Chapter 6

*Back at Michelle's apartment*

"What did he say?" Mel questioned.

Michelle answered, "Well, he agreed to give me another chance to score an interview. And...he wants to see me."

"Ohh, that's great...see I told you he'd give you another chance. And he wants to see you. That's good, real good. When...did he say when?" Mel asked full of excitement.

"He said for me to come over with you, when you meet the guys before the concert. Brian said to come to the apartment with you and we could all go over to the concert together. He could get me and you a ticket to the show. hen he said he wanted to see us backstage after the show," Michelle explained, while blushing as if her junior high crush had just asked her out on her first date.

"Michelle that's awesome. You know, when B-Rok asks a girl out after only meeting him for a few minutes, that can only mean one thing!"

"Oh yeah, what's that?"

"It means he's got the hots for you!!" Mel enthusiastically yelled out.

"Oh hush up...he does not! Does he?" Michelle giggled back secretly hoping it was true.

*Back at Brian and Nick's apartment*

Brian walked into the kitchen, only to be greeted by Nick and Liz (who seemed to be happily snuggling with one another), and Kevin and Becca (who were doing the same), and AJ (who was raiding the fridge for something to eat).

"So guys...aren't you gonna ask me something?" Brian teased.

Pulling away from Becca's warm embrace, Kevin joked, "Why, whatever do you mean Bri?"

"I just figured you would wanna know if I agreed to do the interview or not. But I guess not...so oh well!" Brian tested.

"Hang on a sec, 'Rok. I wanna know!!" AJ challenged back.

Brian explained to his audience that he agreed to give Michelle another chance. He just wanted to get to know her first. He had to make sure he could trust her, and not get hurt. He was willing to let her try for another interview. AJ, Kev, Becky, and Liz seemed to be okay with his reasoning. Everyone except Nick, that is. Brian walked back to his room so he could get ready for the show in peace. So much for peace. Nick followed full of questions and opinions.

"Hey B-Rok, you don't think you are gonna get off that easy with me, do ya?"

"Well actually, I thought I had made a pretty convincing speech....but no, I knew you'd have more to say. You always do!" Bri responded with a warm tone.

Nick began, "So...why do you need to trust her? I mean, I understand that you need her to write a truthful article...but that doesn't require her proving that she won't hurt you. If you want her to make you believe that she won't hurt you, you want more out of this relationship than an article to clear your name!"

"What are you trying to say here, man?" Brian asked a little confused.

"Gee, I gotta spell it out for ya! You've got a thing for this girl, don't you? Totally unlike you to arrange for her to see you so soon before the concert...but that's what you did, because you have a crush on her. I knew it. 'Mr. I Don't Want to Fall in Love Right Now' went and did just that. He fell in love with with a girl he knows for just a few short hours!" Nick laughed, happy with himself for understanding his best friend so clearly.

"Oh gosh Nick..that's not true! I don't love her. I just met her!" Brian said aloud, as he thought about what Nick had said. Part of it was true. He did want to make sure that she wouldn't hurt him the way that Karen did. So what did that mean...was he looking for a relationship with Michelle Lucen? He hadn't planned it that way. But his heart was doing all of his thinking at the moment.

"Hey Bri...you still there?"

"Uh, yeah...I was just thinking!"

"About Michelle, no doubt! Okay, Maybe 'love' was a strong word, but I know you like her!"

"Nick shut up ! Geeze give it a rest! Ok, so I like her. What's so wrong with that?" Brian questioned, silently cursing Nick because he was able to read his mind (or should I say heart) so well.

Chapter 7