I was sitting on Nick’s deck watching the sunset. It was so peaceful. Ashley and Drew had left to go home and change. They had decided to check out of the hotel when Nick had offered for all of us to stay with him. I was a little apprehensive at first because we barely knew him but then I had thought about everything he had done for me and I had already felt safe enough to stay with him one night.
I didn’t know where Nick was. I think the shower. I watched the sun dip behind the horizon. Just then the sliding door opened and I heard footsteps walking over to me:
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I turned my head and saw Nick walking towards me. He had just gotten out of the shower and his hair was still slightly wet.
'Wow! Nick is really hot! Stop Katelin!'
“Yeah it is. How was your shower?” He sat down next to me:
“Good. I take it Ash and Drew aren’t back yet?” I shook my head. The two of us sat there and stared out at the ocean. It was soon broken by the sound of the front door slamming and footsteps coming through the house. I then heard a really raspy voice:
“Yo Nicky! Where are you man?” Nick shook his head:
“Oh god. That’s A.J. Can never do anything I ask him to do. Please don’t be scared. He’s kind of frightening looking but he’s a really nice guy.” I giggled:
“Whatever you say Nick.” Just then AJ and another guy appeared outside. I recognized them as two of the guys in the picture. Obviously, two other Backstreet Boys. Nick wasn’t kidding. AJ was a little shorter than Nick with bright red, dyed hair and sunglasses covering his eyes. He was really skinny and I think he might have possibly had every part of his body part covered in tattoos. At least the parts that I could see.
The other guy was a little shorter, with dirty blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He was really cute in a little kid sort of way. He stuck his hand out to me:
“Hi! You must be Katelin. I’m Brian.” I smiled and shook his head:
“Nice to meet you.” AJ peered out from over his sunglasses:
“Hey Katelin! I’m AJ, better known as Bone to these fools.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it. I giggled:
“Such a charmer.” Nick cleared his throat, as he had been ignored throughout all of this. The three of us looked up at him. He glared at AJ:
“Didn’t I tell you guys to stay away from here today?” AJ pretended to pout:
“Aww Nicky, and keep this fine looking girl all to yourself? Now that’s not fair.” I smiled:
“Thanks, I think.” Nick turned his attention to Brian:
“Yo Bri! Can I talk to you for a sec?” They walked into the kitchen, leaving AJ and I alone. AJ sat down and motioned for me to do the same:
“So, Katelin. Where did you meet our young Nickolas?” I looked at him, surprised that Nick hadn’t told him anything:
“We just sort of ran into each other on the beach.” He nodded. Inside, Nick was furious with Brian:
“I told you not to come here. Especially with AJ.” Brian sighed:
“I tried, Nick. But I just couldn’t get him to stay away. I didn’t want to tell him why so I went along with it. I thought maybe you guys wouldn't be home.” Nick shook his head:
“Where did you think we would go?! Look at her, Bri. Do you think that she would want to go anywhere?” Brian shrugged:
“She doesn’t look that bad.” Nick had to agree:
“No. She doesn’t. I just don’t want to scare her, ya know? She’s been through enough already. And AJ showing up on my doorstep with bright pink hair is not helping any.” Brian looked at his best friend strangely. Then it clicked:
“You really like her, don’t you? You’re not doing this just because you feel a sense of responsibility. You’re falling for her.” Nick answered a little too quickly:
“No. I just met her. Where would you get an idea like that? Plus, I have a girlfriend. Remember Mandy?”
“Don’t kid yourself, Nick. You’re definitely falling for her. But, as your best friend, I advise you to push those feelings away because someone’s going to get hurt and I have a funny feeling that it would be you. Frack, this girl’s different. She’s got problems that you don’t know how to deal with. I doubt she even knows how to deal with them. It would never work. She’d use you for a shoulder to cry on.” Nick was quiet the whole time. Finally, he managed to mumble:
“I know. But I can’t help the way I feel. I want to get to know her better. I want to help her.” Brian quickly added:
“You want to help her, Nick. And I’m sure she’ll let you do that. But what about when the time comes that she doesn’t need your help anymore? Then what? I’m not saying this to be mean, Frack, but I’m warning you. You’re just her shoulder to cry on right now.” Nick was about to reply but the doorbell interrupted him. Brian started walking towards the door:
“Think about this Nick before you make any kind of move. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”