"It's good to be home," Sarah said as she and Nick sat in the back yard of their house. Although it was December, it was pretty warm outside.
Nick put some shades on because the sun was in his eyes. "Mmmm, I missed my own bed when I was on tour- hotel beds are never as good!".
"And you missed me as well," Sarah said, putting an arm around him.
"Yes," he said sadly. He looked at her smiling face and returned her smile. "Being with you now makes up for all that loneliness. I mean, I was mad at you of course but I missed you... I realized I couldn't live without you,".
"Me neither,". Sarah stood up. "Why don't we go Christmas shopping? I haven't got you anything yet,".
Nick didn't really feel like going out. "Um, OK if you want to..." he trailed off, not wanting to upset Sarah.
Sarah grinned and went to get her purse. "Come on, let's go,".
They got into Nick's car and drove into town where the malls were. "What first?" Nick asked.
"Can I pick out some jewellery for my present from you?" she asked. "I'd love a new diamond bracelet, I lost that other one you got me,". Sarah crossed her fingers behind her back as she told that lie. The truth was, she had been short of money after breaking up with Nick so she had sold it, as it had been worth a lot of money.
"You lost it? OK I'll get you another. This time, an even nicer one. Go pick whatever bracelet you like,".
They got to the jewellery shop and Sarah chose the most expensive bracelet on display. Nick thought it was a ridiculous price but agreed to get it for her, just to make her happy.
Throughout the rest of the shopping trip Sarah was grinning with delight over her expensive presents. She also managed to persuade Nick to get her some designer clothes, a pricey laptop computer and her own wide screen TV.
"I'll buy you something another day, when you're not with me," Sarah told Nick as they made their way back to his car. "That way it will be a surprise,". I'll borrow his Platinum card sometime and get him something with his own money, Sarah thought to herself.
Just before they reached the car, a group of girls approached them. Nick had been wearing shades and a cap in hope that no-one would recognise him but the girls knew it was him.
"Can we have photos with you Nick?" one asked, holding a camera. She looked at Sarah. "Why are you dating her again, she's a slut!".
Sarah glared at the girl. "Nick, lets go these girls are going to hurt me," she said, then she ran off and got into the car.
"Sorry..." Nick said to them. "I haven't got time,". He wanted to go and see if Sarah was alright, she had looked pretty upset. "Bye,". He dashed off to the car.
Sarah had her head in her hands as if she was crying. "I'm sick of the fans!" she cried. "They all hate me after what you said on TV,".
"I'm sorry..." Nick said awkwardly, feeling guilty.
"I wish
you hadn't said that!" Sarah exclaimed, smacking him upside
the head. "It's made everyone hate me!".
"Ouch, that hurt," Nick muttered, rubbing his head.
"There's no need to lash out at me!".
"Sorry," Sarah said. "I don't mean to take it out on you, but the fans make me so angry!".
"I'll put everyone right, I promise," Nick said. "Next time we're on TV I'll say something about us being happy together and I'll ask the fans to support us,".
"You'd better," Sarah warned. "I don't know how much more of this I can take,".
They drove home, Nick thought about what Sarah had said for the whole drive. I feel really bad about what I said now, he thought. It's really upset her. What can I do to make things right? I don't blame her for hitting me, I deserved it after what I said!
Back home, Nick checked the messages on his home phone. His mom had called him, asking if he had rethought coming home for Christmas.
Sarah pressed the erase button to wipe the message. "You don't need them anymore, remember what I told you? That they don't care about you?".
Nick nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'm not gonna call them back,".
The next message was from The Firm saying that the video shoot for Show Me The Meaning would be the following week, telling him the times and places he would have to be.
"It's only three days, you can come with me," Nick told Sarah. "If anyone gives you a hard time, let me know. I won't have anyone upsetting you again,".
"Thanks Nick you're a sweetie. You know, the other guys are mean to me a lot, especially Brian...".
"Don't worry, I don't like Brian any more, and the other guys keep interfering. I'm not gonna talk to them any more, not until they accept you,".
The following week the guys attended the Billboard awards then had the video shoot for the new single. Nick had ignored the other guys the whole time, only talking to them on camera when he had to. Sarah had told him that they didn't really like him and they only talked to him in the first place because they were being paid by management. Of course, this was all another of Sarah's lies but Nick believed her and went out of his way to not speak to the other guys.
"Happy Christmas, see ya next year," Kevin said to Nick as he and Sarah left the set after filming was over. He was trying to be friendly.
"Bye," Nick muttered quickly as Sarah led him away.
"Let's go someplace nice for dinner tonight," Sarah said as they drove to the airport to get their flight back to Tampa. "When we get back it will be dinnertime,".
"Sure," Nick said. "Anywhere you like,".
Sarah's mind wandered to her career. She hadn't mentioned it yet, but she thought now was the time to make her move. Although Jive had said they'd take her back, she hadn't heard from them since. "Nick, wait until you hear some of the songs I recorded for my album! You'll love them," she said.
"I look forwards to hearing them," he said. "How's the album coming along- have Jive told you any dates for release yet?".
"Not yet," Sarah pouted. "They've been so slow! I haven't heard from them recently, can you call them to remind them? The albums only have recorded. I know you can speed things up for me,".
"Sure thing, I'll give them a call tomorrow,".
"Thanks sweetheart," Sarah said, giving him a kiss. She knew that now Nick was involved again, he could get her back on track to releasing her record. "I need some experience of performing," she told Nick. "Can you get me booked anywhere?".
"Hmmm," Nick said, thinking. "Well we already have opening acts sorted out for the Spring Tour but we're doing a special one off concert in January, maybe I can get you to open it, if we can get it sorted out in time,".
"Oh thankyou Nick!" Sarah exclaimed. "That would be the coolest!".
At last my career is going somewhere... Sarah thought, rubbing her hands together with a look of success in her eyes.