'You're doin' perfect.' Brian exclaimed after they had finished 3 out of 4 songs. 'Any plans for today?'

'Not really. I'm hopin' for a friend to call.' Angela replied, knowing that Brian wanted to ask her out. He already made her promise to go out to dinner after the exams.

'Okay. I guess I'll be leaving. Take the rest of the day off. You've worked wonders. You deserve a break.' Brian thought. Angela smiled.

'Thank you Brian.' She said and carefully hugged him.

'No problem Angela.' Brian replied and returned the gesture. They said goodbye and as soon as Brian was gone, the phone went off.

'Yeah. Angela here.' She said.

'It's me Jen. Have I got news for you!'

'Tell me!'

'I just overheard my brother on the phone talking to his buddy. You're love is doin' a press conference later today!' Jennifer explained.

'Ohmygod Jen! Where?!'

'I've been after that too. He'll be at the Ritz Carlton right here in Jacksonville!'

'Ohmygod!' Angela exclaimed. 'But I'm never gonna get in!'

'Oh yes you are!' Jennifer said.

'But how?! Jennifer please tell me!' Angela begged.

'I've found a way to get you in! Lance's friend Brody is a DJ. He's goin' to the conference and he agreed to take you with him!'

'Ohmygod!' Angela cried again. 'How am I ever gonna repay you?!'

'Seeing you happy is enough for me. Your love is waiting! Get to Brody, he leaves in 30 minutes! Go, have fun!'

'Thank you Jennifer. Your the best! Angela exclaimed and hung up.

OH MY GOD! I'm gonna see Nick! I can't believe it! Angela cried within herself.

She explained everything to her mother and hopped on her bike. She went as fast as her legs would go.

'Hi there Angie. I've been waiting for ya.' Brody said. 'Get in the car, we're leaving.'

'Oh thank you Brody! How am I ever gonna thank you?!' Angela wondered.

'You have now idea how much this means to me.'

'Well, I think I kinda do know.' Brody said smiling. 'But let's not get into that. We've got a press conference to attend to.'

'Yes, we do.' Angela admitted.

'Let's go.'

'Well, they'll be lots of reporters and radio DJ's and we'll be taping the whole event. The press conference will be from 14.00 until 16.00.. And even longer if there are more question.' Susan explained. 'Anything else you wanted to know?' Nick shook his head.

'Nothing comes to mind.' He replied.

'Then my job here is done.' Susan said. 'Good luck and don't let them get to ya with stupid question, okay Nick?' Nick nodded and forced a smile on his face. Susan left the room leaving Nick alone with his thoughts.

I hafta see her again! I just hafta! I don't think I can live without knowing her name! I need to know her name, talk to her. Just have a normal conversation... Nick said to himself as Angela's face appeared in his mind. My god, you're so beautiful!

Time flew from that point until Angie Lehman, the boys make-up assistant, entered the room.

'Hey Angie.' Nick said and smiled. 'How are ya?'

'I'm great. You? Still dreaming 'bout that girl?' Angie asked.

Nick nodded. 'Yeah, I think I kinda have a crush on her.' Nick admitted.

'But you've seen her only... once?'

'Yeah, but she had an incredible impact on me. It's amazing what one girl can do to ya.' Nick explained and shook his head in disbelief.

'Well, stop shaking your head. I need to put some make-up on that pretty face.' Angie said smiling. 'And don't worry. I have the feeling that you're gonna meet her very soon.'

'Ya think so Angie?' Nick asked.

'I know so Nicky.' Angie replied.

The door opened letting Mitch Schneider and Amanda Cagan from public relations enter the room.

'Hey Nick.' Mitch said and shook Nick's hand.

'Hello Mitch, Amanda.' Nick said and smiled.

'How are you today buddy?' Mitch asked.

'I'm okay. A bit tired, but I'm not gonna break down on ya'll... if that's what you're afraid of.' 'No, that's not it Nick.' Amanda said.

'Then what?' Nick wondered.

'Well, we heard a rumor.' Mitch started. 'And eh...'

