Rayanne woke up and almost forgot where she was. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock. 10:48. Had it really been less than twelve hours since she had arrived at the hotel? It seemed like she had been here so much longer. She was still sleepy, but too excited to go back to sleep. She wanted to meet LeighAnne today, she had to shop for a new outfit for the concert, she wanted to see the hotel in daylight...then there was the concert. She knew Nick needed his sleep but she couldn’t wait much longer to wake him up.

“I’ll go to the bathroom and let him sleep for a few more minutes” she thought to herself. She pulled the covers back and got out of bed, Nick stirring when she moved. She stopped to make sure he wasn’t going to wake up. When she was sure he was still asleep, she got up the rest of the way and padded to the bathroom. She giggled as she realized she was still in her bathing suit and remembered Nick putting her to bed. She walked to the sink and found her toothbrush. She brushed her teeth, went to the bathroom and washed her face before going back out into the bedroom.

“He looks so peaceful sleeping...” she thought to herself. He was on his stomach with the covers only covering up to his waist. A chunk of his blonde hair hung in his eye and his mouth hung open slightly. She stood next to the bed watching him breathe for a moment before she decided he probably needed to be woken up anyway.

She carefully climbed back into bed. She covered up and snuggled close to him. She lifted his arm and put it across her side then leaned up and kissed his nose. He stirred, but didn’t wake up. She smiled to herself as she kissed him on the lips. He made a noise, but still didn’t wake.

“Pretty good excuse to get in some extra kisses” she thought to herself with a smile.

She tried one more time, kissing his lips, this time a little harder than the first time. She felt him smile and before she knew what was happening, he had wrapped his arms on either side of her body and was on top of her. He pinned her elbows and pulled his body off hers to look at her.

“Weren’t expecting that were ya?” he grinned

“Nope.” she laughed. “But I didn’t mind it!”

“I’ve been awake since you got back in bed, I was just enjoying all the free kisses.”

“I knew you were awake, I was just enjoying giving them.”

He rolled off her and lay back down beside her. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her.

“Awww, you’re so sweet Nickolas.”

“Uh oh, she’s pulling out the Nickolas!”

“Yes, and Nickolas, we should get up. It’s after 11 now and I know you have stuff to do. So do I.”

“Yup, come one we’ll get up. Let me go to the bathroom and we can take a shower.” he said getting out of bed.

“OK, who goes fir-WAIT! Did you say we?” Rayanne asked raising her eyebrow at Nick.

Nick grinned. “Yes I did.”

“Uh uh, no way mister!” Rayanne said.

“I knew you were going to say that! Didn’t hurt to try thought did it?” he asked with an evil grin as he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her.

“No, I guess not” she giggled as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips and pushed him away. “Go take a shower. I’m gonna make a couple phone calls while you’re in there.”

“OK, tell everyone I said ‘Hi’ and tell your mom you’re in good hands and tell Sarah to quit worrying, cause I know she is.”

“Sure thing.” Rayanne said as she laid back down in bed and grabbed her phone off the night stand.

Nick walked into the bathroom and Rayanne heard him turn the shower on and the water start to run. She called her mom first, letting her know she was OK and giving her the number to her cell phone she had gotten the day before.

“Well sis, I wish I could talk more, but I need to get ready to work and make sure your brother gets up. We have an early day, we have to be to work by 7:00.”

“I know, it’s gonna be my turn to get in the shower in a minute anyway.”

“Ahem, are we in the same room as Nick?” her mom asked, but Rayanne could tell by the tone of her voice she was teasing.

“Yes we are mom. But did you notice I said my turn. We’re not in the shower together!”

“”Well I would hope...nevermind. You know I trust your judgment. Have a good day Bear, I gotta get to work.”

“OK, you too mom. Love you. Bye.”

“Love you. Bye.” Rayanne hung up the phone and dialed her old phone number.

“Hello?” came Sarah’s voice sleepily.

“Man are you still sleeping?”

