"Oh... I understand. That'a the thanks that I get huh? I mean...for making a complete jerk out of myself..."

Nick turned on the ignition "I'm just playin' with you Selen..c'mon."

"I know, I know," I sighed. I felt something under me on the seat. I pulled out a battered copy of Teen magazine. On the front cover was a picture of Nick and the rest of the Backstreet Boys. I couldn't help but snicker. Nick was so odd sometimes, and a little bit arrogant. I flipped open the magazine. I cackled when I came to the article "Getting Intimate with the Backstreet Boys," and saw that the picture had been ripped out of the magazine.

Nick flushed slightly as he put the car into gear.

"Hmmmmm...Nick...I wonder where the picture went?" I chided as I playfully elbowed him in the side. "I guess a fan beat you to the punch, huh?"

"I'm not answering..." Nick replied matter-of-factly.

I raised an eyebrow at him. Before he could stop me, I reached into the lower pocket of his cargo khakis and produced his wallet.

"Hey! That be my rightful property!"

I turned to face the passenger window as I opened his wallet. I was actually surprised to find the rumpled magazine page carefully folded. I opened it up.

"Selen...I swear upon all that is holy..if you don't give that back..."

I laughed as I carefully dodged his desperate attempts to get his possesions back. Written in flourish cursive handwriting, I saw a message scrawled over his picture:

"Oh shit!" Nick grabbed the condom before I even had a chance to react.

There was a silence in the vehicle as Nick steered onto the freeway.

I didn't know exactly what to say. It was my turn to be embaressed. I cleared my throat "Nick...I'm sorry." I said simply.

He didn't respond, but continued to blanky stare at the freeway.

I swallowed and concentrated on the scenery as it moved past us rapidly. I noticed it move faster, and faster, and faster. I looked at the speedometer and noticed that the needle was grazing between eighty and eighty five.

"Nick...slow down!" I sputtered.

Nick looked at me coldly. He saw the look on my face, and his features softened, and he eased up on the acceleration. He ran his hand through his hair. He inhaled deeply and looked over at me. "Ange...you don't think that..."

Our eyes met and I immediatly recognized what he was trying to tell me. I knew he was telling the truth. Nick may be a little arrogant at times, and he was definitly a player...but he sure as hell didn't sleep around.

I nodded and patted his shoulder, "don't worry...you don't have to prove anything to me Nick...I know that you're not like that." I chuckled. "In fact..if it makes you feel any better..." I reached into my purse and fished aroung for a minute..I finally found what I was looking for. Nick did a double take.

"Selen... I never would have thought," he teased.

"Ok hypocrite!" I fought back jokingly.

"Seriously though...I feel much better now that I know you carry one..."

"Just in case," we both said in unison.

We exchanged mischivous smiles..and I was reminded of how lucky I was to have him as a friend.

I plopped myself down on Brian's forest green couch and leaned against his firm frame as he glanced at the article. It was about a new group known as Soda Pop. They looked pretty young. Upon closer inspection of the article I read that they were pretty much the same age as the Backstreet Boys.

"They just look like snots," I sneered.

"C'mon Selena...don't make judgements...I know what it's like to have people do that."

My face flushed. I always forgot how kind-hearted of a person Brian was. I often found myself having to watch what I said around him, for fear of "offending" him or so to speak. "I'm sorry Bri," I said sincerely.

He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, "don't worry about it babe."

I still couldn't help but feel bad. This happened all too often. I would say something, and then immediatly regret saying it--fearing that Brian would reproach me. Of course, he never really did.

I picked up Brian's planner and began flipping through it. "Ohhhhhhh!" I breathed. "Another Christmas party!"

"Yeah," Brian said without enthusiasm. "Is it the last one of the season?"

"You don't sound too exited!" I laughed. I got to go to Nick's little bash and that was enough.

"It's Lou's party--all of his other bands are going to be there. You WILL come with me right?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" I planted a kiss on his forehead. It should be an interesting evening.