Lies

Nick’s point of view

“Hey Bri,” I greeted as I walked into his house.
“Hey Nicky,” he said. He then looked at me closely. “Why are you grinning?” he asked.
“I saw that girl today,” I told him.
“The one who told you about the harness?”
“Yep, I walked her home and we talked for a while, she’s really great.”
“Are you going to see her again?”
“Probably, I live like ten minutes away from her.”
“That’s interesting, do you like her?”
“I don’t know,” I said sighing.
“Huh? How can you not know?” asked Brian confused.
“I’m a bit scared, I have feelings for her definitely but they’re so strong, I’ve never fallen for someone this fast before,” I explained.
“Maybe you fell for her this fast because you’re meant to be with her,” suggested Brian.
“I don’t know, maybe,” I said sighing once again and plopped down on the couch. “Also, there’s something about her, she’s not like other girls,” I added.
“What do you mean?” asked Brian.
“She’s…different, I don’t know how, but I just know that she is,” I said.
“Okay, I guess you’ll find out sooner or later,” said Brian shrugging.
“Guess so,” I agreed and turned my attention to the TV.

Drew’s point of view

“Why are you so quiet?” I asked.
“I’m just thinking,” replied Angel.
“Then how come I don’t know what you’re thinking?” I inquired.
“Cause I finally learned how to block my thoughts from you,” said Angel and grinned.
“Hey, no fair!” I exclaimed.
“I know, but I do have the right to private thoughts you know,” said Angel.
“I guess, but what are you thinking about?” I asked again.
“Nick,” she answered sighing.
“Oh, I could’ve guessed that, no need to read your mind there,” I said laughing.
“Yeah, sure,” said Angel absentmindedly.
“You really like him don’t you?” I asked softly.
“Yep, and that’s scary, we just met and I already like him so much,” she said. “But, it can never happen,” she added stubbornly.
“Why not Ang?” I asked frustratingly.
“Hello?” she said waving her arm in front of my face. “Did you forget that I’m not exactly normal?” she asked.
“So?” I asked shrugging.
“SO? This is like huge! There’s no telling how Nick might react to my little ‘gifts’. Which is exactly why nothing can ever happen between Nick and me, and I won’t let it,” she said determinedly.
“You’re being stupid. For all you know Nick won’t care that you’re not normal, he might even be thrilled!”
“He won’t be thrilled that’s for sure. I’ve lost all my boyfriends that way or did you forget?”
“Ang, all those guys were morons, they weren’t right for you, I have a feeling that Nick is right, but if you’re so set on it not working out, you’re going to push him away.”
“You’re saying that like you know that he likes me.”
“He does, I know he does.”
“Drew, don’t you ever leave anyone’s thoughts alone?”
“Nope, it was important so I looked into his mind and he definitely has feelings for you.”
“Well, he’ll just have to get over them because I’m not going to get hurt, not again.” Angel then got up and walked out of the room. “I’m going for a walk!” I heard her call out and a second later the front door slammed shut.
Sometimes my sister could be so unbelievably stubborn! She just couldn’t let a good thing happen to her. I knew that she’d been hurt many times before by guys to whom she either told about her ‘gifts’ or they had found out accidentally. But somehow I had a feeling that Nick was different. I wanted Angel to be happy and I knew she would be happy with Nick.
“Why does she have to be so stubborn?” I said out loud to no one in particular. I then sighed and tried calling out to Angel mentally. Silence, apparently she blocked her thoughts from me yet again.

Angel’s point of view

I felt Drew trying to get through to me but I kept my guard up. Only when I felt him give up did I relax. I was walking along my street deep in thought. I knew that I was really attracted to Nick but I never wanted him to find out about my ‘gifts’. The only way to guarantee that he would never find out was to keep him as far away from me as possible. It was going to be hard, I knew it was, but it was something that I had to do.
“Hey!” I cried out as someone ran into me. I looked at the person and saw that it was Nick once again.
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he said grinning and pulled me up.
“Yeah,” I said returning his grin and dusted off my pants. “So what are you doing?” I asked.
“Taking a walk, clearing my thoughts, you?” asked Nick.
“Same,” I replied.
“Listen, I’ve been thinking and I was wondering if you would like to go out with me,” said Nick and smiled at me.
My heart was screaming yes but my brain overruled it. “I’m sorry, I can’t, I have a boyfriend,” I lied.
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” said Nick disappointed. I didn’t want to hurt him, but it was better this way before we got close and he found out about me and then ran away and hurt both of us. “So, um, it was nice running into you, again. Sorry about that by the way,” he said sheepishly.
“No problem,” I told him. “I’ll see you later,” I said.
“Yeah, later,” said Nick and I quickly crossed the street and walked away.
Angel? Are you okay? I heard Drew reaching out and asking me. While I was talking to Nick I accidentally let my guard down.
Yes I’m fine. I replied to him and then put up my guard once again. I knew that my brother was just trying to help, but I really needed to be alone, both physically and mentally.

