I ran over. "What's wrong?"
She pointed to the TV. "Sit and watch."
I sat down next to her as an MTV News Brief started. "Hi, I'm John Norris and this is an MTV News Brief. Well it looks like the Backstreet Boys are in love! We recently spotted Brian Littrell and his girlfriend LeighAnn Wallace kissing in Times Square. Also spotted by MTV News was Nick Carter and an unknown girl together in the Hard Rock Cafe."
"Charisma, it's you!"
Charisma nodded bashfully. "Yeah."
"...but strangest of all was AJ McLean seen holding hands in a store in Soho, New's York's fashion district, with Brian's 16-year-old sister Cara." I sat in shock as they showed a picture of me and AJ that must have been taken a few days ago. "But what is the story behind the couples shown here? Get the story on MTV News 1515 coming up next."
"What the hell?!" I shrieked. "Who the fuck gave them the right to run this story?!"
Brian and AJ came running into the room. "What's going on?" Brian asked.
"Yeah, we heard you screaming," AJ said.
I pointed to the TV. "Fucking MTV News is doing a report on me and AJ."
AJ smiled. "Oh yeah, they interviewed me the other day."
"And you let them without asking me first?"
"I'm sorry Car, I didn't think you'd mind. But I think you're gonna like it."
I raised my eyebrows. "Oh really?"
"Yeah. Now be quiet and watch."
"Hi I'm Kurt Loder and you're watching MTV News 1515. Our today story today, the Backstreet Boys in love? There's no doubt that you've heard about Brian Litrell and LeighAnn Wallace, his model girlfriend. But what about the girl Nick Carter's been seen all over town with? And what about AJ McLean and Cara Litrell, younger sister of Backstreet Boy Brian? Our own Serena was lucky enough to interview them."
The screen changed to Serena and Nick and AJ sitting at the hotel. "So Nick, who is the mystery girl you've been seen with?" Serena asked.
Nick's face broke into a grin. "Her name's Charisma. She's 16 and Cara's best friend."
"How'd you meet her?"
"Well, Cara's staying with us for her Spring Break, and she brought Charisma along. We just clicked right away. We're not official yet, but I want to be."
Serena smiled. "Hear that Charisma?"
"Loud and clear!" Charisma declared while we laughed.
"And what about you AJ? It's no secret that you've been seen around with Cara Litrell. What's the story behind you two?"
"The story? Hmm, well I'm going out with her if that's what you mean."
"Oh. She is only 16 years old, are you concerned that she might be too young for you?"
AJ shook his head. "That thought never crossed my mind. Like I told Cara before, age is just a number. She's just as pretty and intelligent as any 21-year-old woman I know."
"That's sweet AJ, I can just see all the disappointed Backstreet fans out there. What do you guys have to say to them?"
"Well, we're sorry," Nick said. "But this is someone that we love. Our fans are very understanding, I'm sure they'll be supportive."
The screen switched back to Kurt. "But will they be? That's something we'll just have to see. MTV News 1515 will be right back."
AJ turned off the TV. "Well?"
I gave him a hug. "You're so sweet AJ. But I saw Serena trying to check you out, she'd better keep her hands off," I said jokingly.
"Well I gotta go find Nick!" Charisma jumped up and ran out of the room as we all laughed at her.
The Next Day...
"I can't believe we have to leave already," I said as I gave Howie a hug good-bye.
"I'll see ya babe. The next time you gotta come to Florida!"
"Okay Howie."
Kevin was next. "See ya Cara. It was good seeing you again."
I hugged him. "You too Kev. Bye!"
Charisma and I climbed into Brian's car. Brian and Nick were up front, and AJ, Charisma and I were in the back. We waved as Brian pulled out of the parking area.
"Good, this week went by so fast," Charisma said. "I don't wanna go back to school."
"Me either." I sat back in my seat. "God, everyone's gonna hate me."
AJ put his arm around me. "No one's gonna hate you Cara.
"I hope not."
A little while later, we pulled into the driveway of my house. The guys helped get our luggage out, and then they had to go.
"Bye Charisma," AJ and Brian gave her a hug. "It was nice meeting you."
"You too guys." She turned to Nick, whom she had started going out with the day before. She gave him a big hug. "Bye Nick. I'll miss you."
He gently kissed her cheek. "I'll miss you too Ris. I'll call you everyday."
AJ slid his arm around my waist and gave me a kiss. "I'll miss you Car."
I kissed him back. "I'll miss you too AJ."
After I said good-bye to Nick, he and AJ went back to the car. Brian gave me a big hug. "Well I guess this is good-bye again Shorty."
I smiled. "Bye Brian. You'd better call, and say hi to LeighAnn for me!"
Brian nodded. "I will. Give mom and dad a hug for me!"
Brian walked out the door. Charism and I watched sadly as the guys pulled out of the driveway. God only knew when we would be seeing them again.
