Chapter Two: Meet and Greet

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Alyssa Narrating:

When will this semester be over?  Oh yeah 8 weeks, thank the Lord!  Everyone thinks I’m super woman or something because I’m getting my master’s degree in 3 years instead of the normal 5-7.  I just basically crammed everything to get done faster. 

My main reason, to get my teaching career started but mostly to be done in time to go on tour with Carter when he and the guys are back on the road.  And so I can at least enjoy it this time instead of being holed up studying constantly.  I will say one thing, though; the guys have been good for him to hang with, finally got his priorities straight.

That’s what I hated about his solo tour.  I was the one that had to kick the groupies out in the morning and trust me sometimes it was more than one.  Which is why I am still a virgin, I don’t trust easily.

But it scares me with this pact coming up that I thought of, (mind you I was 16 and had a major crush on him) that if by the time I turned 21 years old and if we were both single and I were still a virgin that he’d be my first time. 

It’s funny he’s the weirdest person I’ve ever met and yet we’re so close and the only one I trust enough to go through with this. 

Lori and Kellie tell me that the reason for that is that secretly I’m in love with him.  I do love him just not in the whole the ‘hills are alive with the sound of music’ kind of way…I think.  He’s just Nick, goofy, normal guy, well to me close-friends and family he is.  My mom had always hoped that he and I would hook-up get married, the whole she-bang you know?  It’s really funny to hang out with him knowing things that not even a girlfriend knows. 

Especially when we get into those deep conversations where I can see just how good of a person he is.  He’s truly an awesome friend.  For example, when my life was literally falling apart he was there to pick up the pieces, get me to breathe, hell even smile again. 

You’re probably wondering what I’m talking about huh? 

Well back in early 2001 my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, on top of that a week later my boyfriend Collin (the love of my life I might add) was on his way to see me, and he got in a car crash and didn’t make it to the hospital. 

Blaming myself for everything I started cutting and smoking pot.  Nick had no clue what had happened to me all he knew is that I was grieving and depressed about everything. 

That summer when AJ went to get himself straightened out I spent the summer at Nick’s in Florida.  Nothing he could do or say would cheer me up, had I stopped smoking weed because I hated it and how it made me feel, however I kept cutting myself. 

One night Nick was at the store getting something, and I decided I couldn’t take living anymore so I swallowed half a bottle of Tylenol and vertically cut on my wrist pretty damn deep too.   Nick came back and found me in his bathroom with the bottle next to me with my blood all over the tile.  He rushed me to the hospital. 

That night was a whirlwind, they pumped my stomach and funny thing was that Nick and I have the same blood type so they did a transfusion.  I woke up about 3 am with him sitting holding my hand, leaning up against the bed, completely exhausted and out cold.

The next morning he asked why I had done it.  I told him that since everything I had felt that it was my fault and that I had caused so much pain to people that my payback was to have my loved ones suffer too.  He told me that nothing was my fault and took me to his place the next day. 

The rest of the summer was spent with him watching me like a hawk, I wasn’t even allowed to sleep alone much less walk around without him watching to some extent. 

But thankfully it made us closer than anyone. 

About a week after I came back to his place I finally smiled.  Its really stupid how it happened but I was just about to walk out on the patio when I overheard Nick telling one of his friends a joke and I couldn’t help from laughing.  Nick saw me laughing at his joke and promptly picked me up and threw me in the pool along with himself in celebration. 

Ever since that day he’s always been able to make me smile.

End narration

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“Nick, snap out of it!” Kevin barked for the fourth time that hour.

Nick looked up a little dazed, “What?”

Brian chuckled, “What is wrong with you today, worried we aren’t going to like Alyssa?”

“No, just she’s late and she is NEVER late.  She’s worse than Kevin when it comes to being on time.” Nick replied just as his sidekick went off. “Hello?”

“Hey you are never going to believe what happened.  My God damn stupid car I hate it.” Alyssa answered talking extremely fast.

Nick stood up, “Ali slow down what’s wrong?” Nick asked concern filling his voice.

