“Nothing. We’re just hanging out,” Joey said.
“How was your evening?” JC asked.
She smiled. “It was eventful.”
BJ looked at her. “What does that mean?”
She looked at all of them. They all had curious faces. “Well I suppose I can tell you. You’re all going to find out sooner or later.” She walked over and sat down in front of them. “As you probably all know, I met Brian, AJ, Kevin, and Howie at a club tonight. Well the 5th member of their gang showed up.” BJ looked shocked. “Well to make a long story short, we’re starting over. We’re just going to be friends for now and see where that leads us.” BJ looked sad. Carly new BJ was upset when she pulled away from Justin. Carly also noticed a weird look on JC’s face. She ignored it. “BJ, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Yeah.” She stood up and followed Carly to the kitchen.
“I talked to Nick about you. I told him that he needs to give you and Justin a chance. You’re both hurting. I can tell by the looks on your faces when the other is mentioned. I think you should make the first move. Go talk to him. Show him how much you care.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think I can handle his rejection again.”
“Well just try once more. Justin and I will be here for you if you need us.”
“Ok. Well I’m going to bed. Tell all the guys goodnight for me.”
“I will. Goodnight.” Carly walked up to her room and went right to bed.
When Carly and BJ left the room all the guys looked at JC. He had a distant look on his face. “Are you ok JC?” Justin asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I’m just tired.”
“Jace, you need to talk to her and soon,” Joey said daring to say what the others wouldn’t.
“Talk to her about what? I think I’m just going to go to bed. Joe, do you mind if I stay here tonight?”
“Not at all. You know where the guest room is.”
“Night guys.”
Everyone said goodnight. JC went upstairs.
“Everyone but him can see how much he likes her,” Joey said.
“Hopefully, he’ll open his eyes before it’s too late,” Lance said.
BJ walked in and sat down next to Justin. She didn’t say anything. She just sat there. Justin rubbed her back. Everyone could see they need to be alone so they excused themselves. “What’s wrong, babe? Are you upset about your brother?”
“Yeah. Carly wants me to go see him. She said he’s hurting as much as I am.”
“He might be, but then he should make the first move.”
BJ thought about that for a minute. “You’re right, Justin. If he’s hurting that badly, he can come to me. He knows where I am.” She kissed him on the cheek.
“Is that all I get?”
She smiled. “Yup. Why? What do you want?”
“I was thinking about something like this.” He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
“Oh that,” she said with her eyes still closed.
Justin looked at her tenderly. “Yeah and there’s more where that came from.” He kissed her again. She pulled back and looked at her watch. It was 10 minutes till midnight.
“I’ve got to get going. I still have an hour drive.”
“I know. I just don’t want you to go.”
“I don’t want to go either, but we have all day together tomorrow.”
“I know. When are your parents coming home?”
“Late tomorrow night.”
“Then you don’t have school all week?”
“Yup. I can’t wait. I can’t believe I’ll be graduating in a month.”
“BJ, I’m going to be there. I made sure that day and the day after are cleared on the schedule.”
“Justin, you did?” He nodded. She threw her arms around his neck. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“I want to be with you. I want to share this wonderful experience with you.”
“Justin, you’re the best.” She let go of him. “But I really have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She kissed him quickly then got up.
“Bye, BJ.” Then she left. Justin headed up to the room he was staying in and went to sleep.
The next day Carly woke to her phone ringing. She groggily answered. “Hello?”
“Is Carly there?”
“This is her.”
“Hi, Carly. It’s Amanda.”
“Oh, hi Amanda. I’ll be ready in an hour. Do you think you can find the house?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok. Just ring the intercom and I’ll let you in.”
“Ok. See you in an hour.”
“Ok. Bye.” Carly got up and showered. She was putting on her makeup when she heard the intercom ring. She walked down stairs to see Joey up. “Joe, can you let my friend in? I have to finish getting ready. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Sure.” Joey pushed the button to let her in. Then he went to open the door. He was shocked when he saw who Carly’s friend was. Amanda got out of her car and walked up to the door.
“Hi, Joey.”
