Chapter 4
Rachel groaned as she looked at her notes for her college algebra class. "I'm about to say the hell with college if I don't figure this stuff out."
Kristin grinned from her position on the couch. "Having problems?"
"No, I'm faking it," Rachel said sarcastically.
Kristin laughed. "Touchy touchy."
"I'm sorry, I just really hate algebra."
"It's okay, I understand." Just then, the phone rang. Kristin got up to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Kristin, this is Amanda."
"Hey, girl! What's up?"
"Not much. AJ's at the studio tonight and I'm bored. I was wondering if you guys wanted to go see a movie."
"Yeah, sure. Let me ask Rachel." Kristin looked over at Rachel. "Do you want to go to a movie with Amanda?"
Rachel shut her book. "Hell yeah!"
Kristin giggled. "Yeah, we'll go with you."
"Cool, what apartment complex do you guys live in?"
"Kelly Greens, and the apartment number is 3004."
"Okay, cool. I'm going to finish getting ready and I'll come get you guys. Be there in fifteen minutes."
"Okay," Kristen said then hung up the phone.
"Woo hoo! We're getting out of this apartment!" Rachel said as she hopped off the couch.
"Are you saying you don't like this place?" Kristin said with a fake pout.
"No, it's awful! It's the worst place I've ever seen!" Rachel said in a sarcastic tone.
"You want a piece of me?" Kristin said getting Rachel's face.
Rachel stared at Kristin. "Come on, Cleetus! Come on!"
Kristin busted up laughing. "You're so odd, I swear."
"Yeah, but you know you love me," Rachel said with a big grin.
"Go get ready you dork."
Rachel stood up tall and saluted Kristin. "Yes, ma'am!"
Kristin and Rachel went to their rooms and got ready to go to the movies. A few minutes later, the door bell rang. Rachel answered it and there stood Amanda at the door.
"Hey, girl! Come on in. We're not quite finished getting ready."
"Oh, no problem! We got plenty of time."
Kristin came in the living room with her toothbrush in her mouth. "Hoh hoy Amawnda," Kristin said with the toothbrush still in her mouth.
Rachel laughed. "Kris, go finish brushing your teeth then say hi." Kristin smiled and gave the thumbs up sign then went back to her bathroom.
Amanda sat down on the couch and looked around. "Wow, this is a really nice apartment you guys have."
"Thank you. Kristin's godfather got it for us."
"Really? That was nice of him. I wish someone could buy my apartment. The rent is hell."
"I'm sorry," Rachel said, feeling suddenly guilty.
"No, it's okay. AJ's been helping me. It's cool."
Just then, Kristin came back into the living room. "Okay I'm ready to go."
"Great, let's go," Amanda said as she fished out her keys from her purse.
The girls walked out to the parking to a silver Mercedes. Rachel got in the back and Kristin got in the front.
"Wow, this is a phat car!" Kristin exclaimed.
"Thanks, I like it too."
"Did AJ buy it for you?" Rachel asked.
"No, I don't need my man to buy a car like this for me. I got this with my hard earned money."
"That's cool," said Kristin.
"So, what movies are playing?" Rachel asked while fixing her hair.
"Well, we got Dr. Doolittle at 7:00,
There's Something About Mary at 7:10, or Saving Private Ryan at 7:15. Which one do you want to see?"
"How about There's Something About
Mary?" Kristin suggested.
"Sounds good to me," said Amanda. "What about you, Rachel?"
"There's Something About Mary sounds good to me."
"Cool," said Amanda as she stopped at the stop light. She turned on the radio and
'I'll Never Break Your Heart' was playing. "Ooh that's my man singing," Amanda said with a proud smile.
She started singing along and so did Kristin. Rachel sat in the back with her mouth closed. Amanda looked in her rearview mirror and saw that Rachel wasn't singing.
"Come on, Rachel, sing." she said.
"No, that's okay. You guys go ahead and sing."
