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"Ike, Tay, Zac and Jodi- I'd like you to meet Karrie Beth, also known as KB" said Bob Moffatt. "This is MY girlfriend."

"Hello" said a soft voice, as a girl around 16 came out from behind Bob and Scott. Her shoulder length curly red-auburn hair shone in the sun and her big hazel eyes were framed with long dark lashes as she thrust her hand out to be shaken. She was quite conserveitly dressed however, her outfit was stylish in a preppy sort of way. Jodi's gaze was broken from Scott Moffatt and realized KB's actions and stuck her hand out to grasp KB's.

"I'm Tarzan" she said playfully as KB laughed a soft proper laugh, "And this is George, Bill, and Randy." KB's laughter increased when Zac was introduced as Randy.

"What's so funny man?!" Zac asked bewildered which only made KB laugh more. Bob, Scott, Clint, and Dave knew what was coming.

"Well, in England, randy means horny!" KB said in a matter of fact voice smothered in a British accent. Her eyes were shining, and she watched Zac's face grow in complete happiness at the discovery of his new word.

"WHAT?!" Zac said in a fit of giggles. Laughter floated through the teenagers as KB introduced Jodi to the Moffatts.

"Jodi, this is Joe Momma, Ben Dover, Seymour Butts, Ivana Tinkle, and you may call me Jane."

The laughter continued until it was too much for anyone. Before long everyone was gripping their sides as tears ran down their cheeks, and they were all gasping for air. The stage hands looked at them as if they were crazy but they didn't care. One by one, their laughter died and finally everyone was lying there on the stage. Bob sat up, and KB moved to sit in his lap as they quietly talked their lovers code while holding hands. Taylor moved closer to Jodi as he laid her down between his legs and rubbed her ever growing belly. Ike rose while Scott, Clint, and Dave sat talking. Zac however looked on quite jealous.

"I've lost one true love," Zac thought as he gazed at Jodi and his brother. He then turned to his good friend Bob, but he was sitting there but he was sitting there talking with KB. He must have been staring because Karrie looked his way, smiled, and nodded her head at him. Zac turned away as quickly as he could but he already felt his face grow hot. "How could I be so STUPID to let her see me?!" Zac questioned himself as he scooted over to join Scott, Ike, Clint, and Dave.

"-should let Bob play drums first then everyone else play their own instruments....", Scott stated. "Crap ... where the hell did they go..... HEY LOVEBIRDS! GET YOUR ASSES-" Karrie seemed to give him a dirty look as she said his name with much warning in her voice. "Err.... Butts? ... over here..." Scott repeated. "Sorry Kare Bear"

"It's all right" she said as she stood in one swift motion. Then she turned to help Bob up. She kissed him quickly on the cheek and with a whispered yet meaningful 'have fun' she sent him off. Then she took a seat at the side of the room on the floor as the musicians took their places Jodi found a couch and began catching up on her sleep, and Zac saw this as his golden opportunity to meet this pretty girl- also known as Bob's girlfriend. He walked over and sat down glancing at the pen and notebook in her lap.

"What are you writing?" he asked.

"A letter to my best friend back home."

"Where at in England is back home?"

"Not in England. I live in Kentucky" she said, snapping his head off. "And Mr. Hanson, I know you are coming on to me so please. I'm Bob's girlfriend, and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep to yourself."

Zac seemed shocked. This was the first girl to ever reject him and for another guy. Most girls saw him as the young Fabio, and all of them wanted him to sweep them off of their dainty feet. That made him want her more. He was intrigued by her innocence and he knew that he would get her no matter what the expenses.

After he regained his senses, he strode off with a defeated look upon his face. My luck just sucks, he thought hatefully as he sat down at a table in the dressing room. I don't believe my luck with girls lately. Jodi dumped me for Taylor, Steph slapped me for kissing her, Libby said she hated me, and now KB just told me off before I even had a chance to make her want to tell me off. He sighed and moved down in the seat.

Outside, he could hear the others having fun and laughing between songs. 'Zac, you know when we play with Scott and them, we only need one drummer.' 'You know we don't need you right now.' 'Bob's the drummer all picked to play with us.' 'Zac, sorry man. Maybe I'll let ya play a few times...' They have a lot of nerve, he thought as he replayed the comments he'd heard for the past six months. Once a month they'd team up with the Moffatts and practice for the upcoming world tour.