'The guys told us that you've been rather distracted lately. And we just wanted to make sure that you're feeling okay. So that you'll stay focused during the conference. We don't want you wandering off into your own world.' Amanda added. 'You understand?'

'Yeah, I know what ya'll saying.' Nick admitted. 'I'll keep focused. I promise.'

'Okay.' Mitch said. 'Well, then I wish you a great conference. And remember:...'

'Yeah, don't talk 'bout things you don't wanna talk about.' Nick added. 'I know Mitch. Thanks man. Now if ya'll would excuse me, I have an audience with David Cardona from wardrobe. He figured that I'd better change into something a bit more...'

'Appropriate.' Angie added.

'Yeah, that's the word.' Nick said smiling, turned around and walked away.

'Do you think he'll be okay?' Amanda asked Angie.

'Yeah, he promised. Didn't he?' Angie said, packed her stuff and left.

'Then I guess it'd be best if we'd just believe him.' Mitch figured.

Amanda agreed and they both left the room.

Angela glared at her watch. It was already 14.15 and the conference still hadn't started yet. She was getting impatient.

'When is it gonna start?' Angela asked. Brody raised his shoulders.

'I really don't know Angie.' He replied. 'I hope very soon.'

'Yeah, me too.'

A tall man entered the conference room and took his place behind the microphone.

'Good afternoon everybody. My name is Jeffrey Kwatinetz, I'm a member of the Backstreet Boys management team: The Firm.' He said. 'We're all very glad that you could make it on such short notice. Mister Carter is backstage getting ready so that the conference can begin.'

Another young man, introducing himself as Michael Green, replaced Jeffrey behind the microphone.

'I want to welcome you to our first press conference where we have not five, but only one Backstreet Boy.' Michael explained. 'Mister Carter requested it this way because he figured, that he had a lot of unfinished businesses to resolve.' Jeffrey returned and whispered something in Michael's ear. 'I just received word that Mister Carter is ready.' He said. 'Therefor I suggest we get started.'

A door opened up and a blond young man entered the room. 'Ladies and gentleman.' Michael said as he turned around. 'Mister Nick Carter.'

Nick waved and sat down at the table. 'Hello everybody.' Nick said and smiled. 'I just wanna say; thank you al very much for waiting. I've had some troubles on my way here. But I apologize for being late. Let's start the press conference.'

'Oh my god. There he is.' Angela whispered.

'Yeah, he's here.' Brody replied. 'Wanna ask him a question? Or shall I?'

'Maybe later.' Angela answered. 'I don't think I'm able to talk right now.'

'Yes, the lady in the back.' Jeffrey said. 'Introduce yourself and ask your question.'

'Hello, my name is Jody O'Conner from Pop Magazine.' She said.

'Hello Jody.' Nick responded.

'Hi Nick.' Jody said. 'My question for you is; why are you alone today? Where are the other guys?'

'Well, like Michael explained earlier. I felt that there where a lot of things unsolved around my little person.' Nick explained. 'And I wanted to explain everything so that there where no question or mysteries left.'

'Any special reason for your decision?'

'Let's just say; I wanted to get rid of all those nasty rumors that are coming out all around the world about me.' Nick added.

'Okay, thank you.' Jody said and sat down. Nick nodded and smiled.

'Angela. Are you ready to ask Nick something?' Brody asked. 'It's time for a good question.'

'I... I dunno Brody... I'm so nervous...' Angela stuttered. 'I'll make a fool out of myself.'

'No, you wouldn't.'

'What's the question about?' Angela wondered.

'It's about girlfriends.' Brody replied.

'I can't ask him something about girlfriends!' Angela cried.

'Of course you can!' Brody thought.

'Hi, I'm Carson Daily from MTV. Nick, can you tell me something about your personal life?' Carson asked.

'Well Carson, nice to see you again by the way.' Nick said. 'My personal life? There's nothing much to say about that subject.'

'Ah, come on. There must be something you can tell us? The fans are dying to know.'

'Don't push it Mister Daily.' Jeffrey said.

