"Hey, has anyone seen AJ lately?" Howie asked out of the blue. Everyone except AJ was gathered around in the kitchenette, passing around light conversation and jokes.

"Yeah... it's not like him to miss a McDonalds stop, is it?" Brian asked.

"He's probably on the phone... you know AJ," I said as I picked up my soda. The forth straw wrapper that morning came flying at me and hit me in the ear. I narrowed my eyes angrily as everybody chuckled. "Oh... you're gonna die!" I snarled to no one in particular, and lunged in Nick's direction as he tried jumping over the table to safety.

Everyone laughed at the tall blonde man, scrambling towards a narrow escape. Once on his feet though, he was stopped rudely by the Boys' manager who looked infuriated, to say the least. His arms were folded across his chest, a frustrated expression drawn over his face. Nick stopped cold and shrank back from the man, intimidated by his glowering expression.

Kevin looked worried. "What's-" he started to ask.

"I don't suppose anyone has seen the latest German entertainment magazines this morning?" he asked icily.

The Boys each exchanged worried glances. God, what now? they all thought, exasperated. AJ chose that moment to enter the area, and taking one look at everybody, he said to his cell, "Mom, I think I really need to go. Mmm-hmm. Yeah, thanks. I'll talk to you later. Love you too. Bye." He flipped the phone shut, slipping it into his pocket, and rested his hands at his hips, looking around at everyone. "What's going on?"

Their manager tossed a thick magazine onto the table, and everyone watched as it landed with a loud clapping noise. "That!" he said impatiently, pointing at the magazine.

Both Brian and I rose from our seats to get a better look, as everybody else huddled around. Bright red lettering graced what looked to be some sort of tabloid, with a picture of Brian and I on the front. I inhaled sharply.

"Planning on getting married? 'Cause that's what the magazine said. Not to mention all the entertainment channels here. You two have sure managed to create a stir!"

I placed a hand over my mouth, trying to suppress a chuckle. Was this actually happening? Several pairs of incredulous eyes looked up at me, one of them being the Boys' manager, who stared angrily as well.

I glanced around at the new curious eyes and lowered my hand from my mouth. "Is this serious? This is about some sort of... tabloid?!!" I asked.

"The girl from Germany..." Brian mumbled to himself, still fixated on the magazine. He looked dazed and void of any emotion.

"Yes, that is what this is all about! Do you have any idea how fast this kind of thing spreads?" Gregory, their manager spouted off at me. "This could be incredibly damaging to the Boys' success!"

I stared at him incredulously. "You're serious?" I said, almost not believing it myself. "This is some sort of joke!"

"No," Brian interrupted firmly. He looked up at me, his blue eyes burning. "It's not."

My mouth hung as I looked at him. He was upset about this. "Brian-"

He cut me off. "That girl," he started, his temper rising, "this is the picture that girl took of us! She sold it to the media! Geeze Corinne!" he turned his back to me, running a hand through his short sandy-colored hair. Everyone in the room seemed to go completely silent.

I stared in surprise, my eyes wide. "I.. I'm sorry Brian-" I began.

"Do you have any idea what you have done?" he asked pointedly, turning back around to face me. I took a step backwards, as if I had just been slapped in the face.

"I... I didn't know this was such a big deal..." I said, visibly shook.

"Well it is!" he spat. "I can't believe this is happening.." he mumbled to himself, turning around and then turning back again quickly. He was confused and angry, and his movements showed it. "Gregory," he shouted over his shoulder to their manager, "Release a statement. Just do something to keep the media quiet for now. I'll arrange something with you later." Gregory nodded and turned to exit the room. Brian turned back to me.

I must have looked absolutely terrified. My eyes were wide and shimmering with tears, and my mouth was still drawn in shock. Brian looked at me with absolutely no remorse. "I'll talk with you later," he said lowly, and then left the room. I was left standing numbly where I stood, staring at the space before me that once occupied Brian's form. Nobody said anything for a very long time.

"Corinne?" AJ finally asked, concerned. I lifted my eyes from that spot in front of me, and looked around at the 4 pairs of eyes staring at me.

My throat was thick with tears as I spoke. "I... I didn't mean to-- Oh God... this is all my fault." I was weak with sorrow.

"No... no sweetie, it's not," AJ said, coming up to me and wrapping his strong steady arms around me. I began to cry into the soft material of his shirt. "Shh, shh..." he soothed delicately, running a hand gently over my back. He raised his eyes to his other band members who stared with pity and shock drawn all over their faces. AJ frowned at them, showing his concern, and as if a light bulb had just been flipped on, Nick's face began to cloud with anger. He quietly got up from where he was seated, and stormed after Brian.

AJ stood there still, rocking my sobbing body. He hugged me to him with all his might, feeling the pangs of despair ripping through him. It killed him to see Corinne this way. He held her close in his wretchedness, knowing even now that she would never know what he felt for her.