How am I supposed to get any practice if he is always playing? Zac was jealous of Bob. He had reason to be. Bob came along and took his place in the band, he took his place with his brothers, and he had KB. For some reason, unknown to him, Zac wanted KB.

It wasn't lust he felt for her, it was... he liked her a lot. Yeah, he thought with a small smile, I like her a lot. He hadn't felt like this since he'd been with Jodi. Not even fair, he thought to himself as he flipped on the small TV in the room. After an hour or so, he heard the music stop and talking started up just down the hall. Oh great, he thought sadly, he they come. All ready to rub it in my face.

He stood up and stretched as Taylor opened the door and grabbed a jacket from the couch. "Zac, we're all going out for dinner. Ya wanna go to?"

"Nice of you to almost forget about me," he glared at his brother. "Am I wanted to go?"

"Zac, don't act like the spoiled brat that you are," Taylor said and rolled his eyes. "Of course you're wanted. If you're not out in front of the venue in ten minutes, we leave without you."

"Tay..." Zac said as he tried to think of something to say. "Never mind!"

"Later!" Taylor smiled at his little brother. "By the way, that KB girl seems to like you."

"She seems to hate me," Zac retorted. "She bitched me out for nothing."

"Ya know how girls are," he said and added, "Especially red heads.

Zac grinned at his big brother, "Tay, you really are a weird guy."

"Yep, Did you just figure that out?" he said and laughed. "You coming?"

"Yeah..." Zac said as he picked up his light blue down jacket. "Lets go."

"You always seem to have a different hair style Zac," Bob commented as the group entered the fancy restaurant while holding hands with KB.

"Yeah, I'm a creative guy," Zac said and he glanced at their hands intertwined and a pang of jealousy went through his heart. His latest style was some what normal, only this time it was a weird color: blue.

"So you seem," KB added lightly and gazed at him.

"You'll have to get to know a little better," he said and grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes at him easily and said, "What do they serve here?"

"Best in the city," Taylor said to her quietly. "If you like fancy food."

"Do they not just have regular food?" Jodi asked as they sat down at two tables. "I guess not," she said and looked at the menu.

"It's in French dear," Scott said and snickered.

Jodi flushed a tint brighter. "Oh, maybe that's why I can't read it..."

"I'll translate for you," he said and scooted next to her.

"Fancy French restaurant in Manhattan," Clint said and rolled his eyes. "Go figure."

"I know French," Taylor said and scooted next to Jodi too.

"Lets see..." Scott said and looked at her menu with her. "There's about five different kinds of chicken, steak, veal, fish, some pastas, salads... ahhhh... here we go," he said and pointed. "Real food... hamburgers and French fries!"

She laughed and looked at him. "Thanks... I think I'd like that."

"Sure Babe," he said and sat back in his chair.

Taylor shot him a dirty look and sat back in his chair. "You really should be eating healthier food," he said to Jodi.

"Tay, I never eat healthy food," she said to him quietly. "Don't worry so much. I'm fine."

"Don't listen to me," he said slowly. "You never do."

"Tay, don't start, please," she said to him and smiled sweetly at everyone else. "So, how's your lives been in the last month?"

"Good."

"OK."

"Great."

"Wonderful."

"Splendid. Uh, help somebody with this menu?!”

"Gee," she said. "Real talkative tonight?" as Scott bent to help KB translate things for her.

"No," Dave said and looked away.

"That's odd," she said and smiled at him. "If I recall correctly, you were the one who would not shut up last month."

"That was me," he said and sighed.

"What's wrong?" she asked him quietly while everyone else was engaged in conversations.

"Nothing," he said and looked at his menu. The waiter came and took everyone's orders.

She stood up and walked over to him at the other table. "Dave, tell me."

"Look Jodi," he said and looked at her. "I said it's nothing."

"Then you wouldn't be acting this way," she said softly to him. Out of everyone, she felt closest to Dave. The two had hit it off really well, and he seemed like a brother to her. "Come on Bub, tell me what's wrong."

