It was Nick, coming to get me. He looked great, wearing khakis with a white polo shirt. It brought out the bright blue of his eyes. Not that I noticed, of course.

"You look stunning!" he said.

I blushed. I was wearing a simple black dress with spaghetti straps, and simply cut. I had on my black sandals, with heels of course. I had thrown my wet hair up into a twist, and let some tendrils hang loose. I had put on minimum make-up, a little eyeshadow and mascara, and some lipstick.

"Thank you," I said softly. "You don't look too bad yourself."

He smiled, and offered me his arm. I took it, and we followed the other Backstreet Boys who were already heading to the elevator.

We were quickly seated at a large table for six towards the back.

"You know, it's nice that no one knows we're here," commented Brian as he

"Really," agreed AJ. "No screaming fans, or crazy girls."

"Aww, it must be tough," I joked.

"Don't you have fans?" asked Howie.

"Actually, yeah. People are starting to recognize me now, so that's pretty cool."

"And now lots more people will know you for opening up for the Backstreet Boys," said Brian.

I shrugged. "No offense, I'd rather be known on my own though, you know, not as the Backstreet Boys' opening act."

He smiled. "I know what you mean."

The waiter came and took our orders then. When he left we resumed the conversation where it had left off. start to see it too, I promise."

I smiled at him gratefully. "Thanks so much, Kev."

He nodded.

"Your video for Don't Tell Me is being played on MTV right?" asked AJ.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's under 'Spankin' New' which if you ask me is an honor because it means I get extra attention."

The conversation strayed away from our careers, and slowly got onto

"The longest I've ever been in a relationship is a year," I said.

"In tenth grade through eleventh I dated this guy Matt." I looked down sadly at my napkin that was sitting in m lap.

"What happened?" asked Nick softly.

"He died," I said. "He was driving home from a party one night and was hit by a drunk driver. He was totally sober though. He was killed in an instant."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Howie said.

I smiled lightly. "Thanks. Don't worry about it guys, it was awhile ago. It's still sad, but I made up my mind then not to dwell on the past. That's what the song Moving On is about, his death and me putting it behind me."

Everyone was a little quieter after that, but luckily our food arrived shortly.

I looked eagerly at the fettucine alfredo I had ordered. I was such a sucker for the heart-clogging, high death toll food. We all ate our dinners eagerly. There was something about being on a stuffy bus for hours and hours that gave one a hearty appetite.

About a half hour later, Brian was the last one finished.

"That was really good," he said, sitting back in his chair.

I nodded in agreement. After agreeing we didn't want any dessert, we paid for our dinner, and left the restaurant. It was almost nine.

"It's still early," complained AJ, as we headed to our rooms.

"AJ, dear," I said. "We're in the middle of nowhere if you haven't already noticed. I doubt this town has much of a night life."

He pouted. "But I don't think I can fall asleep this early."

"Then watch some TV," suggested Kevin.

AJ grunted.

"I personally am going to bed," I offered. "This life on the road is tiring me out."

"Aww, the rookie's getting worn out," teased Nick. "Can't handle it, sweetheart?"

I wrinkled my nose at him. "Shut up, you big oaf!"

He stuck his tongue out at me.

"Children!" admonished Brian with a laugh. "I feel like I'm back in kindergarten."

"Just with prettier girls," said Nick, winking at me.

I blushed a bright shade of red, and hurried off the elevator towards my room.

"We're leaving the hotel by seven am sharp!" Kevin shouted down the hallway after me. "Then tomorrow around three we should arrive in Chicago, and do the show the that night, okay?"

I gave him a thumbs up sign as I slid into my room and shut the door. I got undressed and ready for bed quickly, and after checking the locks on my door one more time and setting the alarm for six, I hopped into the huge queen sized bed I had all to myself. My head hit the soft feather pillows, and I pulled up the covers around my chin, and that's how I fell asleep that night.

The shrill beeping of the alarm woke me the next morning. I slapped at the snooze button, and rolled over onto my back. My eyes didn't want to open, but I managed somehow.

I was in the bathroom washing my face when the phone rang.

"Yes?" I answered, sleep still partially filling my voice.

"Hey, Rini!" said Nick's cheerful voice on the other end of the line.

"Hey, Nick."

"I was just checking to make sure you were awake."

"Yup, I am. I'm getting ready, and was in the middle of washing my face."

