"Denia!" yelled the tall blonde as he ran towards me.
"Nicky!" I yelled as we caught each other. He picked me up and swung me around.
"It's so great to see you! We are going to have a slammin' time on this tour," said Nick as he led me into the hotel, with his arm around my waist.
"Hey Denia! I'm so thrilled you're going to be on tour with us," said Brian. "Now we know why you couldn't go out with us that night at the concert."
"Yeah, you do," I said smiling. "Where's Donna?" I asked looking for my manager.
"I think she's just going over some stuff with our people and some stuff about your tour bus. I wish you could be on ours!" whined Nick.
"I do too, but it was entirely my decision to have the separate one. I can't have people thinking I'm dating anyone, especially not one of the Backstreet Boys," I replied.
"Denia! Finally, we meet again! Oh my gosh! Can I have your autograph?" asked a very excited Howie as he rushed up to me.
"Sure, though shouldn't it be the other way around?" I asked.
"Thanks so much! I heard your song on the radio and I love it! I can't wait for your album to come out. Please tell me you'll let me listen to some clips of it! Oh and you just have to help me work on some songs! I can't believe you write most of your songs."
"Thanks D! Relax hun!" I said playfully slapping him on his arm. I took the piece of paper and signed it. "You've got to sign mine now. Make it out to Denia, not Unique," I said as I handed him a notepad.
"No problem, sweetie," he said signing it. "Here," he said handing it to me.
"Thanks," I said.
"Come on Denia!" said Nick dragging me towards the elevator. "Let's get settled in."
"Nick, babe. You do realize we have separate rooms, right?" I said as the elevator doors closed.
"Yeah, but I can't wait to get you alone," said Nick with a devilish grin.
"You're such an idiot, Nick," I said joking.
"Denia, I'm not an idiot. Just a friend that's falling for a friend."
"That's sweet," I said as we got off and onto our floor. We quietly walked down the corridor as we looked at the doors searching for our rooms.
"Here's mine," said Nick stopping in front of 85. I continued walking a little further to discover mine, number 88.
"Nick, I need to talk to you," I said as I stuck the card in the slot.
"I'll be right there. I'm just going to throw my luggage in my room first."
"Okay," I replied as I opened the door. I threw my bag on the bed and put my one suitcase that I had with me by the closet. I pondered in my head how I would tell Nick that I didn't want to develop anything.
"Hey babe," said Nick closing the door behind him. "What's on your mind, Denia?" he asked as he plopped down on the bed.
"Nick," I said sitting down. "I don't know if you've been aware of this, but we're acting as if we're more than friends."
"So?"
"So, I'm serious. I really can't have any attachments right now. I'm stressed enough and busy enough as it is."
"Denia, you're just flipping. Relax, hun," said Nick starting to massage my back.
"No, Nick," I said brushing his hands off. "Listen to me! I want you to know that I don't want to hurt you and I'm serious when I tell you that I just want us to be friends on tour."
"What?"
"Nick, I know I've told you this already at the concert, but the truth is not only do I feel my career is not at a secure spot, but that I really don't think I have the time and effort to work on this. I want something special with you, Nick. And I want it to last, but I know that if I start anything now with anyone, it just won't."
"Denia, I really like you. I know we can make it work," replied Nick as he cupped my face in his hands.
"No, you don't," I replied simply.
"You're right. I don't. But I know we've got to try."
"I know that too, but I know that I don't want to try now."
"So, how are we supposed to be just friends?" asked Nick.
"I'll pretend you're just like the rest of the guys and you can act that I'm like one of you guys too."
"Like that'll be easy."
"I know it won't."
"I guess we could give it a shot. Anything for you."
"You're the best," I said giving him a hug.
"I know, I know," he said acting cocky.
"You're such an idiot," I said again.
"You like that word, don't you?"
"For you? Yeah," I replied smiling. Nick started to tickle me then. "Nick, stop!" I said between laughs. "You're going to kill me!"
"Well, stop calling me an idiot."
"Okay! Okay," I surrendered. He stopped as I gasped for air.
"Knock knock," said someone at the door.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It's Donna."
"Hold on, I'll be right there," I replied as I got up and opened the door.
"Hey Denia. Here's the rest of your stuff," said Donna coming in as she handed me the rest of my luggage. "Hi Nick," said Donna as she noticed him on the bed.
"Hi Donna. Umm…listen, I've got to go unpack and stuff. I'll see you later," said Nick standing up and leaving.
"Okay. See ya," I said shutting the door behind him. "Nothing's going on, Donna," I said immediately after he left. "I had a talk with him and told him that I just didn't have the time to make it work."
"Denia, I don't have a problem with you dating."
"I know, but I do at the moment. I don't have time for any attachments," I said seriously.
"You know what? You are unbelievable. You're so devoted to your career and you know what'll happen if he interferes, so you're staying away. Wow! Have you ever been in love, Denia?"
"Umm…thanks I think. No, I've never been in love. I guess you could say, it's not a priority in my life at the moment," I replied shrugging.
"Well, I know it will be someday."
"But it's not today."
"True. Anyway, we're having lunch in a half-hour or so and around four, we have an appearance at TRL and after that you're doing an interview for Z100 and KTU. That's all that's left of today. We'll have dinner after that and then I want you to get some sleep, because we start tomorrow. Okay?"
"Sounds fine, Donna. I'll see you in a bit. I guess I'm going to have to change for TRL, huh?"
"Yeah. A T-shirt and jeans don't work."
