The four of them walked back into the Carter household. Aaron was the first to greet them at the door and it was already around eight. His eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw Krista's eye.
"Hey everyone! How was the game? Who won? WOAH! KRISTA, WHERE DID YOU GET THAT SHINER?" Aaron yelled.
"Uh, A.C., I uh, the volley ball hit me, buddy." She said slightly embarassed by his outburst.
"You should be more careful. Gee, you play so violently." Aaron said.
"Some more violent then others!" Krista said while raising her good eyebrow at Nick.
He rolled his eyes and once again crossed his arms over his chest. Just then Jane came rushing over to Krista.
"Sweety! Aaron just told me, come on! Let's get some ice on it! Brian, can you help me?" Jane said. Brian nodded and he helped Krista into the kitchen.
BJ and Nick stood their in the hallway. Both of them just glancing at each other. Bob came in and called for Nick. "Nick, can I speak to you for a minute!"
"But-!" Nick started but was cut off.
"NOW!" His dad yelled.
BJ snickered and Nick gave her a warning glance.
Nick shut the door of his father's office and walked over to where his dad was standing.
"Nick? That black eye, where did she get it!"
"DAD! I may not like her! But, NEVER, I repeat NEVER, will HIT A GIRL! You and mom raised me better then that!" Nick said in a hushed whisper.
"I know, Nick! But, we also raised you not to hate! And it seems to be pretty obvious to your mother and I that you don't like Krista very much, why?"
Nick was ready for a rebuttol, or at least he thought he was. But, he honestly couldn't think of what to say. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. Then he opened his mouth again, and his father waited for an answer, but nothing.
"See, you don't have a reason!" His father said.
"I do....I do!" Nick said in his defence.
"Well, when you find out what the reason is, come back here and tell me. I would be thrilled to bits to know!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Nick said as he walked out of his father's office.
Brian, BJ, and Krista were sitting in the kitchen. Krista was holding a big chunck of ice to her eye. Brian was actually helping her hold it their.
"I just don't get it! How can he judge, and hate me, if he doesn't know me?" She said.
"I don't think he hates you." Brian tried to reason with her.
"Brian! Come on, Nick is being an ASS!" BJ said.
Nick stood behind the wall of the kitchen and listened to their conversation. Krista continued talking.
"I mean, I know he didn't mean to hit me in the eye. And the comment about the swimsuit got to me, but why?" She said.
"He's probably just tired, ya know? With coming home from the tour and all. Give him time." Brian said while smiling.
"But, I just met you today, Brian! And your being super nice to me. Your not acting like Nick. So, I don't think he needs time.
"Sometimes Nick is immature, that's all!" Brian said.
Nick's eyes widened when he heard Brian say that. "Immature? ha!" Nick said in a whisper.
"If he hates me this much already, he'll really hate me when he finds out I'm going out with Justin tomorrow night." Krista said while hoplessly sighing.
"Oh yeah, that's right! Well, don't worry, Nick won't ruin that for you!" BJ said.
"If you don't mind me asking, who is Justin?" Brian said.
"Timberlake!" Krista said while waiting for Brian's response.
"Oh....why would he be upset with tha-! 'N SYNC's TIMBERLAKE? HOLY MOLY! DEAR GOD GIVE US STRENGTH!" Brian said.
Krista and BJ looked at each other in question. They hadn't expected Brian to react that way either, but mainly it was because Brian new what Nick's response would be.
"WHAT!" Nick said in another hushed whisper. "Ohhhh.....Nooooo! I am NOT having a 'N Syncer in my house hold, no way! No How! I swear I'll hurt him if he does anything to her- wait a minute! What do I care about her! Ha! I don't, he can do what ever he wants! But, he better keep his filthy hands off of our furniture! Yeah, furniture! Yup!" Nick said as he listened to the conversation more.