He smiled at her, "You really do help Jodi. I mean really."

"Thanks," she said and hugged him. "That's why I'm here. Tell me now."

"OK," he said and sighed a bit. "You remember Tina?"

"The short black haired girl you fell in love with in L.A. a few months ago?" she asked.

"Yeah..." he said. "Well, we went out once or twice. She actually took pictures of us. She's threatening me, if I don't get her a date with Tay, then she's going to sell them to a tabloid," he said and looked at her. "I told her that he had a girlfriend already. She said she knew, and she'd tell that too... if she didn't get a date with him."

"Whoa..." she said and sat down across from him. "You're serious?"

"Yeah, of course I'm serious!" he snapped and looked at her. Then more softly "Why would I lie?"

"I didn't say you did... I guess it's OK if he goes out with her," she said. "For the sake of the bands and their privacy."

"Just get him to agree to it," Dave said and shot Taylor a look.

"Just tell him the problem," she said. "Where's Tina at?"

"She's in town right now, I passed her earlier."

"Well, get her number, and I'll tell Tay tonight," she said. "Don't worry... it's OK," she soothed and he smiled at her.

"What say we go and get into everyone's conversation?" he asked and scooted his chair over to the table.

"So," KB said as Jodi sat down beside her. "When are you due?"

"Soon..." Jodi said and looked up. "They said any day now."

"Wow..." KB commented with a small smile. "Must be very exciting."

"More like nerve racking," Jodi smiled. "And Tay's going out of his mind."

"He seems the type to," KB said. "You and him... you're very cute together."

"Thanks," she said. "I only wished his public saw it like that. It's hard being a girlfriend of one of them."

"I know..." KB said. "How long you and Tay been... you and Tay?"

"About a year and half," Jodi said and looked at Taylor who was laughing with Scott and Dave.

"You love him?" she asked and gazed with her. "He's very attractive isn't he?"

"I'm madly in love with him," she said and shook her head. "Too attractive if ya get me."

"You worried about losing him in other words?" KB asked.

"Yeah," she said looked away from them. "He's Taylor Hanson. He can have any girl he wants... why stay with me?"

"Don't worry," KB said. "I can tell by the way he looks at you and acts around you. He loves you..."

"What about you and Bob?" Jodi asked as her and KB’s food arrived.

"We've been going out a few months..." she said. "I’ve asked him not to mention me yet at least for several reasons."

"Oh," Jodi said slowly. "You done anything?"

"Sex?" KB asked and shook her head, her soft curls shaking. "No... I don’t plan on it for a while.”

"Take my advice," Jodi said and gave her a serious look. "Don't."

KB smiled at her sweetly. "How old are you?"

"I'll be sixteen in two weeks," Jodi said sadly. "You love him?"

"Maybe," she said. "I know it's possible I can love him but I’m not sure if I’m IN love with him."

"I know the feeling..." Jodi said and glanced at Zac who was talking with Bob.

"He's very sweet," KB said with admiration. "Just a huge flirt."

Jodi gave a huge laugh. "Flirt? Whore is more like it."

"What do you mean by that?" KB asked intrested.

"He's a male whore," she said to KB. "Trust me."

"He doesn't look it," KB said as she studied him. "He seems so sweet and innocent."

"He's not innocent, but sweet he is," Jodi said. "You like him don't you?"

"What makes you say that?" KB asked her quickly.

"The way you look at him with that hint of longing in your eyes. The way you smiled when he showed up today. Just a lot of things," Jodi said. "The question is, do you like him or Bob more?"

"Bob, of course!" KB said to her. Though she wasn't truly sure about that.

"OK," Jodi said dropping the subject.

"Hey..." Taylor said and looked over at them. "You two seem pretty quiet."

"Nope," Jodi said and smiled at him. "Why?"

"It's not like you to b so quiet when Scott or Clint's around," Taylor said flatly.

"Tay," Jodi said. "I've told you before, I don't love them!"

"I know..." he said and walked over to her. "I think you do."

"I don't," she said and kissed his lips softly. "I love you."

"Yuck..." Clint said as he walked past Taylor. "Can't you two stop for an hour?"

Jodi laughed at him, "Clint, honey, shut up."

