"I've noticed a total change in her ever since that day about a week ago." Amanda whispered into the phone. "I dunno what to do."
"I dunno what to tell ya Mandi. Did ya ask her about it?"
"I dunno. I mean Carson! What am I supposed to do? Go up to her and ask her why she's been in bed for the past week? Or why she cries all night and repeats the same damn words over and over and over until she finally falls asleep!?"
"Sounds bad. She's missed school. She's falling behind. It's not good."
"I know." Amanda ran her hands through her hair and sighed. "Well, I dunno. I guess I'll let ya go. I mean I've got a plan. But I dunno. I'll call ya tomorrow with updates. Bye Car."
"Bye."

She stood up and headed for the stairwell. Maybe, just maybe her plan would snap her friend back to life. She sure hoped it would.

"So?"
"D. This is crazy! Why are ya doin' this? I mean I'm fine. Tell Nick it's not his fault. It's all me!"
"No." Howie looked over at his friend cussing at the TV. Obviously the game was winning. Howie snickered.
"I don't find anything funny bout this Howard."
"Sorry. I was just...nevermind. Ok so these dreams. When did they start?"
"Probably. Um. I dunno. A while ago I guess."
"You're not helpin' me here!"
"Dammit! You're not my therapist Howie!" Nick looked over at his friend on the phone. "Call me back when Nick isn't in the room bye." Howie hung up his phone with a loud sigh and sat down on the sofa next to Nick.

"I dunno."
"Well, good. Fuck her. I don't want her in my life anyway. She's psycho! That's one thing I don't need!" Nick shrugged his shoulders and went on with his game.
Howie was baffled. He slowly stood up and walked out of the room. No wonder you can't keep a relationship. Emotion you show not. Howie frowned and looked back at his friend yelling at the screen. But you need this one! Howie walked out of the room and into his own trying not to slam the door on his exit.
"But this one I want in my life!" Nick screamed throwing down the controller after hearing the door slam. He ran his hands through his hair and frowned. "I'm not fuckin' made of stone!"

"Hello?"
"Hey. I really need to talk to ya. Are you busy?"
"Bout what?"
"Nick."
"I'm really busy and..um."
"No! Stop right now Amanda Lee! Talk!"
"What do ya wanna know?" Mandah sighed heavily into the phone to show that she was annoyed but Candice ignored it.
"Why did ya really break up?" Amanda closed her eyes and frowned.
"You don't wanna know," she mumbled.
"Yes! I do! Tell me. Please?"
"Well..it all started.." After hearing the long tale of Nick 'N' Mandy, Candice sighed. Just listening to the story made her sad and tired. "Happy now?"
"Not really, thanks so much Mandy." It wasn't Mandy who destroyed their relationship. It was the one and only Nick Carter.

"And you know what scares me." Amanda whispered, her voice cracking. "These girls--the fans. They put him, all of them, up on this pet-a-stool and hold them up to these high, perfect, almost dream like standards that they'll never live up to.
   They are so normal, but in a weird way. They are as normal as anyone who grew up in the spotlight. Not like you or any of the fans. They grew up in this, in their own world, especially Nick. Sometimes it's like he as no emotions and it scared me."
"I've never put him on a pet-a-stool."
"Don't cuz he'll never will up to it. If Nick doesn't like it, then it doesn't happen."
"Thanks Mand. I love ya girl and I want the CD! I've gotta go. I have a lot of thinkin' to do. I'll call ya tomorrow or somethin'."
"Love ya. Bye girl."

Wow! Nick. Wow. Nick. How am I gonna do this? What should I say? Ohmy...god. Fuck.
Ring.
Dammit.
Ring.
Dammit.
Ring
Shit.
Ring.
"Nick?"
"Hey."
"Nick."
"Sorry."
"Nick."
"What?"
"Fuck."
"Huh?"
Click.

