“What are you doing here?” the blonde heartthrobs asked simultaneously, neither knowing exactly where ‘here’ actually was. It seemed they were standing on a makeshift stage of some sort, and in front of them 200 or so g girls sat frozen in time, silenced mid-scream. The two teenage boys stared blankly at one another.

“Carter, what is going on?” Justin asked after a few seconds.

“I’ll be damned if I know,” Nick replied.

All of a sudden, the room took on an eerie red glow. Terror registered on their faces, accompanying the confusion that was already fixed there. They continued to stare at the other intently, as the light grew brighter and brighter. Soon it blinded them and they could no longer see into each other’s baby blues. The light flashed briefly and then, as soon as it had come, it disappeared. Neither Nick nor Justin could see though, and they stood there rubbing their eyes furiously, trying to regain some vision.

Justin’s sight came back to him first. He could see the girls in the audience, still locked into the same positions as before. ‘This is sure a strange dream,’ he thought. Justin turned his head to face Nick, slightly aware of the hair that moved against his cheek. His eyes locked to his target, but what he saw was not what he expected. It was as if he was looking into a mirror. Justin saw himself was standing on the other side of the stage, looking back with the shocked expression he knew he must have been wearing.

Nick mimicked that expression, as he was seeing himself as well. He didn’t know why, but something felt strange. ‘It’s just a dream Carter,’ he told himself. But it felt so real that he got goosebumps running up and down his arms. Nick opened his mouth to speak, but as he did, the teenyboppers came to life spontaneously. Their screams were deafening, considering the silence that had occupied the room moments before. The girls seemed to realize that their idols were unguarded, and began to rush the stage. “RUN!” Nick screamed to his mirror image that had been Justin Timberlake earlier on.

Justin heard himself scream to run, and he complied, fear overtaking him, and overriding his need to know what was going on. ‘I don’t think I like this dream very much,’ he thought.

Justin awoke in a cold sweat, panting heavily. He gulped back the sobs, reminding himself that it had all been a dream, just a stupid nightmare. He pushed the hair that stuck to his forehead back, and lay down again. Moments later, his body shot back up and he repeated the motion for the benefit of making sure he had actually done it. As his hand met the silky straight hair, his eyes widened. Swiftly, he swung his legs out of the bed, and made his way to the dresser. Justin put his head down and prayed a silent prayer before looking up at the mirror—and straight into the eyes of Nick Carter. He pinched himself, and felt a slight amount of pain, but nothing too drastic, so he assumed that he must still be dreaming. Justin shook his—or rather Nick’s—head and climbed back into the hotel bed. ‘Think of Leigh,’ his brain told him. He settled into the pillows and closed his eyes, struggling to keep his girlfriend at the foreground of his thoughts. He fell into another restless, albeit dreamless sleep.

Alicia crept into Nick’s room silently. She wanted to surprise him, wake him up. He knew she was coming to Paris that day, but she had caught an earlier flight from Florida and arrived in France 6 hours before she was expected. From the doorway, Al admired Nick’s sleeping form. His muscles rose and fell softly, and she ached to lay beside him and caress them. “Stop it Al, he’s your best friend!” she chastised herself quietly. A semi-evil grin played on her lips and she ran to the bed. She vaulted herself onto it and began to bounce up and down, careful not to step on him. Within seconds, his eyes shot open.

The bed beneath Justin began to shake violently. They were in LA, so earthquake was the first thing that came to mind. He opened his eyes quickly, and came face to face with what was quite possibly the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her large green eyes sparkled mischievously and a giggle escaped her moist, parted lips. She had thick dark brown hair and a perfectly toned body, all of which Justin could see, as she was standing over him, her feet straddling his stomach. Even if she was gorgeous, that gave her no right to be in Justin’s room without permission.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked angrily.

The girl stopped practically mid-jump. “Giving you the Star wake-up call, silly!” She resumed her slight hop again.

Justin glared up at her. “It’s not appreciated, so kindly get the hell out of my room before I have to call security.”

The beautiful girl’s eyes clouded with tears as his yelled words stung her. He hadn’t meant to make her cry.

“Look, I’m sorry…” Justin began, but before he could continue, his door was thrown open. His eyes grew wide as he saw who stood there.

“What the heck is all the screaming about?” Brian asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. They lit up as he saw Alicia. “ALI!”

“Hey Bri,” she sniffled, trying to hide her moist eyes.

Justin was still too shocked to say anything; he just continued to listen to the conversation.

“I thought your plane got in a four?” Brian said, looking at his watch while hugging the girl.

She sighed. “It was supposed to, but I decided to hop an earlier one and surprise you guys.”

“I’m definitely surprised, how about you Nick?”

Justin’s eyes grew larger still. “What did you call me?”

“Uh…Nick?” Brian answered, as he saw his friend jump out of bed and run into the bathroom. A bloodcurdling scream was heard from within. Nick emerged seconds later, shocked expression fixed on his trademark baby face.

“Who am I?” he asked desperately. The two others in the room looked at each other questioningly. “Please, tell me who I am!”

The girl spoke up first. “You’re Nickolas Gene Carter, Backstreet Boy and my best friend, among other things.”

Justin could not believe the words that were leaving her lips. “Who are you?”

“Nickstar, what’s your problem today? You don’t know who you are, and now you don’t know who I am? It’s me, Alicia, Al…your best friend for the past 8 years…this ringing any bells?” Al couldn’t read Nick’s blank expression, which was unusual.

Justin tried to assess the situation as best he could, but under the circumstances, it was rather difficult. Brian and the girl, Alicia, continued to stare at him. Justin ruled out the possibility of a dream; it was all too real. He did not know what was going on, but he knew he had to make the best of it whatever it was for the moment. He plastered on a smile, and chuckled. “Got ya! I really had you guys going there. Come here and give me a hug Al,” he said, pulling her close. His skin tingled where she touched him, but he tried to ignore it. He had more pressing things to worry about. ‘Like what the hell I’m doing in Nick Carter’s body!’