“What the hell are you talking about? Of course I am, it’s only like 5 in the morning.”

“Whoops, this is gonna take some getting used to. I forgot that already.”

“It’s OK. Are you having fun?”

Rayanne told Sarah everything that had happened the night before. They were still talking when Nick walked out of the bathroom brushing his teeth. Rayanne giggled as Nick walked toward her with a huge goofy grin plastered across his face. “I’ll let ya go back to sleep Sar, I gotta get ready, big day.”

“OK, tell Nick I said ‘Hi’ and AJ too! Have fun tonight. Call me tomorrow.”

“I will. Bye.” She hung up the phone and let out a laugh. She stood up on the bed and motioned for Nick to come over to her. He walked over to the bed still brushing his teeth.

“Turn around.” she instructed. Nick turned around so his back was to her. She hoisted herself up on him. “Carry me to the bathroom.”

He carried her to the bathroom, stopping at the sink to spit the toothpaste out of his mouth. After he spit he stood up and walked over to the shower. “Is this where you wanted to end up?”

“I guess. I just wanted a piggy-back ride.”

“You’re such a snot.” he laughed as she got down off his back.

“I know, but now I need to take a shower. And as much as I would love for you to take another one with me, I need the bathroom all to myself.” She pushed him out the door.

“I know it, I know it.” he said stopping at the door to turn around and give her a kiss. “Enjoy your shower.” he teased as he shut the door.

Rayanne got out of the shower singing. She was so excited about meeting LeighAnne and asking her to go shopping with her. She was even more excited about going to the concert that night and watching Nick perform. She had only seen them perform once before, so it was still new to her.

She put on her favorite Old Navy jeans and a long sleeve white shirt that said “Millennium Girl” on the sleeve. She walked out into the bedroom brushing her blonde hair and found Nick playing Playstation. She recognized the game as Final Fantasy VII, she’d seen her brother play it a thousand times.

“Having fun hun?” she asked.

“Yup, you? Having fun brushing your hair?”

“Yeah, it’s so much fun!!! Brushing this long hair...you should try it sometime. Like now for instance.” she said walking over to him and holding her purple brush out.

“Subtle aren’t ya Ray?” he smiled taking the brush from her and turning off his game.

Nick brushed Rayanne’s hair and she finished getting ready. They then set off to find Brian and LeighAnne.

*Later that day at the mall*
“What do you think of this?” Rayanne asked holding up a little black button up sweater.

LeighAnne looked over the rack that was between them. “Very pretty. Go try it on.”

Rayanne disappeared into the dressing room and emerged a few minutes later wearing the sweater. She called to LeighAnne and asked for her approval.

“I like it a lot. It would look very cute with a little white tank top under it. You could unbutton most of the buttons.”

LeighAnne said she liked it, but the way she stood in front of Rayanne looking at her rather critically made her wonder.

“Leigh? You sure you like it? I can go back and get that black top at Abercrombie.”

“Oh no, I love this one. I’m just trying to decide if black or red would be better.” she said not looking away from the sweater.

“How about you decide while we eat? I’m starved. Nick and I forgot to eat this morning.”

“OK. You guys are so much alike in the little things about you. I’ve noticed that today.” she said with a thoughtful look on her face. “Now go take that off and we’ll eat.”

Rayanne choose Cajun food and LeighAnne got something from Wendy’s.

“Here’s one area where you and Nick definitely differ.” she smiled. “I don’t know if I’ll live to see the day when Nick passes up McDonalds to get Burbon chicken.”

Rayanne laughed. She was glad she was getting along so well with LeighAnne, since they would inevitably be spending a lot of time together.

After they ate they headed back to Old Navy to get Rayanne’s new sweater. They decided together on black and Rayanne paid for it with her one and only credit card. As they were walking out to the limo they talked about touring. She asked LeighAnne what it was like to be on the road so much. You get used it to LeighAnne told her. They talked all the way back to the hotel. By the time they get back it was after 5:00. Rayanne opened the door to the bedroom she shared with Nick. There was a note on the bed.