She knocked on the door lightly. The screaming and crying coming from her friend's room scared her to death.
What could be doin' this to her? Or should I ask who?
"Candice?"
"Go 'way!"
"No. I wanna talk to ya." Amanda tried to door handle; locked.
"Mandi I really don't need or want to talk right now. I'm fine all alone."
"Oh. But you can talk on the phone? I see." Candice crawled out of her bed and walked slowly to the door. Why was she pushing her best friend away? It wasn't Amanda's fault she fell in love with a pop star.

"I'm so sorry Manda." Candice fell into her friends awaiting arms. "It's horrible. I told Nick never to call me again I'll call him and that I never want to talk to him again! I said it for no reason at all. I have no clue what I was thinking!" She sobbed into her friend's shoulder.
"Tell me the whole story babe. I'm here for you. I love you." Amanda led her friend back into her room and sat her on the bed.
"Well.." Candice started frowning.

"We're gonna start rehearsing soon so I won't be able to call you for a while. Man I can't wait to tour again!" She smiled at the excitement in his voice.
"I can't wait for you to tour either. How come y'all aren't comin' to STL? Um?"
"I dunno. We might later. I have no control where we go and ya know it."
"I'm sorry Nick. I've just had this weird feeling for a long time. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. So anyway what ya get me for Christmas?"
"Not this again," Candice laughed.
"Hey! It's not my fault I have a one, two..three track mind!"
"Yes, it is."
"Haha. No. Anyway. What are ya doin' this wonderful weekend?"
"Nick?"
"Yeah."
"Ya wanna do somethin' for me?" Her mind raced. Why doesn't this feel right? Where are these words coming from?
"What?"
"Don't ever call me again Nick. I hate you! I might call ya someday so I can send your shit back! Don't ever call me!" She slammed down the phone and screamed. "What the fuck did I just do?"

"That's weird. And he never called you back?"
"Yeah. He did." Candice stood up and wiped her eyes. "Amanda. I need to call Nick. I have to tell him I'm sorry. I have to make this right."
"Candice it's ok. I think ya need to let him chill and cool off. He'll probably go off on you and then you'll hate yourself more. Maybe you should talk to Paul and see what's up."
"Maybe. I think I'll see Paul tomorrow I'm gonna go to bed now." Candice laid back down on her bed and kissed her friend on the cheek. "G'night Mandi and thanks for makin' me talk bout this. You're almost as bad as Paul."
"G'night," Amanda snickered walking out of her friends room.
"You just don't know what it's like," Candice whispered falling into a light sleep.

"Wakey, wakey." She repeated shaking her friend lightly. "C'mon get up!"
"Mmmh," she moaned puling the covers over her head.
"C'mon Candi Girl! Geddup!"
"I'm gettin' up Mandi! Now go 'way!" Candice threw a pillow in the direction of her friend's voice and tried to go back to sleep.
"Ha! Missed me! Now ya gotta kiss me!" Amanda sang walking out of the room. "Time to put up the Christmas tree!" She screamed making her way down the hall singing Christmas songs.
"I hate Christmas," Candice mumbled throwing the covers off her and stumbling into the bathroom.

"Finally," Amanda sighed as Candice walking to the kitchen sometime later.
"What?"
"You're up and ohmy! Moving as well!" Amanda laughed staring at her now dressed friend.
"Amanda I hate ya! Go away!"
"Nope! Not for five more months!" Amanda laughed grinning.
"Well, you're mom stopped sendin' me checks last week so," Candice snickered grabbing a coffee cup.
"Oh. Haha." Amanda stood up. "Shall we finish our shoppin' then put up the tree? I still have to get my brothers gifts and yours! Haha."
"Fine. I guess. I still have my brothers to shop for too. and IguessNicktoo." Candice mumbled burring her face in her hands.
"I got it!" Amanda squealed grabbing her coat and car keys.
"I hate snow," Candice muttered walking outside.
"You hate everything. Now just drive and be happy." Amanda laughed turning up the CD player.
"Fine. Mother!" Candice laughed pulling onto the highway.
"I know what you should get Nick," Amanda grinned proudly.
"Did ya finally get that Brain Santa promised ya ten years ago?"
"No..not yet. But Howie!"
"Howie?" Candice took her eyes off the road to glance at her friend and never saw the truck coming at her.