"She said that she doesnt think things will work out between us, and the more that I think about it, the more I know that she is right. She totally was not my type at all" Brian said. He lowered his head into his hands. Nick sat beside him, listening to Brians story about what had happened the night before between him and Leigh Anne.
"Are you going to be okay man? You know, Im here for you" Nick said, patting Brians shoulder.
"I'll be alright, I think this is for the best, if anything. Leigh Anne was too controlling, and I also didnt like the way she treated the fans" Brian said "She made them feel uncomfortable to be around us, and I didnt like that"
"You know, I always did get weird vibes from that woman" Nick said, chuckling to himself.
"Are you sure you don't mind me staying here, bro?" Brian asked. Because of his bad break of up Leigh Anne, Nick had invited Brian to stay at his and Tara's house, since Brian had previously been living with Leigh Anne and had no where to go.
"Definetly sure! Why would I not want my best man around?" Nick asked. Brian shrugged his shoulders.
"I dont know, just dont want to interrupt you and Tara..."
"Don't worry about it, she's totally excited about you staying with us. You can stay as long as you want" Nick said.
"Thanks Frack" Brian said, giving Nick a hug.
It is now January of the year 2001, eight months since the whole Tara-Justin-Nick situation had came to an end, and since Nick had won over Tara's heart.
In the past eight months, Nick had treated Tara like a queen, showing her his love constantly. Tara, in return, showed her love constantly back to Nick. People would often get annoyed at how lovey-dovey Nick and Tara were together, even though they couldn't help but somewhat be envious.
Karine and AJ's relationship was still going on strong. New Years Eve of 2000, one month ago, AJ proposed to Karine by singing to her from the top of a float in a parade that the BSB were on. Of course, Karine accepted AJ's engagement. They had started to plan a wedding for March of the year 2002.
Marie and Kevin's relationship went off and on, depending on their fights. As much as they loved eachother, they fought often over various issues such as marriage and children. The couple seemed to separate, but always end up back together again, it was almost resembling something you would see on a Soap Opera.
Brian and Leigh Anne had broken up that day, present time, because Leigh Anne became too controlling and Brian didnt feel like he was free anymore. Heartbroken, he moved out of their house and had moved in that night with Nick and Tara.
"Well, I'm kind of getting tired.. I think I'm going to head off to bed" Nick said. He checked his watch, it was almost midnight.
"I'll be heading off to bed soon too. I'm just going to stay up for a little while longer" Brian said.
"Alright, just turn off the lights when you go up" Nick replied. He stood up off the couch in his South Park boxers and went up the stairs to his room.
"I was wondering when you were going to come up..." Tara said. She put down her magazine on the night table beside her and Nick's bed. Nick and Tara now shared a room together, instead of staying in separate rooms.
"I was just talking to Brian.." Nick said. He laid down on the bed, underneath the covers, and turned onto his side to face Tara.
"How is he doing?" Tara asked. She had left the boys alone downstairs to have some guy talk.
"He's doing alright.. their break up kind of shook him up, it was a little unexpected on his part. Overall, he says he is happy about it tho.." Nick said. He reached out his arms and surrounded them around Tara, snuggling up next to her for some cuddling while they talked.
"I hope Brian will feel better soon.. he deserves to be happy" Tara said. Nick looked down and smiled at her.
"You know what makes me happy?" Nick asked. Tara looked up at him and grinned.
"Yeah... that too" Nick giggled "but, just being here with you.. gives me the best feeling in the world. My natural high"
Tara turned her face upwards to his and gave him a kiss.
"I love you more than anything else in this world, Nickolas Carter" Tara said, looking into Nick's sparkling baby blue eyes.
"I feel the exact same way about you, Tara. I wouldnt know what I'd do without you.."
"You don't have to worry about that Nick, I'm all yours, and only yours" Tara said. She ran a finger softly around his face, tracing his various features such as his nose and lips, and his cute dimples.
Nick moved his face around her finger and kissed her, turning out the lamp on the table which was on his side of the bed. He inched himself up a little higher than her and turned to lay on his back, so she could cuddle up beside him and rest her head on the top of his chest near his shoulder, and he could hold her close to him while they slept soundly.
"So do you know where you are going to have Nick's party yet?" Marie asked Tara. The three girls, Tara, Karine and Marie, sipped at their drinks at the East Side Marios restaurant which was in the mall, they were having their weekly day of shopping.
