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Nick walked back into his house and found Brian sitting on the stairs waiting for him.
"Where did you disappear to Frack?"
"I went over to Sam's."
Brian just shook his head at Nick, "And why did you do that?"
"I had to bug her about something she gave me last night."
"And what did she give you?"
Nick pulled out the box and passed it to Brian.
"Glow in the dark condoms!!? Oh my!! I think it's time I gave you that talk about the birds and the bees Nicky boy."
"Brian....it was a gag gift. Sera gave that....along with a very, very, VERY sexy nightgown to Sam......and Sam in turn tossed them to me last night."
"Uh huh....sure Nicky boy.....I think she's giving you hints here!"
Nick just shook his head and went into the living room.
"Hey Nick.....what's wrong? I thought you'd be......I dunno......more happy...."
"I don't know Bri......I mean......I just keep thinking......Sam's gonna be leaving in a few weeks....."
"She's only going upstate a few hours. It's not like she's leaving the country."
"Yea....but for as long as I can remember, she's always been right there....right next door. Whenever I needed her......and now she's gonna be gone."
"Have you told her how you feel about all this?"
Nick just shook his head.
"Why not?"
"I dunno....cuz as soon as I start talking about it I'm gonna end up asking her to stay...."
Brian just looked at him....not sure what to say.
"Well......you've got two weeks buddy.......then she's leaving."
"I know that Brian. Believe me.....I know....."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So what are we gonna do today Sam?"
"Beats me.....wanna hit the mall? I've got a ton of gift certificates to spend. Besides.....I gotta get some stuff for school....."
"NO!! Don't say it!!!! I can't stand the thought of school already. I can't believe summer has gone by so quickly!!! It's not fair!!"
"Hey! How do you think I feel?! I've got to go a full two weeks earlier than you!"
"I know......man, I'm gonna miss you Sam."
"I know...I'm gonna miss you too.....but I'm not going that far away. And we can visit each other on weekends!"
Sera just nodded, "So what are you going to do about Nick?"
"I dunno yet...........I haven't even thought about it....I don't want to!"
"Okay....then lets go shopping!! Who's car are we taking?"
Sam gave Sera a look that said 'Do you have to even ask?' Giggling, they both got dressed and left.....in Sam's car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So Brian......what's going on with the group. I mean.....are we ever going to perform for people again?!"
"Chill Nick! Oh yea.....you weren't at the last meeting were you. Yes actually, that Mr. Wood guy was trying to contact these places to do some concerts for charity or something. He's supposed to get back to us next week. In the meantime.....we're supposed to meet with some people later on today actually......oh man.....I totally forgot about that!"
"What?!"
"We've got to meet with some people about the group in like......oh shit......we've got to be there in 2 hours!"
"BRIAN!!!"
"Sorry Nick! I meant to tell you last night.....but with the party and all I just kinda forgot...." Brian said looking sheepish.
Nick just rolled his eyes and then he went to get ready to leave. A little bit later they were on their way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You know Sera.....you're supposed to be helping me here......."
"Sorry Sam.....but everything I've suggested you've shrugged off!"
"Well gee, I wonder why!? I mean, I ask you to help me pick out some skirts and you go to the lingerie section and tell me to try on stuff for Nick!!!"
"Well?! I mean, you're gonna be leaving him.....doncha want to give him a going away present he'll never forget?"
Sam just sat there for a moment, "No I'm not going to sleep with him just because I'm leaving!"
"Why not? I mean you almost slept with him at prom....."
"SERA!!! I can't believe you're even saying this stuff! You're supposed to be my friend!!"
"I am Sam!! But I mean.....look.....when you leave.....more than likely you and Nick will go your seperate ways......at least for awhile......so why not make it enjoyable while you can?"
Sam just shook her head, indicating that the conversation was over. Sera just sighed and then followed Sam to the food court. Sitting down, they grabbed some food without saying a word to each other. They were still sitting in silence whena shadow fel across the table. Sam looked up and a moment later anger flashed through her eyes.
"YOU!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brian and Nick literally ran into the building and up the stairs hoping to make it on time. As they ran through the door, they both skidded to a stop. Kevin, AJ, Howie, Mr. Wood and about 5 other people all looked up at them.
"Bout time you two showed up," Kevin stated with a frown.
"Sorry everyone. Traffic was a bear."
"That's okay Mr. Littrell....please, have a seat you two. Let me introduce you. Mr. Thompson, this is Brian Littrell and Nick Carter. Guys, this is Mr. Thompson, Ms. Miles, Mrs. Comings and Mr. Stephens."
With that, Nick and Brian went around and shook everyone's hands before grabbing a seat.
"Well......as you guys know, we've made the demo tape and it has been sent around. We haven't gotten any replies yet, but we will soon. Now....we need to get you guys managers. That's where these guys come in. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Miles are a managing team and Ms. Comings and Mr. Stephens are a managing team. They are going to work together to manage you guys for a few weeks. Then we'll choose who stays and who goes."
The guys just kinda looked at each other slightly confused. They weren't used to this kind of thing and didn't really know what to do. Mr. Wood continued talking for a few more minutes and then, with quick good-bye, he left the guys with their new managers. No one said anything. They all just sat there and stared at each other in silence.
"Well........I guess we should get started, shouldn't we?" Ms. Comings spoke up.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. So for the next few hours the guys and the managers discussed details. It was later that evening wen everyone left with plans to meet up later in the week or as soon as a gig opened up. Happy to be finally getting somewhere, the guys headed home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam's eyes flashed with anger as she stared up from her table.
