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The next morning was total chaos as Nick and I rushed to the radio station’s studio. The place was already swamped with fans. Nick was surprised he was able to drive to the front door and make it in with a bodyguard just standing at the door. All of the group was now together. So were all of their girlfriends, except Howie’s. Once against he was single.
“Hey, Anne!” Nick called down the hallway. “Could you go get my cell phone for me?”
“Sure, baby.” I sighed walking towards the doors.
“Make sure that you take a bodyguard with you! It’s dangerous out there.” Nick yelled to my retreating figure. Unfortunately I didn’t hear him. Cautiously I made my way out into the midst of the screaming fans.
“Look! It’s Nick’s girlfriend!” A tall blonde screamed rushing at me.
My mind raced in fear. I had talked to a few fans one on one, but never a mob to one. This was unreal! I pasted a smile on my face to hide my pounding heart. Quickly I turned towards Nick’s car and retrieved his cell phone.
As I made my way back towards the studio arms and hands reached out to grab me. Fingernails dug though my sweater. Pain began to be made known through my body.
“You little slut! Stay away form Nick! He’s mine, get it?” A girl that looked around 15 ordered.
I couldn’t reply as more hands took a firm hold of me. With strength I never knew I had, I yanked away from them and ran the rest of the way inside.
“Anne! Are you okay?” Manda exclaimed as she saw my pain written across my face. I couldn’t answer as Nick’s voice boomed loud and clear in my ears.
“Anne Johnson! You are so stupid!” By now Nick had everyone’s attention. He didn’t seem to notice, but I sure did! “Why did you go out there without a body guard? I told you to take one! They wouldn’t have minded.”
“I didn’t hear you.” I mumbled.
“My gosh! You should have known to! Anne, you could have been seriously hurt! How stupid can you get?”
Tears started to form in the corners of my eyes. Nick’s lasing words were killing me worse than the fingernails. “For your information!” I sniffled as my voice grew stronger. “I was hurt a little. Instead of you yelling at me Nickolas Gene carter, ask me and make sure I’m okay! I didn’t think it was that hard for you!” I took off running down the hallway and turned into the nearest deserted room.
“Good job Carter!” AJ remarked. “You’re gonna loose her again. All because of that little out burst.”
Nick’s eyes clouded over as it finally hit him. He had just made me cry.
“Nick, please go fix this now! We don’t wanna put up with you broken hearted. One was enough. Anne is a rare type of girl, the one for you, Nick. Don’t let her go this time.” Brian advised.
“Guys, we didn’t break up! It’s just a fight! We’ll be over it soon.” Nick assured them. He knew he wouldn’t loose his Anne. Although, he was ready to kill himself for treating her so awful.
I let my tears fall freely, still not believing how Nick just treated me. This was not like him.
“Stupid Carter. Learn to keep your big mouth shut!” I heard Nick grumble a he kicked at the carpet. A small smile curled at my lips, yet quickly disappeared. “Anne?”
“Yeah?” I sighed. This wasn’t going to be fun.
Nick smiled. “Anne, this job is so deadly. I yelled because I was scared. It just all come out the wrong way. Do you have enough grace in ya to forgive me?”
“I think I can manage.” I teased. His face spelled relieve as he gathered me in his arms.
“Just do me one favor.” Nick begged tightening his hold on me.
“Okay…..”
“Don’t ever do that again. Always take a bodyguard. I’ll have a heart attack the next time if you don’t.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his last comment.
“You sound just like my mom, Nick.”
“Is that good or bad?” he wondered. He never really got to know either of my parents. They didn’t seem to care about my life anymore.
“Both….” Was my short answer.
New Year’s Eve arrived quickly and we all gathered at AJ’s to celebrate. Nick wasn’t lying, there really was a party. Unless he had talked AJ into throwing one when we got to Tampa.
It felt wonderful to be with the entire group again, just like in the summer. Well, the end of it at least.
“Howie, who’s the girl ya got with ya?” Brian asked.
“Oh, this is Trisha. We happened to run into each other.” He explained holing onto Trisha’s shoulders.
“Well, it’s great to meet you.” Amanda welcomed giving her hug huge. “Just beware, Howie has some terrible habits. Be ready to deal with them and be ready to help break them.
Everyone laughed, except Howie this is. He didn’t seem to find it very funny. The hour grew closer to New Year’s and I was slightly surprised as Nick called for everyone’s attention. Then I remembered as he pulled me to his side.
“What do you want, Nick?” Kevin complained.
"It’s just an announcement. Anne and I are engaged.” He smiled. No one seemed to quite understand and started to talk again. But then Brian thought about it.
“Say it again?” Brian asked.
“ Anne and I are engaged.” Nick slowly and loudly stated again.
“Huh?”
“Engaged? Ya know….where you married later.” I explained starting to get annoyed. I didn’t thin it was that hard of a concept to grasp.
“Are you for real?” Amanda quizzed.
“No! We’re lying to you! What do you think?” I exclaimed.
“But, Nick! You’re the baby! You can’t get engaged yet!” AJ stated firmly.
“Says who?” Nick demanded to know.
“Me!” Kevin said.
“Why?”
“Because Howie isn’t married yet. We have to go in order.” Kevin continued to explain.
“Brian’s married. He even got married before you did!” Nick cried getting extremely annoyed. They were not taking this like he had hoped.
“But, that’s just different.”
“Are we showing cousin favoritism?” Nick prodded.
“No!”
“Guys come on! Just be happy for them, and stop giving them a hard time.” Kristin begged and ordered towards Kevin. “What’s so wrong with it? Plus we gotta be happy since New Year is in like five minutes!”
I watched as every guy gathered his girl in his arms. A smile spread across my face as I felt Nick holding me tight. W all watched the clock on MTV silently, enjoying the peaceful moment.
“5, 4, 3, 2, ,1” Echoed in my head and I soon felt Nick’s lips on mine as we shared our first New Year kiss together. Slowly I opened my eyes and glanced around at each couple. They were all still kissing. I couldn’t help but to laugh as I pulled away from Nick. He looked at me strangely then noticed all the other couples. It was so funny watching them all kissing. Finally they all broke apart on their own time. Me and Nick almost died laughing. Their looks of confusion only made us laugh even more.
This was the best New Year’s I had ever had in my life. Unfortunately, school started soon and I had to put all this behind me for a good while.