"All right. I'll meet you in a half-hour." Donna left my room. I opened one of my suitcases and looked at my clothes. I had more clothes than the ones with me, but they were in wardrobe and I wouldn't see them till tomorrow afternoon. I finally decided on a black leather halter-top and a pair of capris. It was semi-classy yet still casual. A look should never look like you've tried a lot.
I quickly changed and refreshed myself. I brought my purse with me, so I could do the makeup in the ride. I closed the door and went downstairs to the lobby, where Donna was already waiting.
"Right on time, Denia."
"I know," I replied smiling. "Could I ever be late?"
"Good point. Oh, the guys are having lunch with us, or at least AJ is since he's also volunteered to stop by TRL on behalf of the Backstreet Boys."
"Okay," I said. "He's late," I said glancing at my watch.
"Get used to it, Denia. Well, here he comes," said Donna pointing at the elevators.
"What's Nick doing here?" I whispered.
"I don't know."
"Hey ladies!" shouted AJ. "Let's go!" he said walking with us to the limo outside. We got in and headed to a nearby Italian restaurant. We talked as we ate our lunch. It was a very pleasant place, though we didn't exactly get the most time to stay there. We arrived at TRL a little early before our appearances and went up to the studio.
"Well, Unique's at number 3 today with 'Don't Want' and she's actually here! Shout it out for Unique!" said Carson giving me my cue.
I walked out smiling and put on my cheerful mood. "Hey Carson! How's it going?" I asked.
"It's all good. You've got a huge crowd outside that's dying to meet you," he said pointing at the window.
"Wow! I'm flattered!" I said with a shocked expression as I waved to the people outside. "Hey everybody!" It was wonderful to see the posters outside cheering for me.
"Your video and song are great and we heard your wrote it yourself, so props to you! A lot of your fans wrote in asking where you got the inspiration for it, so what inspired you, a bad breakup?"
"Oh, no. It wasn't a bad breakup. It just wasn't an easy one and writing 'Don't Want' really helped me get over it a little easier," I said smiling.
"Well, here's the video at number three today. Here's 'Don't Want' by Unique." The video started to play and I talked with Carson a bit. He was a really cool guy.
"Well, that was Unique at number three today. We've got a question for you from Mike. Zup Mike?" said Carson as we came back on.
"Nothing much. Hi Unique!"
"Hi Mike! How's it going sweetie?" I asked.
"Much better, now that I'm talking to you."
"That's so sweet. Thanks."
"I was wondering when your album is coming out?"
"It's actually still in the works kind of. I'd say not for a few months. We haven't decided on a date yet. However, my next single will be coming out in September."
"Cool," replied the caller.
"Well, we've got to get to our number two video right now, so see you later Mike!" said Carson.
"Okay. Bye Unique! Bye Carson!" said the guy, as they clicked him off.
"Bye!" we both replied.
"Well, in at number two today is N Sync with 'No Goodbyes.'" We cut to the video and went to commercial after that. I spent some time answering questions from fans in the audience and before I knew it, we were on the air again.
"Well, we have a surprise for all of you guys! Backstreet Boys is at number one again with, 'Always and Forever' and are also here today! Come on out you guys!" welcomed Carson. Nick and AJ ran on out with so much excitement. I could only smile. "How are you guys? What's new?"
"Well, we're on tour right now and actually Unique is one of our opening acts," said AJ as he gave me a side hug. I smiled.
"Cool. We look forward to seeing it! You guys have such amazing shows!"
"Thanks," replied the both of them.
"So, before we cut to the video, all the fans are wondering if you guys have anyone that you love 'always and forever', do you?" he asked. I glanced at Nick, as everyone awaited their answers.
"No, not really," replied AJ.
"Ditto," replied Nick. I watched as he crossed his fingers behind his back.
"How about you, Unique?" asked Carson.
"Not anyone at the moment," I replied. I'd explain my answer to him later, but then again I didn't have anything to explain, did I?
We watched the music video. I kept my eyes on the screen, but from the corner of my eye, I could see Nick stay silent as he waved to people in the crowd. He had his fake smile on. I turned to gaze at AJ who was conversing with Carson the whole time. I smiled at the crowd, and we were back on again as we ended the show with Carson. I waited for the light to turn off and ran into the crowd. I shook hands with a lot of fans and signed a bunch of CD singles that I had brought with me. I took a bunch of pictures and answered a bunch of questions from them. It was amazing how many assumed I had a fling with AJ or Nick. I guess it was just because we had arrived together. I explained we were just really good friends and before I knew it, it was time to leave. We said goodbye and headed down to the limo.
"So, we're off to KTU now?" I asked as I climbed in.
"No, we're going to Z100 first and then KTU," replied Donna. "You did a nice job at TRL."
"Thanks."
"Well, I guess we'll just go back to the hotel and chill after we drop you off," said AJ. I glanced at Nick to see him just staring out the window with a blank expression on his face.
"Yeah, that sounds good. Maybe I'll see you for dinner?" I suggested.
"That should be cool. You haven't met Kristin or Leighanne yet, have you?"
"No, I haven't."
"They should be joining us too. They're supposed to have arrived around three today."
"Cool. I look forward to meeting them. They just seem so sweet," I replied.
"Oh, they are. I don't know of anyone that could possibly suit Kev and Bri better."
"That's nice," I said. I was totally cool with their marriage. They had been married for a few months now, but it still doesn't stop a girl from liking them. However, I have discovered I'm not attracted to either one of them in that way anymore.
"Denia, we're here," said Donna as the door opened.
"See you later!" I shouted as I stepped out and walked in the building past security and some fans. I got to meet all my favorite DJ's and we did some interviews. I was having a good time chilling with them. After a few hours, Donna and I had to go meet the guys for dinner.
