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» CHAPTER ONE «

"And our no.1 song this week is... drum-roll please, Twilight from Alex! Alex as I'm sure all of you know very well is a very talented, not to mention beautiful girl who had just come back from touring Europe with the Backstreet Boys. This is her first single and already she has quite a large following. First time on the chart, and no.1 at that, here is 'Twilight'!" The scene on the television changed and the beginnings of the song came on.

Alex watched with a dreamy expression on her face as she mouthed the words to her song, the song that she wrote herself. As she watched herself on tv, she had this strange feeling that everything was not quite real and when the music trailed off, she was still staring at the screen with a faraway look in her big chocolate eyes.

Nick stared at Alex in amusement as she kept her eyes fixed on the tv set for the next ten minutes before turning to him and asking, "What was that?"

"A toothpaste ad?" Nick replied innocently.

Alex smacked him on the head, "No! You know what I meant!"

"What?" As Alex raised her hand again to smack him, Nick surrendered, "'Twilight' is the no.1 song this week."

"Why can't I believe that I'm not dreaming?" Alex asked, "Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to wake up right now and find that it's all a dream?"

Nick chuckled lightly and moved to pinched her arm. "Ow!" she glared at him, "What the hell was that for?"

"Now you know you're not dreaming," he smirked and before he could react, Alex pounced on him and tickled him until he was out of breath.

When Kevin came in to check out what all the fuss was, he found Alex lying on top of a red-faced and wriggling Nick. Sounds that were half groans and half laughs were emitting from Nick while Alex was laughing at her victim's attempts to get away.

Brian stuck his head into the room moments later and found his cousin and Nick ganging up on Alex and they were running around the room, shouting the house down.

AJ was taking a nap when someone jumped on him. Upon checking, he found that it was Alex - with Brian, Nick and Kevin tickling her.

Howie walked into the house minutes later only to be treated with a blast of water from Nick's super-soaker. Before long, the house which was relatively neat before became a pigsty and the five world's most sought after boys with one just becoming hot girl collapsed tired and soaking wet on the floor. They were still laughing.

All traces of the childishness she had displayed yesterday fled like it was never there before. The 18-year-old Chinese lass looked nothing like the drowned rat yesterday. Today, seated across Julie Forlick, the reporter from US's Teen magazine, Alex looked calm, composed and friendly. She also looked more mature than her 18 years and definitely beautiful.

She wore a simple white button-down shirt and a boot-cut jeans. Her long black tresses flowed down her back and reached all the way to her waist. Her big brown eyes were sparkling and her generous mouth were turned up at the corners in a warm smile.

"Hi," and so the long interview began. Julie was friendly and not nosy like some of the reporters Alex had met. Everything was going well and the questions were what Alex had expected until Julie asked, "It is rumored that you and Nick Carter of BSB are dating, so is it true?"

Alex stared at Julie with a strange expression for so long that Julie was sure that the rumor had to have credit. But when Alex burst out laughing a moment later, Julie was thrown off balance. Alex laughed so long and hard that tears ran down her eyes. Finally, she stopped. "Are you kidding? Me? Dating Nick? I have never heard anything so ridiculous! That's like saying I'm marrying my brother!" Alex exclaimed.

Julie smiled, "That is not the only rumor circulating. Some rumors even have you in a love triangle with Britney Spears and Justin of N' Sync. Some even say that you're in love with Britney Spears. Others have it that you have actually married Kevin secretly in Spain."

Alex never thought she heard anything more absurd. They are saying that she's everything from a third-party to a lesbian to a married woman and she's not even twenty yet! Oh well, the price of fame. A few more questions and Alex was off the hook. After thanking Julie, Alex whipped out her sunglasses and headed out the office. She had the rest of the day to herself after this interview while Nick and co had to stay with Fatima to perfect their dance-steps for the US tour which Alex was again supposed to tour with them.

As she stepped outside the building, Alex took in a deep breath, breathing in the smell of freedom. It had been a long time since she was allowed out by herself without at least three bodyguards beside her.