Alyssa sighed, “I’m at the repair shop, my car died, like smoke and everything, can you come pick me up?” She asked extremely frustrated.

“Where are you?”

“Mike’s Auto Repair shop on Sunset Blvd. Just north of the Whiskey.” Alyssa stated.

“Ok I’ll be right there just wait inside alright?” Nick answered.

“Ok.” Alyssa said before hanging up.

“What’s wrong?” AJ asked.

Nick sighed grabbing his wallet and keys, “Alyssa’s car broke down again, I’m going to go get her.”

“Hey you need to finish up your part you stay and Alex will go.” Kevin replied.

AJ looked at Kevin like he was crazy but after a quick glare from Kevin he decided to help, “Alright where is the shop?” He asked.

“Sunset Blvd, Mike’s Auto Repair.” Nick answered back.

AJ walked out going to his car, a black mercedes c-class.  As he drove off he wondered how exactly he got volunteered for this.

Meanwhile…

Alyssa sat ladylike, twiddling her thumbs in her business suit.  She had more comfortable clothing in her gym bag but didn’t trust the gas station quality bathrooms to change in.  A few minutes later the mechanic came up to her.  “Miss Monroe?”

“Yes?” She replied.

He sighed, “Well I hate to tell you this but your car isn’t worth it to fix, the engine is shot, as well as the cooling, brakes and struts.  All in all it’d be better if you just bought a new car.  Do you have someone to come get you?”

Alyssa sat back a moment, “Uhh, yeah a friend is coming to pick me up.” She sat thinking about how she’d gotten to this point in her life.  How she started out like any normal kid, a real tomboy never one for wearing anything girlish looking.  She remembered going to camp as a junior counselor meeting Leslie for the first time.  She smiled at those memories of how simple her life was back then, no worries, no bills, no boyfriends. 

Then again, it was Leslie that introduced her to Nick, she had a small crush on him from the start but brushed it off as being dumb.  As time moved on their friendship became so close that many of her friends told her to take a chance see what could happen.  And now here she was a few days away from turning 21, scared shitless of what was going to happen that night, something she had orchestrated because of a crush. 

The door to the shop opened with a ring of its little bell, Alyssa’s head shot up expecting to see Nick instead she was looking at a person she’d only seen in pictures and on television.  “Alyssa?” AJ asked.

Alyssa rose, “Hi AJ. Nick and Kevin get into another bitch-fest?” She asked smiling.

He laughed at her comment, “Yeah Kevin made him stay, so I’ve been sent to bring you over to the studio.  You have all your stuff?” He asked as he picked up her gym bag.

She smiled, “Yeah I got all my stuff out of my car, since it’s going to the landfill.” She answered back as they walked out to his car. “Thank you for coming to get me AJ I know you guys are super busy right now with the album almost done and everything.”

“No problem hon. That sucks about your car, you should get Nick to buy you a new one.” He replied as he started the car while she fastened her seat belt.  “Call me Alex by the way. AJ is just a stagename ya know.”

“Well I know Nick calls you Alex but I thought only friends and family called you that so I was just being polite.” She retorted chuckling a bit.  “But yeah I’m not going to ask Nick for a car, he knows that I won’t ask and as much as he wants to help me financially it kinda ticks me off a bit.” She finished a little shocked at how open she was being.

AJ laughed, “Why does it tick you off? If you don’t mind me asking?” He asked her while he stopped at a light.

Alyssa sighed, “Because it’s his money, I’m not related to him, nor am I his girlfriend or wife or whatever so I have no right to even ask for any money from him, besides you should have seen how much of a fight I put up before I moved into his house.”

“Why, he said that your roommate or whatever was stealing your shit so why not rejoice in the charity?” He replied.

“Because its exactly that.  I don’t want to be his charity case, I’m his friend, and he isn’t my personal savings and loan.” She remarked with a small smile.

“He told me you were independent, and didn’t like to accept help when it was offered.”

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate all that he’s done for me, it’s just I don’t want him to think that the only reason I’m still his friend is because he’s got a american express centurion card.  You understand what I’m saying right?”

“Yeah you don’t want a free ride without earning it right?” AJ responded.

