Everything went by quickly that night. Karen and Pollyanna nailed their numbers, and the BSB gave an awesome show. As usual. Everyone loaded the buses, and headed to South Carolina.

"Karen....Karen..." Pollyanna repeated as she gently shook the teen. "Wake up, sweetie, we're in South Carolina."

Karen noticed Pollyanna in her jammies. "What time is it?"

"4:30."

"A.M.?"

"Yup. Come on, let's find our room and go back to bed."

Karen dragged herself out of the bunk and followed Pollyanna. They walked straight passed the Boys without a word. Everybody just wanted to go back to sleep. The next time Karen woke up she found herself alone in her hotel room. She glanced at the clock which read: noon. She saw a note placed beside her pillow. It read: Karen, I didn't want to wake you. I went with Howie to a concert. See you at soundcheck at 5:00.
Pollyanna

"I can't believe I slept that long," Karen muttered to herself. She showered, dressed and headed to the lobby. As she stepped into the hall she saw AJ.

"Hey, Karen"

"Oh, hi, AJ. Where are you going?"

"To get a bite to eat at McDonalds. You wanna' come?"

"I guess, but how are we going to get there?"

"The equipment van is already unloaded, we can take it. Just like you and Nick did in Atlanta."

"And how is everybody else suppose to get around?"

"They can find a taxi," AJ laughed.

Once they reached McDonalds AJ insisted on paying for her meal. They sat in the non-smoking area. "You should really eat more," AJ lectured.

Karen took her small diet coke and plain cheesburger. "I'm fine."

AJ salted his fries. "Please, a Happy Meal has more food than that."

"AJ, I'm a big girl. I don't need a lot of food."

AJ stared at her. "You are not a big girl."

"Bull, I'm huge. I'm a size 12."

"Oh, big deal. That's the same size as Mia Tyler and that girl is fine! And besides you can't be fat. Nick can pick you up and he's a wuss."

"AJ, Nick's pretty buff."

"Then look at it this way : Howie or Kevin could bench press three of you."

Karen sipped her soda. "Well, maybe, but if I'm not fat which I am. What about you and Brian?"

"Brian could carry you up a flight of stairs and not break a sweat. And I could lift you over my head and forget I was holding something." He opened his ketchup. "What's the sudden obsession with your weight, anyway?"

"You've seen Nick's ex-girlfriends," Karen sighed. "How can I possibly compare?"

"Simple. You don't compare," AJ answered. "You're in a different league than them, Red."

Karen chuckled. "Whatever you say."

AJ wiped his mouth, deciding to change the subject. Which obviously upset Karen. "So, how are you liking tour so far?"

"It's okay, but what I really want to do is make a music video. Actually, I'll be filming it while we're in Tennessee."

"The company finally found you some songs?"

"Yup."

"Who's the director?"

"Pollyanna."

"Howie's sister?"

"Uh-huh. My manager didn't have one, and Howie told me how talented Pollyanna is and... time was running short. So, she got the job."

"Cool. Is she excited?"

"I think so, we just found out late last night."

"Oh, that would explain why I didn't know."

Karen wrapped up her burger. "Do you know where all the guys went?"

"Kevin was in his room reading. Howie and Polly went to a concert, and Nick and Brian were checking out the hotel's pool."

"Oh, I see."

AJ finished his meal. "Hey, it's only 1:30, and we don't have to be back until five. There's a mall across the street. Wanna' check it out?"

"Sure. But if it's okay, can I call and check on Leslie? I was asleep when Nick's mom called."

"Of course."

When they reached the mall AJ guided her to Sam Goody. He wrapped his arm around her. "Pick any cd, I'm buying."

"AJ, you've already done enough," Karen insisted.

"It gets really boring on the road, you need good music, or you'll go insane," he explained.

Karen smiled. "I have plenty. BSB, Milennium, Limp Bizcuit, Christina Aguliera, Kid Rock-- I'm quite content."

"Well, that's not good enough. Besides, if you don't pick a cd, I will."

"Okay, I'll find one," Karen said quickly. She grabbed a cd and stood infront of the register. She faced AJ. "I can pay for it."

AJ took it from her. "I said I got it." He glanced at her selection. "Journey?"

"Yeah."

AJ grinned. "Man, Brian was right. You are the perfect girl for Nick. You're beautiful, sweet, talented and listen to his type of music."

"I'm not the perfect girl for anybody. I've never had luck in the boyfriend department."

AJ paid for the cd. "Do me a favor. Leave a spot open in your heart for Nick, just incase anything happens."

"Sure."

"Where to next?" AJ asked.

"Why don't we go into KayBee Toys and get Leslie a gift? She goes home tomorrow morning, so the present could be waiting for her."

AJ noticed the life-size St.Bernard stuffed animal in the window. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

>>>>>

.