"Hey there," said Nick coming up to me. He wrapped his arms around me. I would've usually flinched, but for some reason it just felt right.
"Hi," I said shyly.
"Eh hem!" started Liz.
"Oh sorry! Nick, this is Liz. Liz this is Nick." I said introducing them as I pulled away. I didn't get to see his reaction, but from the eyes on Liz's, I knew I had made a wrong move.
"Nice to meet you, Liz," said Nick shaking her hand.
"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Thanks. So, you guys want to head backstage. I have to meet the guys at the autographing room area. The guys and I have to sign some stuff and meet the fans. If you want, you can just wait in our dressing room."
"Sure, no problem," I said.
"By the way, I didn't catch your name. What is it?" he asked.
"Oops! Totally forgot. It's Denia," I replied.
"That's a pretty and unique name."
"Thanks," I said. I was just ready to crack up.
"Is there something funny about that?" he asked puzzled.
"Oh, no. It's just that Unique is my stage name."
"Oh, really. Do you act or sing?"
"Well, I don't act. I do sing though. Donna Wright's my manager."
"Oh. It's great that you sing, just watch out for Donna though. You heard about our lawsuit, right?"
"Yea, but I don't really care. I read between the lines and we're more than a team. We're friends."
"Well, that's nice to hear. Listen, I got to go with the rest of the guys now, but I'll have Andre show you to our dressing room."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye Nick!" yelled Liz as he walked down the hall.
"You happy, Liz?" I asked.
"Yea, but I'll be even happier when I meet AJ."
"Hey Denia! How was the concert?" asked Andre coming up behind us.
"It was really good!" I said as we followed him.
"How bout you, Liz?"
"Oh, my god! He remembered my name!"
"Of course I remembered your name. I only met you like an hour or so ago. So, what'd you think of the concert?"
"It was da bomb!" squealed Liz.
"Well girls, just wait in here. There are some refreshments in the travel fridge. Just help yourself," he said as he left us in the room.
"Thanks Andre!" I shouted before the door closed.
"Oh my god! We are in the Backstreet Boys' dressing room! AHH! I can't believe it! Charlotte is just going to flip once she hears about this!" screamed Liz. Charlotte's this really popular girl at our school that tries to make our high school years a nightmare.
"Yea, she'll really flip over this," I said agreeing.
"I've got to take pictures!" she said grabbing her camera and shooting the whole place up.
"Hey Liz. I'm sorry if I made you feel left out our anything, when we were back there with Nick," I said. I really did feel guilty about it.
"Hey, no prob. I didn't even notice it. I was taking it all in."
"So you're not gonna be mad about it?" I asked.
"Nah, we're best friends."
"Yea, that's why I just had to make sure you were okay with before."
"I'm way okay with it!"
"Okay!" I said smiling.
"How's your headache, Denia?" she asked.
"Oh, it's fading."
"Cool. I wouldn't want you to stay with me, if you weren't feeling well. If it gets worse, just let me know. We can hightail our butts out of here."
"I know you want to stay, but thanks!" I said.
"Kodak moment!" squealed Liz. We gave each other a hug as she used her other hand to click us.
"You know, this beats the recording studio," I said.
"Yea, I bet it does. I'm so glad you're finally back here, even if it is only for a week."
"Yea, I know. It's great to see everyone again. Next week is choreography. Total workout sesh!"
"Well, at least you'll be fit for you're new boy toy!" she said elbowing me.
"Shh!" I said giving her a look.
"Come on, it's not like they can hear us," said Liz.
"I know, but still."
"Okay, whatever."
"So if everything works out tonight, you'll leave here with a boy toy. Wink Wink! And I'll leave here with my image untainted," I said.
"Okay, I got the boy toy wink wink part, but what's with the image untainted thing?"
"Unique is not supposed to be dating."
"But you're Denia now, so indulge yourself," said Liz winking.
"Uh uh! No way! I am just going to have a friendship, nothing more."
"Yea, right. You may be able to fool everyone out there, but I know you. You like him."
"I do not!"
"Then why were you crying and wearing the weepy lovey dovey look?" she questioned.
"I already told you. I just got caught up in the moment!"
"Moment my ass! You like him!"
"No, I don't. Now don't you start spreading rumors!"
"I'm not. I'm just stating the obvious."
"No, you aren't!"
"Come on Denia. You can't fool me and you certainly can't fool your heart."
"Oh Liz. That is so corny!"
"Corny, but true," she said smirking.
"For the last time…" I started screaming.
"What's for the last time?" interrupted Nick coming through the door.
"Nothing," we both replied in unison, wearing our angelic faces.
"Come on," said Nick putting on a big smile.
"We were just saying that this is the last time I'm going to yell at Liz for taking me to a concert," I lied.
"Oh," he said giving me an odd look. "Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to meet the rest of the gang," said Nick.
"We'd love to," we replied in unison. We cracked up afterwards.
"Alright, just follow me," he said. Nick brought us to a spacious room, where I saw the guys along with a few other girls.
"Hey Nicky, what have we got here?" asked AJ getting up and walking towards Liz and me. He threw his arms around us, which was soon followed by Nick wrapping his arms around my waist as he led me to the couch.
"Sorry, about that," said Nick whispering in my ear.
"Don't worry about it." I replied as we sat side by side.
"Okay! Introductions!" yelled Brian all of a sudden.
"Huh?" I said.
"You know? Like what's your name? How old are you? That kind of stuff," said Howie leaning over to fill me in.
"Yea. I got it." I said.
"So, let's start with you," said Brian looking over at me. I thought I was going to die. His eyes were just so beautiful.
"Umm…" I said starting to feel jittery. "My name's Denia. I'm 17 and Liz over there is my best friend."
"Nice to meet you, Denia," said AJ reaching out his hand.
"It's nice to meet you too," I said shaking it. He appeared surprised, for it seems that he was going to give me a peck on it, but I had intercepted.
"Liz, tell us about yourself," said AJ rewrapping his arms around her.
"My name's Liz. I'm also 17, like Denia, and she's my best friend," she replied nervously.
"I'm Roxy," said the tall blonde I had seen earlier. "I'm 19 and I love to go clubbing." She started to walk towards Nick and placed herself on the other side of him.
"Cool," said Nick quietly grabbing my hand in his.
"Last, but certainly not least, we have…" prompted Kevin.
"Michelle," replied a timid brunette. She had remained quiet the whole time. "I'm 18 and I love you guys."
"Thanks Michelle," said Kevin giving her a hug.
"Well, we're the Backstreet Boys. I'm Brian the B-Rokster."
"I'm Howie."
"I'm AJ, but you can call me Bone," he said looking into Liz's eyes.
"I'm Nick."
"And I'm Kev." They said introducing themselves.
"We kinda already know who you are," I said.
"Well, we're sure you girls did. Introductions just tend to break the ice better," said Howie.
"Hey Denia. I was wondering if…" started Nick.
"RING! RING!" rang my cell phone.
"It's mine!" I announced. I took it out of my purse and looked at the screen. It was Donna.