“Hi, Amanda. Carly said she’s just about ready. She should be down in a few minutes.” Just then Carly appeared behind Joey.
“Hi, Amanda. I see you’ve met Joey.”
“Yeah.”
“Well are you ready to go?”
“Yup.”
“Ok. Bye, Joe. I’ll see ya later.”
“Bye,” Joey said as he watched them get into Amanda’s car and leave.
BJ had just gotten done drying her hair when she heard the front door open and close. Justin wasn’t supposed to be there for another hour, and he wouldn’t just walk in so she knew it wasn’t him. She walked downstairs to the living room to see Nick standing there.
“Hi, BJ.”
“Hi, Nick.”
“How are you?”
“I’m ok. How about you?”
“I’m ok too.”
There was an awkward silence. “What did you come for, Nick?”
“I came to talk to you. I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Let’s sit down.” Nick sat down on the couch and BJ sat down in a chair. “I want to say I’m sorry. I realize now that everything I did was wrong. I wan to ask you to start over.”
“I would love to start over, but I have to ask you something first.”
“What is it?”
“To start over with me will mean that you have to accept Justin and me. Can you do that?”
“BJ, I’ve thought about it and I’m going to try. I can’t promise anything, but I will try.”
“Thanks, Nick.” Nick got up and hugged BJ. “So how are things going with Carly?”
“Well, not as good as I hoped, but things did take a step forward. She wants to start as just friends, but I will show her how much I still care. BJ, I still love her. I guess I always will.”
“Just take it slow. I think she’s trying to prove something to here and you. She does love you. Just give her time.”
“I will. So…uh…how are you and …Justin?”
“We’re really good.” She had a huge smile on her face. “He’s wonderful.” She eyed him carefully. She could tell he wasn’t enjoying this conversation. “How are the guys?”
“They are good. They miss you. Howie is always asked about you. You know he has a crush on you.”
BJ smirked. “I know. Don’t I ever.”
“So someone has a special day coming up soon?”
“Really? Who?”
“Shut up. Are you looking forward to graduation?”
“Yea, I’m really really excited. Justin is clearing his schedule so he can come. Isn’t that sweet?”
“Yeah. That is. We’re clearing our schedule too. You can bet well all be there.”
“I’m glad. It wouldn’t be the same without all of you there.” They sat around talking until the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” BJ said. She got up and answered the door. There stood Justin. He hugged her and saw Nick sitting on the couch. Nick looked away.
Justin pulled back. “Hi, BJ.”
“Hi, Justin. Come in.” He walked in and stood uncomfortably.
“BJ, I have to get going. I’ll talk to you later,” Nick said. He got up and walked to the door.
“Ok. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.” Nick left. Justin and BJ sat down on the couch.
“So I take it you two talked?”
“Yeah. He came about an hour ago. He said he missed me and wanted to start over. I told him if he wanted to start over he had to accept us. He said he would try.”
“I’m happy for you. I know how worried you were.”
“Anyway. How are you?”
“I’m fine now that I’m here with you.” He bent down to kiss her, but she turned her head. He ended up kissing her check.
“Justin, what’s wrong? I can tell. You’re holding something back. What is it?”
“What are you talking about, BJ? Nothing’s wrong. I’m happy because I’m here with you.”
“Justin, I can tell something’s wrong. Please tell mw what it is.” A thought acured to her. “It’s Nick isn’t it? I don’t know what, but it has something to do with Nick.” Justin got up and walked across the room. “Justin, just tell me. I’ sure I’ll understand.”
“BJ, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. I just have this feeling that with Nick in the picture things between us are going to change. Right now things are perfect. Your family accepts me and my family accepts you. Nick doesn’t like me and I can’t say that I like him much either. When we’re in the same room, things are a little tense, as you know. I just don’t want it to change anything between us.” Justin walked over to BJ and kneeled in from of her so he was at eye level with her. “Please promise me nothing will change.”
BJ stood up and pulled Justin up with her. She looked into his eyes. “Justin, I promise nothing looked into his eyes. “Justin, I promise nothing will change between us. We are not going to let other people come between us.”
