"So um, Sophia, how do you like Florida?" Kevin asked, shyly taking a seat next to me at the empty table.

"Well, I've lived here all my life Kev... sooo..." I said, trying to hide my smile.

"Oh, um right," he blushed.

It was obvious that Kevin liked me, but I was interested in other things. Particularly AJ McLean. My eyes followed him as he moved across the dance floor with the next girl who threw herself at him. If one more girl tried to stick their hands down his pants...

"Sooo, you've been looking at AJ for awhile. You like him or something?" he questioned.

I could tell he was hoping I'd say no, that I didn't like AJ.

"Nope, I have no interest in that guy whatsoever. I just think it's gross that these whores keep throwing themselves at him. What trash," I lied, giving AJ a dirty look before turning back to look at Kevin. There's nothing wrong with giving Kevin a little false hope.

"Oh, well we all get that a lot," he sighed, pleased that I wasn't interested in AJ.

"Why is AJ acting so desperate?"

"Because he is," he mumbled, running his hands through his slicked back hair.

"Whys that?"

"He's been hurt by a girl before, and he's so worried about finding the right girl, that he flirts with everyone as if to test them out. It's kinda crazy, but that's AJ for ya."

"What do you mean, he's been hurt by a girl before?" I asked, fully interested.

"His ex-girlfriend. It was a horrible breakup. She left him for another guy. He was heartbroken, depressed for months," he replied, glancing over at AJ and giving him a sad smile.

"Really? So he's pretty vulnerable now, huh?" I inquired.

"Yeah, I'd say so," he answered, giving me a confused look, "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious."

On the outside, I pretended to look upset. I wanted Kevin to think I felt bad for AJ. But on the inside, I was smiling. Smiling because the more vulnerable and heartbroken AJ was… the better.

Colleen's View

No matter how hard I tried to focus on Brian, I couldn't keep myself from looking over at Nick. He was so gorgeous. The way he ran his hands through his hair… the way he chewed on his lower lip… the way he smiled. I would be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to him. I'd be lying if I said I didn't wanna rip off his clothes and fuck him on this very dance floor.

"Col, are you ok?"

"Hmm?"

"I asked if you were ok. You keep dropping your hands to the side. Not exactly a good dance partner, baby," he smiled.

"I'm sorry Brian," I replied, firmly wrapping my arms around his neck again.

"Do you wanna go sit down and get a drink or something? You don't seem too interested in dancing."

"Yeah, that's a good idea," I grinned, grabbing his hand and dragging him over to the bar. I had a reason for going to sit at the bar. Nick was there, gulping down a coke. Unfortunately, Brian took the seat next to him so I was forced to sit a little further from Nick than I had planned. Nick looked up from his soda long enough to notice that I had been staring at him. I turned a deep shade of red, and quickly turned away. I looked back a few seconds later, and he gave me a shy smile before turning back to the counter.

Brian was too busy talking to the bartender to notice what was going on.

"Bri, I'll be right back. I gotta use the bathroom," I whispered in his ear. He nodded, hardly turning to look at me.

"Guys and sports," I muttered to myself, heading towards the ladies' room.

"Not a good mixture, I know," came a guy's voice from behind me.

I whirled around to see Nick. He had a huge smirk on his face, as he came over and stood directly in front of me.

"Uh, yeah," I stuttered, barely able to move. When I had first met him, he had made me so nervous. It was the feeling you get when you're riding a roller coaster, and the final plunge is drawing near. It was the same feeling I was getting right now, standing near this guy who had been the center of my attention for the entire evening. We continued staring at each other… I wanted to turn around and continue my walk to the bathroom. But I didn't. He was holding me back with his eyes.

"Well, I better head to the bathroom, to umm ya know… go to the bathroom," I mumbled, tripping over my words.

"Yeah, you do that," he replied, an amused grin on his face.

Ok Colleen, you said you were gonna go… now go. But I didn't move. It was as if my feet were glued to the ground.

"Do you want me to escort you to the ladies' room?" he asked, reaching for my hand, "You seem to be having trouble getting there."

I laughed stupidly, before nodding my head and letting him take my hand in his.

"Your hands are kinda sweaty," he stated, rubbing his hand on his jacket.

"Sorry, I'm kinda hot."

"Oh you sure are."

Realizing what he had just said, I quickly turned my head the other way. I didn't want him to see the sudden redness that had been taking over my cheeks.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"Well, my dear, this is the little girls' room," he said, motioning towards the door.

"So it is," I smiled.

