I stepped out of Nick's truck and looked at the Spanish stucco house in my view. The landscaping was absolutly immaculate. Paper lanterns lit the cobblestone walkway into Lou Pearlman's house. Although it was a bit chilly outside, there were still a few select people outside lingering around. We had arrived right when the party was taking full swing. Not one to waste time when it came to dancing, I left my coat off with one of the hostesses and dragged Brian onto the dance floor. Kevin and Candy followed, but I noticed Nick making a beeline for the refreshment table, quiet Sandy following him like a little puppy.

"Party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach 'till the break of dawn, welcome to Miami, bienvenido a Miami," sang along. My jaw dropped when I saw him heading towards me with Jada.

Brian followed my gaze and saw Will Smith. He chuckled at my reaction.

"Yo, Brian--whattup my man?" asked Will as he approached the two of us.

I couldn't believe I was now standing not three feet from THE Will Smith.

"Who's the lovely lady?" Will asked, gesturing toward me.

Brian placed his hand lightly on my back "this is my girlfriend, Selena. She's visiting from New Hampshire."

"It's a pleasure," he said sincerely.

"Likewise," I managed to stutter. I gave his wife a warm smile.

Our conversation was interupted by a high-pitched shriek of the microphone. Lou stood at the rear of the room up on a platform. "I want to welcome you all to my humble abode."

"Humble? That's not the word I would choose," I muttered under my breath as I fingered a glass case containing what looked like a solid gold monopoly set. Nick approached our group just as I said that. Unable to contain his laughter, crumbs shot out of his mouth. When he went to wipe them off of his face, he spilled some of his Coke onto his white shirt.

He muttered a naughty word and disapeared to find the nearest restroom.

"So, since I now have all of you here--my family really--"

I massaged my head, "oh please," I mumbled.

Brian shot me a look of disaproval.

My face turned scarlett "sorry," I whispered.

"Please welcome your newest labelmate--SODA POP!"

A quartette of trendy looking girls appeared on the platform. A familiar upbeat tune filled the walls of the room. I actually recognized the tune--I was kind of catchy. I began to tap my foot. Soon I couldn't contain myself and I began dancing, Brian and then the rest of the room soon followed.

"She's pretty cute!" Brian said nodding toward the girl performing the lead at the time.

I looked at him with confusion.

"You're MUCH cuter though," he relayed.

Although I didn't buy it, I let him have it. After the song ended I decide I needed a drink. On my way back to my spot, I noticed that Bri was gone.

I glanced around the room, Nick wasn't in sight either.

Sighing, I almost decided to approach Kevin and Candy, but just then the song ended, and another slow romantic ballad began to play. Not wanting to interupt anything, I made my way to the bar.

I sat down on the stool, "Kahluah," I said briskly to the bartender. It was a private party, I didn't have to worry about an ID.

I had just finished my third round when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I turned around and saw Nick.

"Hey bud!" I shrieked and gave him a great big squeeze around the neck. "Want a drink?" I asked Nick.

"No thanks," Nick gestured to the bartender, all the while prying my arms off of him.

"Well, in that case--" I turned to the Bartender "could I have another round?"

"NO! C'mon Selena. I think you've probably had enough." Nick said sternly.

I frowned, but I knew that he was right. "Where's Sandy hon?"

Nick grabbed my arm and led me to the dance floor, "she had a headache, so I brought her home."

"Oh! So THAT'S where you disapeared to!" I scolded. "Nick, you're supposed to be around for me when Brian disapoints me!"

Nick looked at me, confused. He noticed I was starring behind him. He turned and spotted Brian and one of the girls from that new group dancing.

Nick's eyes hardened slightly.

I flounced back over to the bar to seek some companionship.

"Nothin! Man, she went to the refreshment table, and then never came back! When I noticed she was at the bar, I decided to continue getting to know Denise here."

Denise giggled.

"Nick--you know I can't stand it when people drink too much."

"You could have at least stopped her!"

"Well--I would have but I was busy talkin," Brian said calmly.

Nick frowned, leaning in closer to Denise, smelling for alcohol. Thinking she was going to be kissed in her vulnerable drunken state, she grabbed Nick's head with her hands and pulled him in and planted a wet kiss on his lips.

I watched the entire scene from my stool at the bar. I hopped off of my chair. Instead of landing with both my feat of the ground, one of my shoes caught on one of the rungs on the stool and I crashed to the floor. I got up and tried to stumble out of the room before anyone noticed the tears coarsing down my cheeks.