Amanda and Carly had walked around the mall 3 times. “Well, what do you want to do now?” Amanda asked.
“I don’t care. I’m tired of shopping.”
“Me too. I’ve got a crazy idea.”
“What? You have an evil grin on your face.”
“Let’s surprise the boys. AJ said they were all going to be at his house all day.”
“Ok. Let’s go.” They went to Amanda’s car and drove to AJ’s house. When they got there there were 2 cars in the driveway, Brian’s and Howie’s. They walked up to the door and Amanda just walked in. Carly followed. They heard laughter coming from the kitchen.
“Just like men, always eating,” Amanda said. Amanda led Carly through the maze of AJ’s house. They walked into the kitchen to see Brian rolling around on the floor laughing, AJ sitting on the counter laughing, and Kevin and Howie sitting around the table laughing. “I don’t want to know.”
All the guys looked up except Brian. AJ jumped off the counter and walked over to Amanda. He hugged her then picked her up and spun her around. Carly stepped around them and walked to Brian who was still on the floor. He looked up at her. “Hi, Carly.”
“Hi, Bri. Can I ask what you’re doing on the floor?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Nevermind. I don’t think I want to know.” She walked over to the table and sat down between Kevin and Howie. “Hi, guys.”
“Hi, Carly. How are you today?” Howie asked.
“Pretty good. How about you two?”
“Good,” Kevin said.
“Great. Just had the laugh of the century.”
“I’m sure that’s why Brian’s on the floor, but I really don’t want to know.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes. “He went to see BJ,” Brian said. He had gotten off the floor and sat at the table.
“Who?” Carly asked.
“Nick.”
“Oh. I’m glad. They needed to work things out. But why did you tell me that?”
“I could tell you were wondering where he is.”
“Actually I wasn’t. He’s almost 19 years old. He’s a big boy who can handle himself.”
“Oh you remember his birthday is coming up. You still like him don’t you?” The other guys stared at him in shock.
Carly stared at him for a few seconds. Then she got up and left the kitchen. She started on a path she thought would take her to the front door, but she was soon lost in the maze of rooms. She came to one that looked like the living room so she sat down on the couch. About 10 minutes later Brian found her.
“Can I sit down?”
“I don’t care.”
“Carly, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I’m happy for you. You two deserve each other. I can tell he loves you.”
“Yeah? Well he sure has a funny way of showing it.”
“He was just confused.”
“Well I’m confused now.”
“It’s ok. Just take you time and move slow.”
“I will. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now do you want to hear what’s so funny?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’ll love it. I promise.” He told her and she broke out in fits of laughter. “I told you you’d love it.” Brian looked up to see Nick standing in the doorway. “Hey, Nicky! What’s up?”
“They sky.” He came in and sat down next to Carly.
“Funny,” Brian said. “I’m hungry. I’m going to get some food.”
“Bye, Bri,” Nick said.
“So did you talk to BJ?” Carly asked.
“Yeah. We’re good now.”
“I’m glad.” Carly could tell there was something wrong. He was staring off into space. “Nick, what’s wrong? I can tell something is up?”
“Justin stopped by before I left. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing him touch her like that.”
Carly turned so she was facing him. She took one of his hands in her. “It’ll get better. Just ask Joey. He’s gone through what you are. It wasn’t easy for him to except us, but he did. Now you need to give your sister and Justin that same respect.”
He looked at her. “Why do you have to be so smart?”
“I guess it’s just one of my good qualities.”
“Yes it is.” He stared into her eyes. Then he leaned in and kissed her. She kissed him back. All of the sudden Carly pulled back. She got up and walked across the room. “What’s wrong?” Nick asked.
“We’re supposed to be taking this slow.”
“Why? Why do we have to go slow? I love you, Carly. And I think you love me.”
“Yes I do.”
“Because we have to build trust up again.”
Nick got up and walked over to her. “Angel, I trust you.”
Her defenses crumbled when he called her Angel. She turned around so she was facing him. “Well, you shouldn’t.”