He leaned in closer to me, and I immediately backed up against the wall. He slowly moved his hand up to my face, brushing my hair away from my eyes.

He gave a quick look around to see if anyone was watching, before he leaned in and gave my lips a soft kiss. I would've let him do anything to me at that moment, but he pulled away.

"I'll see you around Colleen," he whispered, before walking away from me and heading back to the bar.

"Holy shit," I mumbled, bringing my hands to my lips. I could still feel his lips on mine. I had never experienced a kiss like that before. It was so brief, but so passionate at the same time. I quickly shook my head, as if to erase all my thoughts of Nick, as I pushed open the door to the bathroom.

Nick's View

"Dude, what do you think about the New York baseball teams? Pretty good, huh?"

Damn, Brian was still talking with this bartender. I guess that's good, because there was no way he would've seen me and Colleen. He didn't even notice I had left.

"Alright everyone, the party is coming to an end. I think it's time we all give a nice rendition of Happy Birthday to Howie, the birthday boy himself. I need everybody to gather around the cake, and lets make this a party Howie's never gonna wanna forget," the DJ shouted, looking out at everyone.

I laughed to myself, "Who hired this lame ass DJ?"

"You did Nick," AJ laughed, coming up from behind me, "Now get your ass over to that cake and sing your heart out for Howie!" he joked, trying to imitate the DJ.

"Wait, I hired this guy?"

"Yep. Don't you remember? It was your job to hire the DJ, and you flipped open a book, pointed to his name, and said 'Hey, this guy sounds cool. He's hired.' So I wouldn't insult the guy, because it's YOUR fault he's here!"

"Aw damn, fine. Lets go then," I muttered, slowly making my way to the growing crowd of people surrounding Howie. At the same time I reached the group of people… Colleen did too. She was standing right next to me, and I felt the urge to kiss her again. I was about to say something to her, when Brian came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She quickly looked up at me, then focused her attention on Brian again.

There was definitely some sexual tension between me and her, and she'd have to be stupid not to notice it.

Brian's View

"Ready to go Col?" I asked, as the party ended and people started filing out.

"Yeah, definitely," she replied, "Lets go get our coats."

As we walked towards the coat-check, she kept looking behind her as if someone was following us. I quickly shot my head back, but the only person behind us was Nick. What was she looking at?

"Uh, Brian, I think I'm gonna go wait outside. Do you mind bringing my coat out to me?" she stuttered, backing away from me.

"Sweetie, you ok?" I asked, concerned with the sudden paleness of her complexion.

"I'm fine Brian, I think I just need some fresh air," she answered, still glancing behind her.

"Alright, you go wait outside then. I'll be out as soon as I get our coats."

She nodded, before quickly walking towards the exit.

"What's wrong with your girlfriend, man?" Nick questioned, coming up from behind me.

"I don't know…," I mumbled.

"Hmmm, she looked kinda upset. Want me to go wait outside with her?"

The enthusiasm he had said that last question with, bugged me.

"Nick, she's my girlfriend. You realize that, don't you?" I snapped.

"Whoa, calm down buddy. I was just wondering if you wanted me to make sure she's alright," he shot back, defensively.

"Yeah, well no thanks. She'll be fine," I stated, shoving passed the line of people and practically throwing my coat-check number at the person behind the counter.

Sophia's View

I was in the worst mood. All I wanted was to get the hell out of there. I had been watching AJ all night, and not once had he asked me to dance. Not once had he bothered talking to me. I angrily pushed passed the group of people blocking the exit.

"Hey, watch yourself!" someone screamed. I whirled around, only to come face-to-face with AJ.

"What?" I snapped.

"I said, watch yourself," he repeated.

"Sorry," I mumbled, walking passed him.

Great… now he hates me.

"Wait," he shouted, grabbing me by the arm.

"What now?"

"Let me get your number," he grinned, "I can't leave without it."

"Let me get this straight… you ignore me all night, and now you want my phone number?"

"Yep," he laughed, "Now I want your phone number."

"Oh fine," I said, happily.

He reached in his pocket, and pulled out a pen and paper, "I always come prepared."

I giggled, and quickly scribbled my number down.

"Am I giving you, Col, and Brian a ride home?"

"Yep, I think so," I replied, thankful that I would have the whole car ride to spend with him.

"Excellent," he mumbled, "I'll see you in the car then."

He gave me one last smile before heading over to Howie.

Well… I got AJ.

I looked up to see Kevin heading over to me, a big smile on his face…

Looks like I got Kevin too…