all things must pass » the beatles, queen and the backstreet boys

26- Nick Carter

"Have you got somewhere to go to right now?" a voice came from behind me, causing me to place the earrings I'd been struggling to take off for the past few minutes on the dresser in front of me.

Turning around, I faced a pair of twinkling eyes behind sunglasses, and I couldn't help but smile at the man I'd so quickly befriended, "No, AJ, I just came to film my part. No other plans for today."

"Cool," he grinned, "Then why don't you come and sit with me and the boys?"

Weighing my options (either spend my time with 5 sweet and handsome guys, or sit around looking pathetic all alone), I decided to nod and come along with him.

We walked into a separate room, which loud noises were coming from. And honestly, considering that they were all young teenagers/young adults, it was no surprise to see that the room had turned to a wreck, with clothes littered on the floor, silly string hanging from the lights, and a battered couch turner over and drenched in what stank of orange juice (judging by a rather guilty-looking Kevin, that was his doing).

"Honestly, I'm not even surprised," I chuckled, eyeing the couch as I knew that Kevin always bumped into stuff.

Brian handed me a can of coke from the refreshment table which was now covered in candy wrappers, a cheery smile on his face before he reimmersed in conversation with Howie, and I tried to find a less dirty spot in this room where I could find a seat.

AJ seemed to notice my hesitation, and so, with an oddly mischievous grin on his face, pointed at the left end of the clean (for now) couch, "You can sit there. Nick'll scoot over for ya, wouldn't he?"

I turned to the blonde who was somehow hidden amongst this mess, and gave him a wave. His face was a delicate shade of red, and it was endearing to see him shimmy a bit and leave a bit of space beside him.

Making my way to him, I soon realized that to sit down, I had to squeeze myself as much as possible, and have my hip bone stuck in the armrest. I didn't mind though, since it meant that my right side was snugly fitting against his sturdy build.

"Aww, Nick moved over for you," Kevin laughed out incredulously, leaning against the wall, before taking a sip of his orange juice, "He wouldn't do it for me if my life was at stake."

Sneakily, I caught Howie winking at me and his poor younger bandmate, "But she's different, eh Kev? He'd kick us all off just so she'd have a nice place to sit."

"Hop off me, guys," Nick groaned, digging a hand through his blonde waves, his face proceeding to grow even redder, which caused a small smile to grow on mine.

"We're helping you out, little brother, maybe you'll snag yourself a date," Brian spoke as though he was giving him wise advice, clapping his back, "Lord knows you need help."

"Nah, he don't need help, he needs to," at that, AJ paused what he was saying, and began to make kissing noises from the other side of the couch, playfully clinking Howie's drink with his, causing me to giggle and blush slightly.

"Oh my God," Nick whispered, dragging his hand against his face, a pained expression carved into his features.

As the boys began to howl their rowdy laughter, with Kevin nearly sending AJ flying as he rammed into it with teary eyes from laughing too hard, I turned to Nick's flaming face.

"Hey, it's alright, it's just playful teasing," I quietly said, so that none of them would overhear, glancing down at my clasped hands in my lap as I avoided his electric eyes.

"Yeah, but they know I'm shy with girls," he gave me a small, embarrassed smile, rubbing his arm as his eyes flitted over me.

"No worries, between you and me, I'm shy as well," I gave him a slightly more reassuring smile, nodding in confirmation as I saw his face twist in disbelief.

There was a momentary pause, in which we both turned to watch Brian and Howie take turns at yelling at AJ and Kevin, who'd "accidentally" sent the vandalized couch flying to the other side of the room, proceeding to knock down the entire clothes rack for their wardrobe changes.

After I giggled at the sight, Nick snapped back to me, his blonde tresses moving with him in the most endearing way possible.

"May I take you out to dinner tonight?" he softly asked, as his fingers edged their way to my hands, holding them in his as he hid his eyes behind his hair.

"I'd love that, yeah," I smiled back at him as my own ears turned red, "Just as long as they don't come and tease us."

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