“Tell who what?” I asked sitting up.

They looked at me with wide eyes. “Ummm nothing. How are you feeling?” Nick asked changing the subject.

“Ok. I’m fine,” I said still a little confused.

“Well, you get to leave today!” Nick said excitedly.

“YAY!!” we all cheered. “I’m gonna check on Mary,” Brian said walking out.

‘She’s so cute when she sleeps,’ he thought to himself. After a few minutes of watching her sleep, her eyes fluttered open.

‘Oh god,’ she thought as she saw Brian sitting next to her bed.

“Hey Mary how are you doing?” he asked sweetly.

“I hurt like hell,” she replied.

“We’re all really sorry about the accident. And that both of you ended up in the hospital and none of us did. It should be us laying here in the hospital.”

“It’s not your fault. That’s why it’s called an accident,” she said bitterly. “Is Lindsey up?”

“Yeah, she’s with Nick.”

“Figures,” she muttered.

After a few moments of silence, Brian decided to talk about something. “So...uhh are you in college?”

“Yep going into my third year.”

“So you’re like 21 or 22?”

“Nope 20. Lindsey and I both graduated a year early from high school. But she’s only 19.”

“Wow, that’s really cool,” he said amazed.

“Yep,” she was actually having a good time talking to him without even realizing it.

“I’m glad we’re actually talking,” he smiled.

“Oh..well, me too...I guess,” she replied rudely.

“Ouch, that hurt,” he said.

“What?!”

“Why are you being so cold to me?” he asked sadly.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not having the best week.”

“It’s ok. Happens to everyone.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Aren’t you guys supposed to be on tour for your new album?” I asked Nick.

“Nope, we just got back from overseas. We get 2 months off before our US leg of the tour.”

“Really?” I asked eagerly.

“Yep. It’s just the sunny beach for the Backstreet Boys until September.”

“Cool, maybe we could all hang out sometime.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. I don’t think Mary would be too up to it though.”

“I know.”

“She doesn’t like Bri does she?”

“It’s not that she doesn’t like him or want to be his friend...” I started.

“What is it?” he asked a little concerned.

“Well...Nick I don’t think I should tell you. She might not want you guys to know.”

“Come on, he’s my best friend.”

“Ok, fine. She was in love with a guy named David and everything was great for about 2 years. Then once after work, she came home and found him in bed with our ex-best friend, Claire. She was devastated. I had never seen her so hurt.”

“Oh my gosh. Sorry I brought it up. This probably isn’t a good time,” he apologized.

“It’s alright. We haven’t heard from either one since. But that was about 6 months ago and she’s afraid to love and get her heart broken again.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Mary,” Brian looked deep into her bright blue eyes, “will you go on a date with me when you get released from here?”

“WHAT?!? NO!!” she screamed.

“Huh? Why not?” he asked confused.

“Because I don’t want to date you...or anyone right now,” she said lowering her voice so she wasn’t shouting anymore.

“Oh, ok.” He was so crushed he wanted to cry. He didn’t want her to see him cry so he walked out trying to hold in his tears.

“I really do like you Brian, I just can’t be hurt again,” Mary said out loud after Brian had left. She felt so terrible for what she had done that SHE wanted to cry too.

“Who ya talkin to?” AJ asked as he walked into her room.

“No one,” she replied sadly.

“You ok?”

“Yeah, just tired and everything.”

“I bet with all that’s happened.”

“Yeah.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Brian? What’s wrong?” I asked as he came into my room with his head down. I got up and wrapped my arms around him. He set his head on my shoulder and hugged me tighter. “Don’t cry,” I whispered. “What happened?”

“It’s Mary,” he said pulling away a little bit, “she’s always so rude to me, but nice to everyone else.”

“Oh, Brian, I’m sorry she’s acting like this.” I said as I hugged him again. Nick felt a pain of jealousy. “Just give her time Bri, she’ll come around sooner or later.”

“I guess, but I REALLY like her.”

“I know Brian.”

“Thanks for listening to me, Lins,” he said as he kissed my forehead. He looked over at Nick and saw the look on his face and mouthed ‘Sorry’ to him and left the room.

“Nick,” I began.

“Yeah?”

“I hate seeing Brian like this. He’s such a great guy and doesn’t deserve to be hurt this much.”

“I know it. He’s my best friend and I hate seeing him get so worked up over a girl he’s only known for like, a day.”