"Oh, okay. Have fun. See you at seven."

I heard the phone click on the other end. I hung up the phone and finished washing my face.

At 6:54, I checked my room one last time, and went out the door, leaving my key on the dresser.

All five Backstreet Boys were already outside of their rooms.

"Slowpoke," said Nick.

"And I thought I was early," I said, looking at them all.

I had gone comfortable today. I was wearing my favorite pair of jeans. They were like five years old, faded and extremely soft and comfortable. I had on a baby pink tank top, and my hair was pulled back in two flower barrettes. I was wearing a pair of blue flip-flops. My toenails were still painted that disgusting green color.

"Let's go," said Kevin. We all headed down to the main desk, to check-out. Kevin took care of it this time, while the rest of us headed out to the bus, bwhich was already parked outside. We threw our stuff under the bus, and climbed on board.

"Whew! Does it smell funny in here or is it just me?" asked AJ, as he climbed onto the bus.

Brian sniffed the air. "Nick, did you use deodorant yesterday?"

A flying pillow towards Brian's head was his only response.

"Okay, okay! Man!"

Kevin got on the bus a couple minutes later, and we pulled away from the hotel.

"I can't believe we have to perform tonight," I said with a yawn. "Your life is so hectic! We're in the middle of nowhere one minute, then that evening we're performing on-stage in front of a zillion people."

Howie smiled at me. "You'll get used to it," he consoled. "But at first the jet lag and fast pace is really hard."

"Tell me about it," I said, yawning again.

We were all sitting in the TV room. I was on the couch with Nick and Howie, AJ was in the chair, and Brian and Kevin were on the floor.

Nick had found some cartoons on TV and we were watching them. I laid my head on Nick's shoulder, because I was tired and that was the only way I could rest my head and still see the TV. He put his arm behind me and I got comfortable like that. Too comfortable I guess, because I slowly nodded off, falling asleep on Nick.

I woke up about a half hour later. I blinked a couple of times before realizing where I was. In Nick's arms.

I sat up quickly. He turned his head to look at me. "You're awake," he greeted.

I ran my fingers through my hair once. "Yeah, I'm sorry I fell asleep on you," I apologized, feeling dumb.

He shrugged. "No problem."

"He didn't care," teased Brian. He held his arms in the air and made muscles. "It made him feel manly."

"It did not," protested Nick.

"Sure," said Brian. "Sure."

Nick shot him a glare. I just laughed at the two of them arguing like little babies. "I just hope I didn't drool on you or something," I said, only half joking.

Nick shook his head and smiled. "I would have waken you up very quickly if you had been."

I laughed. "Okay."

This conversation ended, and we went back to watching cartoons. The string of cartoons ended about an hour later, and was followed by some hick talk show host that no one had ever heard of.

I grabbed Nick's wrist and looked at the Nike watch that was on it. "Aah! It's only nine!" I complained. "Six more hours on a bus!"

Kevin laughed. "You'll get used to it."

"That's what you say about everything," I said, pouting.

"Well, what do you expect me to say?" he asked. "You will. Your body will adapt to little sleep and much boredom."

I wrinkled my nose. "Okay, fine. Oh, I'm hungry, we didn't have breakfast. Do we get some?"

"I'll talk to the bus driver," said Kevin, getting off the floor. "He can stop at a McDonalds or something.

I smiled at him. "Thank you, Kevin. Okay, I think we should do something to liven the mood, since we all still seem half asleep."

"What do you want to do?" asked AJ. "Another round of Truth or Dare?"

I glared at him. "Ha ha ha. No."

"Then what?"

"We could play Spin the Bottle," joked Brian.

"No! Me and five guys? No way! What is your peoples obsession with kissing? Man!"

"Listen, we're on the road a hella lot of the year, and don't have time for girlfriends, right?" AJ asked. I nodded my head. "So, we don't get much action, right? So we get what we can."

My eyes popped open. "So I'm kind of like your whore?" I practically shrieked. "Excuse me, I don't think so!" I jumped off the couch, and practically run to my bunk.

"Wait, Rini!" I heard someone call after me.

I ran smack into Kevin. He caught me by my arm to keep me from falling backwards. "Where you rushing off to?"

I sniffed, a tear rolling down my cheek. "I don't think I like being here," I sniffled.

"Why?" he asked concernedly.

"Have AJ explain, he's good at making people see the light. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go lie down."

**********