TWO YEARS LATER

“Congratulations Bree!” Nick swung the young lady around while giving her a bear hug.

After their strange meeting Nick and Brianna became fast friends. First, while Nick and his mother were driving her back to the beach the two started talking and didn’t stop until Mrs. Carter literally had to start driving away some 2 hours after they had reached where Brianna and her mother were staying. Mrs. Carter had to admit the girl seemed friendly. What she liked even more was when it finally dawned on Brianna who Nick was she didn’t start screaming or anything. She continued talking to him just like she had been the whole time. The Backstreet Boys were really starting to hit over in the US and things had been getting a bit crazy, to say the least.

Then over the following two years they managed to stay in touch, writing, calling, emailing, and visiting when they could. Brianna’s parents had even let her go to a few concerts, which was something major since her parents were pretty strict and protective. Nick was like a big brother to her and her parents felt comfortable with him and the way he treated her as such. Taking the part of best friend, big brother, and protector seriously, Nick was actually the one who gave her the hardest time and grilled her the most on any of the boys she was interested in dating.

“Nick, I can’t believe you actually made it!” Brianna laughed as he continued to swing her. “Okay, okay, I’m getting dizzy.”

“What? You didn’t really think I’d miss your graduation did you? C’mon Bree, you know me better than that.” Nick was proud of her, and witnessing her graduation was special to him. It was something he himself had never had the chance to do, what with being tutored and on the road all the time. Giving her one final big hug he finally let her go just as another guy was walking up to them.

“Hey, baby. Who’s your friend?” John put his arm protectively around his girlfriend’s shoulder and gave Nick a challenging look.

Brianna smiled and gave John a quick kiss before introducing him. “John, you remember I told you about my friend Nick. Nick this is John.”

Nick shook hands with John, but quickly looked back at Brianna. “You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone, Bree.” Nick was curious. Bree always told him everything. Besides that, there was something about the guy Nick immediately didn’t like.

“Well, you’ve been kind of busy trying to work on the new album and all. We just started seeing each other a few weeks ago. Look, there’s a grad party going on tonight. Why don’t you come with us?” Brianna noted the uneasy look in Nick’s eye, but felt John’s arm tighten around her. “Please? Please Nicky? You came all this way; I really want to spend time with you. Besides, the two men in my life need to get to know each other.”

“Oh, all right. All right already. Don’t give me those eyes Bree. It’s not fair. You know that.” Nick wasn’t sure about hanging out, but he did have Billy with him and he did want to see what this guy was all about. He was caught off guard when Brianna jumped and wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you! I didn’t realize how much I missed you until I saw you. How long are you hear for? Where are you staying?” Brianna was holding onto Nick and didn’t notice the scowl on John’s face, but Nick did.

Laughing, “Hold on, hold on. One question at a time. I can only stay until tomorrow. And,” He didn’t know why he did this but Nick made sure to look directly at John when he said the next part. Besides, Brianna was still hugging him and couldn’t see. “And, I’m staying at your house.” Nick was rewarded with both a squeal from Brianna and a frown from John.

“Really! How’d you manage that? Don’t tell me. Mom and Dad have been in on this? When? When did you start planning this?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Since about your birthday. I wanted to surprise you. Surprised? Brianna? Bree?” She was squeezing him in a vice grip and he could hear her sniffle and feel her shoulders shake. “Bree, sweetie, don’t cry. I’m sorry. I just wanted it to be a surprise.”

“It is. It’s the best surprise. I’m so happy to see you.” After a minute Brianna let go of Nick aware that John was standing there and would probably be uncomfortable, even though she had explained to him several times that she and Nick were just friends. “Well, my boys, let’s find my parents in this madhouse and say goodbye to them. There is a party waiting for us.”

<~ Chapter 1 or Chapter 3 ~>


Karina 2003