“Yeah, I hope Mary comes around soon and gives him a chance.”

“Me too,” he said slumping down into his chair and pulling his baseball cap over his eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“When do you get out of here?” AJ asked Mary.

“In 2 days (Friday).”

“Oh. Lindsey gets out today right?”

“YES! It’s not fair!” she screeched.

“He he, I know.”

“I’m gonna try and get a little sleep now. Thanks for stoppin in and talkin to me.”

“Ok, see ya,” AJ said switching the light off and walking out the door and into mine.

“Lets get you checked outta here, Red.”

“What did you just call me AJ?”

“Uh....Red, why?”

“My brother and my family and everyone I’ve known forever calls me that too. I was just wondering."

“Oh, ok.”

“Anyways, good idea! Lets get me outta here!”

“Come on, Nick, we have to get the papers and let Lindsey get dressed.”

“Ok,” Nick said getting up and removing his cap from his eyes.

“I just need 5 minutes,” I said as they walked out.

“Ok, we’ll be back.”

I gathered all my things together in the bag my mom brought me. I opened the closet and pulled all the stuffed animals out that I had gotten from friends and family. I looked a baby blue teddy bear that Nick had given to me the night of the accident. ‘Aww it’s so cute’ I thought. I walked over next to my bed and gathered the roses all the guys had given me. Opening my dresser drawers, I pulled out my khaki shorts and a light blue spaghetti strap shirt. I threw them on and pulled my hair back into a half ponytail. Strapping my sandals on, I heard Nick’s voice say, “Are you decent?” from behind the door.

“Yes, Nick, you can come in.”

“Ok, good.”

“Can we leave now?”

“Yep!” Nick exclaimed.

“Yes!” I grabbed my bag and we walked into Mary’s room to say goodbye. I switched the light on and she woke up.

“Hey!” she yelled, “Turn that off!”

“Sorry, Mary-O. I just wanted to say goodbye! I’ll try and come tomorrow but I dunno if I want to come back here again!” I laughed.

“I understand.”

“Kay. Call me when you get home.”

“Alright, you go have lotsa fun with Nick.” I blushed a little and walked over to give her a hug.

“See ya!” we said to her.

“Bye! Have some fun for me.”

“Will do!” Nick and I walked to the front desk where AJ and Brian were waiting for us.

“Where are Howie and Kevin?” I asked curiously.

“With family.”

“Oh, ok. So guys, where exactly IS my car?”

“Out front,” Nick answered.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” we walked out and sure enough, there was my brand new, black Sebring waiting for me, just as I last remembered.

“Wow!” I said in awe.

“We had it fixed last night,” Nick said his eyes sparkling.

“No....Nick had it fixed,” Brian corrected him.

“You really did that for me Nick? Thanks sooo much!” I hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. He blushed. “So, who wants to drive?” I asked holding the keys up.

“ME!” AJ and Brian yelled.

“No, me!” AJ shouted.

“No way man! ME!” Brian got in his face.

“Guys, chill. Brian can drive there and AJ can drive home. So where are we going?”

“Magic Kingdom!” Brian shouted.

“Yeah!” AJ said.

“Ok,” I agreed. Nick and I hopped in the back while Brian and AJ jumped into the front seats. Brian turned the car on and drove out of the parking lot.

“AJ, put the radio on,” I yelled. It was really loud because we had the top down so I had to scream it to him. He switched it on and Britney Spears was on.

“SLUT!” AJ yelled.

“We hate her more than ‘N Sync,” Nick filled me in.

“Why?”

“Because of all that shit that she said about helping us out by putting out songs on her CD. As if we needed HER help to sell records!”

“Oh.” Just to see how they reacted, I started singing. “I must confess, I still believe, still believe-” Nick cut me off before I could finish.

“You have a beautiful voice!” I blushed uncontrollably.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“Wow! You really do.” Brian agreed.

“Yeah, better than that bitch.”

“Wow, I feel special, AJ.”

“Well, you are,” Nick smiled.

“Aww, you’re too sweet.”

“Oh god, NOT again!” Brian yelled.

“Aww, but they’re so cute,” AJ joked.

“Sure, Bone, whatever you say.”

“Dude, your just jealous,” Nick added.

“Nut-uh!” he disagreed.

“Oh real mature guys,” I broke them up.

“Sorry,” they said in unison.

“Hey! There’s the exit!”