He cupped her face with his hands. “Well, I do. Do you trust me?”
“Yes I do.”
“See then we have trust. And nothing is holding me back from doing this.” He kissed her gently and full of love. She wrapped her arms around him. He pulled back and put his forehead on his and wrapped his arms around her. “What do you say? Give us another shot?”
“I love you.”
“Is that a yes?”
“What does this tell you?” She kissed him passionately.
When they pulled apart he said, “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Brian walked into the kitchen and sat down next to Howie. “Where’s Carly?” Kevin asked.
“She’s in the living room.”
“By herself?” Howie asked.
“No. Nick’s in there with her.”
“So how long do you guys think it’ll take those 2 to get back together?” Kevin asked.
“She’s confused so I think she going to take her time with it,” Brian said.
“I think they’ll be together by the time this weekends over,” Amanda said.
“Why do you say that?” AJ asked.
“Every time someone mentions his name her eyes light up and when he enters the room all she can do is stare at him. Didn’t any of you notice last nigh how her eyes hardly ever left him?”
Everyone shook their heads. “But now that I think about it you’re right. She still completely love him,” Brian said.
“Yes she is. And I don’t think she can deny her feelings much longer. She’s trying to prove something to herself and him.”
“How do you know all of this?” AJ said.
“We’re girls. We talk. Plus I’ve been in her position.” AJ tightened his hold on her.
“So what movie are we going to see tonight?” Kevin asked.
“How about that new Austin Powers movie? Those movies are always funny,” Brian said. All the guys agreed. “How about you Amanda?” “Only if Carly goes too.”
“She will. Nick will want her to and she will.”
“So what should we do till then?” Howie asked. “We could go see BJ.”
“Howie, man. She’s taken, and you’re too old. Find someone else to crush on,” Brian said.
“I don’t get what she sees in him. He’s a jerk and look at the problems he caused between Nick and Carly.”
“Howie, you know, as well as everyone else in this room, that Justin did not cause the problems between Nick and Carly. That was their own doing, and how would you know he’s a jerk? You’ve never taken the time to get to know him,” Kevin said.
“I don’t want to get to know him either. Kevin just because you’re friends with them doesn’t mean we have to be.”
“Why can’t you be friends with them?”
“Well for one they copied us.”
Kevin was getting angry. “You know they didn’t copy us. You just don’t like him because he’s younger and move popular than you and he has BJ. You need to grow up and realize a few things.” He then got up and left saying, “I’ll see ya later.”
Everyone was silent for a while after he left. “I think I’m going to leave too. I don’t think I’ll go tonight, I’ll talk to ya tomorrow,” Howie said. He got up and left.
“Well that was interesting,” Brian said.
BJ and Justin were watching MTV. “BJ, do you want to go see a movie tonight?”
“Sure. What movie did you have in mind?”
“I wanted to see that new Austin Powers movie.”
“Sounds good. Look you’re on TV.” A picture of NSYNC flashed on the screen then a picture of the Backstreet Boys. They listened. “Rumor has it that cousin of Joey Fatone from NSYNC Carly Fatone is back with the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter. The couple was seen hugging outside a night club last night.” A picture of Carly and Nick hugging flashed on the screen. “The couple broke up a few month ago. No one has released any information. Their manager has been contacted, but they won’t comment. Hopefully we will have more information by the end of the day.”
“Lou has probably blown as gasket,” Justin said.
“Does he know about us yet?”
“He know there’s something going on, but he doesn’t know what.”
“Well he should probably know. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah, it would probably be a good idea.”
“What do you think he’s going to say?”
“He’ll get made because he can’t control our lives. Then he’ll probably tell you what he told Carly.”
“What’s that?”
“That you’re going to ruin my career because the fans won’t like me anymore because I have a girlfriend.”
BJ sat up. “That’s not true is it?”
Justin pulled her back to him. “No. You should know it’s not true. People didn’t stop liking your brother because of Carly, so why would they with me. People will think things because your Nick’s sister, but that will be all.”
“I don’t want to do anything to hurt you or your career.”
“Don’t worry, baby. There’s nothing you can do to hurt my career.”