Nick’s point of view

She had a boyfriend; I couldn’t believe it. Then again, why didn’t I think of that? She seemed a little too great; I should’ve known that she had a boyfriend. I kicked a pebble on the pavement with my shoe and it flew across the street. I looked up at the sun shining in the blue sky and it seemed like I shouldn’t have a worry in the world. Yeah, the keyword being ‘seemed’, nothing was ever like it seemed.
I walked back to my house and saw Kevin on the doorstep about to ring the bell. “Hey Kev,” I said startling him.
Kevin turned around sharply. “Oh, geez, you scared me,” he said.
“Good,” I said curtly and opened the door. We both walked in and I closed the door behind us. “So what do you want?” I asked.
“Nice to see you too Nick,” said Kevin sarcastically.
“Kev, please, I’m not in the mood,” I told him.
“Yeah, no kidding,” said Kevin with a short laugh. “The reason I came by is to tell you that we have to go to California for a week to do a couple of photo shoots and a few interviews,” he explained.
“Okay, when do we leave?”
“Tomorrow, be ready at 7.”
“In the morning?”
“Yeah, don’t oversleep this time please.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Good.”
“Is that it?”
“Yeah it is, what’s wrong Nick?”
“Nothing that I wanna talk about,” I said stubbornly.
“Fine, I’ll leave you alone then,” said Kevin and headed for the door.
“Thanks, later,” I said. Kevin gave a small wave and left.
I went to my room and sat down on my bed. I rested my chin on my hands and tried to figure out what I was supposed to do. It was then that my cell phone rang. People just couldn’t leave me alone!
“What?” I barked into the phone.
“Hello to you too Nick,” said AJ.
“Sorry Bone, just not in the mood,” I told him.
“So does that mean that you don’t want to go clubbing with me, Kev, Bri, and D tonight?” asked AJ.
I thought about it. Going to a club didn’t sound like a bad idea especially when I was just shot down by Angel. “Sure, I’ll go,” I replied.
“Okay great, be ready to go at nine,” said AJ.
“See ya then,” I said.
“Later,” said AJ and hung up. I hung up the phone too and looked at my watch. It was already almost six so I had a few hours to kill before going to the club with the guys. After thinking for about ten minutes trying to come up with something to do, I gave up and went downstairs to watch TV.

Angel’s point of view

“I don’t wanna go,” I said stubbornly.
“I don’t wanna hear it,” stated Kelly. “You’re not going to sit here and do nothing, you’re coming with me to the club tonight,” she added.
“I’m not twenty one,” I pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter, the club is eighteen and over,” said Kelly shrugging.
“But I don’t wanna go!” I whined.
“And I said that I don’t want to hear it,” repeated Kelly and walked over to my closet. “Now let’s see what you’ve got in here,” she said looking through my clothing. “This should do it.” Kelly held out a tight dark blue knee length skirt and a black halter-top.
“I’m not wearing that,” I said shaking my head.
“Oh yes you are,” said Kelly nodding and threw the clothes at me. At that point there was a knock on my door.
“Come in Drew!” I called out and a second later my brother appeared in the doorway.
“What are you two up to?” he asked looking at Kelly and me.
“I’m taking your sister to a club tonight, you wanna come?” she asked smiling at Drew. It was not a secret that Kelly had a huge crush on Drew for quite some time now.
“Sure why not,” said Drew shrugging. “Sounds like fun,” he added.
“Okay great, be ready to go at nine thirty,” said Kelly and Drew nodded.
“Now get out, I gotta get dressed,” I told him. Drew laughed and left the room. “I’m still not wearing that,” I said turning back to Kelly.
“Yes you are, now go put it on!” she ordered and pointed at the door that led to my bathroom. I got up and reluctantly went to put on the clothing. When I emerged five minutes later I cleared my throat to get Kelly’s attention.
She turned around and looked at me. “Perfect!” she exclaimed. “Guys will drool all over you,” she added grinning.
“I don’t want guys to drool all over me,” I told her.
“Too bad, cause they will,” said Kelly shrugging. “And maybe some of that drool will get to me too,” she added.
“Oh please Kel, you’re gorgeous and you know it,” I stated.
“Yeah sure, whatever you say,” said Kelly with a wave of her hand. She then flipped her waist length blond hair over her shoulder. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t see herself like everyone else did. With her gorgeous hair and deep blue eyes, she was an absolute knock out.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“It’s eight forty five,” she replied looking at her wristwatch. “I’ll be back in a half an hour and you and Drew better be ready to go by then,” she said and got up from my bed.
“Uh huh,” I said nodding.
“Okay, I’ll take that as a yes, I’ll see you at nine fifteen,” said Kelly and left. I sat down on my bed and looked over at the picture of my parents on my nightstand. In it, Drew and me were only six years old and Mom and Dad had taken us to Disney World that year for our birthday. I felt tears gathering in my eyes and I blinked several times to get them to go away. I didn’t want to cry, I’ve cried enough in the past eleven years. It was a wonder I still had any tears left in me.
After I willed my tears away I got up and went over to my dresser to put on some make up. I wasn’t a big fan of it but I knew that Kelly would make a big deal out of me not wearing any make up. I put on some eyeliner, a bit of eye shadow, mascara, and a hint of light pink lip-gloss. I then went over to my closet to try and find my heels. They were somewhere in the back because I didn’t wear them very often. I found them and put them on. My feet were already starting to complain. How was I supposed to survive an entire night in those things?
Fifteen minutes later I heard the front door open and close. Kelly had come back and it was time to leave. I carefully made my way down the stairs as to not break my neck.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey,” said Kelly grinning. She was definitely dressed for a club. Kelly was wearing a short black skirt, a silvery ¾ sleeve top, and black high heels. “Where’s Drew?” she asked.
“Somewhere around here,” I said. “DREW!” I yelled out.
“I’m coming I’m coming,” he yelled back and a few seconds later came downstairs. He raised his eyebrows appreciatively when he saw Kelly. She grinned.
“Okay, now that we’re all here, let’s go!” she announced and the three of us went outside and got into Kelly’s car since she insisted on driving.