Taylor smiled at her. "Well, since you and me are done eating, you wanna go for a walk or something?"

"Sure," she said and stood up as she brushed her clothes off. "KB, you and Bob wanna go?"

"Ummm..." she said and looked over at Bob. "He seems busy."

Jodi looked at him. Bob, Isaac, and the newly returned Clint were goofing of in a corner. Scott was flirting with a waitress in a corner as usual. "Well... there's always Zac."

"True..." KB said.

"Zac..." Taylor said and pulled Zac up. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Zac asked as he was pushed out the doors.

"For a walk," Jodi informed him as she wrapped her arm around Taylor's waist and snuggled against his side.

"Stop it!" Zac said. "You two could make a person sick."

"Thanks," Jodi said as her and Taylor walked ahead and started talking about the next few weeks.

"So..." Zac said and grinned at KB. "Looks like we lost them."

"Yeah," she said and looked up. "It's too bright here. You can't see the stars."

"I know," he said. "They're really pretty too. It's a shame."

"Is it always like this?" she asked. "I mean..."

"You mean the way I get ignored when they all get together, the way we all act, or them?" he asked gesturing to the two behind them.

"All of the above," she said and looked at him in the streetlight.

"Yeah..." he said. "Since our people made a deal with their people... it's been like this. Since the beginning they've all ignored me. I think Scott hates me."

"Scott hates everyone but himself," she said to Zac. "Excluding any easy whore."

"I like your accent," he complimented her.

"Thanks..." she said and laughed a bit. "But anyway..." he said. "We all generally this way... except me, three weeks out of a month I'm the happiest person you could meet, but the week we're together, it's like I have a severe case of PMS." "You don't want to go there," she said, her sweet English accent giving him chills. "Then there's them two..." he said and sighed. "I used to date her... but she dumped me for him. I've known her about two years. She's a nice girl and all... but since they got together. You never can catch them apart or off of each other. It makes you sick. Then when they found out she was pregnant... everyone went haywire. Her parents said she was moving to her grandma's in Florida. then my mom and dad said Taylor was going to get kicked out. Soon they all reasoned up and now they like the idea. Jodi... no one knows about the abortion she was going to get... I was going to go with her. We got there and everything, but she backed down at the last second. Which I suppose is good. Her and Taylor seem very happy together. They want this baby more than anything, but I think they're scared of it at the same time. They know they can't be kids anymore... they can't do what they used to do. I think he's going to ask her to marry him soon... he was talking about her being the love of his life, and how he couldn't live without her. I hear him and Ike talking about it a few weeks ago. If I heard correctly, he was going to ask her on Valentines day... a long ways off, but it gives him time to decide if she's the one for him. I think they're both scared of raising the baby together. It'll be like they're married and no matter what they do, they always have to be reminded of each other cause of this kid," Zac said to her. Dude, he thought, I just let out a lot of information.

"Wow..." she said. "Valentines day... eleven months away," she said. "Tay just turned seventeen?"

"Yeah..." Zac said. "And she'll be sixteen in two weeks."

"So when he asks her to marry him, if he does, they'll be sixteen and seventeen?" KB asked.

"Yep," Zac said. "Ike told him to wait... but he said he's not gonna wait forever and lose her."

"Sounds irrational," KB said. "Don't you think?"

"I don't know," Zac said and turned to see them cuddled together walking, "But one thing for sure, the baby could ruin the band, but if they get married... it's all over."

"Yes but think of it this way. Would you rather have your brother happy or have a record deal?" KB implied

"Brother happy. It's like if he's not around Jo-"He started but was cut of by KB

"Don't worry about Jodi anymore. Jodi was yours but you can't dwell on the past. Only dwell on the future which is never far off..." KB said as she trailed off.

They walked in science for a while not knowing what to say. Both looking around Manhattan as if it was new. It was to KB for it was the first time she had ever been there but Zac knew the way. With his new blue hair he didn't get many looks as they strolled through central park not far behind Jodi and Tay.

"So.... tell me about you." Zac said as he kicked a stone on the ground.

"What's there to know."

"There's a lot. Like where your accent came from, what you like to do... um... why you are going with Bob in the middle of a school year... there's lots. Open up and share.".