“Exactly, I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to explain that very concept to him but he never gets it.  I think it’s because of his very distorted view of women and how all the ones that get close always want something.”

“And what do you want?” He asked.

“Honestly?  To hang with my best friend, graduate, win nationals, and start my career.” Alyssa answered as they pulled into a parking space.

“Well we’re here.”

Alyssa got out of the car grabbing her bags from the trunk looking at the deceiving brick building. “Kinda hidden isn’t it?” She asked.

“Well, yeah it’s nice, no paparazzi in here, we had to change locations since January when the fans found out where we were.”

“Yeah I remember seeing it on Entertainment Tonight what his birthday ‘surprise’ was.” She said rolling her eyes.

“You hate her bony ass too?” He asked as they walked into the studio.

She studied the large room, a couple couches, a table, sound board, mixers, computers and behind that was a glass window showing the recording room.  She hadn’t seen the inside of one of these since Nick recorded his solo album. “You could say she and I had creative differences.” She replied with a sarcastic look.  “Where’d they go?” She asked.

“Probably, went to stretch before coming back in.” No sooner did he finish his statement did the other four guys walk in.

Nick looked over and saw Alyssa standing next to AJ all dressed up in her business attire.  He smiled, “Hey Lissa.” He said walking over pulling her into a quick hug.  “Guys this is Alyssa.”

“Nice to finally meet you Alyssa.” Brian replied emphasizing the ‘finally’.

She chuckled a bit, “Well it’s nice to finally meet you guys, with all the stories I’ve heard over the years it’s crazy that Nick hasn’t introduced me until now.” She said smiling at Nick.

“Aw honey you didn’t need to get all dressed up for us.” Kevin said remarking on her clothes.

She looked down at her clothes and laughed, “Yeah like I’d wear these everyday. I’m just a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl, sorry to disappoint you Kevin but I was at my student teaching internship before I tried to make it over here no thanks to my POS car.”

Nick laughed, “What the hell happened?  Old thing just die?”

Alyssa smiled, “It was bound to happen sooner or later with the hell I put that poor car through.” She said laughing a little.  “By the way where is the restroom I’m going to get changed since I have practice in about an hour or so.” She asked glancing at her watch.

“Through that door over there down the hall to your left I believe.” Nick said as she grabbed her gym bag.

“Ok give me ten minutes, gotta wash all this damn makeup off.” She said laughing as she backed out of the door.

When she was gone Nick turned to the guys, “So?”

“She’s fucking hot.” AJ replied.

Nick shot him a look, “I mean do you guys like her?”

Brian smiled, “You’re acting as if she were your girlfriend or something.”

“Yeah, I wish, but seriously she was really nervous that you guys wouldn’t like her since she’s still kind of friends with an ex of mine.” Nick replied.

“Why do you ‘wish’?” Brian asked.

Nick rolled his eyes, “Because she’s perfect, doesn’t want me for money, fame or anything than just to be there for her when she needs me.”

“And which girlfriend exactly?” Howie asked.

“Amanda.”

“Amanda as in Willa, Amanda?” AJ asked.

Nick sighed, “Yes, she told us, when Amanda and I were on the rocks that she would never pick sides and never has.  True she doesn’t agree with everything Amanda and I did to each other but she still wouldn’t choose.  Hell they’re going out to lunch tomorrow.” Nick finished.

“Seriously? I’d think that she wouldn’t get along with any of the women you’ve dated.” Kevin replied.  “Just by looking at her I’d feel threatened if I were Amanda or Paris or whoever.”

“Most of them are threatened by me, since he and I are so close.” Alyssa replied walking back in wearing white track pants and a dark blue spaghetti strap tank top that read in bold gold letters “Triple Trouble” with an image of a soccer ball in place of the ‘o’, her hair pulled into a loose bun.

“Lissa, I think they are threatened by a little more than that alone.” Nick retorted.

Alyssa rolled her eyes, “Why do I let you call me that? Anyways I can’t help that you find ways to get out of dates to hang out with me when I’m home alone.” Alyssa shot back.

