“Nick! Nick!!” Girls screamed from the side rails of the red carpet. Nick smiled brightly and waved.
“Go sign some autographs for them..” Cassidy nudged.
“You sure?” Nick asked warily.
“Yeah of course! I’ll catch up with you later!” Cassidy smiled.
“Ok…see ya soon..” Nick waved and then walked over to the girls on
the side.
“Isn’t this the coolest??” Becca whispered to Holly as they walked down the red carpet. Screams and excited chatter filled the air, while camera flashes mimicked a lightning storm as more and more
famous, beautiful faces filed into the auditorium.
“Mr. Littrell!” A recognizable blonde from Entertainment Tonight
called out to Brian.
“Hi…” He smiled brightly. The girl put the microphone closer to Brian.
“Now, Brian…you and the boys have been over in Europe for quite some time on your huge tour. Do you think that this will improve your chances for the awards you’re nominated for tonight?” The lady
asked.
“Umm…you know, you can never tell at things like this just is who’s gonna win. We’ve been having an awesome time on this tour and if we go home empty handed tonight…then, that’ll be fine with us, we’re
just happy to be nominated..” Brian nodded in his gorgeous southern accent.
“Well good luck Brian…” The lady nodded.
“Thankyou…have a good night.” Brian smiled and walked quickly to catch up with Becca.
“Is that your girlfriend Cassidy?” One girl got the courage up to ask as Nick signed various things for her and her friends. Nick looked over to where they were pointing and smiled. Cassidy
was on bended knee, talking to the kid from Sixth Sense and looking at his poke`mon cards. He laughed.
“Yeah that’s her…” He smiled.
“Cool….” She smiled.
“Hey I’d better get going…you guys keep warm ok?” He gave them a wink and turned around, walking over to Cassidy’s direction.
“Oh my god! Did he just wink at us!?!?” The girls squealed.
Nick shook his head and kept walking.
*Inside*
“These are our seats here guys…” Howie said and gestured Holly to
go first.
“Such a gentleman..” She giggled.
“You know it..” He smiled and followed her along the aisle.
"Oh you're kidding me....we've gotta sit in front of the loser brigade tonight??" Kelly, Justin's girlfriend hissed as she looked behind her and saw the Backstreet Boys and their girlfriends filing into the row behind them.
"Don't worry babe, they got no chance..." Justin smirked.
"What'd you just say Timberhead?" Nick turned around.
"Uhh, that'd be Timberlake Carter...although you're probably a little slow since your mom pimped you for fame so bad you never even went to high school..." Chris said nastily.
"Oh you're gonna..." Nick started until Cassidy grabbed his hand.
"Nick...leave it..." She said quietly squeezing his hand.
"Yeah, do as mommy says...although the cosmetic surgery is definatly paying off for her..." Joey said checking Cassidy out.
"Smartass comments aren't gonna save you when we wipe the floor with you tonight..." Kevin came in, staring Joey down threateningly.
"Geez man, aren't you on a pension yet?" Justin looked Kevin up and down.
"Good to see you finally hit puberty Justin.... Although all your pubic hair seems to have gone to your head..." AJ laughed prodding Justin’s multicoloured 'fro'.
"...don't fuckin' diss the 'fro' man..." Justin said through gritted teeth.
"Guys stop it! This is so childish.." Becca rolled her eyes.
"And are you selling Brownie cookies today too miss goody two shoes??" A skanky blonde attached to JC's arm turned around.
"Excuse me...."hoe's are us" have a sale huh?" Becca looked at her purple leather/feather outfit unapprovingly.
"Are you gonna let him talk to me that way JC??" The blonde pouted.
"Man Carla will you just shutup!...The damn show's starting!" JC said annoyed, pulling his arm out of her grasp.
Cassidy looked carefully at Nick’s stony face as he sat in his seat.
She smiled slightly and reached over to hold his hand.
He pulled his hand out of her reach and continued to look ahead.
"Nick?" She asked quietly, her smile immediately fading.
No reply.
"Tell me you didn't take what that clown said personally..." She said in disbelief.
"Its true isn't it..." He said shrugging.
"What?? Nick...no..." Cassidy began speechless. She had no idea that Nick had been offended this seriously by what Chris and Joey had said.
"Of course it is.....I didn't even go to high school, I'm a dumbass..I shouldn't even be here..." Nick looked around.
"Nick, no one deserves to be here more than you and the four guys sitting next to you...it doesn't matter what schooling you've had..." Cassidy whispered to Nick.
"I did get a diploma you know..." Nick looked at her with a sad expression.
"I know you did baby....and you worked for it...and its hanging above your bed in your house...i know.." Cassidy reassured him.
"You saw it?" Nick asked surprised.
"Yeah.." Cassidy smiled.
"Its a real one you know...just like you get in high school.." He informed her.
"I'm sure it is Nick..." Cassidy laughed a little and kissed his hand as they turned to watch the first award being presented.
AJ leaned over and planted a discrete kiss on Kirstie’s shoulder.
“You look amazing tonight….” He whispered into her ear.
“AJ…shhhh….” Kirstie giggled and pushed his wandering hand off her upper thigh.
“Are you having a good time?” Howie asked Holly concerned.
“Howie….it wouldn’t matter, just as long as I’m finally with you…” She gently laid her head on his shoulder.
“I’ve missed you so much…” Howie said running a hand gently across her arm.
“Hey Howie…..do you know what this Nadine girls problem is?” Holly asked quietly.
Howie froze and looked at Holly questioningly.
“Uhh….what do you mean baby?” He asked carefully.
“Well, she went off at Becca and the girls today….and I got the feeling, I don’t know, that she hates me as well for some reason….I don’t know if I’m just being silly, but its just the feeling I got…” Holly tried to explain.
“She doesn’t even know you…..how could she be mad at you..” Howie soothed.
“Yeah….you’re right…” Holly shrugged.
“Don’t worry yourself about Nadine….she’s just dealing with some stuff right now..” Howie swallowed the lump of guilt in his throat and Holly entwined her fingers with Howie’s lovingly.
“Ok…” She smiled up at him.
Becca and Brian listened to Holly and Howie’s conversation and looked at each other worriedly.
“I have a bad feeling about this….” Brian whispered to Becca.
“I know, Howie should tell her…” Becca replied and Brian nodded in agreement.
“Ok we have to go backstage and get ready after Tom Jones finishes his speech…..so we’ve got a little time left…” Brian grinned looking at his watch.