CHICAGO, IL – AIRPORT – MAR. 21TH, 2002 – THURSDAY

     Kirstin and Ashley arrived at Chicago’s airport from New York. They were gonna meet the others at the airport and go straight to the hotel.

     “There they are.” Ashley pointed to a group of guys that were getting off at one gate.

     Ashley and Kirstin went in their direction as some girls started to gather around the four guys.

     “Hey!” Dan exclaimed as soon as he saw Ashley.

     When Dan said that, all the girls looked where Dan was looking. Seeing Ashley there, most of the girls just left their spot and went directly towards him. There were only six girls around Ashley, but they were all so excited that they made Kirstin feel a bit too awkward and she stepped back a little, giving the girls and Ashley some room to take pictures with the girls and give autographs.

     Kirstin watched that scene with a smile. All the five guys were actually really nice to the girls. They were all signing papers and taking pictures and they didn’t seem to bother doing all that. Then a frown suddenly formed on Kirstin’s face. Now she would have to face Ashley’s fans, something she never actually had to go through. How would they react? Would they hate her? What would happen?

     “Ashley, that girl you that came with… is she your girlfriend?” a girl that seemed to be around 14 years old asked Ashley as she pointed to Kirstin a few steps behind them.

     “Oh… That girl?” Ashley asked looking at Kirstin frowning and with her arms wrapped in front of her chest “Yes. Yes, she is.” he smiled lovingly at her.

     “Cool.” the girl answered and after getting what she wanted from Ashley, went into Kirstin’s direction with another friend beside her “Ashley said you’re his girlfriend.” the girl informed as she approached Kirstin.

     “Oh…” Kirstin was taken totally off guard “He did?” Kirstin asked and both girls just nodded “Yeah, well… I am.”

     “Cool. Can we take a picture with you?” one of the girls asked.

     “I’m…” Kirstin didn’t know how to react. No one she didn’t know before had ever asked to take a picture with her. It felt strange. Why would they want her picture? “I guess.” she smiled as one of the girls got closer to her wrapping her right arm around Kirstin’s waist. Kirstin smiled down at her and wrapped her arm around the girl’s waist as well. Kirstin then turned and smiled to the camera.

     “My turn.” the girl that had just taken the picture informed. She got next to Kirstin and did the same as her friend did “Thank you.” she said when her friend had taken the picture for her.

     “No problem.” Kirstin smiled at both girls.

     “What’s your name?” one of the girls asked.

     “Kirstin. What’s yours?”

     “I’m Kelly and this is Jenna.”

     “My sister’s name is Kelly.” Kirstin kept her smile during the whole conversation.

     “Cool.” Kelly said “You’re so pretty.”

     “Oh, you think?” both girls nodded. Kirstin was starting to get really embarrassed “Well, thank you.”

     “No problem.” Kelly added.

     “Well, thank you, Kirstin. Bye.” Jenna thanked and then the two of them left.

    

     “See you got some fans for yourself.” Ashley wrapped his arms around Kirstin from behind after the girl left the spot.

     “God, Ash, you scared me.” Kirstin turned to look at him and playfully hit him in the arm.

     “Sorry. But were the girls nice to you?” Ashley asked and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist.

     “Yes, they were pretty nice. They told me you told them I’m your girlfriend. And that I’m pretty.”

     “Well, you are both those things, aren’t you?” Ashley pecked her on the lips.

     “Yes. Especially the pretty part.” Kirstin smirked and Ashley placed a little kiss on her nose “But… I didn’t know you were gonna… like… tell your fans that you have a girlfriend now. I thought you had an image to keep.”

     “I do. But I don’t wanna have to hide you. And you’re a pretty girl as they already said, so I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be fine. My image won’t be destroyed with you by my side.” Ashley grinned “But, if you’re not so ok with that, I can…”

     “No, no, no. It’s fine. I just didn’t know if you were cool about that.”

     “I don’t care, K. I just wanna be with you and let everybody knows that the most beautiful girl in this world is with me and nobody else.”

     “Oh, silly.” Kirstin pecked him on the lips.

     “Oh, they are leaving. Come on, let’s go.” Ashley grabbed Kirstin’s hand and his bag and headed to the limo waiting for the guys outside the airport.