“I can’t believe I let Kevin talk me into this.”  Alex muttered as the make up artist finished up her make up causing Cori to laugh.
    “I can not believe you thought I’d pass up the chance to be in a BSB video.”
    “Yeah, well, I thought you’d back out when you found out who you would be paired with.”
    Cori shrugged as she adjusted her blouse, while looking at the full-length mirror. “ He’s a jerk, but that won’t make me miss this chance. When I’m old and gray I’ll be able to brag. Look I was in one of the BSB’s video.”
    Alex laughed as she was ushered up to go do the light test “Yeah, and they’ll be like the BS who?”
    Cori rolled her eyes, sitting down so they cold do her make up.
    “Oh damn, I need another base. I’ll be right back.” Angie, the make up artist said rushing out of the room.
    Cori nodded and entertained herself looking through all the cosmetic products in front of her.
    “I bet they don’t have a bitchiness-remover around there, do they?” said a voice behind her, making her roll her eyes as soon as she recognized it.
    “They used to. But apparently they realized it was bad quality after testing it on you.” She answered looking straight ahead, her jaw on a straight line. He moved to the chair next to hers and took a hairbrush, running it through his hair.
    “Fuck me.” AJ threw at her
    “Not in this lifetime.” She mumbled looking at her right, watching Alex and Brian joke around with each other while trying out different outfits. In her mind she had no doubt those two were in love, but then again, Brian seemed to be very much in love with LeighAnne too. AJ’s voice made she look away from the two and back at him
    “You know, I can’t see why Lexy likes you so much. You’ve been nothing but a bitch to me.”
    She gaped at him, giving a short sarcastic laugh “And have you noticed how everyone else likes me? You know, when the whole world seems to be wrong, it means it’s time to look in the mirror.” She finished looking ahead as AJ did the same, shut up by her remarks. He stole a glance at her while she stared at  where Brian and Lexy stood trying out different outfits for the videos. So, maybe he had been a jerk, so what? It doesn’t mean she hadn’t been just a rude to him.
    “You know what? You’re wrong. I might actually have been an ass, but you’ve done nothing other than give me an attitude! Don’t make me out to be the evil one here.”
    She looked over at him about to say something when Angie came back with the mascara.
    “Here we go now. You’ve got a beautiful skin...” she started doing Cori’s make up as AJ wandered off to do whatever they were calling him to do.
     Half an hour later AJ stood was leaning against a wall watching as they shot a preview of Lexy’s scene with Nick. The couples had been chosen the day of the meeting. After a lot of arguing and puppy dog eyes the couples had been defined. The main couple would be Nick and Alex, because their physical types contrasted, and Nick sang most of the lyrics together with Brian. Kevin and Adele, a model that had worked for the boys before, Howie and Christina, another model who had been picked by Nigel, Brian and LeighAnne, because, well, they were a cute couple and the public was used to them by now, and the last couple would be AJ and Cori. He let out a little laugh as he recalled the day of the decision....
    “So, it’s a settle, Kevin and Adele and the finale couple would be AJ and this lovely lady here.” Mark finished.
    AJ rolled his eyes and  sat back on the chair as Cori’s mouth fell open. Of all of them she had to end up just with the one who despised her.
    “Is that okay?” Mark questioned seeing the couple reaction
    “It is perfectly fine!” Kevin answered for them shooting them a look that said ‘ shut up and go with it’. Slowly they nodded and for a few more minutes settled down the details of the shooting which would occur in three days, at a closed studio in NY.  They finally were able to leave the meeting at 8:00 PM and decided to go back to the hotel and have something to eat.
    They were all together at Kevin’s room, talking and kicking back. Alex and Cori were talking non-stop, keeping the guys amused, even though half of the time they didn’t know what they were talking about. After half an hour Kevin’s stomach growled telling them it was time for room service.
    “What y’all want?” Nick asked holding up the phone to his ear
    “Pizza!” both Lexy and Brian shouted at the same time. Nick chuckled and looked around the room  seeing if anyone had any objections.
    “Pizza’s fine by me.” Howie agreed
    “Okay, pizza fine everybody?” Nick asked to be greeted by a chorus of yea’s and fines. He nodded and started ordering, as the people went back to talking.
    “Hey Cori.” The blond interrupted a minute later
    “Yeah Nick?”
    “What do you like on your pizza.”