"There's a rule that I have. When in my car, you do as I say," Amanda said with a laugh.
The song ended and the girls pulled into the parking lot of the theater. The girls bought their tickets snacks and went to theater number six.
"Where do you guys want to sit?" Amanda asked.
"I don't really care," said Rachel.
"What about you, Kristin?" Amanda asked.
"I like to sit somewhere in the middle."
"Okay let's sit over here then," Amanda said as she led Kristin and Rachel to a row. "Is this okay?"
"Yeah, this is fine," said Kristin.
The girls made themselves comfortable in their seats and watched the movie. They laughed at all the funny parts, but they kept hearing loud laughter coming from behind them. Kristin turned around to see who it was.
"There are five guys and one girl behind us and they are annoying the crap out of me" Kristin said as she turned back around.
Rachel turned around and looked. "Why would someone wear sunglasses in a dark theater?"
"AJ always does," Amanda commented.
"Yeah, but that's AJ. I'm talking about those five guys behind us."
"Just ignore them and enjoy the rest of the movie," said Amanda.
"I'll try," Rachel said as she opened the box of chocolates that she had.
They watched the rest of the movie and when it was over they went to the restroom. At the mirror stood a blonde haired blue eyed girl applying her lipstick.
"Nikki?" Amanda said.
"Hey, Amanda! How are you?" she asked.
"I'm great." Amanda saw that Rachel and Kristin had curious looks on their faces. "Rachel, Kristin this is Nikki. She's Howie's best friend and also a good friend of mine."
"Hi," Kristin said.
"Hi," Nikki said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you," said Rachel
"Same to you. So you two are the ones who are joining Amanda and I to the concert on Thursday night."
"You're coming too?" Kristin asked.
"Yeah, I never miss a chance to see the guys perform."
"Cool," said Kristin with a smile.
"So, Nikki, what are you doing here?" Amanda asked as she started fixing her hair.
"I came to watch a movie."
"Well, we know that. What movie did you see?"
"There's Something About Mary."
"Hey, we just came from there. Did you see that group of annoying guys wearing the hats and sunglasses?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah, I did. I was with those guys."
"You were?" Kristin asked.
"Yeah I was sitting next to Howie."
Amanda stopped combing her hair and stared at Nikki through the mirror. "Wait a second. If Howie was of those guys, then were the rest of them Nick, Brian, Kevin, and . . . AJ?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
Amanda shoved her comb back into her purse. "Are they outside?"
"Yeah, they're waiting for me."
"Oh, he's a dead boy," Amanda said as she stormed out the door.
Kristin, Rachel, and Nikki followed her. Amanda stomped over to AJ and tapped him on the shoulder. AJ turned around and smiled at Amanda.
"Hey babe," he said innocently.
"I can't believe you," she shouted.
"What--"
"You freakin' lied to me! You told me you were going to be at the studio tonight."
"Well, we finished early," AJ said softly.
"Why didn't you call me?"
"I did, but you weren't home."
"Then why didn't you page me?"
"I forgot!" AJ shouted.
"Don't you yell at me!" she shouted back.
"Then don't yell at me!"
Amanda groaned. "I am so sick and tired of you little games. Don't bother talking to me because I'm through with you!" Amanda pushed him out of the way and she stormed off to her car.
Kevin stood there in confusion. "What just happened here?"
"You know, I don't know and I don't care," AJ said as he walked toward the door.
"AJ, where are you going?" Howie asked.
"Home!" shouted AJ.
"You don't have a car," Kevin commented.
"Then I'll walk!" AJ said as he walked out the door.
Howie started to go after him, but Kevin stopped him. "Let him go. He needs time to cool off."
Kevin looked over at Kristin and Rachel. "Hey, aren't you two the girls AJ and I met at the club?"
"Yeah," said Kristin.
"I know this isn't the best time, but guys this is Kristin and Rachel.
