September 1998 finally arrived. It was a big month for AJ and Nick, who were both starting school at the same time. AJ had been accepted into the Orlando College of Music, while Nick had registered into grade 13 of West Palm Beach High School.
"Wake up Nick! Its your turn to use the bathroom" BJ said, pushing Nick so he would wake up.
"Ahh let me sleep" Nick said half asleep.
"No! Sorry, you're my ride to school. Get up!" BJ said. Nick got out of bed and stood up.
BJ left Nicks room, letting him get ready for school. Nick walked into the bathroom and took a shower, styled his hair, and then changed into his Hilfiger jeans and a Tommy Shirt. Today was Nicks first day of high school.
Nick walked downstairs and had a bowl of Count Chocula cereal, which was left on the table by Aaron, who had ran into the bathroom right after Nick came out.
At around 8:00, Nick made sure that Aaron and Angel had caught their bus for school. After they were on the bus, Nick rounded up BJ and Lesley, grabbed his bookbag and got into his car. Nick and BJ dropped Lesley off at Orange Grove Middle School, then headed to West Palm Beach High.
As the the sports car turned into the parking lot of West Palm Beach, people looked at the nice car. Nick parked the car, and BJ got out.
"Do you have your class schedule?" BJ asked Nick, before shutting the door.
"Yeah, its in my pocket" Nick said.
"Alright.. well, see you after school!" BJ said, and then she slammed the door and ran off to her friends who were waiting nearby.
Nick climbed out of his car and flung his backpack over his shoulders onto his back. He looked up at the huge building infront of him, which was three floors high and very large.
All the teens looked soo different, you could tell that there was still separated groups, however, this time there was more groups. As Nick looked around, he could distinguish the different groups. The skids that thought it was cool to get high were standing across the street, lighting up their cigarettes and acting really foolish. Over by the rest of the cars were the Tech Group, the people who loved to fix up cars. On the front steps of the school, there was the crowd sporting fancy sports jackets, and were muscled guys, with pretty girls around them. Those were the jocks. There was the preps, the crowd that sported Brand Name clothing only, and looked down at those who didnt wear the same kind of clothes as them. Then there was the artsy type, who had their own unique kind of dress, and then there was the regulars, the ones who wore anything they felt like.
Nick walked up the steps of the high school and entered the building.
"Hey, arent you Nick Carter?" A grade 9 girl asked as Nick entered the building.
"yeah, I am" Nick said.
"Can I have your autograph?" The girl asked politely.
"sure" Nick said, and then he signed her binder.
"Thanks!" the girl said and then she took off.
Nick headed down the long hallway, and then went down to the tech hall, where all the senior's lockers were held. The seniors had the best lockers in the school, they were large and tall, and had alot of space to hold all of their books and belongings.
Nick found his locker and began to put his books in there. After putting his lock on his locker, he walked around, trying to see if he recognized anyone from his neighbourhood that he knew that he could talk to. Nick didnt have much time, and before he knew it, the five minute bell went, which meant he had five minutes to get to class. First class was History, room 209.
"Awesome" Nick thought, since he loved History. Nick walked up to the second floor, and found his room. As he entered the room, some of the people looked at him, and remembered him as one of the members of the Backstreet Boys, however didnt say much because it might have been a touchy subject. Nick recognized a few people from his Middle School, they were Josh, Ryan and Pam. Memories of his Middle School years flashed before him, remembering all the torment and turmoil that the students put him through, except for Tara and Melissa. Josh and Ryan stared at the 6'1" Blonde haired, blue eyed tall guy walking into class.
"I cant believe hes back" Ryan whispered to Josh.
"Yeah, I know! This time, hes taller than you, though!" Josh joked.
"shut up" Ryan said.
"I think he's pretty hot" Pam said, looking at Nick.
Nick took a seat near the middle of the aisle at the side of the class near the windows.
"Hey, Im Brad" One of the regular boys said to Nick, who was sitting beside him.
"Hey, Im Nick" Nick said.
"First day back at a regular school?" Brad asked, knowing Nick was a BSB.
"yeah, it feels weird" Nick said.
