"...Happy birthday, dear Kevin, happy birthday to youuuuu!" Everyone sang as Kevin blew out twenty-eight candles on his cake. The Backstreet Boys were a couple weeks into their first US leg of the Into The Millennium Tour, having done a round of dates in the summer over in Europe. Tonight there was no show scheduled, and they had arrived in Columbus early for the next night's performance. A night off, and Kevin's birthday... what a good way to end the weekend!

"Sorry I'm late," Laura said, busting in the room. She walked up and gave Kevin and big hug and a kiss. "Happy birthday, Kev," she said, handing him a small package and an envelope. She was trying desperately not to laugh, but continued. "Open the box first, Kevin. Then the card."

"Whaaa? Why, what's in the box that I have to open it first??" Kevin asked, confused and worried at the same time.

"Just open it, Kevin," Misty Trent, AJ's girlfriend, urged. She giggled and whispered to AJ, "I can't wait to see what Laura's got in there. She said she was giving him a gag gift." AJ laughed with Misty and gave her a kiss, then turned his attention back to Kevin. Kevin's girlfriend, Teresa Clark, came up behind where Kevin was sitting and wrapped her arms around his neck, anxious to also see what Laura was up to.

Kevin looked up into Laura's eyes. Laura smirked. "Oh Christ, Kevin, open the damn thing already! It ain't gonna bite you!" she urged, as he looked between her and the package suspiciously. Reluctantly, Kevin tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside he found a mini-grooming kit, which included an eyebrow brush. He started to laugh as Laura stuck out her tongue at him. "I told ya I could wax them for ya, just a little bit... not much at all. But noooooo... so I chose to do the next best thing for ya."

Howie laughed. "That's just as good as the case of hair gel she got me for my birthday!"

Kevin laughed, then turned to Laura. "I don't know whether to be insulted or be thankful, so I guess I'll be thankful since there was no wax involved. Thank you, Laura," he said, still laughing, as he stood up to hug her.

"Wait, you didn't open the envelope, that's where your real present is," Laura said, as they stood arm in arm as she handed him the envelope. Kevin took it from her and opened it. He read the card and chuckled. "Fuuu-nnnyy, Laura," he said sarcastically, as he looked at what was inside the envelope. It was a gift certificate for one of the best restaurants in the Columbus area.

"This way you and Teresa can go get some dinner, just the two of you. I even talked to the owner about getting you guys a table in back so y'all won't be bothered by anyone when you're eating." Kevin smiled at Laura and hugged her again, whispering "thank you" into her ear. "You're welcome, Kev. I know it's not much, but I hope you enjoy it all the same." Kevin smiled, showing his appreciation as he handed the certificate to Teresa for safe-keeping.

Laura looked to the opposite side of the room, and saw Nick and his girlfriend, Becky, walk in. Neither of them looked very thrilled with each other, walking in about 10 feet apart, first Becky, then Nick. What a tart, and she's not all that great herself, Laura thought to herself, smiled smugly, and walked over to Nick. "Trouble in paradise, Nicky?" she asked, ready for a good fight.

Much to Laura's surprise, Nick put up very little fight. "I don't want to talk about it, OK? Especially NOT with you, so if you'll excuse me," he said, walking away. Laura stood there, stunned. Just then Brian and his girlfriend, Leighanne, walked up to Laura.

"Alright, what did you say to him this time?" Leighanne asked with a half chuckle.

Brian glared at Leighanne, his way of telling her that this was no longer a laughing matter. "Laura, you know I love ya, you're a big part of our family now, but come on, can't you cut Nick some slack? You rip on him mercilessly about everything and anything. The kid's sensitive, you know."

Laura looked at Brian in shock. "Me? Rip on him mercilessly? Him, sensitive? Brian, he's done nothing but ridicule me too. Do you know how hard it is to work on someone like him? He's so arrogant... prancing around with his, 'Oh, I'm all that and a bag of chips,' attitude. His, 'Oh, I'm Nick Carter, I'm a Backstreet Boy,' attitude. His, 'Oh, I'm so gorgeous,' attitude. Makes me want to blow chunks," Laura finished, sticking her finger part way down her throat, making gagging sounds.

Brian and Leighanne looked at each other amused. "First of all, I have no idea where you're picking up this arrogance and attitude with him. And second, if you actually took the time to get to know him, I'm sure you two would find that--"

"I'm sure, whatever. But maybe he is sweet and nice around you guys, but around me, he's always cold and calculating, just waiting to jump on me for something. I'm telling you, if it weren't for the rest of you guys being so nice, and the experience that I'm getting being on the road with you guys, I would not be here, I guarantee that!" Laura said, then walked away, leaving Brian and Leighanne stunned.

Brian turned to Leighanne and half whispered something to her. Leighanne smiled as they watched her and Nick avoid each other the rest of the night.

"Will you please just cooperate with me, just this one time?" Laura pleaded. Nick was the last one to get makeup, as always. Tonight was like every other night on this tour. Nick was doing everything in his power to distract her, but tonight, it was wearing thin with her. "NICK!" she shouted, stopping him in his tracks. "Thank you, geeez... we're running behind as it is."

"Well that isn't MY fault," Nick spoke up defensively. "It's not my fault that you couldn't be here until you caked on your own twelve pounds of makeup. Surprised you don't need a jackhammer to get it off. Doesn't your head get heavy? I mean, between the makeup and the 3 cans of hairspray you must use to get your hair to stay like that," he teased, reaching his hand up and feigning getting his hand stuck in her hair. He laughed as he continued to heckle Laura. "Oh... no... can't... break... hand... free..."

Finally Laura had taken about all she could from Nick. "Will you FUCKING stop it!?" she yelled, grabbing his hand out of her hair and twisting his arm back. Nick was stunned by Laura's strength. She was a short girl, about 5'4", average build, but obviously hiding quite a bit of muscle. He sat there, unable to move, afraid to move. She was actually hurting him. Seeing the pain in his face, she eased up a bit. "Can I please finish you now, or are you still gonna fuck around with my time?!?" Nick's eyes met Laura's gaze, only inches from his face... blue eyes met blue eyes. Nick was afraid to speak. "I said, can I finish now??" she urged, almost growling the words.

Nick gulped and nodded. "Sure, Laura," he choked out, sneering at her. Laura released her grip, smoothed out her shirt, and finished applying Nick's stage makeup. After only 3 minutes, she was finished with his hair and makeup.

"See? Now is that so difficult to behave?" Laura said, faking a pleasant voice. Nick stood up, looked once in the mirror, then back at Laura. He pivoted quickly on his heels and stormed off, his hair pulled up in the ponytail on top of his head bobbing as he walked. "By the way, we are cutting your hair before the next leg of dates, I promise you, Carter." Her words echoed as he closed the door behind him, not even looking back at her.

Pretentious asshole, Laura thought to herself as she packed up the makeup. Since being on tour with the guys, she has not even watched the show. She had seen bits and pieces of it, but never watched the entire thing. Tonight, she was going to. Laura grabbed her garment bag and walked down to one of the vacant dressing rooms to change. Tonight, she was going to take in her first Backstreet Boys concert.