As she hit the sidewalk, people, mostly teenagers gave her strange looks which she studiously ignored.

’A day off, what should I do?’ Alex pondered. She could go back to the house and catch up on her sleep, but somehow, she knew that today was not the day to spend sleeping. She was still pondering what to do when she literally walked into someone.

’He smells great,’ was Alex's irrational first thought when she collided into a strong and broad chest. She nearly fell but a pair of strong arms shot out and steadied her. "Careful," a warm husky voice said, warming her to her toes. Alex looked up and her apologies died a quick death on her lips.

The smile froze on Jeff's face as the girl raised her head to him. That face, so familiar, yet not.

The girl shook her head and reached up to take off her sunglasses. To his disappointment, he saw that her eyes were large and framed with long thick lashes, this girl obviously could see, unlike...

Quickly, Jeff lowered his arms and stepped back. A look of disappointment crossed the girl's beautiful face. "I'm sorry," she said.

Jeff tried to smile, "That's all right." He hesitated as he once again stared into the girl's familiar brown eyes but forced himself to look away and walked away from her. The further his legs brought him away from her, the more lost he felt.

He felt like he was losing her - again.

Alex stared at the disappearing back of the man and felt that she should know him. He felt so strangely familiar to her. Why? Shrugging off the feeling, she turned and walked away.

Alex was channel-surfing when she saw the music video of "I Do (Cherish You)" and the man she bumped into earlier today. Acting entirely on reflexes, she grabbed the nearest person who happened to be Brian and who happened to be dozing and shook him awake. Pointing to the screen, she demanded, "Quick! Tell me who that guy is!"

Brian was on the verge of kissing some exotic babe clad in a scanty swimsuit on a deserted island when he was rudely awakened. "What?" he asked, irritated.

"Brian, if you don't wake up this instant, I'm going to announce to the entire world in my next interview that you drool in your sleep and like to cross-dress as a woman. And don't think I won't do it!" Alex threatened.

The threat did the trick and Brian's eyes popped open. "What?"

"Who's that guy?"

Brian stared at the tv set and frowned, "Um... Je... Jerry? No wait, it's Jeremy, no, it's... Jeff! Yes, it's Jeff." Brian turned back to Alex, narrowing his baby-blues, "That's what you woke me up for?"

But Alex wasn't listening anymore. All she knew was that his name is Jeff. And he's a singer. That probably explains why she found him familiar, but how does that explain the fact that she felt like she knew him?

"Hello? Alex?" Brian pretended to knock Alex's head, "Is anyone up there?" Still no reply. Exasperated, Brian shook Alex, "Wake up Alex. It's too early for you to dream."

Alex blinked several times. "What?"

Brian sighed, "What's wrong with you?"

Alex gave him a weird look, "Nothing's wrong."

"Then don't wake me up for nothing, will you? I was having the most wonderful dream and you woke me up from that. It was unpardonable," Brian complained.

Alex smiled impishly, "Bet you anything that you were dreaming of scantily clad girls alone on a deserted island with you. Probably a Pamela Anderson lookalike."

Brian blushed guiltily and got up from the sofa. "I'm going back to my room," he mumbled.

"Ha! I was right!" Alex declared triumphantly.

Brian refused to answer and beat a hasty retreat before more blood was drawn - out of him.

Fatima grabbed the panting girl and heaved her onto her feet, "Up girl. You have a lot to learn and so little time. You're letting precious time slip away, come on, up!"

Alex groaned as her body protested to the abuse. As soon as Fatima released her, Alex collapsed back onto the floor, "Have a heart Fatima, I can't even move! How do you expect me to dance?" she wailed.

Fatima stared at the young Chinese girl lying on the floor and her expression became one of determination. This girl has great potential and with Fatima's help, she could become as hot as the Backstreet Boys, she was not going to let this girl's chance at stardom slip away just because she couldn't dance well!

"Alex, I'm warning you, if you don't get up at this instant and perfect this routine for me, I'm going to prolong this session. You have only an hour of practice left, but if you don't get your butt here, I'll continue for at least another two!" 'When all else fails, threaten,' that was Fatima's strategy. And so far, that never fails to work.