"They're the girls we told you about." The guys all waved. "I'm sure you already know Nick, Howie, and Brian."
Kristin and Rachel shyly nodded. Howie shook Rachel and Kristin's hands.
"Amanda told me about you two. She said you are really nice and cool girls. She also told me a few other things, if you know what I mean," he said with a wink.
"Howie, can you drop me off at Amanda's place? I want to make sure she's okay," Nikki said.
"Yeah, sure. We'll see you guys later. Nice to meet you," he said to Kristin and Rachel.
"See you guys Thursday night," Nikki said as she headed out the door with Howie.
There in the theater lobby stood only Nick, Kristin, Kevin, Rachel, and Brian. There was a long awkward silence then Kevin broke it by clearing his throat.
"Well, I'm gonna go on home now. I'll see you guys later." Kevin waved good-bye and left the theater.
Kristin stood there bewildered. "Great, now how are we supposed to get home?"
"You can ride with Nick and me. Right Nick?" Brian said as he nudged Nick in the ribs.
Nick had been staring at Kristin. "Huh? Oh...yeah...sure we'll take you two home," Nick said while rubbing his side.
"Don't mind him. He gets a little weird sometimes," Brian said with a smile. Brian offered his arm to Rachel. "Right this way my lady." Rachel blushed and shyly linked her arm in his.
Nick followed closely behind Brian and Kristin walked beside Nick. Brian opened the passenger door to his jeep and let Rachel in. Nick and Kristin got in the back. Brian got in the driver's seat and turned the ignition on.
"Where to?" he asked Rachel.
"Kelly Greens apartment complex," she said shyly.
"Alrighty then," Brian said in his goofy Jim Carey voice.
Chapter 5
Amanda opened the door to her apartment and slammed it shut when she got in. She went to her room, collapsed on her bed and sobbed. "That jerk!" Amanda shouted as she tossed the bear he had given her across the room. "How could I have been so stupid and fallen for such an ass!"
She sobbed some more and soon fell asleep. She was awoken by the sound of the doorbell. Amanda sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She slowly got up and looked through the peep hole of the door. There stood Nikki and Howie. Amanda opened the door to a small crack.
"Amanda, can we come in?" Nikki asked.
"Is AJ with you?"
"No," said Howie.
"Okay then you can come in." Amanda opened the door and let them in. After she shut the door she sat on the couch and the tears began to flow again. Nikki sat next to her on the couch next to her.
"Aww, Hon please don't cry. You're making me sad," Nikki said as she hugged Amanda.
"I can't believe he lied to me," Amanda said in between sniffles.
Howie went to the bathroom and came back with some tissues. He handed them to Amanda. "AJ didn't lie to you," he said.
"What are you talking about?"
"He was telling you the truth Amanda. We were only at the studio for about an hour. So we all decided to go see a movie."
"But, why didn't he call me?"
"He did call. You weren't home. Check your answering machine."
Amanda slowly got up and walked over to her answering machine. The little red light was blinking. She hesitated for a moment then finally pushed the play button. It rewound and then played the single message.
"Hey baby, said AJ's voice. "Well, I'm at the studio. We finished early and the guys wanted to go see a movie. I just called to see if you wanted to come with us, but you're not home. Well, the movie will be over at around ten or so. I'll be home around eleven so give me a call. Love ya!"
Amanda stared down at the answering machine and started crying. Nikki came up to her and hugged her. "Oh my god I am such a jerk!"
"No, it was all just one big misunderstanding. Just call him up and apologize. AJ loves you, he'll understand."
Amanda picked up the phone and dialed AJ's number. She waited a few minutes and got his answering machine. "AJ it's me, "Amanda said with her voice quivering. "If you're there pick up the phone. I wanna talk to you. Well, I'll be home all night so call me when you want to talk." Amanda hung up the phone and helplessly looked at Nikki. "What am I going to do?"
Nikki hugged her again. "Don't worry everything will be just fine." Nikki turned to Howie. "Do you think you go talk to AJ?"
