Chapter 2



The next day, Saturday, Nick picked Alex up at her house. Her mom and step dad had already left for work.
"Do you wan't to go see a movie?"
"Sure."
"That new movie, Varsity Blues came out yesterday, we can go see that."
"Okay," said Alex.
Nick drove to the theatre. They talked along the way. They found out they had a lot in common. When they got to the theatre, they got in line and bought tickets for the 11:00 showing. They bought a bucket of popcorn and two drinks. They went in and sat down in the back row. Nick put his arm around Alex.
"Oww," said Alex quietly as she squirmed under Nick's arm.
Nick moved his arm. "Whats wrong?"
"I just have a bruise on my arm..."
"Let me see," said Nick, concerned.
"She turned sideways in the seat. He raised up the sleve on her right arm. "How did that happen?" he asked, looking at the large purple bruise on her arm in the dim light of the theatre.
"Its nothing..."
"What do you mean nothing. Its a pretty bad bruise," Nick demanded.
"I... I was playing softball and the ball hit me in the arm," Alex lied. "Its okay."
"Are you sure?" asked Nick.
"Yeah, its fine."
"Okay."
Nick and Alex settled back down in their seats, just as the lights went off and the credits started playing. When the movie was over they headed out the front.
"Its Nick!" yelled a girl from the other side of the room. A small group rushed over with pens, napkins and whatever paper they could find. "Can I have your autograph?"
"Uh, sure," said Nick. He took a pen and gave the girls his autograph. Nick said goodbye and led Alex out the door to his car.
"What was that about?" asked Alex, with a confused look on her face.
They got in Nicks car and he explained. "I'm in the group, Backstreet Boys."
"Oh, why didn't I see that before?" she said to herself. "I don't listen to music much. How come you didn't tell me before?"
"I didn't think it was a big deal," said Nick.
"I guess your right."
"How about I take you to lunch?"
"Okay," she smiled.
Nick started the car and they left.
Alex got home that night about 6:30. Her stepdad was already home. When she walked in the door he started yelling. "Where were you al day?" he demanded.
"I was with a friend. I didn't have work today," said Alex.
"Who were you with?"
"My friend Nick..."
"Where did you go?" he interupted.
"He took me to lunch and a movie..."
"You little slut," he yelled, before she finnished. He started beating her, kicking her with his work boots, yelling out obcinities the whole time. Finally when he was satisfied he left the room. She fell to her knee's crying. He had left bruises all arms and legs.
"I'll just have to wear jeans," she thought.
She went in the bathroom and washed her face and put on some makeup. When her mother got home and made dinner, the three of them ate as if nothing had happened.

Two days later, Monday, Nick met Alex at McDonalds for lunch. Nick told her a little bit about what touring was like. Alex nodded in response, without saying much. Nick noticed she was a little more quiet than usual.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No, why do you say that?"
"You just seemed more quiet than usual."
"No, nothings wrong, I'm just sleepy."
Just then A.J. and Brian walked in the door. They saw Nick and Alex and went over to their table. "Hey Frack," said Brian.
"Hey Frick," said Nick. "Sit down."
A.J. and Brian sat down. "Guys this is Alex, Alex this is A.J. and Brian.
"Nice to meet you," said Brian.
"Nice to meet you too," said Alex.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving," said A.J. "I'm going to get some food."
Brian and A.J. stood up and got in line.
"Their in the group too right?" asked Alex.
"Yeah, along with Kevin and Howie," said Nick.
Brian and A.J. came back with their trays. "So what have you two been up to?" asked A.J.
"Not much," said Nick.
"Sure," said A.J. in a sarcastinc tone.
"Oh be quiet A.J. said Brian.
"Fine," said A.J. He took a huge bite of his double quarter pounder.
"Man your a pig," said Nick.
A.J. swallowed his bite. "So."
Nick stuck his tounge out at A.J.
"Quit being imature," said Brian.
"You quit being imature," said Nick.
"You..."
"No you..."
A.J. leaned across the table and whispered to Alex. "They act like little kids all the time."
Brian and Nick stopped arguing and looked up.
"What did you tell her?" asked Nick.
"Nothing," said A.J.
"Yeah right," mumbled Nick.
Alex finnished her sandwhich and balled up her paper. "I've got to go so I'm not late to work."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later," said Nick.
"Bye," she said.
"Bye," said the guys together.
After Alex had left A.J. piped up. "She's gorgeous."
"Don't even think about it," said Brian.
"Is anything hapening between you two?" asked A.J.
"Not really. We just met a couple of days ago. I like her a lot though," said Nick.
"Oh," said A.J.
"She doesn't seem interested in starting anything right now though."
"Well, if you want to do anything then you need to do it soon. We're leaving in a week and we'll be gone until April," said A.J. They were going on tour to Europe, Germany and Canada, then finnishing up in the U.S.

Chapter 3