"Col, you almost ready baby?" Brian shouted from downstairs.

"No, I didn't even start putting my make-up on yet! I'm actually gonna meet my boyfriend's band mates... I have to look good ya know," I giggled, slowly applying some blush to my face.

I heard the sound of his steady footsteps coming up the stairs. I could smell the scent of his cologne as he sat down beside me on his bed.

"Are you really that nervous about meeting the rest of the fellas?" he asked, slipping his arm around my waist.

"Of course! I mean, you talk about these guys all the time... ya know, about how great they are and stuff. So I wanna make a good impression... did you know first impressions mean everything?"

"Baby, I love you... so there's no reason why they wouldn't love you too," he smiled, kissing my cheek lightly, "Now come on, AJ will be here any minute. And where is Sophia? Wasn't she supposed to be here an hour ago?"

"Yeah she called a few minutes ago. She's on her way over here. Sooo... is AJ cool?"

"AJ is very cool. You two will get along just fine... I promise, cross my heart," he smiled, crossing his heart with his index finger.

I gave him a quick kiss, which he deepened. As it was about to get pretty serious, the ringing of the doorbell made us both jump.

"That's Sophia," I mumbled, pulling away from him and running downstairs. He ran after me, almost knocking me over as he ran to the door and swung it open.

"Hey Sophia," we both greeted her in unison.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I was - "

She was interrupted by the loud honking of a car horn.

"Yup, that's AJ," Brian grinned, running outside.

"This is it," I whispered. I really hated meeting new people, and tonight I would have to meet four.

"You'll be fine," Sophia said, following after Brian. I grabbed Howie's birthday present, and timidly made my way to AJ's car. Brian was in the front seat, and Sophia had already made herself comfortable in the back seat. I hopped in, and Brian turned around to give me a reassuring smile.

"Hey, you must be the love of Brian's life, right?" he laughed, extending his hand to me.

"That I am," I smiled, shaking his hand politely.

He gave me a smile, as he turned around and gunned the accelerator.

"She's beautiful," I heard him mouth to Brian. Brian nodded and returned to staring out the window. I laughed to myself, as I watched Sophia stare at the back of AJ's head. Every once in awhile he would turn around and stare at her too... those two were gonna be trouble.

* * * *

Nick's View

"Hey, where's Bri and AJ?" I shouted. I couldn't even hear myself over the loud music.

"Um, I dunno... guess they're running late," Kevin screamed back.

Howie's 27th birthday party was already in full swing. He had invited all of his friends, family, and a few celebrities. But most of the celebrities were no-name people who had been in one or two crappy movies. I scanned the room and spotted AJ and Brian walking over to me, with two girls on their heels. One of them must have been Brian's new girlfriend.

"Hey man," Brian grinned, turning around and wrapping his arms around one of the girls that were standing behind him.

I took a good look at her, and couldn't withdraw my eyes from hers. She was staring intently at me, and the room seemed to grow quiet.

"Nick? Earth to Nick... buddy, you ok?" Brian questioned, waving his arms in front of my face. I quickly snapped out of it, and gave him a smile, "Hey, what did you say?"

"This is my girlfriend, Colleen," he repeated, motioning towards the girl I had been having a staring contest with.

"Hello," I said weakly, feeling let down because the girl was taken.

"Oh Nick, this is Sophia... she's Col's friend," Brian added. I quickly shook her hand, and noticed AJ give me a 'stay away from this girl' look. I nodded and went back to studying Brian's girlfriend.

"Babe, I'll be right back. I'm gonna go see if I can find Kevin and Howie. Ya know, so I can introduce you to them. Don't go anywhere," Brian stated, walking off to find the rest of the guys.

So there I was, alone with Colleen. Well, I wasn't physically alone because AJ and Sophia were standing right there. But technically, those two were way too engrossed in each other to help me out of this uncomfortable situation.

"Sooo," I mumbled nervously, fiddling with the buttons on my shirt, "Do you like our music?"

"Honestly, not really. I'm not into pop," she smiled.

"Yeah, I hate pop. But if it'll get us success... then it'll have to do."

"Yeah."

Silence... I hated uncomfortable silence...

I was about to suggest we dance, when Brian appeared with Kevin and Howie. Kevin took one look at Sophia, and was immediately hooked.

Jeez, the Backstreet Boys are dropping like flies, I thought to myself.