"Listen to this guys. It's in the gossip column of the new BOP." He read them the excerpt.

"Why's it so funny?" asked Kevin, looking serious.

"Why? Me and Rini, a couple?"

"Yeah," I chimed in. "You don't think that's the least bit funny?"

They all shook their heads.

"I could see it," said Brian, looking at the two of them critically.

AJ studied them also. "Me, too."

"Me, three," agreed Kevin.

"Me, four," said Howie.

I was about to retort something when Nick's hand clamped down over my mouth. "Just forget them, before you go into one of your bitch fits again. They don't know anything."

I glared up at Nick. "They're not bitch fits!"

"Whatever you want to call them. These guys aren't worth it."

"But you are?" asked Brian, grinning at them.

"I, uh, I mean, that's totally different. It wasn't like I could control the fact she punched me."

Brian just smiled to himself and nodded. "Whatever you say, Frack, whatever you say."

Nick glared at them all. "I need a nap," he said, turning and walking out of the room.

I didn't know what to do. I didn't have much choice of where to go. Either into the TV room with the four of them, or to my bunk. Maybe there was a pit stop somewhere around here that the driver would be willing to stop at. I went to check.

"Sure, Missy," he said. "There's a weighing station just up here a couple miles. You can step out and stretch your legs."

"Thanks."

I hopped down from the bench I was kneeling on, and sat down at the booth in the kitchenette. Nick had thrown the magazine down on it, and I picked it up. I figured I might as well finish it while waiting for the pit stop. It didn't take long to get to the pit stop. Brian, Howie, and AJ got off the bus, and I was about to follow when I realized Kevin wasn't getting off.

"What's wrong, Kevvy?" I asked concernedly.

"Nothing, I just don't need to get off."

"Oh, I see." I sat down on the couch next to him. He was almost ten years older than me, which when you thought about it was a really long time. He had kind of been my adopted dad since the trip began. I knew my parents were thankful. They had met the Backstreet Boys previous to this long trip, and they trusted them, and knew they wouldn't let anything happen to me. Plus, if something did happen to me, they wouldn't have an opening act.

"Kevin, why isn't that article on me and Nick funny?"

He smiled at me. "Why are you so worried?"

"Do you know how rude it is to answer a question with another question?" I retorted.

He chuckled. "Okay, you got me there. Well, I don't know exactly. It's just that you and Nick seem to have a, I don't know, a thing."

I raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him. "A thing?"

"Yeah, like a romantic thing that neither of you are willing to let out."

I started to laugh. "Yeah, me and Nick. Whatever." I hopped off the couch.

"I need to get out. Bye, Kevin."

He watched me walk out of the room, then laughed to himself. "She's so clueless."

I walked alone into the ladies' bathroom. I did all the stuff I needed to do, and came out of the bathroom about five minutes later, having checked myself in the mirror. I had my hair thrown up into a ponytail, and was wearing black track pants with a grey tank top. My Nike sandals showed my tiny feet, and my toes that were still painted with that disgusting green. I met up with Brian and Howie who were standing outside of the McDonalds that was there.

"Remind me to take off this disgusting toenail polish," I said, gesturing to my feet.

Brian looked at me. "Take off that disgusting toenail polish."

I smiled sarcastically at him. "Funny."

Just then AJ came out of the McDonalds, holding a huge bag of food.

"What do you have in there?" I asked.

"A couple cheeseburgers, a bunch of fries, and a six pack of chicken nuggets."

I looked at him surprisedly. "I heard you could pack it away, but, man!"

He laughed. "It's not all for me. I'm willing to share. You want a burger?"

I smiled. "Sure."

The four of us headed back onto the bus, which was still getting weighed. Nick was up when we got back onto the bus.

"That wasn't a very long nap," I commented.

"I wasn't that tired," he responded.

I plopped down in between him and Kevin on the couch. Everyone else sat around us, Brian on the chair, and AJ and Howie on the floor.

"Let's play Truth or Dare," said Brian, looking mischievously around the room.

"Truth or Dare?" asked Nick skeptically.

"Yeah, really," I agreed. "I haven't played that since like middle school."

"Once again, Nick and Rini are in agreement. Well, then, I think we should play it," said AJ.

"Well then, that decides it," said Brian.

"Why does AJ get to decide?" Nick pouted.

"Cause I said so," said Brian.

I frowned. Me and five guys playing Truth or Dare didn't sound safe if you asked me.

"Nick," said Brian. "Truth or Dare?"

He glanced at me for a split second, then answered, "Truth."

Brian grinned. "Is it true that you own a pair of purple briefs?"

My mouth opened, and I started to laugh silently. Nick turned beet red.

"So, Nick, do you?" I asked in between giggles.

Still beet red, he answered quickly, "Yeah, my mother bought them, and I only wear them when I have no other clean underwear."

"Sure," I nodded.

He shot me a death look, then looked around the room. "AJ," he said menacingly. "Truth or Dare?"

"Dare."

Nick looked thoughtful for a moment. "I dare you to moon the next car that pulls up behind us." There was a small window in the back of the bus that would be perfect for something like this.

AJ glared at Nick for a moment, then peered out the window. There happened to be a dark green station wagon pulling up behind them.

"Aw, man, it's filled with gorgeous women!" He reluctantly turned around, then dropped his pants.

The whole room was filled with laughter.

"That was great!" said Kevin.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said AJ. "My turn." He glared at all of us, but his glance went past me. Then it abruptly came back. "Rini, Truth or Dare?"

I had never liked this game, but when I did play I decided to be brave about, so I went with a dare.

"Do you watch Dawson's Creek?" he asked.

My stomach dropped. "Yes."

"Perfect." He grinned evilly at me. "Serena Lynne, I dare you to kiss, on the lips, for fifteen seconds, Nick Carter."

I knew that one was coming. One of the best episodes of my favorite TV show used against me. How evil. I sighed resignedly, and turned to my left. "Bear with me here, Nick," I whispered as I bent into to kiss him.

Our lips touched, and all the sudden a chill went down my spine. At first, they were just pressed together lightly, but then something started to happen. They got closer together, and started to open wider. I felt his tongue slip into my mouth. I couldn't help myself, I got into the kiss.

"Fifteen," announced AJ, who was watching his watch. We didn't hear him, I guess. He looked at Howie, Brian, and Kevin with a what-should-I-do look on his face. They all shrugged, as Nick and I kept kissing.

"Fifteen!" he said, a little louder.

We heard that time, and we both pulled away. I looked at him, and he looked back with the same look in his eyes. I looked away, and took a deep breath.

"So who's turn is it now?" I asked nervously.

The four other Backstreet Boys all looked at me blankly. "Maybe we shouldn't play this game anymore," said Kevin slowly.

"Yeah," agreed Brian. "Truth or Dare. It is immature. Man."

I sat there, my face bright red. "So, what now?" I asked, breaking the silence that had filled the bus.

**********