“So let me guess you don’t get along most of them.” Brian replied.

“Only the ones who want something, and are willing to manipulate and stomp on whoever they can to get it.”

“So ok what were those bruises all about on Paris? Nick said you knew.” Howie asked.

She laughed, “Thats because you’re looking at the one who caused ‘em.”

AJ laughed, “You took her on in a cat fight?”

“Not so much as a cat fight as the proverbial smackdown.  I came home from school with one hell of a migraine. Nick, you know how I get when I have a headache like that.  Anyways Jane was visiting and told me that Paris and Nick were having it out in the kitchen.  Not really giving a damn and needing an aspirin I went in and she started in on me, how I monopolize his time, blah, blah, blah.  I said ‘don’t blame me for your insecurities’ and she tried to bitch slap me.  So I layed her out.  She got back up and lunged at me, Nick grabbed her arm and pulled her away from me.  Good thing he did or she would have ended up in the hospital.”

“You punched her?”

“Right between the eyes, like my dad taught me to for when I needed to defend myself.” Alyssa finished.

“You guys should have been there it was pretty funny, especially Paris’ reaction when she found herself on the floor.” Nick added.

“Well it was uncalled for, for her to try to hit me so I put the skinny bitch in her place. Sorry Carter, you know that I tried to be nice to her in the beginning but she hated me from day one, hell even tried to end our friendship.”

“Which is why I couldn’t take her bullshit anymore. And also why she bad mouths me in the press, because I stood by Alyssa and not her.”

AJ was near tears with laughter, “I wish I was there man; they should film that and show it every Christmas.”

Even Kevin couldn’t help but laugh, “I would have paid big money to see that girl get knocked flat on her ass.”

“It was pretty funny, hurt like a son of a bitch afterwards, my hand swelled up to the size of a softball and broke two fingers.” Alyssa said between laughs.  “Hey speaking of brutality why don’t you guys come and watch practice tonight?” Alyssa asked.

“Have dinner with the wife and kid.” Brian replied.

“Well bring em! It’d be fun. We’re playing against the boys team after warm-ups.  Everyone is totally welcome to come.”

“Trust me guys you don’t want to miss this.  Besides I want to see Brennan have his ass handed to him by the girls.” Nick replied laughing a little.

“You really hate him huh?” Alyssa asked.

“Not so much hate as I despise the bastard. You know you can’t stand his cocky ass either.”

“True besides if he grabs my ass or ‘accidentally’ tackles me I will have to ensure that he will never procreate. Anyways please guys you should come watch, it’s an exhibition game but it draws a good crowd every year.”

“What do you mean don’t like getting groped?” AJ asked.

“First of all it hurts when he does it. Second of all he’s not my boyfriend and never will be.  He’s good looking and knows it but thats about where it ends.  As Lori stole from Clueless ‘he’s a Monet’”

“A Monet?” Brian asked somewhat amused.

“Yeah Claude Monet’s paintings are amazingly beautiful from a distance but if you get too close you can see its all mushed together and not so appealing.  That’s Brennan.”

“Lori and Kel are the weirdest people you know I swear.” Nick answered back.

“Umm hello my best friend is a pop star I think you’re a bit weirder than they are.” She replied laughing, “Speaking of weird friends, Kellie’s engaged.” She added looking at Nick

Nick rolled his eyes, “To who?”

Alyssa laughed, “Michael.”

Nick looked shocked, “Michael as in your ex and one of my friends Michael?”

Alyssa sighed, “Yep, I even have to wear a damn dress as maid of honor.”

“That’s just wrong, she’s marrying your ex and you’re the maid of honor.” Nick replied semi disgusted.

“Michael and I have been over for over a year now, I moved on so did he.”

AJ spoke up, “Nick you seem to not like Kellie very much.”

“That’s because I tried to play match maker and it backfired.  Do you guys remember seeing video from after he and Paris broke up, the girl he was with?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s Kellie, I decided to hook em up, since they both thought each other were attractive, seems though that’s where it ended.”

“How bad was it?”

“Not so much bad as I felt absolutely nothing when we went out on that date and the thing that pissed me off was what she told Alyssa.” Nick answered.

