Chapter 17"Wait a sec," Kristen said interrupting him. "I know that you brought the three of us here to make us big but since we are the ones in the group wouldn't it be right that we got to pick a name?"
"Compromise is always good here. I'll give you three till tomorrow to come up with a name or we'll go with what I choose."
"Agreed," Kristen said.
"Now I already had producers and writers working on a song for your first single which will be called 'Making it Tonight'."
"I have a question," Jasmine said.
"What's that?"
"Since we're going to be coming out with a single which usually leads to a whole album are we allowed to do any of the writing for the songs?"
"Do you write?" Mandy asked.
"A little."
"That's cool."
"It would be better if you got a first album out with professional writers doing all the songs before you, yourselves, start writing your own songs," Lou said.
"Well as a fan of music if the singer writes his or own songs it's more appreciated by the fans," Jasmine said.
"I have this feeling that you girls are going to want do everything your own way," Lou said.
"Is that such a problem Lou?" Everyone turned to the door and saw that Howie was standing there. "A group usually will be able to get along better if they make most of the calls on what goes on."
"Hey Howie what are you doing here?" Kristen asked going up to him and giving him a hug.
"AJ called me and told me about you and Mandy making the group. I thought I would come check it out."
"We don't have all day here. I'm a busy man so can we please get on with this," Lou said. "Howie if you're going to stay here you might as well take a seat." Howie went and sat down next to Mandy and smiled at her as he sat down. Lou handed Kristen, Mandy, and Jasmine all a copy of the contract so they could go over it.
"Mind if I have a copy of it too?" Howie asked.
"This is why you came isn't it?" Kristen asked Howie.
"What do you mean?"
"AJ sent you here to go over the contract with us because he thinks we're not smart enough to do it on our own and will get screwed over, didn't he?"
"Kristen he's only looking out for your best interest and the rest of the group. Him nor I want you guys to have to go through all of the lawsuits we did. No offense to you Lou," Howie said and Lou just nodded his head at him.
"I don't care if he's trying to watch out for us. We can watch out for ourselves. We can't have you or him doing everything for us," Kristen said grabbing the copy of the contract and her car keys as she got up and left.
"Thank you very much Howie," Lou said sarcastically. "These girls have a lot of work to do and you just sent us back a day by causing her to leave."
"If setting them back a day keeps their group under good terms then it was worth it."
"Mandy, Jasmine, me and Howie have some business to discuss," Lou said.
"Okay we'll just wait for you outside," Mandy said to Howie as her and Jasmine got up and left.
"What's this all about Howie?" Lou asked.
"Just trying to keep you and the girls out of the press' view. If you gave them the same contract you gave us you will get all the benefits. You lied to the press with us and 'Nsync and I know you will with them too. I'll be seeing you," Howie said leaving. He left the building and met up with Mandy and Jasmine outside.
"What was that about?" Mandy asked.
"Nothing. You girls need to come back here tomorrow and talk with Lou about the contract."
"We will. Even though Kristen disagrees with you coming to go over the contract with us I think it's good that you did. None of us know what we are doing. Oh by the way. This is Jasmine. She's in the group with us. Jasmine, this is Howie."
"Nice to meet you," she said as she shook Howie's hand.
"We'll all go to AJ's and I'll help you go over the contract since Kristen took a copy before she left."
"My car is at their house. We took Kristen's car," Mandy said.
"You can come with me then. Jasmine do you mind following behind us?"
"No, not at all. I'll see you guys there in a few minutes then," she said getting in her car. Howie led Mandy to his car and opened the passenger door for her and closed it when she got in. He got in the driver's side and began driving to AJ's while Jasmine followed behind them.
"AJ!" Kristen yelled when she entered their house. "I think we need to talk," she said when AJ came up to her.
"Um...yeah I do believe we do," AJ said as Kristen went to go into the living room. She stopped when she saw Cassie sitting down on the couch. AJ grabbed Kristen by the arm and pulled her into their bedroom and closed the door behind them.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Kristen asked. "First you send Howie to check up on us and then you allow that bitch in this house?"
"Kristen calm down please and let me explain."
"You better explain and there better be a good reason why you let her in."
"Because she stopped by to talk to you and the least you could do is talk to her."
"And why is that?" Kristen asked with an attitude.
"Because you two are ridiculous! Kristen you know I love you," AJ said putting his hands on her shoulders. "But this feud between you two has to stop. I'm sure she is here to apologize for everything and I think you should accept it."
"Are you crazy? Where has your mind been lately? She has put me through hell my entire life and you expect me to accept an apology?"
"Kristen it's in the past. It's not good for you to be so mad about things that happened so long ago."
"AJ honestly what would you do if one of your best friends slept with me?" Kristen asked.
"I'd beat their ass till they were six feet under."
"Okay considering I would never kill anyone think about how much it still hurts me inside, since I can't take my anger out the way you would, from when Cassie, my best friend, slept with Nick. You have no idea how it feels to have someone you love more than anything sleep with someone else." AJ didn't say anything just looked at Kristen with hurtness in his eyes by what she had said. When Kristen realized what she said she immediately began to apologize to him. "AJ, I'm sorry that's not what I meant."
"Well you have my cell number so when you figure out what you really meant and who you really love then you can call me. I'm out of here," AJ said grabbing his jacket off the bed and walking out of the room slamming the door behind him. Jasmine, Mandy, and Howie reached the front door and were about ready to knock when AJ stormed out of the house. They watched him get in his car and speed away down in the driveway in confusion.