    “Cheese.” She smiled back a him.
    “Cheese and what?”
    “Cheese.” She repeated.  He nodded and went back to the phone.
    A couple of minutes later Nick came back to the room where they were talking and slumped down on the couch, slipping an arm around Lexy’s shoulder and kissing her cheek. Everyone stared blankly at them, as Lexy turned her head and quickly pecked Nick’s lips, laying her head on his shoulder. Both of them struggling to keep from cracking up, from the shock evident on their friends’ faces.
    “What?” she mouthed to Brian who was shooting them a disapproval look. He just shook his head and frowned slightly, looking at the window. She bit on her lip, slightly confused at her best friends’ look, but soon shrugged it off as she felt Nick pinching her arm.
    “Ouch! What the hell was that for Carter?!” she asked sitting up, rubbing her arm, as Nick grinned childishly
    “Felt like it.” He shrugged slightly making Lexy roll her eyes and cross her arms over her chest, looking away. “Oh, come on! You know you love me!” he said tugging at her sleeve. She couldn’t keep the smile from coming to her face as he gave her a huge bear hug. She laughed, smacking his shoulder.
    “It’s your fault you’re so damn adorable!” she laughed as he kept his arms around her. She looked at Brian who was shaking his head disapprovingly and rolling his eyes. Now what was up with that?!
    “Woah woah woah!” she looked away from her best friend at the exclamation of Cori. “Since when are you two an item?”  she asked the question in everyone’s mind.
    Nick and Alex looked at each other and began cracking up, as the rest of the room stared confused at them.
    When they had controlled themselves, Lexy began to explain, but as she looked at Nick she began cracking up once again, causing Nick to lose it too. After about 5 minutes of laughing hysterically they finally calmed down.
    “Oh my God! What ARE you two on and why aren’t you sharing?” Cori shook her head as if to clean it, trying to make any sense of her friend’s behavior. Lexy finally began to explain
    “Oh man y’all looked so funny. Nicky and I ain’t really a couple.-“ she was interrupted by Nick’s gasp at her side
    “Wha...What do you mean Alex?! I thought you loved me!” he exclaimed making her crack up again
    “Just.. just shut up Nick!” she smacked him and continued her explanation “Nick and I ain’t really a couple-“ she said shooting Nick a warning look before he said anything else “See, earlier today Nick said something about practicing for the video and we just happened to think it would be a great idea to shock the hell outta y’all. Man, was it worth it.” She said cleaning the shallow tears on the corner of her eyes. The whole room looked strangely at them.
    “Haha, funny Alex.” Cori commented sarcastically rolling her eyes. Lexy glared at her as someone knocked on the door.
    “Room service!” Alex said heading for the door
    “Weirdo.” Cori mumbled looking strangely at Lexy who was getting the pizzas
    “Will any kind gentleman please help me out here?!” she called trying to balance 8 boxes of pizza. Kevin quickly rushed to her side taking half of the boxes and putting it on the table.
    “Hey guys. Where’s AJ?” Nick asked getting up to get some pizza.
    “Um, he mentioned something about wanting to be alone and he’d be in his room.” Howie remembered
    “Will someone get him? I’m sure he must be hungry.” Nick asked taking a bite at his pizza
    “Why don’t you go get him?” Brian snapped at him. Nick looked strangely at him but shrugged
    “I’m busy.” He showed him the pizza slice in his hand as to make his point. Brian rolled his eyes as he took a slice himself.
    “Cori can go get him!” Alex suggested grinning inwardly. If only she could make the two of them see how great of friends they would be.
    “I will not! He hates me!”
    “Does not! Come on, pretty please?” She said pulling at Cori’s hand giving her the puppy dog eyes
    “Damn it Alex, you know someday someone won’t fall for those eyes.” Cori mumbled as she was pushed to the door.
    “Until then go tell AJ food’s here.”
    Alex closed the door and leaned against it, grinning at the guys who were all staring at her with goofy smiles. All but Brian. He was giving her a look that sent chills down her spine and made her knees go weak. His blue eyes penetrated her soul like they never had before. The glint in his eyes showing something that she wasn’t prepared to see. Looking away she shrugged it off and looked at her friends.
