"Selena! Selena, hon..."

Brian approached me from behind and and helped me stand up.

I tried unsuccessfully to pull myself away from his grasp.

"C'mon, Selen, let's get you home ok?" he brushed my bangs out of my eyes.

I laughed "Brian, you're so weird! I think I can drive myself home. You can go back anf talk to that skank ok? Really Bri...I don't mind!" I laughed again.

Brian frowned "How much did you have to drink?"

A wave of dizziness passed over me, and I would have fallen if Brian didn't have a firm grasp of my arms. I had lost track of my drinks after my fourth Kahluah.

Trying to focus on Brian was proving near impossible. I blinked as I tried desperatly to zero in on his form. I was losing control over my body, and I was aware of it too, which only made my feelings of vulnerability more powerful. I knew I was drunk, but I couldn't stop myself from what I was saying.

"Seriously, Brian! Go talk to that nasty ass lounge singer in there!" I laughed again.

"Selena--this isn't funny!" Brian spat, "We need to get you home."

I rolled my eyes, "I figure by finding humor in the situation I can see what it's like to be you!.

I didn't resist this time when Brian lead me to his Jeep and then buckled me in. Sighing, I let the sleep encompass me.

I woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache. It felt like the battle of antietam was being fought between my ears. Even though the shades were drawn, the little bit of sunlight that crept though the blinds in Brian's guestroom were a source of evil, unbearable pain. I moaned and then rolled over. When I saw that it was almost 1:00, I gasped in horror. As soon as my feet his the plush carpet though, I realized the severity of my hang-over. I teetered dangerously, and my knees buckled, so I plopped back down onto the bed. After a few minutes I attempted to stand once more. This time I felt only slightly dizzy. Making my way shakily to the bathroom, I found some Tylenol and hastily swallowed four of them. I splashed water onto my face and looked at my refection. Great! Not only do I feel like I just battled at antietam, but I looked like it as well. Dark circles colored the skin beneath my eyes, and my eyes were bloodshot and red. Not only that, but my throat felt swollen. Suddenly that familiar feeling of naseau grasped my abdomen, and yet I again for what must have been the tenth time since last night, I saught comfort in clutching the porcelain bowl.

"Take ten!" Fatima, the Backstreet Boys' choreographer shouted. "Hey Brian, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Brian rearranged his backwards baseball cap and nodded. "How're you doin' these days?" he asked trying to sound cheerful, hoping she wasn't going to ask the dreaded question.

"I thought Selena was going to be here today," she said seriously.

"She wasn't feeling too good this morning," Brian said nervously.

Fatima focussed her dark eyes on Brian's and nodded "well, take care of her hon, and make sure she's here early tomorrow so we can go over the routine for the Christmas concert." The Christmas concert was going to be held at the Magic Kindgom on the 23rd, the day before Selena went home. "I don't expect too many problems to arise, she's a fast learner."

Brian saw Nick watching them curiously from the corner of the studio. "Well, I'm gonna go catch up with the rest of the fellas," Brian said. "See ya in a few." He patted her on the shoulder.

"Hey, man--what's up?" Nick inquired.

"Not much, she was just asking about Selena. I just told her she wasn't feeling well. Which is true. I was up all night with her, holding her head over the toilet."

"Awwww....poor Selen..."

Brian rubbed his temples.

They entered the break room to find AJ, Kev, Howie, and Candy looking grimly at one another.

"Boys, Coy has struck again," Kevin said gravely.

"What is it this time?" Nick asked wearily swigging from his water bottle. "Shoot me while I'm down, give me the verdict 'cause I don't think things can get much worse."

"Wanna bet kiddo?" asked A.J.

Nick glared over at A.J. and then focused his attention back on Kevin "you were sayin'?"

Kevin tossed an issue of The Tampa Times in front of Nick. It had been folded to an article in the A&E section. Backstreet Boys...Double the Fun for Soda Pop's (NAME) read the headline. There was a picture of Nick with (NAME) kissing him. Next to that was a picture of Brian and the same girl, looking very cozy with one another.

Brian just shook his head sadly.

Nick, not known for hiding his emotions, let out a choked cry. "Auugghhh! Where in the hell do they get these pictures? Did you fellas notice anyone with cameras?"

Howie licked his lips, "that was supposed to be a private party!" he moaned.

"I didn't notice anything unusual," offered Candy.

"Well boys, I for one am not going to let that bitch ruin my day," A.J. said. "People are going to believe what they want. If they want to think that you two are players...well then let them."

"A.J.--that's not fair! It's not like it's your being exploited to the nation!" Nick spat angrily.

"Look bro, I'm just tryin' to help out here--"

"Well you're not," Nick crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared over at A.J.

"Ummm....I think I'm going to take the rest of the day off, I think I should check on Selena." The last thing Candy wanted to get caught in the middle of was a fight with the Backstreet Boys. "Kev?" she asked.

"Keys are in my pocket, I'll get a ride home with somebody."

"Thanks," she planted a kiss on his cheek. As she rounded the corner leading away from the break room, she could hear the beginning of an arguement.

"I do not!. I do not whine a lot!" Nick shouted.