Chapter 3      

             The song died off, as Kariana opened her eyes to
reveal reality emersing on her delicate dream she had for three precious
moments of bliss. She let go of Nick and looked to see if the song had
had the same emotional impact it had, had on her. He wasn't even looking
at her though, and was glancing at Minnie, who was dancing away on the
dance floor with Kevin.
"Kariana, I'll see you in a few," Nick commented, and he rushed to join
the big crowd of male admirers around Minnie. She sulked off towards the
table by herself and sat down by her soda. She sipped the drink slowly,
and watched the dance floor with short interest. Underground techno
music blared out of the speakers, as Kariana sat back in the booth, and
tried not to look where Minnie and Nick were dancing.
"You look miserable," said a familiar voice and Kariana looked up to see
AJ standing there.
"Thanks for noticing," Kariana replied half-heartedly, and she shifted
over, so he could sit down beside her.
"You could at least go out and have some fun," AJ suggested and Kariana
shrugged her shoulders.
"I'll keep your advice in mind AJ," Kariana replied, and AJ looked away.
They both sat beside each other for the next three dance songs, and
completely ignored each other. Minnie was having a blast meanwhile, and
she looked over at Kariana, as she danced with Nick on the dance floor.
She felt a twinge of guilt creep up her spine, but she shrugged it off,
as out came a dance floor. She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"Nick, I am having so much fun!" Minnie whispered into his ear, as she
wrapped his arms around him. She felt him stiffen up, but soon his
shoulders relaxed in her sweet smell of lilacs, and they continued to
get closer and closer as the dance song progressed.
"Minnie, I think I am too," said an unfamiliar voice and Minnie looked
to see herself, not dancing with Nick, but with someone who looked just
like him. It was her ex-boyfriend Lowell and she let go of him in shock.
"Lowell? What the Hell are you doing?" Minnie shrieked confused. She
looked beside her to see Nick dancing with Morgan, and they were lauging
at a joke Brian had said.
"Minnie, my uncle owns this joint, remember?" Lowell replied
exasperated. "You look good."
"Thanks, I guess," Minnie replied, as her cheeks turned a cherry red. "I
thought you were Nick."
"Who's Nick? Your new boy toy?" Lowell wanted to know, as the song
ended. They walked towards the bar to get a soda. 
"No!" Minnie snapped hastily. "Lowell, I can't believe that just
happened."
"Did you feel anything baby?" Lowell asked deeply, as he attempted to
put his arm around her waist.
"No Lowell," Minnie shrugged off his arm. "I don't want you anymore."
"Sorry Minnie," Lowell apologized. "I thought you knew it was me."
"No, I'm sorry Lowell," Minnie admitted. "I'm just confused. That's all.
Tomorrow, I am going to be in a Backstreet Boys video!"
"Oh, so that's why there's these crazy teenyboppers outside!" Lowell
commented and Minnie laughed. They walked over to where Kariana was
sitting with AJ, and she looked miserable.
"Hi Kari," Lowell winked at her and she smiled back.
"Lowell, this is Alex, and Alex, this is Lowell," Minnie introduced them
carelessly, and then she sat down beside Kariana, who moved over to
create room for them to sit down.
"How's your heartbreak Kariana?" Minnie asked her sweetly.
"Oh shut up Minnie!" Kariana snapped back, and she practically pushed AJ
out of the booth, and stomped off towards another table. Lowell watched
in amazement, as AJ followed her to make sure she was chill.
"What's her problem?" Lowell asked Minnie, who shrugged her shoulders.
"A little jealous of me, that's all," Minnie replied. "So, how have you
been?"
"Pretty good actually," Lowell answered, sipping his soda. "I was in
real estate for a while and then I decided I would like to pursue my rap
career."
"Oh really? Don't you know some famous rappers?" Minnie asked.
"Not really," Lowell commented. "Does the Backstreet Boys?"
"Probably not," Minnie replied, as one of her favourite songs poured out
of the speakers. "Want to dance?"
"Sure Cheese," Lowell told her the affectionate nickname he had given
her.
"Cheese? What kind of nickname is that?" Minnie laughed.
"A cute one for the most beautiful girl in the world," Lowell replied
huskily, as they sank into each other's arms.
                                                       
***************************
"Want to dance Kariana?" AJ asked her, as she sighed.
"At least she's not dancing with Nick, right AJ?" Kariana replied,
ignoring his question.
"Come on Kar, who cares about Minnie? Have some fun yourself," AJ
suggested and Kariana looked away from him.