    “Coke anyone?” she grinned

*********************************************
    Cori took a deep breath as she neared AJ’s door. She went to knock on it, but it was half-open. A beautiful song was being played as AJ’s raspy voice filled the room. She gasped as she heard the lyrics. She had never heard this song, it was probably a new composition by him

I lay awake
The stars lie above me
I cry a tear
In hopes that you love me
I keep on wondering
What happened, dear?
Was it the stars?
How come you stole my heart?

I need an answer
Baby, please make me whole
I need you here
To fill the gaps of my soul

I want you near
To touch and to hold
Please baby hear
My heart is so cold...

    He finished singing and Cori couldn’t help but clap, startling AJ, making him jump.
    “God you scared me!”
    “That was really good.” She complimented. He looked surprised
    “Thank you.” He answered smiling his adorable half smile, looking away. A minute later she spoke again
    “Did you write that?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Well, it’s beautiful.” She smiled some
    “Thank you... I thought you hated me.” He said looking at her. She sighed lightly
    “Well, I can’t hate you. I barely even know you!”
    “Oh.” He said liking the somewhat peaceful atmosphere
    “I mean, the fact that you are a jerk doesn’t change the fact that you are a good singer.”
    He sighed throwing his hands in the air. “There it is!” he exclaimed glaring at her
    “What?!” she asked frowning
    “The stick you have stuck up your ass! Why did you come here in the first place?” he asked still glaring
    “Because Alex forced me! I came to tell you food’s here.”
    “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.” He challenged crossing his arms over his chest. She sighed angrily
    “Fine! Have it your way. I was only trying to be nice.”
    “If that’s you nice, I don’t even want to be around when your PMSing.”
    “Fuck you! I don’t need this shit!” she said walking out of the door. AJ walked to the door and closed it with a thud.
    “Bitch.”
    “Dick.” She mumbled on the other side of the door.
************
    He shook his head as he came back to the present day, looking over at Alex and Nick.
    “You’re right.”
    He looked at his right, startled by the voice and raised an eyebrow
    “Excuse me?”
    “You are right.” Cori repeated standing beside him, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked at Alex and glanced at AJ sideways. He had a confused look on his face “I guess I was kind of a bitch since I’ve met you. I’m sorry.” She smiled and rolled her eyes when a full smile appeared on his face.
    “Oh, about that. Of course I’m right.”
    “Okay your turn now.” She said turning to him.
    “My turn?”
    “Oh come on!” she glared
    “Fine! I guess I have been a jerk to you too. I’m sorry too. Buddies?” he asked offering her his hand. She smiled as she looked at his hand
    “Buddies. Now let’s hope you don’t go back to being a jerk.”
    “Cori!” he warned as she smiled sheepishly
    “Sorry, force of the habit.”
    He laughed shaking his head.
    “So, what do you think of Alex and Brian?”
    He glanced at her suspiciously “What about them?”
    Cori shifted on her spot “Well... don’t you think that, maybe, they might have... um... feelings... for each other?”
    “Um, yeah. They are best friends.”
    Cori sighed “Well, yeah. But like, more than friendly feelings?”
    “Hell no! I don’t know if you’ve noticed but Brian does have a serious relationship going for him.” He pointed out, looking back at Alex and Nick who were just finishing a scene.
    “Okay, okay. Don’t get defensive! I’m only saying. Well, you should’ve seen the looks Brian was throwing Nick and her when they were cuddling yesterday.”
    “They were what?!”
    She waved him off “Long story, not important. The point IS, I know these things and I’m telling you there are more than brotherly feelings going for them... even if they don’t notice it yet. So, what do you think?” she asked looking up at AJ. He looked at her with a unbelieving look
    “I think you’re crazy.”
    “Who’s crazy?” asked Brian coming up behind them. They looked at each other and Cori begged AJ with her eyes not to tell him.
    “Cori here. She just told me she thinks ‘Nsync is better than us.”
    She glared at him “I did NOT! I just said that I think they are a valid group. I know Lexy is crazy about them though.”
    Brian chuckled “You should’ve seen her when she met Lance Bass. I thought she would pass out.”
Cori laughed “I bet passing out was the last thing on her mind. Unless she was going to pass out under him.” She hinted
    “You are such a perverted person!” AJ exclaimed “I like it!” he added smiling
    She laughed “You would.”
    She gently pulled at AJ’s hand making him look at her, nodding in Brian’s direction with her head. He gave her a weird look then looked at Brian.
