________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alison Mcan and Nick Carter had been best friends for as long as they could remember.
They had never been, and never wanted to be, more than just friends.

Until now.

Nick had never wanted anything as much as he wanted Alison as his girlfriend. But, someone stood in his way. Todd Robertson was Alison's boyfriend. Nick didn't know if it was just because Todd was Alison's boyfriend, or if it was Todd himself, but there was just something he hated about him. Nick was on his way to Alison's house now.

As he walked down the dark, cold street, huge rain drops plopped down on his body, soaking him. Nick began to run. He ran so quickly that he didn't watch where he was going and bumped into someone. It was Todd. Todd quickly pocketed the object that he had just held in his right hand. But he hadn't been quick enough, for Nick had seen his gun.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Alison! Alison!" Nick yelled as he ran into his best friend's house.

"Nick! Your getting water everywhere! Take off your shoes and..."

"Alison! I...have to...tell," Nick gasped, "you...about Todd."

"What! Is he hurt? Is he okay? Is he..."

"Alison! Please shut up!" Nick yelled.

Alison looked shocked for a second, but then just sat down on her couch.

"Ali, I'm sorry but, well, this is extremely hard for me to say!"

"Just say it Nick."

"Todd...Todd has a gun."

"Is that all? God, I thought that this was import..."

"I'm not finished yet. Alison...Todd," Nick took Alison's hands in his, "he plans on shooting someone with that gun."

"He wouldn't"

"He plans on shooting you," Nick said, staring at the floor.

Alison's face turned pale. Nick went to hug her, but she backed away from him.

"He would never do that. NEVER!"

"You just haven't..."

"No Nick! He would NEVER! Do you understand me?! And, God, what reason would he even have? Your just sick! You are so sick Nick Carter!"

"Alison, please, just listen. I saw..."

"Get out."

"But..."

"I SAID GET OUT!"

"No, I can't. I..."

Alison opened the front door. "If your not out by the time I count to three..."

"Just let me explain!"

Alison shoved Nick, as hard as she could, out the door.

"Alison!"

The door slammed shut and locked.

Nick stared at it. Slowly, he turned around and began to walk down the street. "If you knew what I knew," he muttered to himself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nick lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Todd's words seemed to echo, like he was in an empty room and they kept bouncing back in his face.

"Why would I love a girl like her? If she doesn't do what I want her to do, I may just have to use this." Todd's hand went over the trigger of the gun.

Nick flinched. After many long hours, he finally managed to fall asleep, only to be woken up with a start. Cold sweat trickled down Nick's face. His nerves had been the only cause of his awakening. He got out of bed and went over to his closet to pull out some clothes. He knew where he had to go. Nick ran as fast as he could to Alison's house, but by the time he got there, it was too late. Nick raced up to Alison's bedroom, where he found Alison's body, completely covered in blood.

"Alison!" Nick cried, running to his best friend's side.

"Nick," Alison said weakly.

"Ali!"

"He...he tried to...to..."

"Shhh, I know!"

"I should have listened to what you had to say Nick."

"Apologizes aren't important now, I have to call 911."

"Don't bother, I won't make it!"

Nick stared at her in disbelief. "What?!"

"Thank you for always being there for me, Nick."

"No, no, you can't!"

"Thank youp Nick..."
"Alison! I, I...I love you. I love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. Remember that."

"I will. And...and, I...I...I love you too, Nick."

Alison's last words, the ones she had spoken as Nick cradled her in his arms, touched a place so deep down in his heart. He knew he would cherish every memory of her.

But, if only she had known what he knew.

Copyrighted 2001