“Good.” They watched TV for the rest of the afternoon.
“What are we going to tell everyone?” Carly asked.
“Well we’ll tell all the guys and you can tell NSYNC so everyone will know what’s going on.”
Carly walked away from him. “Nick, is this how it’s going to be? Because if it is I don’t think I can handle it.”
“What? How what’s going to be?”
“You not being able to be in the same room and have a civil conversation with them. I can’t be put in the middle, Nick. They’re willing to try. Why aren’t you?”
“Angel, if you want me to try I will. I’ll do anything to be with you. I love you and I don’t think I can live without you anymore.”
“Nick, I’m not going anywhere. I just need you to try with them. If it doesn’t work I’ll understand and deal with it.”
“Ok. Tomorrow we’ll go together to tell everyone. My mom never stops asking about you. I couldn’t forget you even if I wanted to.”
“You wouldn’t forget little old me would you?”
“Never.” He walked across the room to her and took her in his arms. He kissed her. Brian walked in on them.
“Looks like the 2 love birds finally made up.” Nick and Carly jumped apart. “I just wanted to tell you that we’re all going to meet at Westdale at 7:00 to see that new Austin Power movie.”
“Ok. We’ll be there,” Nick said.
“See ya then.”
“Ok. Bye.”
“Bye,” Carly said. Brian left.
“Now where were we before we were rudely interrupted?” Nick asked.
“I think we were right about here,” Carly said kissing his neck.
At about 6:00 Justin and BJ headed to Westdale movie theater in Orlando to see the new Austin Powers movie. They go there and had to wait in line.
“BJ, do you just wanna crash at Joey’s house tonight?”
“Won’t Joey mind?”
“Naw. We all crash there all the time.”
“Justin, I don’t think I’m ready…..”
Justin put his finger over her lips. “In separate rooms.”
“Only if Joey says it’s ok. I don’t want to impose.”
“Ok. I’ll call him right now.” Justin took out his cell phone and dialed Joey’s number. “Joe. What’s up?”
“Not much. What are you up to?” “Not a lot. BJ and I are going to a movie.”
“That’s cool.”
“Do you mind if BJ and I crash at your place tonight?”
“Not a problem.”
“Ok. See ya later.”
“Bye.” Justin hung up and put his phone away.
“He says it’s not problem.”
“Cool.” Justin held her hand as they stood in line. “Justin, look who’s here. And look who’s holding hands.” Justin looked in the direction she was pointing. Walking up the street were Kevin, Brain, AJ, Amanda, Nick and Carly.
“Looks like their back together.”
“Yup, let’s go say hi.” BJ pulled him out of line and towards the group. “Amanda, long time no see. How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you?”
BJ looked at Justin. “I’m great. Amanda, this is my boyfriend Justin. Justin, this is AJ’s girlfriend and my friend Amanda.”
“Nice to meet you,” Justin said.
“Nice to meet you too.”
“Aren’t you even going to say hi to me, Curly?”
“I see you everyday. Why would I say hi to you,” he joked.
“Shut up, Timberlake.” Justin walked over to Carly and hugged her.
“How are ya doing?”
“I’m great.”
“I’m glad.”
Meanwhile BJ was greeting Brian. She hugged him. “How’s Brian?”
“I’m ok. Looks like you’re happy.”
BJ looked at Justin. “I am. So what are you all doing here?” she asked everyone. She walked over by Justin and grabbed his hand. <>P> “We’re going to see the new Austin Powers movie,” Carly said.
“So are we,” BJ said. “Why don’t we go together?”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Carly said. “Let’s go get in line.” BJ pulled Justin towards the line and everyone followed. They all talked amongst themselves as they waited. Finally they all had their tickets and some food. They were the first ones in the theater and they turned out to be the only ones there. They all died laughing throughout the move. Carly noticed Nick would glance at BJ and Justin a lot. They were holding hands and he didn’t like seeing that. When the movie was over they headed their separate ways. Justin and BJ headed to Joey’s house, and the rest headed back to AJ’s house.
To Be Continued…