug as he sat down on one of the big black boxes, indicating for Justin to do the same. He smiled as Justin sat on the same box as him, close by. He reached his hand out and took Justin's in his own. "Marshall's as straight as they come," he said in a whisper. "But he jokes around a lot, nothing to get worked up about, okay baby?"

Justin looked over at Nick with a small smile playing on his lips. "Say that again?" He said softly.

"Um,... Marshall's as strai-" Nick began with a confused expression on his face.

"No, not that part," Justin said shaking his head. "The last part."

"He jokes aroun-" Nick said again.

"NO, AFTER that," Justin clarified.

Nick remained silent for a few moment replaying what he'd said in his head before blushing when he realized just what Justin was asking him to repeat. "Baby?" He questioned. "I'm sorry... it just slipped out-"

"No, I... I like the sound of that," Justin said, smiling at Nick. "A lot!"

Nick's smiled matched Justin's own and he slowly leaned forward to kiss Justin.

"Nick, no," Justin said turning his head away, as hard as it was for him to do that.

"What?" Nick questioned, moving back away from Justin, looking at him with hurt in his eyes. "Why?"

Justin sighed. "Because I don't want you kissing me."

Nick gasped, hurt and beyond confused at that remark.

"Because," Justin stressed. "You got some guy's lipstick on your lips and I don't wanna be kissing that!"

"Oh yah," Nick said as he let out a breath of relief. "I totally forgot about that."

"Let's go back in," Justin said getting up. "Before they come out here looking for us."

"Okay," Nick said following Justin back in to the dressing room.

Brian flopped on the couch as soon as Nick and Justin disappeared out the door. JC and AJ were being way too friendly with each other. Especially JC. Brian didn't like AJ one bit. What was so special about AJ? Why couldn't JC look at him like that? He's taking Nick away from him and now he's taking his crush away from him. 'I hate that guy," Brian thought to himself. And he was more than happy when a few moments later Nick and Justin walked back in. Immediately hoping up he walked over to them. "Nick, we should head home," he said, not wanting to stay in school anymore.

Nick wrinkled his forehead as he looked at Brian. "Okay, Frick," he said taking in a deep breath. "Oh shit, I almost forgot," he said quickly walking over to where his things were. Looking in his bag he pulled out a few enveloped. "Alex," he said walking over to him and handing him the card. "We're having a big Christmas get together at my place Christmas eve and on Christmas day. You and Denise are invited."

AJ took the card and smiled up at Nick. "Awesome, blondie... I mean, brownie," he said, chuckling at his own joke.

Brian couldn't believe his ears nor his eyes. This Christmas was going to be hell for him.

Nick then walked over to Justin with a smirk on his face and handed the envelope over. "And this is for you. You, Paul, and Lynne are invited."

Justin took the card and smiled. "I'll make sure to let my parents know," he said, nodding his head.

Brian was in hell. Now he'd never get to spend any time with his best friend. He's gotta fight with Justin and then AJ. Damn them all!

"And of course," Nick said throwing his arm over Brian's shoulders. "You, Jackie, Harold, and Harold Sr. are always invited but mom insisted I still give you a card," he said handing over the invitation. "Even though ya'll on the same floor as us."

"Yeah, let's go," Brian said tucking the invitation in his coat pocket and started to gather his things together.

"Anyone need a ride or something?" Nick questioned a few moments later as he got dressed and gathered his things, looking at Justin and then at AJ.

Both Justin and AJ shook their heads. "Mom's coming to pick me up," AJ said and Justin nodded his head.

"Yeah, mine too," Justin added.

"Well, I hope to see you guys on Christmas eve," Nick said walking with Brian over to the door. He looked at Justin and smiled before looking over at the few remaining people in the room. "Marsh, Scott and others, have a merry Christmas, and happy holidays," he said in his best Santa voice. "Ho, ho, ho," With that he gave a little wave and bounded out of the room with Brian.