Nobody gets too much heaven no more. There was a song all about that by the Bee Gees. I’m reminded of that little ditty every time I looked into his eyes. Oops! I almost forgot to specify who owns those eyes. Journal, he’s the whole reason why I bought you. The more I think about it, the more I think I’ll name you. You won’t just have any old name; it will be unique. It will be his nickname. I’m naming you, my journal, Thumper! Be honored, only one person in my life holds that special name. Since these entries will most likely be mainly about him, it only seems appropriate!

Wait, I’m so rude! I have still lacked in telling you the one vital piece of information. The ‘he’ I keep referring to is a young man known as Nick Carter to half of the world. To me, he’s known as Thumper and he holds the title of the first man to completely steal my heart in less than a day. Shall I tell you the story?

Let me just start off by saying that I was minding my own business! Chaney had managed to drag me along to yet another rehearsal of hers at Park. To be honest, I think she’s a bit out of her league. I keep asking her if she wants to maybe try something different, like staying in school, but she won’t hear of it. She’s got this crazy idea that she won’t be somebody until everyone knows who she is. I’m sensing a lack of self-confidence, but I digress.

It was almost the end of her session when I felt a strong thirst come over me. I had to get something to drink and I had to get it right then. Luckily, the soda machine isn’t very far from the practice room. I excused myself and that’s when absolute fate happened upon me. I honestly believe it was destined for me to be thirsty. Had I not been, I wouldn’t have seen perfection. Well, at least not in person!

Once I stepped into the recreation room, the heavens shone down. There was no way for me to ignore the five fabulous men in my presence. I wasn’t stupid. I noticed them from their pictures that were plastered around the building, but I knew almost nothing about them. What was I supposed to say? What can you say when you know someone is famous yet you haven’t a clue who they are? How was I to act?

At this point, I knew I was freaking too much on the inside. I had to stay calm, cool and collected. Hell, they looked normal so I should treat them normal. Listen to me, I sound like I was looking at five aliens! All I had to do was calmly walk over to the soda machine like I would any other day. Yeah, any other day that I would have five good looking men staring me down like I had a lot of guts for being in there.

A few of them were playing pool, but the one that intrigued me the most had his butt parked in front of a video game. Thank God my memory is basically like a tape recorder; otherwise I wouldn’t be able to tell you the conversation that transpired! I continued to mind my own business, getting my soda, when one of the guys approached me.

“What’s a pretty thing like you doing here? Are you one of the new deals?” His voice was raspy, but he looked no older than me. Then again, there are a lot of guys in my junior class that sounded a lot older.

“No, I’m just a visitor.” I didn’t know what else to say. I could’ve gone into a long explanation of who I was there with, but that would’ve just bored him.

“Really, who are you visiting with?” His smirk was definitely to die for. His question also completely threw my judgment out the window.

“A friend who’s trying to get a deal.” Hey, there was no reason to go into complete detail. I would’ve bored myself.

“What’s your name, precious?” The glint in his eyes told me immediately he was a player, but an adorable player.

“Holly.” My hand shook as he lifted it to his lips and planted a soft kiss on my skin.

“The name is Alex, but I’m better known as AJ.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I thought for a moment before speaking my next words. “What are you guys doing here?” As I looked around the room at their blank stares, one in particular lit up. I decided to save him for last.

Alex continued with the introductions, completely overlooking my question. “Over there is Kevin, he’s the oldest. The one with the freaky afro is Howie.”

“Man, quit dissin’ the curls! I can’t help being ethnic.”

I could tell Kevin was very quiet, taking note of my presence with a simple nod of the head while he smiled and quickly waved his hand. Howie, on the other hand, seemed to be a nice guy who got the short end of the deal. He seemed to be too nice for his own good. I snapped out of my thoughts as Alex pointed out the last two. “The one with the huge chin is Brian.”

Before Alex could speak any further, Brian was on his feet and on his way over to me. I noticed him shaking off comments from the blonde. “Brian Littrell, also known as B-Rok. And I do not have a big chin. I just happen to be blessed with that chiseled look many male models are famous for.” He put on his widest smile and it made me bust out in giggles. I must say that he does a might fine Jim Carey impression. I also must say that he hugs very well.

