"Lauren!" Aaron, Nick's little brother ran up to me in the California Airport. I dropped the bags I was carrying and ran to him.

"Squirt!" I cried. He hugged me briefly, then pulled back. I looked down at him amused, as Nick walked up behind us.\

"That's all I get? A little hug?" I asked, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Well I am twelve you know. I can't go around hugging everyone," he boasted proudly.

I looked over at Nick who had his eyebrow raised to his little brother. Nick's eyes met mine, and we rolled our eyes. "Besides, Nick might get jealous if I hug you for too long. He might think I was trying to steal his girlfriend." Aaron glanced at Nick who was ready to chase him.

While the two of them ran around like fools, B.J ran up, and we embraced tightly. "B.J!" I squealed. "What is up girl?" I asked, as we pulled away from each other and looked at each other. She hadn't changed much, but her hair was a little longer, from the last time I had seen it, which was back in late May.

"What did you do to your hair?" she asked, a smile on her face. I pulled gently on my hair. A couple of days ago, me and AJ had gone out to a mall, and I had got hot pink streaks in my hair. Nothing too outrageous. When I had got back on the bus, Nick had yelled, " 'What the hell did you do to your hair?!'" But he got over it.

"AJ influenced me to do this. Do you like it?" I asked, a little nervous under her watchful stare.

"I Like it. It's you," she said finally, as Nick ran up behind me."Aaron is trying to kill me. When did he get to be so damn fast?" Nick panted, as Leslie and Angel ran up, with Jane and Bob trailing them. I patted his arm reassuringly.

B.J burst out laughing. "Your outta shape, bro" she said.

After hugging everyone, the whole family and me headed outside, and the California sunlight blinded me. I reached into my pockets and put on my sunglasses. "So Aaron, where are you sleeping?" Nick asked, grinning slyly.

"Duh. In my bed, in our room." He glanced over at Nick confused. Nick threw the suitcases into the trunk of his car that B.J had driven up.

"Sorry Aaron. Hate to break it to you, but your gonna be sleeping on the couch or something, because Lauren is sleeping in our room. With me." He added. Jane looked down at Nick.

"Excuse me? Nick, you and Lauren can stay in the guestroom. You will not kick your brother out of his own room." Jane smiled at me. Nick and Aaron continued to argue the whole way to the Carter's house.

A Couple of Days Later

"Ni- ick! C'mon, or we are going to be late!" I cried, standing on the stairway steps, my voice echoing up the hall. I stood impatiently, clutching the black shoulder bag. If Nick didn't hurry his ass on, we would be late for the MTV Video Music Awards, and seeing Leigh-Anne again. He was upstairs, changing his clothes for the fiftieth time. 'Lord,' I thought, 'he takes longer than I do to get ready.' A couple of minutes later, I heard footsteps pound down the stairs. I looked up to see Nick standing in front of me. 'Damn. He looks great,' I thought as he half smiled down at me.

"You look awesome, baby," he said, pulling my hand and guiding me towards the living room. I tugged at the hem of the red tank top I had on. I had on black pants, and black sandals. I had been at enough award shows with Nick to know better to not wear heels. Especially if there was a three hour long conference after the show.

As soon as the guys showed at up, we left.