(The song ‘Inside Out’ is playing)

"I can't believe I'm letting you do this to me."

"You're not letting me," Layla argued. "You simply have no choice. Besides, I'm gonna let you put some on me so quit your whining."

"I am not whining, just protesting against the diminishment of my masculinity."

"Wearing cold cream does not make you less masculine. If anything, it'll make you manlier."

"I'm sure any girl would fall all over me if she knew I did this."

"Actually, most women would. It shows that you're secure enough with yourself that you're not afraid of other's perceptions."

He stared at her while she continued to apply the cream. "Why is it you have to be right?"

"Because, I simply am and that's all you need to know," she giggled. "Now, it's your turn. Don't put too much on me. I don't want to look like an over-frosted cake."

"Have a little more faith in me than that," he scoffed. "I do have sisters that I get to see occasionally, so I know how this stuff is supposed to look."

She stared at him as he began. "Is it hard for you?"

"Is what hard?"

"Being away from your family so much. How many siblings do you have?"

"I have three sisters, one brother and a stepsister."

"Isn't it difficult to not be there with them?"

"Well, I get to see my brother the most out of all of them, cause he's in the business too."

"You're kidding."

"Nope, he started at age eight. He got into it to hang out with me more. Little did he know that we'd barely see each other. He opened up for us back in 1998 and now he's performing his own concerts. He's got three albums out so far and will be working on his fourth one in a few months."

"Wow, that's a lot for someone his age to accomplish."

"Yes, I'm definitely proud of him."

"Are you two close?"

"Closerthanthis," he smiled, crossing two of his fingers. "I see so much of myself in him. He looks like me and talks like me. He has so many of my mannerisms. I haven't figured out yet if he learned them purposely or if it just happened."

"Well, I'd say that he wants to be just like you, so more than likely he did it purposely. Sounding like you can't be helped, but the mannerisms are learned. If anything, he idolizes you."

"That's what I'm afraid of. I want him to have better than I had. I want the same for all my loved ones, as long as they work hard enough at whatever they do."

"Are any of your other siblings in the business?"

"My sister Leslie is trying, but it's a little more difficult for her. She's not a perfect size zero, if you understand what I'm saying, so this world is not treating her like she's Britney Spears or anything."

"Good Lord, I hope that's not what she's aiming for."

"You and me both. I know that's not what she wants. If you ask me, a regular looking girl is just what the industry needs. I mean, Hollywood and the music industry are filled with what most consider beautiful people. What a lot of younger girls don't realize is that it takes a lot of hours to look the way movie stars look. Hell, I've seen Britney Spears on a no make up day. The girl ain't all that."

"How I wish you could publicize that line," Layla laughed. "I met her at a fashion show once. She was modeling along with us for charity. She seemed insulted that I had never listened to her music before. Like that kind of an attitude was going to make me a fan that much quicker. I wanted to tell her to get over herself."

"Did you?"

"Nah, I did the next best thing. I ignored her."

"That's usually the best thing to do with people like her." "That's one of the things I like about you and Alex. Neither of you were asking if I liked your music nor were you offended by the fact that I really didn't know who either of you were. Well, thanks to Sarah I knew who you guys were, but you know what I meant."

Nick continued applying the cream while he smiled at her babbling. "Believe me, Alex and I sometimes try to deny who we are."

"Really?"

"Not a whole lot, but sometimes. It's just hard to deal with. Some people come up to you no matter where you are and what you're doing. Doesn't even matter if you're trying to have a date, they'll come up to you and want your autograph."

"Do some of them believe you when you lie?"

"Well, I've only done it a couple of times, and the only reason I really did it was because of this girl I was with. But honestly, that's a subject better left for another time. I don't have the energy to trudge up those memories."

Layla respected his explanation and tried to change the subject. "Are you almost finished? I still have to show you the house."

"Yeah, I’m almost done." He patted the tip of her nose with his index finger. "There, my masterpiece is complete," he proclaimed in a French accent.

(The song ‘Daily Nightly’ begins playing)

"Good! Now, follow me," she smirked. She led him down the hallway, stopping at the first door. "This is the chill out room."

She turned the knob and Nick's eyes were greeted with a multitude of colors. There were at least five lava lamps, ten bean bag chairs and tye dye rags galore adorning the walls. "I have to ask," he said with a grin. "Why the beaded curtain when you have a door?"

"Ambiance," she stated simply. "Now, the next room is extremely personal to me. I worked really hard to make it what it is." With that, she led the way and allowed him to enter through the next door.

He couldn't believe the sight before him. Memories of his childhood came flooding back. The entire room was a tribute to toys that any hard-core collector would pay good money to get their hands on. "Are these all from when you were growing up?"

"Most of them are. I only got a few things from E-bay. I don't tell too many people about this room."

"I can see why not. My God, you must have a small fortune in this room alone." He stepped further into the room, taking a closer look. "Are these all the original Care Bears? My sister, BJ, loved these things!"

"I'm only missing a few," she smiled proudly.

"You have the original Strawberry Shortcake dolls! I use to have my G.I. Joe's take my sister's dolls captive and hang them by their necks."

"Gee, how delightful," she giggled.

"You have the Snoopy Snow cone maker!" As soon as the words escaped his mouth, Layla doubled over in laughter. "Okay, swear to me that outburst is staying between the two of us."

"On my honor," she giggled. "I'll show you one more room tonight. There’s plenty of time to bore you tomorrow."

"Bore me? Aaron and I could tear this room apart!" He looked at her hesitant stare. "But we wouldn't," he quickly assured. "I'll kick anyone's butt who tries to even step into this room!"

"That’s tough talk from a guy wearing girly cream on his face."

"Man," he whined.

"Can it and follow me." She led him down a flight of stares leading him down to a room he could really have fun in. "This is the music room."

He saw plenty of open space, a piano, a set of drums, and a few guitars hanging on one of the walls. "You play all of these?"

"I fiddle around when I'm bored. This whole room is soundproof, so I can have as much fun as I want."

He turned to face her and saw a huge stereo system against the back wall. "Whoa! That thing is bigger than mine!"

"Really, and just how big is your thing?" she smirked.

He couldn't help but blush. "Okay, now you're embarrassing me," he giggled.

"Sorry," she smiled. "Wanna hear what it sounds like?"

"Actually, I'd like to hear you play one of these instruments if you don't mind."

"Nah, you don't wanna hear that."

"If I didn't want to, I wouldn't have requested it. Are you shy?"

"Moi? Never! Which one you want me to play?"