    Brian looked over at Alex and Nick, as they acted as a couple, touching and smiling. He frowned, that wasn’t a good thing at all. But then again, Why wasn’t it? They were both his best friends and if they wanted to date each other he had nothing against it. Right? He looked at them again. Okay, maybe not. He couldn’t understand himself. He must be afraid of losing his best friends if they start dating. Yeah, that’s probably it. He settled for that explanation and smiled glancing at Lexy. The way the light made her hair shine and her eyes sparkled when she smiled. He kept watching them as AJ and Cori watched him. AJ shook his head as if that was the most ridiculous idea ever as Cori smiled inwardly.
    “Cut!” the director said into the megaphone.
    Nick and Lexy smiled at each other coming up to where they were standing. Nick had his arm resting lazily around Lexy’s shoulder and Brian again gave her a dirty look.
    “Hey guys! What’s up?” Nick asked high fiving AJ
    “Nothing much. You seem to be having fun though.” He said nodding at Lexy.
    “Oh, yeah. Me and Lexy, Lexy and me. We a good match don’t you think sweetie?” he asked looking down at her.
    “I bet.” Brian mumbled under his breath.
    “What was that Brian?” Alex glared at him.
    “Nothing. I gotta go.” He said moving quickly out of the room.
    “Oh not so fast.” Lexy muttered following him. AJ, Nick and Cori looked on confused.
    “More for me then.” She smiled up at Nick who blushed. AJ laughed.
    “Oh control your hormones girl.”
    “Whatever.”

***********
    Alex pushed the door to the little room open and looked around for Brian. She found him sitting on the couch staring at the turned off TV.
    “Hey.” She said softly
    “Hi.” He said looking at her quickly then looking back at the TV.
    “Bri what’s wrong?” she asked sighing
    “Nothing’s wrong!”
    “Brian Littrell! I know you enough to know there’s something bothering you!”
    “Listen, there’s nothing bothering me.” He said a little aggravated getting up and looking in his bag for something. Lexy sighed as she moved to his side, grabbing his hand, making him look at her
    “You’ve been giving me and Nick dirty looks since yesterday! I want to know what’s wrong!”
    “I told you nothing’s wrong!” he said looking away.
    “Brian what the hell is your problem? Are you jealous?” she asked letting go of his hand. He looked at her and laughed
    “Jealous? Why would I be jealous? If you want to date Nick go ahead!” he snapped at her
    “What the hell is your problem? It’s a video shoot damn it! I’m supposed to get friendly with him!”
    “Get friendly? Oh sure, I bet you’d love to get friendly with him in his hotel room!” he glared
    “Oh my god! Fuck it! You’ve fucking lost it Brian. What the hell are you talki-“ she was interrupted as a pair of warm lips covered her.
    She gasped in surprise and Brian took the chance to slip his tongue in her mouth. Her eyes were wide and she didn’t know what was happening. Brian pulled her closer wrapping his arms around her waist and she slowly began to respond to his kisses. Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck, pulling his mouth closer as her tongue fought over his, massaging his mouth. He moaned as his arms wrapped around her tightly, literally sweeping her off her feet for a moment. She kissed his lips, taken away by the moment. They pulled away breathlessly and stared at each other in surprise.
    “That.. that was...” Lexy was speechless
    “A kiss.” Brian completed breathlessly.
    Lexy nodded then shook her head.  “No, no. That... that was nothing. That did not happen. Because you are in love with LeighAnne and I would never do that to her.” She finished nodding her head repeatedly.
    “Right! Of course, I am in love with LeighAnne.” Brian nodded
    They looked at each other for a minute and flew to each other’s arms, Brian’s mouth engulfing hers as his arm again pulled her closer. She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck, slipping her tongue into his mouth, fighting his for control. They were so lost in the kiss they didn’t hear the door opening.
    “Yo, Cori asked if-Holy shit!!” AJ exclaimed when he saw the two of them. They quickly broke apart, looking at AJ then looking at each other. AJ was astonished at the door, his mouth hanging open.
    “Lexy.” Brian said trying to reach for her. She shook her head moving away.
    “I... I should go.” She blurted out running out of the door. He sighed and turned to AJ, who threw his hands up in surrender
    “I don’t wanna know man.” He said moving out of the room leaving Brian alone. He sighed as he ran a hand over his face. What the hell had he done?