"You're right AJ," Kariana replied nodding. "Come on, that's show Minnie
who's queen of the dance floor!" She grabbed his hand, and they stalked
towards the dance floor, as Bif Naked's "Spaceman" blared out the
speakers.
"I never knew you could dance," AJ commented, as Kariana danced wildly.
"I look like a freak, don't I?" Kariana laughed.
"Go Kari! Go!" Morgan chanted, as she came to dance beside her.
"Hey Morgan!" Kariana said more cheerfully. "Great party huh?"
"The best," Morgan replied with a smile. "Come on Nick! Join us!" Nick
nodded, and he stood beside Kariana, as she felt butterflies enter her
stomach, and sweat formed on her palms. Morgan wanted to giggle, as AJ
and her watched Kariana go all red. She saw her stop dancing so wildly,
and started swaying awkwardly to the music. 
"She's got it bad," AJ told Morgan and she nodded with a smile.
"So, well, AJ and I are going to get some pretzels!" Morgan said
gleefully. "Right AJ?" AJ nodded with a goofy grin, and they hurried
off, leaving Nick and Kariana together on the dance floor.
"So," Nick began.
"So-" Kariana replied, as she shifted nervously back and forth.
"Are you having fun?" Nick asked her and she nodded nervously.
"Sure am," she answered quickly. "So, are you ready for the music video
tomorrow?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Nick replied. "They don't have spare pretzels here,
do they?"
"I don't think so," Kariana replied, attempting a smile.
"A little plan to get us alone I assume?" suggested Nick, winking at her
and she blushed.
"I guess," Kariana replied. "But, you can go dance with someone else
Nick. I don't mind-"
"Nah, it's cool Kari," Nick replied with a bright smile. "You are a good
dancer though." He winked at her, as on came a Calypso song, and Nick
grabbed her arms, placing them on his hips, as they started a conga line
throughout the dance floor. Sounds of happiness and laughter filled
Kariana's ears, as they danced around the floor. She joined in the fun,
as Nick glanced back at her and smiled. The song ended, as on came 'N
Sync's "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You".
"Our song!" sang an unfamiliar voice, and Kariana turned to see Justin
Timberlake and Lance Bass standing there.
"Hey Curly and Bass," Nick smiled at them, as Kariana looked at them in
awe.
"Hey Carter, nice conga line," Lance replied, as he winked at Kariana.
"Hi, I'm Lance and this is Curly." 
"This is Kariana," Nick introduced them. "Her friend is going to be in
the video tomorrow."
"I thought someone as beautiful as you would be," Lance flirted with her
and she smiled shyly.
"Minnie is much prettier," replied Kariana. "Anyway, how was your
flight?"
"Actually, we got here on the big ol' tour bus," Justin answered.
"Luxurious I assume?" Kariana suggested and they nodded.
"As luxurious as a dog doing his business," Justin winked at her, as she
smiled.
"Okay, we go from tour buses to a dog's doodoo?" Nick laughed. "This
shows we've all been on tour buses too long."
"I hear ya Carter," Lance agreed. "I'm thirsty all of a sudden. Curly,
want a Coke?"
"Yeah sure, thanks," Justin replied, as his baby blue eyes seemed to be
captivated by someone on the dance floor. Kariana followed his eyes to
see him focused on Minnie.
"Who's that?" Justin asked in awe, as Kariana sighed heavily. "You know
her?" He looked at Kariana.
"She's the famous Minnie Beauvais," replied Kariana, shaking her head.
"Well, she's very beautiful," complimented Justin.
"On the outside, but as sharp as an icicle on the inside," replied
Kariana and Justin looked at her.
"Huh?" he gasped, as she shook her head, and walked towards their table.
"Don't ask man," Nick commented. "Chick fight."
"I think Kariana's the one with the icicle," Justin observed. "I don't
even know that poor girl and she's already putting down her best friend.
I would say she's jealous or something because that girl has to be a
princess."
"Believe me man, she's no princess," AJ replied, as he and Morgan joined
them.
"Not you too McLean," Justin sighed, as he smiled at Morgan. "Hi. I'm
Justin."
"Morgan Cheung," Morgan shook his head. "And if you're looking at
Minnie, AJ is right."
"Why? What's so wrong with her?" Justin wanted to know.
"How would you describe someone who tells her best friend she's ugly and
is rude to a person who has always supported her and has always been
there for her?" Morgan asked him, and Justin thought for a minute. 
"Oh! I get it!" Justin nodded.
"Good, now you understand why Minnie's an ice witch," Morgan replied.