"No thank you I'd rather not." KB said frostily as she jogged up to be with Jodi and Taylor.

"What did I do this time?!" Zac thought as he tried to catch up with her. One minute she was allowing herself to have an actual conversation and the next, well, she's being a bitch! He thought as he gazed at her from afar. She was pulling her light blue coat tighter around her and it looked as if she was crying. Her red hair framed her face as she looked to the ground trying not to be noticed.

"Why am I crying?" KB thought. WHY?! I had the perfect chance to know him and I blew it. I BLEW it. He'd be so cute if he didn't have blue hair like a flavor of the month at the ice cream parlor and well, he is cute. I think Jodi knows I like him... but then their is Bob. He's so sweet and makes me melt every time I see him... I have a week with him and at the end of the week, we'll see what happens.

Suddenly KB felt arms engulf her and pull her to a near bench.

"Good Lord, Zac! You gave me a fright and practically a heart attack!" KB screeched as he grinned.

"Sorry." he said quietly. "KB I want to know, why did you run earlier?"

"It's something I don't like to talk about. Something that happened that I'd rather forget." She told him.

"Will you tell me? I'm asking because I care." Zac said cautiously

"No."

Zac sunk lower in his chair and made a mental note to ask Bob about this when they reached their hotel, the Plaza. Here- KB with no clothes on would be quite a nice-

"Tell me about you Mr. Hanson." KB said as his thoughts of pervertedness were interrupted.

"Well, I'm thirteen and I have my brothers always with me. Loverboy, Taylor up there, the Ape, Ike, and then there is me the lady charmer." Zac said as he placed him arm around Karrie. She only drew away. "WHAT DID I DO!?"

"You think too highly of yourself Mr. Hanson. I don't find that attractive at all. Lord only knows what is going on in that minute head of yours that contains possibly one brain cell."

"You really don't want to know what is going on in this head of mine and hopefully the Lord don't either..." Zac said out loud, thinking it was only said in his head.

KB looked utterly flabbergasted as she slapped Zac's cheek and fled back to the hotel without another word. Reaching the hotel she sped to her room and cried only to have a knock on the door moments after she had sealed and locked it.

"Baby?" came Bob's soothing voice through the door, "Are you okay?".

KB couldn't answer but only opened the door and fell into his warm, and open arms. He walked in and shut the door with KB still in his arms and took her to a chair near the door. He sat her down on his lap and she curled up like a kitten. He held her until all that remained were a few tears which he kissed away.

"Karrie Beth, tell me what is happening?" Bob questioned when he heard a knock at the door. KB looked at the door with an evil glare.

"If you let that blue haired whore in I will hurt you Bob. Honestly I will.".

Bob's eyes grew wide as she cussed for what might have been the second time in her entire life and knew she was talking about Zac. Opening the door he saw Zac standing there with a red hand print across his face. He then looked back towards KB and then back at the hand print. Grabbing Zac by the throat he dragged him into the room throwing him down onto the bed.

"What did you do to her" Bob growled.

"Nothing" he said as the grip tightened on his neck.

"I will repeat myself. WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER" he growled even fiercer.

Zac’s face became red as he gasped for air. "Something I don't regret. She's hot okay?! And any teenage guy would want to fuck her." he managed to choke out.

"Any guy but me. Know why?! Because I have three things that you don't have. Morals for one. Respect for two. And three patience. And if you ever want to have a chance with a girl like her Zac you'd better learn those and learn those fast."

Zac looked so scared on the bed and Bob had done a good job. She went over to him and rubbed his shoulders.

"Hun- he doesn’t know."

"About...."

"Yes."

"Great." Bob said. "Want me to tell him?"

"I will." KB said as she sat down in the chair with Bob holding her hand. "I met Bob through a friend of mine. Katy knew I'd be safe with them. I was living in Kentucky and not having such a good life. Zac- I was verbally and physically abused by my father and brother." she told him through be beginnings of fresh tears.

"Zac, she came to me afraid of everyone and everything and with help she overcame it. Her mom died when she was a toddler and she lived with her father and twin brother in England until a year or so ago when her father was transferred to Kentucky." _____________________________________________________________

Chapter two... Congratulations
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