Alex opened her eyes and whimpered pitifully for effect, only to have Fatima gave her the evil eye. Slowly, wincing at every move she made, Alex got up on her feet. Fatima smiled triumphantly.

"You're falling into your soup, Alex," Howie drawled from beside her. "Had a tough day with Fatima?"

Alex jerked back and shot Howie a glare which he returned with a wide-eyed look. "She's inhuman! How can you put up with her?" Alex complained, leaning on Kevin who was on the other side of her. Kevin gave her a 'do you mind' look which she pointedly ignored. Kevin sighed.

"She's not that bad, she just wants us to reach our potential. You'll get use to it," AJ informed her as he shoved a fry into his mouth.

Alex closed her eyes, "I'll never get use to it," she muttered, thinking how comfortable this position was. Moments later, she's asleep.

Thirty minutes later, Kevin felt his shoulder becoming numb. It wasn't exactly easy to support her not so light head for the past thirty minutes. If she wants to sleep, she can go back to her room. He wasn't going to be her pillow. Kevin cleared his throat, once, twice, thrice. No reaction. He kicked Nick under the table.

"What?" Nick looked up from his Gameboy, annoyed.

"She's asleep?" Kevin asked softly.

Nick peered at Alex, and a smile washed over his poster-friendly face. He nodded his confirmation.

Kevin sighed deeply and sent a prayer heavenwards for guidance. "Help get her off me, she's not exactly a feather, you know. My shoulder's numb!" Kevin hissed at the grinning youngest member of the group.

"You'll lend me the white shirt I've been eyeing for quite some time now?" Nick asked.

Kevin closed his eyes, wishing that he could cosh Nick on his bloody head. "Yes!" Kevin answered a moment later, when he realized he had no choice. "Just get her off me!"

Smiling, Nick came around the table and effortlessly lifted Alex into his arms. "You're free," he said cheerfully to which Kevin gave him a black look. "Next time, you're sitting next to her!" Kevin said and stormed off, thinking of his favourite white Gucci shirt which was going to be ruined by Nick soon. This was all Alex's fault. And AJ, Brian and Howie's faults for insisting on going out to party. By the time he reached his room, he was already planning on how to get rid of Nick, Alex, Howie, Brian and AJ's bodies and wondering if he could get away with murder.

Nick watched in amusement as Kevin slammed his bedroom door shut with a resounding bang. Nick could practically see the smoke coming out of his ears.

At the loud commotion Kevin made, Alex stirred. She turned her face to Nick's shoulder and her arms came around Nick like she was hugging her pillow. Nick's amusement fled and unease set in as he looked down at the sleeping beauty in his arms. What was he to do with her?

Heaving a sigh, he walked to the couch and settled down in it. There was no hope for it, the girl had a death grip on his waist. He couldn't get rid of her if he wanted to. Shifting his body to a comfortable position, he resigned himself to a long wait ahead of him. Five minutes later, Nick too fell asleep.

Laughing at his own clumsiness, Howie tried once again to fit the key into the lock and this time he succeeded. Shooting a victory look at AJ who was supporting an unconscious Brian, Howie pushed the door open.

As the three drunkards stumbled inside the house, they blanched at the sight of two intertwined bodies on the couch. Blinking several times didn't make the vision go away. Finally, Howie walked unsteadily to the couch and squinted at the sleeping figures. His eyes rounded. Hell! It was Nick and Alex!

Nick tucked his chin just above Alex's head and had his arms draped about Alex's body. Alex had her arms around Nick's waist and was lying on top Nick with her head on his chest. Nick was snoring softly and Alex had a soft smile on her face.

"Damn!" Howie muttered under his breath, exchanging a confused look with AJ.

Turning quickly from the couple, Howie hurried to help AJ with Brian. Halfway across the room however, Howie and AJ heard Alex say loud and clear, "Jeff."

Both froze in their tracks before scurrying into their room, trying to erase tonight's episode from their minds.

¤ Chapter 2 ¤
REMEMBER to send feedback to the author, Kerry