My beautiful Ray of sunshine,
Had to go rehearse and do sound check, I was hoping you’d get back before I had to go. Should be back around 6 or so, I’ll have time to get a QUICK dinner so be ready for me! You’ll have time to get ready for the show after we eat. *Kiss*
Nick

LeighAnne was in the room she shared with Brian next door making some phone calls so Rayanne decided to use the hour or so left before Nick came up to take a quick nap.

*An hour later*
Rayanne woke up just as Nick was unlocking the door.

He walked in the room and saw her still sitting on the bed, her eyes puffed from sleep.

“Ray! I told you to be ready! I only have an hour and a half to eat, get showered and get down there!” he said rather angrily.

“God Nick, I’m sorry. I fell asleep and I forget to set the alarm. It’s gonna take me all of two seconds to brush my teeth and calm down my hair.” she said as she yawned sleepily.

“I know hun.” he said as he sat down beside her on the bed. “I’m just tired from rehearsal and I don’t have much time to relax.”

“I know, I’ll hurry.” she said as she walked into the bathroom.

After dinner Nick took a shower and Rayanne stood in front of the closet trying to decide whether to wear her black bootcut pants or her long black skirt with her new sweater.

He got out of the shower and got dressed quickly. He went to the drawer and pulled something out. He turned to Rayanne and handed her her front row ticket to the concert along with a laminated all-access pass on a chord.

“No one should ask you for either of these, but just in case.”

“Thanks baby.” she said kissing him softly on the lips.

“One more thing.” he said reopening the drawer and pulling out a small box. He carefully took out a thin silver chain with a tiny silver dolphin pendant on the end and held it up for Rayanne to see. He reached around the back of her neck and put it on her.

“Like it?” he asked moving his face closer to hers.

“There’s only one thing I like more, and that’s the wonderful boyfriend of mine who gave it to me.” she said kissing him again. This time the kiss lasted longer, and they moved slowly to the bed and laid down. He ran his hand up her leg to her stomach and lifted her shirt slightly. His hands felt warm and soft against her skin.

He put her shirt back down and pulled away. “I gotta go.” he said. “Not that I want to or anything, but you know...got a job to do!” he laughed.

“I know.” she said as they stood up. She touched her present to make sure it was still there. “Thanks again Nick, I love it.”

“It looks beautiful on you.” he said. “Now remember, you’ll go down with LeighAnne. I know where you’re sitting, and after the show, you’ll come back with her.”

“Got it.” she said giving him a quick kiss before shoving him out the door. “Go. I’ve got a shower to take and new clothes to put on.”

Nick laughed as he shut the door.

She waited till he was probably about halfway down the hall before running to the door and sticking her head out into the hallway.

“Nickolas!” she yelled.

“Yeah?” he asked as he turned around to face her.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.” he smiled as he turned and she watched him disappear down the hallway.

She turned around and shut the door. An hour later Rayanne had showered and was all ready to go. She was wearing a long, thin black skirt, with a tight white tank top and her new black button up sweater over it. Two buttons in the middle were buttoned. She wore black clogs and had her hair twisted back in sections. She put on a little bit of makeup, but decided against too much, since she figured she’d sweat it all off anyway. She touched her dolphin pendant to make sure it was there and headed out the door to get LeighAnne.

*Knock, Knock*

“It’s open Ray!” came LeighAnne’s voice from inside the room.

She walked in and saw LeighAnne standing in front of the mirror playing with her long, blonde hair.

“Ugh! This one stupid piece!” she said. “Oh well, who cares, right? Got your ticket and pass?”

“Yup. Look what Nick gave me.” she said holding the necklace out to show her.

LeighAnne smiled. “I knew you were getting it. Like it?”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

LeighAnne locked the door behind her and the two girls walked down the hall. They climbed in the limo that was waiting for them and headed for the venue.