ONE HOUR LATER
Nick’s point of view

Boredom. That was the only way I could describe what I was feeling at the club, pure and total boredom. I looked over at the other guys who were having a great time on the dance floor. Kevin and Brian with their wives and Howie and AJ with two girls they had met at the club. I was sitting at the table alone. It wasn’t that no one had asked me to dance. Plenty of girls did and I danced with a couple of them. It was just that my mind kept drifting back to Angel and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Then the unthinkable happened, I spotted Angel sitting at a different table with her brother and another girl.

Angel’s point of view

“Yeah sure,” I replied to Kelly about something that she had said; I had no idea what it was because I was too busy trying not to think about Nick. It wasn’t working.
“Ang, oh my God, you’re not going to believe who’s here!” squealed Kelly all of a sudden.
“Huh?” I said and turned my attention to her.
“Look!” she said and casually pointed into the crowd. I followed with my eyes where she was pointing and then I saw him, Nick.
“Damn it!” I said and quickly turned away.
“Are you nuts?” exclaimed Kelly. “That’s Nick Carter and he’s heading this way!” she added excitedly.
Oh great, he probably saw me. “He is?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’s almost here!” said Kelly.
“Hi Angel,” I then heard Nick say.
I reluctantly turned around to face him. “Uh, hey Nick,” I said trying to keep my voice light. “This is my best friend Kelly and you already know Drew,” I said pointing at Kelly and my brother.
“Hi,” said Nick to them both.
“Hi,” said Kelly smiling widely.
“Hey,” said Drew nonchalantly. A girl then asked him to dance so he excused himself and went with her. Nick sat down in his place.
“You two know each other?” asked Kelly pointing to Nick and me.
“Yeah, we just ran into each other one day,” replied Nick. I nodded in agreement.
“And how could you not tell me?” asked Kelly in disbelief turning to me.
“It didn’t come up,” I said shrugging and gave her a small smile.
“Yeah right,” said Kelly.
“So where’s your boyfriend?” asked Nick looking at me.
“Um, he’s sick…at home…with the flu,” I said lying to him once again. I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.
“And you’re here?” asked Nick gesturing with his arm at the club.
“Yeah, I wanted to stay with him but he said that he was just going to sleep and he wanted me to go with Kelly and Drew,” I said. I was on a total roll with the lies wasn’t I?
“I see,” said Nick nodding.
“I’m sorry, Ang, can I talk to you for a minute?” asked Kelly and without waiting for me to answer she dragged me off to the ladies’ room. “What the hell was that about?” she exclaimed. “You don’t have a boyfriend!”
“I know, but I had to tell Nick I did because I didn’t want to go out with him,” I explained.
“You’re absolutely out of your mind,” stated Kelly. “Like the hottest guy in the world asks you out and you lie and say that you have a boyfriend?”
“It’s complicated,” I said uneasily.
“Sure it is,” said Kelly sarcastically and then dragged me back to the table where Nick was still sitting. “Okay,” said Kelly making me sit down in a chair next to Nick. “She doesn’t have a boyfriend, now talk,” she ordered and left.
I looked at Nick not being able to speak. I had no idea what to say to him after Kelly had just told him that I lied.
“Well? Why did you lie?” asked Nick and looked at me questioningly.
“I…uh…um,” I mumbled. What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to explain it to him?


chapter 2 chapter 4