"No! Kariana is that horrible friend," Justin replied. "And that
beautiful angel is the victim."
"No!" groaned Morgan, grasping her head. "It's Kariana that's the angel,
and Minnie has claws deeper then you can imagine."
"Seriously?" he asked Nick and Nick nodded slightly.
"Looks can be deceiving," AJ commented. "Believe me, I fell under the
spell."
"Oh man," Justin sighed, and he sank down in a nearby chair. Lance came
back with his Coke, as Nick turned to see Kariana all alone again.
"Where's Kariana?" Lance asked, as he put down his coke.
"Over there," Morgan replied, pointing towards her. "I'm going to go see
her."
"I think I'll join you," Nick said nonchantally.
"You like her Frack?" AJ teased him, and Nick blushed.
"No, I just want to talk to her about um-fish," Nick stammered.
"Yeah sure, whatever!" winked AJ, and the rest of them laughed at the
flustered Nick.
"Okay fine, I think she's hot, but stop teasing me!" Nick cried.
"Well, she has it bad for you man," AJ informed him. "Believe me!"
"I thought you didn't want a relationship right now?" Morgan quizzed
him. She didn't want him leading on her best friend, and then in the end
breaking her angelic heart.
"I'm confused," Nick answered honestly, and Morgan saw the geunine
nature in his eyes.
"I believe ya," Morgan assured him, and Nick smiled greatfully at her.
"Go talk to her!"
"I'm going," Nick replied, and he looked to see Kariana, sitting alone.
He saw her fiddling around with her soda straw, as she blew bubbles into
the glass. He walked over to him slowly, and she looked surprised, when
he appeared in front of her.
"Hi Nick," she said brightly, scooting over, so he could sit down.
"Hey," Nick replied. "Having fun?"
"A little," Kariana replied. "Aren't you chilling with Justin and
Lance?"
"Nah," Nick shook his head. "I'd rather chill with you."
"Really?" Kariana asked hopefully, and he smiled. "That's cool."
"So, want to dance?" Nick asked her.
"Um, sure, I guess," replied Kariana, and once again, Nick took her cold
hand. They walked onto the glittering dance floor, as Minnie swayed away
with Lowell. Halfway through the song, they kissed passionately. Kariana
pretended not to notice, as one of the last songs of the evening, blared
out the speakers. Nick pulled Kariana close, as they danced under the
disco ball, and at that very moment, Kariana felt Nick's warmth coat her
heart.
 
 
        The next day, Kariana woke up to see a bright ray of sunlight,
cascading in her brighten room. She looked at the clock, and noticed it
read 5am. She got up quickly, and prepared for the video shoot for the
day. Since it was winter, she threw on jeans, and a wool sweater. She
tied her back in a french braid, and within half-an-hour, was speeding
towards Toronto for the video shoot. She arrived at 5 to six, to notice
Minnie's Mazda Miata was not in the parking lot. She ran into the shoot,
and walked in to see the guys all looking dazed and tired.
"Good morning Kariana," AJ said groggily, as he sipped some orange
juice.
"Hi everyone!" Kariana replied cheerfully, as she took a coffee from the
recreation table.
"You sure are cheery in the morning!" Brian commented, and Kariana
smiled at him.
"Hi Kariana," Hannah smiled. "Where's Minnie? She didn't come with you?"
"I have no idea," replied Kariana, with a shrug. They waited another 20
minutes, and Minnie still hadn't shown up. Hannah called her home
number, and Minnie's father answered, saying Minnie was sick and
wouldn't be able to make it to the shoot.
"What am I going to do now?" Hannah shrieked, as she sank down in one of
the leather couches.
"Morgan would be in it!" suggested Kariana. "I'm so sorry about Minnie.
She's so absentminded sometimes."
"Morgan? Who's Morgan?" Hannah cried, shaking her head.
"My friend-," Kariana began to explain, but Hannah waved her away, when
suddenly her eyes laid on Kariana and a smile crept across her stressed
face.
"You! You'd be perfect!" Hannah shouted, standing up.
"No, no way," stammered Kariana. "I am way too ugly."
"Oh come Kari, it's perfect!" commented AJ and Kariana started stepping
backwards. She bumped into a humongous light arrangement, and it crashed
to the floor.
"Watch out little girl!" shrieked one of the technicians.
"Excuse me?" Hannah glared at him. 
"Sorry m'am," the technician said through gritted teeth, and he gave
Kariana another dirty Look. 
"So, how about it Kariana?" Hannah asked her.  
"Hannah, I couldn't possibly be in the video!" Kariana answered softly.
