Chapter 1--In the beginning...

(8 months earlier)

Tonight was the final day of the tour, at least for the winter leg, that is.   Nick had come out to do his usual meet and greet session, although very tired.  Just like every other meet and greet he had done, it consisted of the same routine.  Loud, screaming girls, who did nothing but proclaim their love for the guys.  However, this night would have one major difference…Kyla Trinity Tamblyn.

Kyla stood in the crowd, watching her little sister scream and cheer for her favorite group in the whole world.  While Kyla didn’t particularly love Backstreet’s music, she did have an appreciation for them.  In her opinion, they could harmonize better than anyone in the world, and they seemed to love what they did.   For some reason, she found them intriguing, yet, never fully understood how all these teenage girls could spend hundreds of dollars for one concert.

Harmony Grace, her little sister, stood waving her autograph book at Nick Carter.  Brian, AJ, Kevin and Howie moved through the crowd, signing everything that was pushed in front of them.  Nick, on the otherhand, seemed quiet and tired.  He stood long enough for pictures, and a few autographs, however, he didn’t really stay long enough to meet all his fans.

Kyla felt so bad for Harmony.  She had been waiting for this day since she got the backstage passes.  It was her dream come true.  Trinnie, as Harmony called her, stood there, watching Nick walk right past her.  She couldn’t believe that Nick would dismiss his fans so easily.

“Trinnie…he left…” Harmony tried to say as she started to cry.

“Harmony, don’t cry sweetie.  I will try and do something.  You just wait here.” Kyla said.

Kyla marched off in the direction that Nick had, and was determined to get that autograph for her sister.   No matter what she had to do, she would get it, even if it meant that they got kicked out of the arena.  She approached Nick, as he tried to get through the barricades that his bodyguards had set up.

“Excuse me sir.” she said.

He ignored her, and continued to walk.

“Excuse me, SIR!” she yelled at him.

Nick then turned around and noticed this tall blonde standing there.  He didn’t know what was happening, but he knew that she was upset.

“Yes, ma’am, what can I do for you?” he asked, sounding irritated.

“You walked away from my sister, who has been waiting for the past 4 months to get your autograph.  She won those backstage passes, and she was entitled to at least say hello to you.  But, you turned her away…and shattered her heart.” Kyla said.

Nick didn’t know what to say.  He felt bed for doing what he had done, it’s just that he was so tired.

“Miss…” Nick started.

“Kyla Trinity Tamblyn, but everyone calls me Trinnie.” she answered.

“Miss Trinnie, I sincerely apologize, but I haven’t slept well in days, and I just wanted to be alone.  I hope you understand.” he said as he turned away from her.

“You will NOT get away that easily.  Can’t you at least let me bring her over here, and then let us get your autograph?  Please?” she pleaded.

“Trinnie, no.  I am sorry.   I really am, but I have to go.” he said and then walked away.

When Trinnie tried to run after him, the security stopped her and escorted her back to the others.  As she walked up to Harmony, her smile faded.

“I am sorry Harmony, he wouldn’t give me the autograph.  I tried for you, but he wouldn’t.” she said, as she watched huge tears fall from Harmony’s eyes.

Kyla couldn’t stand it, and she told her sister it was time to go.  As she walked passed the others, she mumbled something loud enough for them to hear.

“Well, at least those four CARE about their fans…and well, Nick…he is just a big ass.  I hope that he gets treated like that one day.” she said as she stomped away, pulling Harmony behind her.

AJ looked over at the commotion, and wondered what was wrong.  She motioned for his bodyguard to help.

“Can you go and get that girl, and bring her here?  I wanna know what Nick said to her.” he asked.

His guard walked off to bring the girl back, and then AJ went on to continue singing autographs.  The guard called Kyla and Harmony back into the arena and then had them sit down while they waited for AJ to finish.  After about 20 minutes, AJ met them and asked what was happening.

“Miss, I heard what you said about Nick.  Did he say something to you?  Why is your little friend here crying?” he asked sincerely.

“Umm, this is my sister, Harmony, and well, she has been waiting forever to meet Nick…and all she wanted was his autograph, but apparently he is having a bad day, and doesn’t want to give her one.  But, it’s okay…we were just gonna leave.  Sorry for interrupting your evening.  It was really a great show!” she said as she got up to walk away.

“Um, why don’t you come with me.  I will take you to Nick.  Maybe he will talk to you now.  Come on, and bring your sister with you.” he said as he took her by the hand and took her to the dressing room.

AJ didn’t knock, rather he flung the door wide open, to everyone’s amazement.  Brian, Howie, and Kevin were sitting on the couches, drinking water and snacking on goodies, while Nick was toweling himself off.

“I have a guest, so you all better be decent!” he yelled as he escorted Kyla and Harmony through the door.

“My God AJ, what the hell are you doing?!” Nick yelled as he tried to cover himself with the towel.  His eyes grew wide as he noticed that they young lady who had been protesting with him was standing there.

Kyla put her hands over Harmony’s eyes as she realized Nick was standing there, half naked.  Harmony on the other hand was trying her best to pry Kyla’s hands off her face.

“Gee, Nick, I wouldn’t have had to bring them here if you had been polite the first time around.  I think you owe them an apology.” AJ answered.

Brian, Howie and Kevin had no clue what was happening, but knew that this would be interesting.

“This is Harmony, and her sister…” AJ paused, realizing that he didn’t know Kyla’s name.

“Her name is Kyla Trinity Tamblyn.” Nick said aloud, “but most people call her Trinnie.” he said sarcastically.

“Well, at least I made SOME impression on you.” Kyla returned.

“Trinnie, I said I was sorry…what are you doing here?” Nick asked, while the guys stared at him.

“I just wanted Harmony to meet you and get her autograph.” she said softly.  “I didn’t mean to embarrass you or make you angry.  It’s just that she has been waiting for this forever.”

Nick was astonished with Kyla.  He had never met anyone who had so much passion in accomplishing something.  He had met fans that would go to no length to get near him, but Kyla was different.

“Kyla, I mean, Trinnie…I have a better idea.  We were all about to go and grab something to eat.  Would you care to join us?” Nick offered.

Harmony’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head and she was begging Trinnie to say yes.

“Well, you don’t have to do anything.  I don’t want you to feel sorry for us, or patronize us.  Thank you for the offer, but no thanks.” she said as she took Harmony’s hand and started for the door.

“Trinnie, please, don’t leave.  I sincerely apologize.  Can’t we start over again?” Nick asked.

Kyla looked suspiciously at him, but then extended her hand to him.  “Hi, I am Kyla Trinity Tamblyn, but you can call me Trinnie.” she said with as smile.

“Nick Carter…and this is Brian, Howie, Kevin, and well, you have already met AJ.  It is a real pleasure to meet you.” he said as everyone in the room started to laugh.

The went off to eat at the closest restaurant, which just happened to be AJ’s favorite, McDonald’s.  The rest of the night was spent laughing, and just enjoying everyone’s company.