My focus was now aimed at the ray of light. He was barely able to look at me, but somehow managed eye contact. “The blonde Nintendo freak boy over there is Nick.”

I was ready to make my way towards him, but was stopped as he got up from his spot. One thing about Nick, he’s really tall. Not just tall, really tall! I mean, I’m just five foot six so the only ones I can compare with are Brian, Alex and Howie. Okay, I’m stepping away from the moment. Let me just say that the boy knows what’s going on with the hair! I think he was born with a built-in styler or something! Either that or he spends hours in front of the mirror. (Mental Note: Ask Brian about Nick’s grooming mannerisms.) Then there’s his walk. God, his walk could mesmerize me for hours. It’s like a strut, but it’s not. Oh Lord, I’m rambling! Okay, I’m gonna calm down. When I’m nervous I ramble. When Nick’s nervous he taps his foot non-stop. Now you understand the nickname I’ve given him! Anyway, my eyes were locked on him as he stepped closer. “It’s nice to meet you.” I kept my smile big as I held out my hand.

A lop-sided grin graced his face as he gently brushed away my hand and gave me a little friendly hug that made my world stand still. “It’s nice to meet you too.” He spoke so softly that I barely understood what he said.

“Why do we feel like we’re at a meet and greet?” Nick and I quickly broke apart once Howie spoke.

“You don’t even know who we are, do you?” Alex eyed me playfully as I felt my cheeks blush.

“I’m sorry to say that I only recognize you from the praise on the walls in this building and over at Trans Continental.”

“It’s okay, we actually like being unknown for a change. We’re the Backstreet Boys.”

“Well, it’s nice to know who you are!” I felt like I was sounding more stupid by the second.

“You wanna join in a game?” Howie offered.

Now, I knew I should get back to my pal. She was my point for being there in the first place. But there really wasn’t a muscle in my body that wanted to move away from this bunch. “Sure, I’ll play.” The words had escaped my mouth before I had a chance to think anymore. In my opinion, Alex is the best pool player out of the three. I couldn’t judge Brian or Nick yet because they were over by the Nintendo whispering. What were they talking about?

Do you really wanna know?

Well, their little discussion kept distracting my game. To be quite honest, I knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if I didn’t find out what was going on. I took a deep breath and handed my pool stick to Howie. “Take over for me a bit.” I gave him a big smile, hoping it would be enough.

He smiled back and seemed all too happy to oblige. “Get ready to be massacred, Bone!”

I stepped a little closer to the duo, not wanting to make it obvious that I was trying to listen in. Let me tell you, what I heard almost stopped my heart.

“Just do it for me.” When Nick whines, he sounds so adorable!

“Man, if you think she’s cute then you do it.”

“Come on, just this once. I just wanna get my foot in the door. You know how I am with girls, especially the pretty ones.” Let me tell you, hearing those words from Nick’s mouth is enough to make you weak in the knees.

“Dude, just do it yourself. I ain’t your mommy.”

I knew I couldn’t hold out any longer. If this was me he was talking about then I had nothing to fear. Then again, if this was another girl that was filling his mind then I would be utterly embarrassed. I had to take the chance and I had to do it now. “Nick?” They both jumped from their spots on the floor. Guess I made myself more unknown than what I thought!

“Hey Holly, did you decide to come and hang out with real men?” So far, I loved Brian’s sense of humor.

This was the time when I had to turn on the charm. “Yeah, the real men who are the best looking.” I put on my best smirk. I wish to God that I had a camera so I could’ve taken a picture of Nick blushing. He is absolutely adorable. Hell, he’s adorable when he does nothing! Anyway, this was my time to speak. “Nick, I have a question for you.”

I saw him swallow hard while his eyes roamed the room. “Yeah?”

I felt my body heat up as the words lingered in my mind. “Would you like to go out on a date with me?”

His body immediately relaxed and a playful smile played on his luscious lips. “I’d like that.”

Thumper, those words have been ringing through my mind for the entire rest of the day! Tomorrow night is the date, so I’ll definitely be writing to let you know how it goes!

Nick smiled as he remembered their first meeting. It was something he could never forget. Her long amber hair was flowing down her back. Her green eyes seemed to stare inside his soul from the first glance.

He turned the page eagerly, longing to reminisce in the memory of their first date.

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