"Yeah, I'll head over to his place right now."
Amanda gave Howie a hug. "Thank you so much."
"No problem. I'd hate to see you two be apart when it can be fixed." He kissed
Amanda on the cheek. "I'll be back later."
"Bye," said Amanda.
Howie winked then headed out the door.
Chapter 6
AJ slowly walked down the sidewalk on the way to wherever his feet took him. He tried to contemplate things in his head. "Way to go, McLean," he mumbled to himself. A can was on the sidewalk. He violently kicked it down the street. "God you are such an idiot sometimes." AJ sighed and sat down on the curb. Just then, a black 1999 corvette stopped in front of him. AJ looked up and found Howie in the car.
"There you are. I've been looking all over for you. Amanda's worried sick."
AJ scoffed. "Amanda? Why would she care where I was? She broke up with me remember?"
"No, she didn't," Howie said as he got out of his car and sat on the curb next to AJ.
"What are you talking about D? You heard her. She said she didn't want to have anything to do with me. She said that we were through."
"I know she said that, but she was upset. She didn't mean it."
"How do you know?"
"Trust me, I know."
"D, don't pull that crap on me, Tell me how you know that."
"I just got back from Amanda's place. The poor girl is heart broken."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
AJ sighed. "So, now what do I do?"
Howie stood up and looked down at AJ. "Well, first you need to get off your butt and get in my car."
AJ got up and got in Howie's car. Howie got in and headed towards Amanda's apartment.
"So, what do I do when we get there?" AJ asked.
"Leave it to Sweet D to come up with a smooth entrance."
AJ smirked. "What do you have in mind?"
Howie stopped at a floral shop. "Wait right here." Howie went inside and a few minutes later he came back with a dozen red roses. "Take these," he said as he got back in the car.
"Okay so now that we got the flowers, do we go to Amanda's place?"
"Not quite," Howie said as he pulled out his cell phone.
"Now what?"
"When we get to Amanda's place you hide somewhere and I'll tell Amanda I talked to you and you wanted some time to think things through, Then when Nikki and I leave, you call Amanda on my cell phone and surprise her at the door."
"Got it," said AJ
Howie pulled into the parking lot and went to Amanda's apartment. He knocked on the door and Amanda answered it. Her eyes still shined from tears.
"Where's AJ?" she asked.
"He's not here," Howie said softly.
"Then, where is he?"
"I promised not to tell. He told me to tell you to not worry and he'll call you later."
"Call me later? What do you mean call me later?" Amanda said almost frantically.
"Amanda, calm down. He will call you later. I know he will. I suggest you relax and try to get a little sleep. It's the best thing for you right now," Howie said as he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Sleep? How do you expect me to sleep at a time like this?" Amanda said.
"Amanda, I agree with Howie. I think you should try to get some sleep. It would really do you some good," Nikki said.
Amanda sighed. "All right, I'll try to get some sleep."
"Good, I'll see you in class tomorrow morning," said Nikki.
"Okay," said Amanda.
Howie and Nikki said good-bye and left Amanda alone on her apartment. She went to her room and put on her white silk pajamas and crawled into her bed. For a long time she stared up at the ceiling and thought about AJ. Amanda looked at the clock, it was one AM and she still hadn't fallen asleep. She sat up and looked around her dark room. She could see a small shadow below her window. It was the bear that she had thrown earlier. Amanda got up and picked it up. She carried it with her to the couch in her living room. She sat on the couch and stared at the phone with the bear in her arms. After about minutes she had fallen asleep and was awaken by the phone ringing. She quickly picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, baby, it's me."
Amanda smiled at the sound of AJ's sweet voice. "I thought you'd never call."
"Well, I did." AJ paused for a moment then spoke. "I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?" Amanda asked curiously.
"Open your door," AJ said softly.
