*Brian*
"Fairest is our opening act," I said.
"She's hot," AJ smirked.
"She's a bitch," Nick said, his arms crossed over over his chest.
"Oh, you're just upset because she rejected you," Kevin said.
"She rejected you, too, Kevin," Howie said.
"She rejected *all* of us," I added.
"She didn't reject me," Howie grinned.
"She didn't even talk to you," AJ said, laughing.
"That's a good thing. She called me a dork," Nick muttered.
"I have to agree, Nick. She's not stupid," I said, gathering up the papers we'd been given.
"May not be stupid," Nick said as we stood up. "But damn, she sure is pissy."
*Me*
I laughed and sipped my drink.
"Where'd you hear that one?"
"Backstreet.net. I'm serious, AJ said you were 'cute, but very unapproachable'."
"Ass. Just because I turned him down." I took another sip. "They're all asses. All of them came up to me in one night and tried to ask me out. *All* of them! I was so close to jamming one of my CD's down all of their throats."
"Spit or swallow?" Morgon said, giggling.
"Spit," I said automatically. Morgon stopped laughing and looked at me.
"You..."
I looked at her. "What... no! God, no, that's gross. Jesus, Morg."
"Sorry." She grinned. "They may be asses, but I'll be damned if all of 'em aren't good fucks. I'm guessing, of course."
The way she said it made me laugh. Then I groaned.
"I'm supposed to have dinner with them tonight."
"They may have their bodyguards pat you down. Go unarmed."
I nodded, giggling. "Will do. But it won't stop me from kicking their asses if the need arises."
Morgon just smiled.
I got ready for the dinner when I got home. Black leather pants, a burgundy corset top, and black sandal heels. I painted my nails and toenails burgundy. Nothing like a gothic look to freak 'em out.
A limo drove me there, which I hated. I would've been content to drive myself.
I walked in and saw they weren't there.
"Where are they?"
"They'll be just a bit late, Miss. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Um, yeah, just water please."
He left and I began drumming my fingernails on the table.
After what seemed like forever, they walked in.
I gazed at them warily.
"You're a half hour late."
"Oh, well, we thought we'd come a little late in case, ya know, *you* were late," AJ said. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"It doesn't take me two hours to get dressed."
"I would've thought differently," he replied, looking me over.
"Don't try to be cute. It makes you even more annoying."
*Brian*
"Could you be any more pissy?" Nick snapped.
"Bite me." Mary narrowed her eyes.
"Blow me."
"In your wildest wet dreams."
"You wish."
"Hey!" I said loudly. "Let's try to be a little less hostile, please? This is not a good way to start out 6 months together."
We all began to take our seats, Kevin and me on either side of Mary.
Throughout dinner, the only person she seemed to be able to talk to without beating them up verbally was Kevin. He actually made her smile and laugh. God knows why. From what I could hear, their conversation sounded kinda boring. But whatever. As long as she didn't hate every last one of us.
Later on, after we'd eaten, we stood around outside, talking. Mary, of course, was talking to Kevin.
Nick stood beside me, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Look at her. Totally ignores the rest of us, but gettin' all buddy-buddy with Kevin."
"So?"
"I bet she just wants to get in his pants." He intentionally said it loud enough for her to hear. She and Kevin looked up at us. Even from where I was standing I could see her eyes flash.
"What did you say?" she said dangerously.
The rest of us had gone silent, watching Nick and Mary.
"You heard me. You do realize that you have a reputation as a slut among the males in the music industry. I heard you slept your way to a record deal."
"Dude," I murmured, backing up. Somethin' was about to go down. I'd heard it wasn't a smart thing to question her talent.
"Listen, *asshole*, I haven't slept with anyone. Ever. Yeah, I know it's a big shocker to you that there's a virgin in the industry that you didn't know about." She paused and cocked her head to the side. "I guess that's just too bad for you, isn't it?" she said in mock pity.
"Bitch." He practically spit in her face.
"Bastard." She shoved him back, so hard that he fell over. He hit my legs and knocked me down with him.
She ignored me and sat down on Nick's legs, then reached and grabbed his shirt collar, pulling him up so they were almost nose to nose.
"Don't ever question my talent and don't you *ever* call me a bitch again."
She let him go and stood up, stepping back. He jumped up and glared at her, adjusting his shirt. Just as she turned away, he narrowed his eyes.
"Are you a lesbian?"
She stood there a minute, her back to him. Then she whirled around and punched him, so hard he staggered back into me.
"Damn... she's strong," I heard AJ murmur.
"You stupid little whore!" Nick exclaimed, regaining his composure.
The two began advancing towards each other. I pulled Nick back -not an easy task- and AJ -closest to Mary- wrapped his arms around her waist and held her in place.
"Get your hands off of me!" She pulled away from AJ.
*Kevin*
"Don't ever touch me again," Mary hissed, pushing AJ slightly. Then she stalked off, around the corner.
Our limo pulled up then.
"C'mon, Kev," Brian said. I shook my head.
"Nah, you go ahead. I'll stay here."
Brian shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, see you later."
*Me*
I hung up my cell and walked around the corner. I stopped short when I saw Kevin standing there. I eyed him warily as I slipped my phone back in my purse.
"Why are you still here?"
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
I rolled my eyes. "Look, I don't need you looking out for me like some big brother figure. I can take care of myself."
He gave me a look. "Since when is common courtesy a crime?"
"When it's not asked for."
*Kevin*
I stared at her. "Why do you hate us so much?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't give me that. You've gotta have a good reason if you pick fights with Nick-"
"He started it. I was just fine until he had to open his mouth."
"You're too easily provoked. You're too touchy."
"And you talk too slow, what's your point?"
I ignored her comment. "You shouldn't let Nick get to you like that, or this tour is gonna be a disaster."
"It was a disaster the minute I was told I had to open up for you guys."
"Why are you so damn negative all the time?"
She looked at me, then took a couple steps towards me so she was directly in front of me.
"You really wanna know, Kevin?"