"Sam......." Sera said with a hand on her shoulder.
"Hi Sam.......sorry I didn't talk to you after our date.....I just got busy you.....I'm sure you understand."
"Oh yea Zac......I understand.....you're a slimy, pathetic loser who needs to grow up."
"Oh big words coming from you..."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What with your lovely reputation and all, I'm so hurt."
"What reputation are you talking about you jerk?"
"Your reputation as the town slut.....I mean...sleeping with me on our date and then going out and doing the same thing with Nicky boy......"
He never got a chance to finish his sentence. Sam stood up and punched him in the jaw. Shocked, Zac fell back against another table and stared at Sam.
"Oh you're gonna get it now Sammy. I'd be careful if I were you.......you never know what can happen around here."
With another rude gesture and a threatening look, Zac took off out of the mall and Sam sat back down.
"You okay Sam?"
"Yea I'm fine Sera........I can't believe him. You know, I couldn't figure out why everyone was gossiping about me towards the end of the school year. I just ignored it. Now I know how they got those ideas though......"
"Don't sweat it Sam. You're gonna be out of here in a few weeks.......don't let Zac get to you now."
"I know.......are you ready to go? I'm not in the mood to shop anymore."
Sera just nodded and the two headed out of the mall and back to Sam's place.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick wasn't home ten minutes when he got a call from Ms. Comings.
"Hello?"
"Is this Nick?"
"Yes it is.....who's this?"
"Mary Comings....."
"Oh hey Ms. Comings.....what can I do for you?"
"Well, I just got news about that charity concert. They finally listened to your tape and they want you to perform at it."
"Really??!!"
"Yes, really. It'll be an actually concert type event. People will pay just for the concert.....90% of the profits go to charity. The other 10% goes to pay the performers a small fee."
"We're gonna get paid?!!"
"Yes Nick, you will get paid. It won't be a lot, but it's mainly just to cover your expenses to and from the concert and so forth."
"Wow.....that's kinda cool."
"I thought you all would like that."
"So when is it? What do we sing....when do we practice..."
"Whoa....one at a time. It's two weeks away. You all will sing about 3 or 4 songs. We'll go over the listing when we meet. And we start practice tomorrow."
"Okay.....where are we going to meet for practice?"
Ms. Comings went on to give him directions to a studio lot about an hour from him. After he had all the details, he hung up and immediately went to his window to see if Sam was home. Seeing that she was, he found a tennis ball under his bed and threw it at her window. After a moment Sera opened it.
"Yes Mr. Carter......you rang?"
"Hey Sera....where's Sam?"
"Sam is.......well....she's here.....but I'm not sure if she wants to talk right now."
"Why??"
"Uh.....long story...."
Nick looked at her for a minute before screaming Sam's name at the top of his lungs. Nick just grinned at the look Sera gave him. All in all, his plan worked. Sam appeared in the window a moment later.
"What Nick?"
"What's wrong Sam?"
"Nothing....what did you want?"
"Well I had good news but you obviously aren't going to be thrilled since you're in a bad mood."
"I'm sorry Nick......I just had a run in with Zac.....so I'm kinda in a pissy mood."
"You saw Zac?? What did he do?"
"Nothing.....just pissed me off is all. I found out he's the one who started those rumors at school."
"That's all.....he didn't do anything?"
"No."
"Sam!! Tell him!!"
"Tell me what Sam?"
"Nothing!"
"Sera, what isn't Sam telling me?"
"Well it seems that the lovely Zac threatened Sam......after she hit him in the jaw."
"WHAT?!! You hit him?"
Sam didn't answer, she just kinda nodded her head.
"That's my girl."
Sam just smiled.
"So why did you punch him? I mean I would have....but what did he do to provoke you? You aren't exactly the violent type."
Sam just blushed and refused to answer him.
"Sera?"
"Well........Zac said that she slept with him and then jumped into bed with you."
Nick's mouth just dropped open, "Oh man......yea I can see why you hit him.....I mean the fact that he had the gall to say that you and him had slept together....."
Sera and Sam stared at Nick open mouthed.
"What?!"
"Well.......you think it's bad that Zac suggested me and him slept together....but what about him suggesting me and you slept together?"
"Well that's not a bad thing."
Sam and Sera just rolled their eyes and laughed at him. Nick just put this 'innocent little boy' look on his face.
"So Nickers.....why did you want to talk to me anyway?"
"Stop with the Nickers!! Please!! I'm begging!! I hate that name!"
"Oh come on Nickers......you know you love it!"
"Yea right Samantha!!! Anyways, I just found out we're gonna be doing a charity concert in two weeks!!"
"Cool!!"
"You're going to come aren't you?"
"Of course! Wait......what day?"
"I think it's on Friday."
"Yea I'll be there. We don't leave to go up north until Saturday morning."
At the mention of Sam leaving for college, everyone got quiet.
"Well, I'll talk to you later Sam. I gotta go. We've got an early rehearsal call tomorrow."
"Okay, goodnight."
Shutting her window, Sam turned to Sera with a depressed look on her face.
"I'm gonna miss all this......"
"I know Sam.....but it's not like you're leaving the country."
"I know...."
"Well, I have to go. I told my folks I'd be home before it got too late today. I'll see you later."
Sam sat on her bed after Sera had left and cried herself to sleep.