Amanda slowly walked to the door and opened it. There stood AJ with the Howie's cell phone and a dozen roses. He hung up the phone and took of his sunglasses. Tears came to Amanda's eyes.
"Can I come in?" AJ asked.
All Amanda could do was nod. She let AJ in and he led her over to the couch. He stared her deeply in the eyes and kissed her gently on the lips.
"AJ, I'm so--"
"Shhh, don't talk, just kiss," he said as he began to kiss her on the neck.
"Mmmm," she murmured as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
AJ stopped and looked at Amanda with loving eyes. He studied her every feature on her face and ran his fingers through her soft brown hair. Their eyes locked with absolute passion. His lips curled into a slight smile.
"I love you Panda," he said as he held her closer.
"I love you too," Amanda said in between tears.
AJ softly kissed every tear off her face. "Don't cry, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," he whispered.
AJ took her hand and led her to her room and they kissed ever so passionately until they grew tired and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Chapter 7
The sunlight peeked through the curtains the next morning. Amanda woke in AJ's arms. She rolled over and kissed him lightly on the lips. His eyes fluttered and he woke up with a grin.
"Good morning," she said.
AJ rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?"
"Around seven," Amanda said as she snuggled closer to AJ.
"Damn, I gotta be at the studio in a couple of hours."
"Well, I have a class at nine so I need to get ready."
AJ kissed her on the top of her head. "What do you need to get ready for? You're already beautiful."
Amanda smiled. "Thanks, but let me up so take a shower."
AJ held her tighter. "Why can't we just stay here and cuddle?"
"AJ McLean let go of me," Amanda said with a laugh.
"Only if I can shower with you."
Amanda slapped him playfully on the face. "You bad boy."
AJ let out a playful growl. "You know it," he said.
Amanda grinned. "Well, Mr. McLean as much as I enjoy being with you I have to get ready for class."
AJ let go of Amanda. She got up and took a shower. A few minutes later Amanda came out with a robe on and a towel on her head. She opened her closet and flipped through her clothes. AJ got up and wrapped his arms around her. The scent of her lotion reached his nose.
"Mmm you smell good," AJ said as she nuzzled her neck.
"Thanks, I like it too," Amanda said as she pulled out a light blue dress. She turned around and kissed AJ on the lips.
"I love you," AJ murmured.
"I love you too."
AJ raised his eyebrows. "Say, you got anything on under that robe?"
Amanda gave him another kiss. "You're terrible."
She went back into the bathroom and finished getting ready. When she finished, she found AJ in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal. He grinned at her from the table. She laughed and got out a glass of orange juice.
"So you wanna do something tonight?" AJ asked.
"Well, I have a test to study for but I guess we could go somewhere. What do you wanna do?"
"Let's go out to dinner tonight. No better yet, I'll make you dinner."
Amanda smiled. "Sounds good to me." She looked at her watch. "I better get going or I'm gonna be late." She got up and grabbed her book bag and purse.
"I'll walk you out," AJ said, opening the door.
Amanda and AJ walked out to her car. She got in and looked at AJ. "You want me to drop you off at your place? I've got time."
"I don't wanna make you late."
"You won't make me late. It's on my way. I have time to drop you off."
"Okay," he said then got in.
Amanda drove to AJ's place. "I'll see you tonight," she said.
AJ gave her a quick kiss. "Page me when you get home."
"Okay," said Amanda.
AJ got out and Amanda drove off to UCF campus. On her way to class she ran into Nikki.
"Hey," said Nikki.
"Hey!" Amanda said with a smile.
"I assume things are cool with you and AJ."
Amanda grinned. "How'd you know?"
"Well, for one you're smiling. And I know that AJ didn't come home last night."
"How did you know that?"
"Howie told me he called over at AJ's place late last night and this morning and he didn't answer. So he assumed AJ was at your place," Nikki said suspiciously.
"Yes, AJ was with me last night, but it's not what you're thinking."
"I wasn't thinking anything," Nikki said innocently.
