*8 Days Later*
Veronica woke up extra early to go jogging with Howie. It was just 6am. She had never been awake that early in her life, but she had made plans with Howie the day before, and knew she had to keep them.
She'd been spending alot of time with Howie during the past few days, and gotten to like him even more. He was the only who didn't treat her like a young girl. Kevin tried not to act weird around her, but he was ten years older than her and he knew it. Brian was cool around her, but he spent alot of time with his wife. Veronica only saw him at practises or get-togethers. AJ hadn't spoken one word to her since that first day, but she didn't mind. Nick was acting really different towards her, though. It didn't feel like her hated her anymore. She often caught him looking around her and smiling. But they still had spoken to each other.
It was about 6:30am when there was a knock on the door to their room. Veronica knew it was Howie, picking her up. She left a note for her father and then opened the door and smiled at Howie.
"You ready?" he asked her, smiling. She nodded at him.
The two walked down the hall and got into an elevator. Then they started their jog. There was a park about six blocks away, so they stopped and sat down there. They hadn't talked much, so she knew this was her chance to ask Howie about Nick. The two of them sat down on swings. Veronica turned to face Howie.
"Howie?" she asked him, getting his attention.
"Yeah hun?" he asked back.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked again.
"Of course." he replied.
Verionica took a deep breath and began,
"Alright. Um, I don't even know why I care so much about this, but have you noticed that Nick has been acting different around me?"
"Like how?" Howie wanted to know, not sure of what she meant.
"Well, it doesn't seem like he hates me as much as he used to. He even smiles at me sometimes. Has he said anything to you?" Veronica asked her friend.
"Ronnie... Nicky never hated you in the first place. He thought you didn't like him, so he stayed away from you." Howie replied with a smile.
"I didn't like him at first, he seemed like he was just immature and rude. But after a few days, I realized he is really nice, and he's really good-looking." she laughed, looking into Howie's brown eyes. Howie nodded.
"Nicky's the nicest guy you'd ever meet. He likes everyone. And he hates it when someone doesn't like him. I've known Nicky since he was just 12 years old. He's always been like that." Howie explained.
"Really?" Veronica asked, amazed. He nodded again. "So, has he said anything about me or anything..?"
"No, not yet. But Nicky usually keeps that kind of stuff to himself. If you want to find out how he feels, you just gotta talk to him." Howie told her.
"You know what...?" Veronica questioned, "I think I will. Cuz I don't want to be his enemy anymore." she finished, and watched Howie smile.
"Good." he replied.
Veronica then stood up and hugged Howie tightly.
"You're so great, Howie. You are every girl's dream guy. If every girl had you as a friend... the world would be peaceful." she told him honestly.
"Thanks hun. You're a great girl, too." he answered, and kissed her cheek.
The two left the park not long after, and jogged back to Veronica's hotel. It was 8am by that time. Howie walked her up to her room and then left, after saying goodbye.
As Veronica entered their room, she saw her father watching TV, some basketball game or something. He turned and looked at his daughter.
"I don't think I've ever seen you up and awake at this hour." he laughed, looking at his watch.
"I know, it's weird. But Howie and I had a nice jog." she answered with a laugh.
"That's good to hear. Are the two of you dating?" her father asked her.
"Are you kidding? No... we're just really good friends. Why would you think that?" Veronica asked her father, still laughing.
"You're spending alot of time with him, don't you think?" he asked back.
"Well, I'm changing my mind about them. They are really cool guys." she told her father happily.
"I'm glad." he replied. "Even Nick?" he asked, skeptical.
"Yes Daddy, even Nick." Veronica finished.
"Good. I'm so proud of you, Veronica." he said, and she leaned down and hugged him tightly.
"Thanks, Daddy." she finished.
~~~
At 6pm that evening, Veronica's father's cell phone rang. Her father was out for dinner with Backstreet Boys' management, and she was pretty glad she hadn't been invited. She needed some time alone. But her father had forgotten his cell at the hotel.
Running around the room looking for it, she finally found it in the bathroom after at least ten rings.
"Hello?" she asked, out of breath.
"That you, Ronnie?" a voice asked. Howie.
"Hey D, what's up?" she asked back, happy to hear his voice.
"Nothing much. But the management told us they were going out for dinner with your father, so I figured you'd be lonely." Howie laughed.
"Yeah, I am very lonely." Veronica joked back.
"Show me the meaning of being lonely..." Howie sung out a few notes of one of their songs.
Veronica giggled at him and replied, "You wanna get together tonight?"
"Uh, sorry hun, I can't. I promised I'd drive to Tampa with Brian, Leighanne and Kevin to see Kev's wife. We're leaving in a few minutes." he explained.
"Oh ok..." Veronica said sadly, "I'll just hang out here."
"No, see, AJ went to some concert for the night... so Nicky'll be here alone, all night. It's your chance," Howie told her.
"Thanks Howie, but how? He doesn't even want to talk to me." Veronica was confused.
"I'll give you his cell phone number. You call him, and make him talk." Howie said seriously. Veronica laughed.
"Alright, but if he hates me even more... it's your fault." she replied.
"Deal. 555-9967. Call him anytime after 7pm. We'll be home tomorrow around noon, in time for practice. I'll see ya then, ok?" Howie said with a grin.
"Ok, Howie. Thanks. Bye." Veronica said and hung up the phone.