“What did she say?” Brian asked.

Alyssa answered, “Do you want what she really said or the version Nick tells everyone?”

“The true version.” Howie replied.

Alyssa laughed a little, “She said and I quote ‘he would not shut up about you.  It  was all Alyssa this, Alyssa that and so on..’”

Nick glared at her. “So that’s what she told you?”

“Yep, what did you expect one of my best girls to lie to me?” Alyssa retorted feigning shock.

Brian laughed, “Seems she’s not the only one who has gotten an earful about you.” He said looking at Nick knowingly.

Nick rolled his eyes in response.

Later that night…

“So do you really talk about me that much?” Alyssa asked leaning against the bathroom doorjamb.

Nick looked over at her from his comfortable position, laying on his bed sketch pad in hand. He smiled seeing her wearing a Tampa Bay Bucanneers shirt and a pair of long basketball shorts he had given her with her hair up in a messy bun. “Can’t I be proud of my best friend?”

Alyssa laughed and walked over sitting next to him on the side edge of his bed. “It’s one thing to be proud its another to act as if I were your girlfriend Carter.” Alyssa pointed out. 

Nick shut his sketch book laying it on the night stand next to them and sat up so that he and Alyssa were sitting nearly eye to eye, “Is that a bad thing?” He replied smiling at her.

She rolled her eyes and retorted leaning in closer, “If we were dating it wouldn’t be but we aren’t remember?” His eyes darted between watching her lips form a smile then looking to something else in the room, the need to just kiss her growing more and more impatient.

Nick chuckled a bit meeting her eyes regretting it once he did. In all the years he’d known her, he always found her eyes to be completely entrancing, “Yeah I remember, but I also remember you asking me to teach you certain things.” He replied back with a devious smile.

“Nick what does that have to with…” Alyssa was cut off by Nick pulling her into a kiss his hand holding the back of her neck her hand went to his wrist holding his hand there at where her jawline curved to her neck. As they deepened the kiss Alyssa began to lean back as he followed his other arm cradling her back. Her hand left his wrist and moved to the back of his neck.  His hand moved from its position on her neck down her arm to rest on her stomach feeling the warm skin that peeked below her t-shirt.  He began to slide his hand underneath moving it to her back pulling them both to their sides as his hand searched up her back when he didn’t find what he was looking for he began to slide his hand to the front about half way there her hand on top of his stopped him.  He pulled away from the kiss and opened his eyes to see Alyssa looking at him, her eyes so light green it shocked him, he’d never seen her eyes that color before.  When he realized why she had stopped him he pulled his hand away and sat up.  She sat up a moment later, “That…” She began having trouble finding the words.

“I shouldn’t have done that, I’m sorry.” He said feeling guilty that he nearly took advantage of his best friend.

She smiled weakly, “I did ask you to teach me didn’t I?”

He looked up seeing her smile and smiled back, “Yeah, but I didn’t mean to go quite so far.”

“I could have stopped you earlier but I didn’t.  Considering my lack of experience I’m not sure how anything is supposed to feel but I was ok with that it kind of felt...”

“Good?” He asked.

“Yeah which is why I stopped you when I did.” She answered back.

“Ok care to explain the logic behind that?” He asked.

She laughed, “If I didn’t stop you when I did, I don’t know if I could have or would want to stop you if I let it go any further.” She said averting her eyes.

“Are you saying that you want this to happen with us?” Nick asked lowly.

“I don’t know I’m beginning to think that maybe we both want more than we’re saying.”

“Meaning exactly?” He continued.

She sighed and fell backward, “I don’t know it’s just what I felt when you kissed me, I have no clue but it felt good, right even.  You know what I’m saying right?” She said her mind all confused and cluttered.

He laid down on his side next to her watching her chest rise and fall as she breathed wanting to feel her skin against his. Her question brought him out of his trance, “Yeah I do.  I couldn’t help but kiss you it was almost like I needed to just feel you as weird as that sounds.”

She rolled to her side taking his hand in hers, “So umm what does this mean?”

“I don’t know.”