"Yeah sure, whatever," Amanda said with a smile. "I gotta get to class. I'll see you later."
"Bye," said Nikki.
"Bye," said Amanda as she headed off to her class.
Chapter 8
Rachel quickly ran into the apartment to Kristin's room. Kristin was sitting on her bed studying. "Oh my god I did it!" she said as she sat on Kristin's bed.
"What did you do?" Kristin asked, confused.
"Remember how I told there were volleyball try outs for freshmen to be on the junior varsity team?"
"Yeah," Kristin said as she shut her book.
"Well, I tried out!" Rachel said while bouncing up and down.
Kristin smiled. "You did?" Rachel nodded. "Did you make it?"
"Even better! The coach was so impressed with me that not only am I on junior varisty but she put me in as a alternate player for the varsity team!"
"Oh my God, congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" Kristin squealed.
"Thanks, I'm so excited! Practice starts this week!"
Kristin's smile grew into a look of concern. "But what about your condition? Won't playing volleyball hurt that?"
Rachel shook her head. "I've been playing volleyball ever since I was in sixth grade. I've never had a problem."
"Yeah, but there's always a first," Kristin pointed out.
Rachel smiled at her best friend. "Kris, I really appreciate your concern for me, but I'll be fine."
Kristin sighed. "You know I'm always looking out for you and I only want what's best for you. But if this is what you want then I'm behind you one hundred percent of the way."
"Thank you," Rachel said as she gave Kristin a hug. "I have to call my mom and tell her the good news."
Kristin rolled her eyes. "Oh joy."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Kristin sighed and looked over at Rachel. "You know I've never liked your mom. Personally I don't know how you can talk to her after all that she's done to you."
"I know, but she's my mother. I can't turn my back on her."
"Do whatever you want, but I still don't like her."
"Well, I'm going to call her," Rachel said as she left Kristin's room.
Just then she heard the door bell ring. She went to answer it and there stood AJ and Amanda kissing at the door.
"Now there's a sight to see," Rachel said with a smirk on her face.
AJ and Amanda parted. "Sorry," Amanda said while blushing.
Rachel laughed. "It's okay. Come on in." AJ and Amanda stepped in. "So what brings you guys here?"
"We were on our way back to my apartment when we decided to come see what you two were up to," Amanda said as she sat on the couch with AJ.
"That's cool," Rachel said.
Just then, Kristin came in. "Who was at the door?" She looked over and saw AJ and Amanda sitting on the couch. "Oh, hey guys!"
"Hi, Kris. How are you?" Amanda asked.
"I'm great. I see you two made up," she said with a smile.
"What gave you that idea?" AJ asked with a smirk.
Kristin laughed. "Well, anyway you two aren't the only ones who are happy. Rachel over here made the volleyball team."
"You did?" Amanda said with excitement.
"Yeah, I did," Rachel said with a smile.
"That is so great! Congratulations!"
Rachel laughed. "Thank you."
"I say we all go out and celebrate," Kristin suggested.
"Oh, Kristin, I can't. AJ's making me dinner tonight," Amanda commented
"Oh," said Kristin in disappointment. She looked over at Rachel. "So I guess it's just you and me."
"I can't either. I already have plans to play basketball with Brian tonight."
"So, I guess I'm flying solo tonight."
"You can come with us if you want. Maybe he can invite Nick."
Kristin let out a sarcastic snicker. "Yeah, right. The boy didn't even talk to me last night."
AJ got a huge grin on his face. "Nick didn't talk to you last night?"
Kristin pouted. "No."
AJ got an even bigger grin on his face and chuckled.
"What are you laughing about?"
"Nothing, except I have a pretty good idea of what's going on with Nick."
"What?"
"Don't worry. Leave it to me to fix this."
"Should I trust him?" Kristin asked Amanda.
AJ put his hand over his heart and pretended to be shocked. "You don't trust me? I'm hurt."