'I'm sorry. Forgive my question.' Carson said and sat down. Angela stood up and raised her hand. This would be the perfect time to ask Nick a personal question.

'Yes, the young lady on the left.' Michael said.

'Hello, my name is Angela Claiborne. And I'm from Chaos Radio.' She said trying to sound as a professional. 'Mister Carter... I...'

'Call me Nick.'

'Okay... Nick.' Angela repeated. 'There's been a rumor about you... having a crush on a young girl you met recently... at a dance exam? Is this true?'

'Well, I... eh...' Nick stuttered and stared into Angela's eyes.

Oh god! I know that face! Is it her?! Could it be her?! Here? Ohmygod, it is her! Nick said to himself. So her name is Angela, Angela Claiborne...

'Where did you get this?' Nick asked. Angela took a deep breath.

'I... I was there...' she replied. 'Is it true?' Nick slowly closed his eyes.

'Yes...' He admitted. 'It is true.' Carson Daily got up and glared at Nick.

'But just a few minutes ago, you claimed that there was nothing to tell.' He said.

'Well, now there is something to tell.' Nick figured. 'And anyway, you asked me about my personal life, not my love life...'

'That's the same thing!' Carson thought.

'Not with me it isn't!' Nick replied. The two men kept looking at each other, staring each other down. Until Carson gave in and sat down.

Michael and Jeffrey glared at Nick. Nobody told them about Nick's crush on this young girl. Another reporter next to Carson raised his hand.

'Yes, what's your question?' Michael asked.

'My name is Adrian Forester from Journey magazine.' Adrian said and pointed at Angela. 'Do you know this girl, Mister Carter?'

Oh please Nick! Don't say something stupid! Angela begged.

What am I supposed to say? That I know her?! Put her on the spot! I can't do that to her! But if I say that I don't know her... she'd be offended.

'Nick.' Jeffrey tapped Nick on his shoulder. 'Answer the question.'

'Oh yes, I'm sorry.' Nick looked up and stared at Angela. Angela slowly shook her head, motioning him not to give up her identity. Then Nick shook his head. 'No, I don't know this girl. This is the first time I've ever seen her.'

God, that's not what I meant! Angela thought as she closed her eyes.

'Ann, you k?' Brody asked as he wrapped his arm around her.

'Yes, I guess.' Angela whispered. She looked up at the table, at Nick.

I hurt her feelings! But I did what she wanted... right? Nick asked himself as he glanced over at Angela. Please, don't hate me... Nick whispered a voiceless I'm sorry, to Angela as he saw a tear running down her face.

Angela raised her eyes to met his, she tried to smile. But her tears kept running uncontrollably down her face. Nick felt so bad for making her feel this way, but he had no other choice. He could have just ignored her pleas and admitted that he knew her. It would have been difficult, but it would have been the truth! Not some dirty lie... he turned their "relationship" into nothing with one simple answer.

'Roger, do you have a question for Nick?' Jeffrey asked.

'Yes, I do. First of all, my name is Roger Carroll from Teen People magazine.'

'Hey Roger Rabbit.' Nick replied smirking.

'Hey Messy Marvin. How's your brother? We haven't heard from him in a long time.'

'Aaron.' Nick figured. 'Aaron's doin' great. He's working on his new album, which will probably be launched around... June, July. And he went back to school, well... the school kinda went back to him. He has a new teacher, Mary-Ann Derby.'

'About his new album.' Roger continued. 'Any song written by you on it?'

'Yes, 8 from 14 songs are written or co-written by me. And of course by my friends Gary Carolla and Brian Littrell.' Nick explained. 'One song called: I Want Candy was written by Aaron himself. Brian and I helped him with the lyrics and Gary produced the music. It's a great album. You should all go listen to it.'

'We will Nick, thank you.' Roger said, smiled and sat down.

Nick's eyes wandered of to the spot where he last saw Angela... but she was gone!

Where did she go?! Nick wondered. My god! I let her get away!! Damn! I scared her away or something... I made her hate me. Happy now? You did it again Carter! Turning girls against you should be in your personality file!

>>>>> 

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