“Woo-hoo!” AJ hooted. We all got out and walked to the park.

“Where to first?” I asked.

“Space Mountain!” Nick said almost as excited as if he was 6 years old.

“Yeah!” we all agreed and ran off.

While we were waiting, Nick, Brian, and AJ signed autographs for the people who recognized them. When Brian realized how bored I was getting, he stopped.

“Sorry. A habit I guess,” he apologized.

“It’s ok.”

“Hey guys, sto-” he started but I cut him off.

“No, let them go ahead and do it.”

“Oh, ok. If you’re sure.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Lins, can I ask you something?” he asked getting serious.

“Sure, Bri, anything.”

“Ok, umm...” he stuttered. “Did something happen to Mary that made her afraid to love anyone?”

“Brian, that’s not my place to tell you. SHE should do that.”

“She’ll barely even talk to me. There’s no way she’d open up to me THAT much,” he said doubtfully.

“You’re right.”

“So you’ll tell me?”

“I guess,” I hesitated. “Well, her last boyfriend of two years slept with our ex-best friend. Mary walked in on them and hasn’t had a boyfriend or gone on a date since. She’s afraid of getting her heart broken again.”

“ I would NEVER do that to her...or anyone.”

“I know, but she has a real problem trusting people now. The only people she really trusts are me and her family.”

“Really?” he asked shocked.

“Yeap. Just give her time to get to know you. She’ll figure out you’re a very sweet guy and she won’t wanna be away from you for a second!” I reassured him.

“You think so?” he asked perking up a bit.

“Definitely.” In the back of my mind, I knew I couldn’t guarantee anything, but he needed a little comfort.

“Thanks, Lindsey. You’re such a great friend,” he said as he hugged me.

“I know,” I joked. When we looked over at Nick and AJ, they were trying to braid a little girl’s hair in front of us.

“What the heck are you doing?” I shouted drawing some attention to myself by being so loud.

“She needed someone to braid her hair,” AJ explained.

“You are SO not braiding it! You’re tying it in knots. Oh my gosh, let me do it!”

“Fine, if you think you can do better,” Nick said taking a step back.

“Oh...I know I can.” When I finished, it was a perfect braid.

“Well maybe you’re good with hair but I bet we would kick your a-” AJ stopped when he noticed the little girl listening. “I mean, we could beat you at a game of basketball.” The girl’s father shot him a ‘Thanks’ look. AJ just smiled at him.

“Oh you’re SO on! Me and Brian vs you and Nick when we get home,” I threatened.

“Ok,” the agreed. “Oh man you’re going down,” Nick smirked.

“I heard that, Nicky!” I said emphasizing his name and he gave me an evil glare.

“Hey! We’re almost there!” Brian shouted.

“Yay!” the other 2 yelled.

“Do you ALWAYS have to draw attention to yourselves? It’s not like you don’t get enough already,” I teased them.

“Yeah, well, they love us. What can I say?” AJ laughed.

“Yeah, I bet.” After I said this, we hopped on the ride. We all screamed out loudest while we were riding. After Nick, Brian, and I had stepped put we heard AJ screaming. “AHHHHHHHH!”

“Yo, Bone, the rides over,” Brian informed him as we-as well as others around us- laughed at him as he screamed his head off.

“Oh, uh, I know,” he defend himself.

“Yeah right!” Nick teased.

“Shut up Frack,” AJ said rudely.

“Hey! Don’t yell at my Nick like that!” I sneered.

They all looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “YOUR Nick?” they chorused.

“Hey, that sounds cool when you do that. Do it again,” I said. The all

just stared at me shocked. “What?!” “Umm, nevermind,” Brian said slowly.

“Kay.”

Before we knew it, it was time for us to leave. “I get to drive!” AJ shouted before we had even left the gates to the park.

“We know,” the 3 of us said.

“Ok, just a reminder.”

We all piled into the car and took off. Brian and AJ were having a conversation while Nick and I sat silent in the back seat.

“Lindsey,” he started.

“Yeah,” I said turning to face him.

“When you said ‘My Nick’, did you mean it?” he looked serious so I decided not to joke about it.

“Yeah. Well, I mean....” I stammered. “I REALLY do like you.”

He had a smile on his face that stretched from ear-to-ear on his face. “I like you too.” There was a silence for about 5 minutes.

“Well where does that leave us?” I asked curiously.