Amanda laughed and kissed him on the lips. "Don't worry AJ knows what he's doing."
"Thank you. Well, I gotta get back to the studio," AJ said as he stood up.
"All right then. We'll see you guys later," Amanda said as she followed AJ out the door.
"See ya!" Rachel said.
"Bye," Kristin echoed.
"So, what do you think is going on with Nick? Or do you even want to know?" Rachel asked Kristin.
"I don't know what's going on. I guess I'll find out," she said half heartedly. "Well, I better get back to studying."
"Okay, I'm gonna go call my mom," Rachel said, then went to her room. Sitting on her bed she dialed her mom's number on her phone, which was shaped like big red lips.
"Hello?" her mom answered.
"Mom?"
"Rachel, is that you?"
"Yeah, I have the greatest news."
"Well can it wait. . .I kind of have company," her mom said in almost a whisper.
Rachel's smile drew to a frown. "Yeah. . .sure, I guess."
"Thanks, we'll talk later."
"Okay. . .hey mom!" Rachel said quickly. "Mom. . ." no answer, just a dial tone. Tears formed in Rachel's eyes as she hung up the phone. "So much for having a mother that cares," she whispered to herself and silently cried on her bed.
Chapter 9
AJ pulled into the parking lot of the studio. Brian, Nick, and Kevin were a few feet ahead of him, heading towards the door.
"Hey, guys!" AJ called. "Wait for me." AJ locked his car and jogged over to them.
"Where did you go?" Kevin asked.
"I stopped at McDonald's and then Amanda and I stopped by Kristin and Rachel's place. Then I took Amanda home, and then. . ."
"Okay, I don't need to know anymore," Brian joked.
Kevin laughed at Brian's comment. "So, you guys made up?" he asked.
"Yeah, what can I say? We love each other."
Kevin opened the door. "That's great, Bone. I only wish I could find someone to have a relationship with like that."
Brian patted Kevin on the back. "Don't worry, you'll find someone sooner or later."
"I hope so," Kevin said.
The guys walked down the hall and walked to their studio. Howie was sitting in a chair talking to their managers.
"Are you guys ready?" one of their managers asked.
"This is as ready as we're gonna get," Kevin said as he put on his headphones.
The rest of the guys put on their headphones and they started recording.
After hours of recording, they were given permission to take a break. Nick went to the water fountain to refill his water bottle. AJ followed him and linked his arm in his.
"Come with me. We need to talk," AJ said.
"What about?"
"I heard that you didn't talk to Kristin last night."
Nick looked down at his water bottle. "Yeah, so," he said softly.
"You think she's cute, don't you?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Nick, I know you. I know the only time you're shy is when you get around a cute girl."
"Okay, so I think she's cute big deal."
"So, why don't you ask her out?"
"I dunno," Nick said, looking down at his feet.
"Well, all I know is that Kristin thinks you don't like her and that's why you didn't talk to her."
Nick looked at AJ in surprise. "She really thinks that?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's not true. I think she's really pretty."
"Then ask her out." Nick looked at him in bewilderment. "Trust me on this one, Frack."
"What if she says no."
AJ laughed. "Nick, she won't say no." He patted Nick on the back and started to walk off.
"Wait!" said Nick. "Do you know where I can get her number?"
AJ smiled. "Ride with me after we record and I'll get her number from Amanda."
"All right," said Nick.
AJ and Nick went back to the recording studio. When they were finished recording, Nick and AJ went to AJ's place. AJ dialed Amanda's number on his phone.
"Hey, babe. Can you give me Kristin's number?"
Nick sat there on AJ's couch listening to his half of the conversation. AJ wrote a number on a piece of paper.
"Yeah, Nick's here and he's gonna call Kristin. Okay I'll see you tonight, bye." AJ hung up the phone and grinned at Nick. He waved the piece of paper with Kristin's number in front of Nick's face.
"It's now or never, dude."
Nick swallowed hard and took the number from AJ's hand.