I was now sitting in Nick's dark green Ford truck, about an hour later. I was just staring out the front window, watching the people who were just walking on the sidewalks. We had gotten to Tampa a few minutes ago, and now we were just driving to AJ McLean's house. AJ was 21-years-old, and he was really good-looking. I'd always had a crush on him. He had tons of tatoos, and he always changed his hair styles and colors. He was so fun to be with. I'd only been to his house I few times before, and I was excited to go there again and see him, Howie D and Kevin Richardson again, for the first time in over five months.

I watched out the window and saw that Nick was pulling into a driveway. The house was huge! It was so beautiful. I remember it now, from before. AJ has a pool, just like the Carters' do. And AJ lives with only his mom, but Nick and the other guys always go there when they're not touring.

"C'mon, Avery, we're here." Brian told me, as he opened the door, snapping the old memories out of my mind.

"Ok, let's go." I smiled, as I followed close behind Brian and Nick. We went up to the front door and Nick rung the doorbell. When the door opened, I began to smile even more. I saw AJ standing there, infront of me. He had green, spikey hair, and he was only wearing a white muscle shirt, and baggy blue jeans. The shirt showed all his tatoos that were on both of his arms. I watched as he welcomed Brian and Nick, and let us in. Then he asked them,

"Nicky, Rok, who's this pretty girl you brought to my house?"

I was so shocked. AJ had never complimented me before. He'd barely knew I was around, before. Maybe this new look was going to work for me.

"Oh, AJ, didn't I tell you that we were bringing my girlfriend, uh, Sarah?" Brian spoke up, as a grin spread across his face.

"Girlfriend? Brian, your girlfriend's name is LeighAnne and she lives in Orlando." AJ corrected Brian. Brian started laughing so Nick finished,

"AJ, don't you know who this is?"

AJ just shrugged. "I don't think I've seen her before." he replied.

"Oh, thanks Mr. McLean, for forgeting about me." I yelled at AJ sarcastically. He froze and looked at me. Then he grinned.

"Avery?" he smiled. I nodded yes, and he reached out his arms to hug me. I pulled him into a big hug, and continued smiling. After AJ pulled away, he yelled into the other room, "D, Kev! Nick and Rok are here, with someone else."

Suddenly I saw Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson appear in the doorway. They both "guy-hugged" Nick and Brian, and then turned their attention to me.

"Who's this?" Kevin asked curiously.

"Guess. Have you ever seen her before?" AJ asked Kevin and Howie. They both looked carefully at me. Then they both shook their heads no.

"Guys! This is my cousin, Avery!" Nick told his friends. They both looked shocked.

"Really?" Howie spoke up.

"Yep, that's me. How are you guys doin'?" I asked them.

"Good, you look... fantastic." Kevin commented. I turned my face and began blushing again.

"Yeah, Avery, you look really good... so different." AJ said to me. I looked at him and mouthed "Thank you". He nodded as if to say "No Problem".

Then the six of us all went into the living room area, where there was a huge-screen TV, three couches and a fireplace. It was a really nice room. I sat down on the "loveseat" and watched as Nick sat next to Howie on one of the other couches, and Brian sat on the other couch, next to Kevin. AJ was still standing. Then he asked me,

"Avery, can I sit with you?"

"Of couse, AJ, it's your house." I laughed. He just smiled and sat down really close to me. Nick and Howie kind of got into a conversation, and so did Brian and Kevin (who were cousins). I was just sitting there, next to AJ, staring off in space. I was thinking about what it would be like if I started dating one of these guys. I knew that Brian already had a girlfriend (LeighAnne), and so did Nick (Mandy). And I was pretty sure Kevin did too. I knew that Howie was single, and AJ had just broken up with Amanda Latona a few months ago. I quickly glanced at AJ and caught him staring at me.

"What are you staring at?" I asked him, with a laugh.

"You." he told me truthfully. I grinned at him.

"Why?" I asked him again.

"You're really pretty... you always have been, but I'm just noticing now. I guess because I was with Amanda, I didn't really notice how beautiful you really are." AJ told me. I didn't expect him to say that. But I didn't blush. I just smiled and thanked him.

"Thank you AJ... you're really sweet." I told him.

"You're worth it." he said quickly. Of course, he was flirting. AJ always flirted, that was his best quality.

"Naw..." was all I said, as I let my voice trail off. We both sat in silence for a few minutes, before AJ got an idea and asked me,

"Hey, you wanna go outside and sit by the pool with me?"

"Why?" I asked him. He just shrugged.

"We haven't seen each other in so long, maybe we could just talk and, you know...?" he replied, not knowing what to say. I shrugged and told him,

"I don't know... you're not gonna try anything, are you? I know that you're a big flirt, and I just want you to know that I will not date you, because you're my favorite cousin's friend, and that would be weird, ok?" I said, all in one breath.

"Don't worry..." AJ started, "I just wanna be your friend, promise." He then held out his pinky finger, to show he meant it. I linked my pinky finger with his, and we both said,

"Pinky swear."

After that, I knew he wasn't gonna try anything no me.