"It'll get better. High school's awesome.. its nothing like elementary" Brad said.
"Thats good news" Nick laughed.
While talking with Brad, Nicks attention was drawn to the girl who had just walked into class. The girl was 5'5", but had on tall shoes, kind of like the spice girl shoes, which made her 5'5". She had beautiful brown hair, with golden blonde highlights in them, and the most amazing brown eyes that Nick had ever seen.
Brad looked over at the girl that caught Nicks attention.
"You like her?" Brad asked, looking at the girl.
"Shes beautiful!" Nick said.
"Do you know if she has a boyfriend?" Nick whispered to Brad.
"Well, she was seeing Ryan Adam, but I heard that they broke up this past summer" Brad said.
"Oh, so shes one of those popular girls?" Nick asked, remembering that Ryan Adam was the main guy that used to bug him a long time ago.
"No, not really. I mean, she has lots of friends and all, but she doesnt really hang out with the popular crowd that much" Brad replied. "They broke up this summer though, I heard that he cheated on her with Pam Edwards" Brad said. Nick looked over at Pam, who was at the back of the class flirting with Ryan.
The brown haired girl walked over to where Brad and Nick were sitting, and took a seat infront of Brad. Her friend took the seat infront of her.
When lunch hour came around, Nick headed to his locker to grab some money to buy his lunch. Nick met up with Brad, and Brads friends. Brad introduced Nick to the rest of his buds, and they all welcomed Nick to the school. They headed into the cafeteria to get some food.
As Nick stood in line with his new friends, he saw the same girl that was in his History class a few people ahead of him. Nick pushed his way up to where she was, pretending to get some chips from the rack that was near her. As he grabbed a bag, he slid into line two people behind her. After paying for his chips and the rest of the meal, Nick waited up for Brad.
"Yo man, I really have to introduce myself to her" Nick said.
"Do it, then!" Brad said.
"you think I should?" Nick asked.
"yeah!" Brad said, trying to encourage Nick.
"alright.." Nick said, and then he headed into the direction of the girl.
"Oh my God.. hes coming over" Melissa said to Tara, as they started to eat their lunch.
"Do you think he remembers me??" Tara asked, smiling at Melissa.
Nick approached the table.
"Hi, Im Nick" Nick said to the two girls. Tara started blushing like crazy looking at Nick, and smiled at him.
"You dont remember me, do you, Nick?" Tara asked. Nick didnt know who she was, because she looked very different from the last time that he saw her.
"its me, Tara!!!" Tara said. Nick dropped his mouth in shock.
"Tara?!?! From Orange Grove Middle School?" Nick asked, trying to be sure it was really her.
"Yeah!!! Thats me!" Tara said. "You remember Melissa right?" Tara asked.
"Of course!! Oh my God, I didnt recognize you at all, Im soo sorry!" Nick said, apologizing and being in shock about how Tara looks soo different from the last time he saw her.
"Its alright!!! Hows your first day of school?" the beautiful brown haired girl asked.
"its been good so far! I mean, its definetly not like Middle School" Nick said to Tara.
"Mind if I sit down?" Nick asked.
"Of course not! Have a seat!" Tara said. "You know, I'm a really big fan of the Backstreet Boys! You should see my room, its like, a shrine to BSB!" Tara said laughing.
"oh really?" Nick asked, laughing.
"yeah!" Tara said.
"Have you ever seen us in concert?" Nick asked.
"yup!! Four times!" Tara said proudly.
"wow!!!" Nick said. "So you really have kept up with the band and all?" Nick asked.
"of course! I love the Backstreet Boys! And not to mention, I was also friends with the cute blonde haired guy in Middle School" Tara said, smiling at Nick. Nick blushed a little and then thanked her for the compliment. Brad and his buddies changed tables to go and sit with Nick, Tara and Melissa.
"Hello Tara" Joe said. Joe was one of Brads friends, who had a crush on Tara.
"Hello Joe" Tara said, smiling at him. Nick saw the smile and went silent.
For the rest of the lunch hour, the group sat there and talked about their summer, while Nick talked about the BSB and the world.