"Minnie is so beautiful and nobody will want to see the video, if I am
in it."  
"Well, I guess the video shoot is going to have to be proposed," sighed
Hannah. "No model, no go." 
"Kari, please?" AJ asked her hopefully and she sighed inwardly. There
was no way she wanted to be in the video. She never liked being the
center of attention and being on the sidelines was where she always
loved to be. 
"Well, okay," Kariana replied reluctantly and Hannah gave her a big
hug. 
"Oh thanks darling!" Hannah cried. "You are so wonderful!" 
"What's going on?" Nick asked, as he gave from his trailer,
blurry-eyed. 
"Kariana's our new model for the music video," Hannah informed him.
"Nick, you'd better have some coffee." 
"What happened to Minnie?" Nick asked her, as Howie handed him a
coffee. 
"She never showed up," replied Hannah. "I think we'd all rather work
with Kariana anyway." Suddenly, they heard a commotion, and Kariana
turned to see Minnie, running in from the parking lot. 
"I'm so sorry Hannah!" Minnie shrieked, as she stopped beside her. 
"You're late!" Hannah replied shortly. "Kariana is in the music video
now."
"Yeah right, nice joke," Minnie laughed harshly. "Remember my contract
Hannah?" 
"Get to wardrobe Minnie," Hannah snapped, and Minnie threw her a sterile
Look, and then stomped off towards the wardrobe trailer. 
"Well, the ice princess has finally graced us with her presence," AJ
commented. 
"I'm sorry Kariana," Hannah said reluctantly. "Minnie's going to have to
be in the video now." 
"That's okay," Kariana replied, pretending to shrug it off. Nick glanced
at her, as he saw the disappointment in her light blue eyes. Her eyes
caught his glance for half a second, and she blushed, and looked away.
"Well boys, you'd better get ready!" Hannah announced, breaking the
awkward silence. "Kariana? Would you like to help me?" 
"Sure," Kariana replied, and she followed Hannah towards one of the
trailers.  
"Kariana definitely wanted to be in the video," Nick informed AJ, as
they headed towards their wardrobe trailer. 
"I know man," AJ replied. "You like her still?" He gave him a goofy
smile. 
"I honestly don't know," Nick replied, shrugging. "I really don't know
her." He was interrupted by a gasp, and he turned to see Kariana trying
to arrange some papers, but was having some problems. 
"Kariana, you are working fast," AJ commented, and she nodded. 
"Want some help?" Nick asked her innocently, as AJ eyed him curiously. 
"Sure Nick, thanks," Kariana replied, as he sat down beside her at the
square table. 
"What are you doing?" Nick asked. 
"I was just trying to figure out with video scene goes with what lyric,"
Kariana explained. "You know the song better then anyone else! Where
does the kiss-kissing scene with you and Minnie go?" She blushed
brightly, as she felt Nick lean closer to her. She leaned back, and felt
herself start to tilt backwards, and her chair tipped back, as she
landed on a heap on the shiny grass. 
"Kariana, are you okay?" Nick gushed, as he squatted down, to help her
up. 
"Yes! I am such a klutz!" Kariana laughed, as she accepted his hand. She
felt a tingling sensation creep up as his fingers touched her sweating
hand, and her heart began to beat faster. 
"Are you hot? I am so cold!" Nick commented, as he sat back down in the
chair. 
"I am okay," she answered and pushed the stool farther away from him, so
she wouldn't have another embarrassing accident. 
"Kari-" Nick began.
"Nick-" Kariana said at the same time and they looked into each other's
ocean of blue eyes, and laughed. 
"You go first Kare," Nick ushered her, and she nodded. 
"I-I...uh...um...how can I say this?" Kariana stammered nervously. 
"Say what Kare?" Nick asked with an assuring smile. 
"Say that I like your new haircut!" Kariana said quickly, and Nick
nodded. "It really makes you look handsome-I mean, professional, no
cute, no! Oh gawd!" 
"Kariana, I think you're great too," Nick winked at her, and she was
caught by surprise. 
"Huh? Nick?" Kariana commented, and Nick looked taken back. 
"Oh, you don't...," Nick muttered. "Never mind." 
"No, no, Nick, I think you are great too," Kariana said slowly. "I think
you are a great person." 
"Yeah, you are a great person too," Nick replied. "I would love to get
to know you more Kari." 
"Kiss already!" AJ yelled, as he walked near them. 
"AJ, why don't you get a life?" Nick joked, as Kariana considered AJ's
idea not a bad one.