"Well, I've thought about it and I think it would be really cool if we went to Busch Gardens! We would rent the hall thats in there, to have the party in, and go on the rides during the evening and stuff. I've talked to the manager there, and he said that in cases of celebrity appearances, they do keep the park open after hours so that the celebrities can go on the rides without getting mobbed by a crowd" Tara said.
"Really? That's a great idea.. you know how much Nick loves rollercoasters" Karine said. "Too bad AJ and I dont like them that much.." She laughed.
"There's something for everyone there tho. There's the shows, animals, rollercoasters, regular rides... everything!" Tara said. "you guys are still gonna help me set this up right?" Tara asked.
"Oh yeah, AJ said he'd help too, if you need him"
"Great! thanks" Tara said. She pulled out a list of things that she needed to do for the party, and checked off some things, and wrote down their names beside the different areas that needed to be taken care of.
"What does Nick want for his birthday? I can't think of anything to get him" Marie said.
"Oh you know Nick, a video game will do him fine!" Tara said, laughing.
"Video games? still? hes going to be 21!" Mar said with a look of surprise.
"Yeah, hes like a big kid!" Tara said, shaking her head.
"What did you get him?" Mar asked.
"I got him this ring..." Tara said. She pulled out a small bag from her backpack and took out the little box. Inside the box was a gold band, an inscription made on the front and the back. On the outside of the ring, it said I LOVE YOU, and on the inside it was signed LOVE TARA
"Awww he is going to love that!" Mar said, looking at the golden ring infront of her.
"I hope so!" Tara said.
"Its not an engagement right, is it?" Karine asked.
"No.. Its just a ring to show him how I feel.. so whenever he looks at it he will be reminded that I love him"
"Oh that is such a sweet idea" Marie said. Tara took the box back and put it in the bag, and back into her backpack.
"And of course... you'll be giving him you right?" Marie asked with a smile.
"That goes without saying" Tara replied with a grin. Marie and Karine laughed.
"How is College going, Tara?" Karine asked. Tara had started her first year of College in September, 2000. She was taking a two year course for Early Childhood Education.
"Pretty good.. just started second semester. I did real well on my end of first semester exams" Tara said with a smile.
"Thats great!" Karine replied "What does Nick think about you going to College?"
"Hes happy for me, infact I think it makes him a little jealous cuz he wants to go to College also, but he cant cuz of the band" Tara said.
"Yeah, Alex was saying that he would like to take a music course, but he doesnt have the time right now" Karine said.
"Its all timing out good, though. When College ends in April, thats when the Boys start their tour for the USA, so I'll be free to go with Nick and not worry about missing school" Tara said.
"Yeah that is great news!" Karine said.
"And here are my three favourite women" AJ's voice came from behind their table. The three girls turned around and saw AJ standing there. Karine stood up and gave AJ a kiss.
"How was your shopping day, girls?"
"Great! I bought some new clothing material" Mar said. Mar loves making her own clothes, and wanted to be a designer.
"I got Nick's present" Tara said, writing stuff down in her little organizer book.
"I just got various things" Karine said, holding up about two bags of clothes.
"How are things going with the party plans?" AJ asked Tara.
"They're coming along. How does a day/evening at Busch Gardens sound to you?"
"Sounds like a blast!" AJ replied. Tara nodded and smiled "great!" she said.
"I think you should go home to Nicky soon tho.." AJ said to Tara.
Tara shut her book and looked up at AJ with a smile.
"Why's that?" she asked.
"Cuz I just talked to him on the phone, and he's missing you..." AJ said.
"awwww... okay... Im going home, girls. I'll call you later!" Tara said. She quickly hugged Mar, Karine and AJ, then headed off to the parkinglot to find her car, the one that Nick had bought her for Christmas.
"Nick's messed!" Marie said, laughing.
"Hey.. I cant blame the guy.. I know what its like to be away from your girl for half a day.. its a nightmare" AJ said, giving Karine a kiss.
Mar made a face at AJ and Karine, and then grabbed her bags.
"Im going home also.. Chris is calling me" Mar said.
"Chris Kirkpatrick? You still talk to him?" AJ asked.
"Yeah, of course! Hes my friend. But dont tell Kev, he gets too jealous about these kinds of things" Mar said "Well.. gotta go.. see ya"
"Bye!!" Karine and AJ said in unison.