"And it's too loud in there." Amanda popped in a dime and a quarter and dialed her boyfriend's number. "Hi, is Tony there?" she asked pleasantly. She waited a moment, smiling excitedly at Katie and Rebekah. "hi, Tony." She decided to cut right to the chase. "I don't think it's working out between us." He agreed. Amanda was a little surprised. "I think we're gonna hve to be just friends." Tony agreed again. They both said a quick and awkward goodbye, and Amanda replaced the receiver. "That was too easy," she said in confusion.
"Hopefully Tony never find out the real reason you broke up with him," commented Rebekah as they walked back to the party. Amanda ignored her. She was more concerned with pushing through people to get Justin.
Justin was discussing something with Nick Carter, but he didn't hesitate to pause his conversation when he saw Amanda beside him. "What's up?" he asked, already thinking he knew the answer.
"I just called Tony." Amanda grinned.
Nick interrupted. "Uh, Justin, I'm gonna go talk to Howie, OK?"
Justin smiled at Nick. Nick knew they wanted to be alone. Then, Justin faced Amanda. "Amanda, will you be my girlfriend?"
Amanda nodded happily, not sure what to say. She was so overjoyed it made her speechless. "Uh huh," was all she could get out.
Seeing a camera looming around, Justin remembered. "Would it be alright if we kinda kept our relationship a secret?"
The question brought Amanda back down to earth. She knew she wouldn't keep it a secret, but she told Justin it was alright if he did. First thing Amanda had to do was tell everyone. Carefully, so she wouldn't attract any cameras, Amanda approaced Nick Carter, Howie, Erin, and Theresa. "Guess what, guys!" she exclaimed to the four of them. "Justin and I are going out!"
"Oh, congratulations," Howie said sweetly, adding a wink.
"Are you keeping a secret?" wondered Nick.
"Well, Justin is," Amanda replied with a laugh.
Katie and Rebekah joined the group. "Now we need to get you guys set up with the Hansons," Katie told Rebekah, Theresa, and Erin.
"Who wants to set who up?" JC asked, popping his head in.
"Rebekah with Ike," Katie explained.
"Me with Zac!" Theresa added giddily.
"And Birdsey with Taylor," Rebekah finished, indicating Erin.
"Ooh, can I help?" begged JC. He had been chowing down on some chocolate and was on a sugar high.
"Sure!" the girls chorused.
"Good luck!" Howie called as they disappeared into the crowd.
Hanson was talking with Sean and J about what they thought of French fans. The girls caught the tail end of the conversation. "Have you ever noticed how strong they are?" Taylor was asking.
JC interrupted, "Sean, J, can I see you at the other side of the room please?" Sean looked confused. "I just think these girls would like some time to talk to Hanson." Sean was still stupified. J inspected the excited girls and got the picture.
"Yeah, Sean, I'd like to try those sandwiches." J pulled the mixed-up Sean away from the group.
"Sean's a cool guy," Theresa said sarcastically. Her friends laughed.
"OK, mingle," commanded JC. Rebekah immediately attached herself to Taylor, getting him interested in Erin. "No, no, no!" JC sighed in exasperation. He grabbed Rebekah by the shoulders and made her face Isaac. This only succeeded in embarrassing her and turning her cheeks bright red.
Isaac was holding the half-eaten bowl of candy corn. "You want some?" he offered and held the bowl out to Rebekah. She took an uncharacteristically modest finger full from the bowl and thanked Isaac. "Have you tried the pizza yet?" he asked.
Rebekah shook her head. "I haven't had any food yet." They decided to both get a piece of pizza. Rebekah also scooped some kind of fruit salad onto her plate. Then, they said side-by-side on one of the many comfortable couches. Erin and Taylor joined them, each with a plate stacked high with food. On the couch across from them was Zac, Theresa, Aaron, and Sarah. Kristen plopped down angrily in a chair. She was furious Zac was choosing Theresa over her. Katie, Amanda, and JC had gone off to mingle.
Theresa noticed Kristen's icy glares. "What are you so mad about? You're going out with Nate!"
Nate was two years older than Kristen, and they had only been going out for about a week. She was totally in love with the guy, but Zac Hanson would be better.
Katie hadn't talked to Lance since they hooked up, so she was determined to find him. Amanda, on the other hand, wanted to spend some time with Justin, her new boyfriend. Unfortunately, Justin and Lance weren't together. Katie walked over to Lance, who was talking to Joey, Nick Lachey, and Abs. "Hey, guys," she greeted. Lanced beamed at her. Lance didn't know what to say. "Guys, you know Katie."
"Of course," said Joey, encircling her shoulders with his arm.
"She's a Gum man," reminded Abs. "Or actually gum woman," he corrected himself quickly.
Joey took away his arm, and Lance took his place, squeezing his young girlfriend's shoulder gently." Are you hungry?" he asked her quietly. Katie answered. "A little bit." Lance slid his arm from Katie's shoulder and grabbed her hand. The couple walked to the food tables together. Katie grabbed a plate and put a sub sandwich on it. Along with it, she dipped her hand into a chip bowl and pulled out a handful of Ruffles. Lance filled up his tray, and they looked for a secluded place to sit. Away from all the comfortable, squishy couches and chairs were three hard, metal ones. "How about over there?" Lance suggested, extending his finger in the direction of the folding chairs.
"Whatever," Katie replied.
"Unless you want something more comfortable."
Katie chewed on the inside of her mouth. She wanted to be alone with lance, but she didn't express it. She shrugged.
Lanced wanted to be alone with Katie, too, so they went over to the folding chairs and sat down. Flirtatiously, Lance stole a chip off of Katie's styrofoam plate and popped it in his mouth. "Hey!" Katie retorted. Both being the shy, quiet type, they sat silently eating for a moment.
A memory flickered into Katie's head. It was her had's rules that she could only marry someone of her same religion. She looked thoughtfully at Lance. Not that she would marry him. She thought of a crafty way to get into the subject of religion. "Oh, I have to get up early to go to church tomorrow."
Lance looked down at her. Katie could tell he was pleased. "I'll go to church with you."
