Kian and I talked a lot and we really got to know each other. Ashley seemed to be hitting it off with Shane. Even though he did look at her weird when she asked him about Humphrey the Pimpin’ Snowman. Kian seemed to forget that one remark he’d made.

We arrived at the airport. The flight was long but I can’t say that there was a bit of boredom. Just as we were about to get up and get off the plane, Kian offered me his cell phone number.
"Well I guess this is the end of the line. Listen, here’s me mobile number," he said and looked for something to write on. He asked Ronan for a pen and got one. Finally he reached out and grabbed my hand and wrote his number on there.
"You want my pager number?" I asked.
"Yeah. Sure. Maybe we can get together New Year’s."
Ooh an offer that I couldn’t resist. He held his hand out and had me write the number on it. He hugged me, which also surprised me. I couldn’t help but hug him back.
"Call me ok?" I said. I couldn’t believe how forward I was.
"I promise I will. Even if we can’t get together. I promise."

He and the other guys put on sunglasses trying to be incognito. It really wasn’t working. C’mon. Five guys looking like Westlife with two guys that looked like Louis Walsh and Ronan Keating.
They got off in front of us and as they faded into the crowd of people Kian blew me a kiss. I did the same back to him.
"Well that went well," I said. "Who would have ever thought we’d be on the same plane as Westlife? Look at this too." I showed Ashley my hand, with the number on it.
"So how did things go with Shane?"
"Oh, ok I guess. He wasn’t impressed with my psychic abilities and wasn’t amused by Humphrey the Pimpin’ Snowman. He was really nice. Just not my type."
"Oh. Did you talk to anyone else?"
"Actually yeah. The one that I totally dissed before he got on the plane. I said he was a Nick Carter wannabe. He said I was cheeky."
"Ooh."
"And?"
"His name’s Bryan right?"
"Yeah."
"And Mark, I think that’s what his name is, slept. And the other blonde one, he is hot. I kept talking to Shane but checking him out. Damn he was fine."
"Yeah. He is. Nicky’s dating the Irish Prime Minister’s daughter. Georgina Aherne. They’ve been going out for five years and are engaged."
"Like we have a chance with these guys anyway, Laura. They live in Ireland and we live in America. There’s a little pond called the Atlantic Ocean separating us. Did you think of that?"
"So what? It’d be one hell of a story to tell. I spent the New Year’s Eve of the Millennium with Kian from Westlife. Do you know what a story that’d be for Tiffanie, Amy, Ami, and everybody at home?"
"That’s true. We have to take pictures though or they won’t believe any of it."
"Yep."
"Oh and I got Bryan’s number too. His home and cell. He said he might go home then he’d call me later." I slapped her a high five. We weren’t even out of the airport and we’d met Westlife and had their phone numbers. Oh hell yeah!

We walked down the long corridor and went to baggage pick up. I saw one of our suitcases and reached for it when I almost bumped into another person thinking it was theirs.
"I’m sorry," I said.
"Oh, that’s alright," the person said. I looked at them and realized it was Ben Adams from A1.
"Ohmigod," I said. "Ben Adams."
"Yes. It’s me the one and only."
Ashley watched this all happen.
"Would you mind taking a picture with me?"
"Of course not."
Ashley got the camera and snapped a picture of us. He had his arm around me.
"Thank you so much," I said and kissed him on the cheek. I was in such a good mood. He probably thought that I was some kind of deranged lunatic, but I didn’t care.
"You’re welcome." And then he vanished. Just like that.
"Laura, who was that?" Ashley asked.
"Ben Adams from the group A1," I replied.
"I’m glad you’re with me or I wouldn’t recognize any of these people."
"See I knew I’d be good for something on this trip."

We ended up getting a rental car that I thought was kinda crappy. It was really small and cramped with all the luggage in it. I thought we’d be ok as soon as we unpacked all the junk.
"I’ve gotta keep reminding myself to drive on the opposite side of the road," I said.
"You better remember. I don’t think I wanna die cuz you went the wrong way and who knows what kind of fine that is."

We came to the hotel and checked in. The room was huge. It seemed like a really expensive place. I really didn’t even pay attention since our parents were paying. It wasn’t any of our main concerns. After all we were both on cloud nine considering we’d just met Westlife and had their phone numbers. I was so psyched since I had my picture taken with Ben Adams. I wondered who else we might run into in London. And then after that were the shops. From everything I’d read in Sugar and Top of the Pops, London’s shops were supposed to be fabulous.
"What’re we gonna do right now?" I asked.
It was close to nightfall already and starting to get dark. I went out on the balcony in my winter
jacket to see the view of the city. It was so beautiful. I turned to my right to see a figure on the balcony next to me. I could see he had black hair but couldn’t tell anything of his facial features. I couldn’t help but stare trying to see what he looked like. He must have caught me staring.
"Hello there," he said.
"Hey," I replied.
He turned to look at me. I gave him a funky look and something came to my mind. The only words I could hear were "Wiggy, wiggy I’m gettin’ jiggy." I screamed. I couldn’t help myself. I kept my cool all day and now I was having a teenybopper moment.
"Settle down, love. D’ya wanna wake all of London?" he asked.
"I’m sorry," I said. By that time Ashley had come out to see what was going on.
"Laura, what’s the- ohmigod! Abs Breen!"
"Pipe down would you both! Don’t attract attention. I just met you and you’re driving me mad. But maybe you’d like to come over for a chat with Scott and myself."
"That works for me," I replied. We both went back in the room and through the hallway. We knocked on the door and Scott opened up. You think that boy’s hot in pictures? Damn! Up close and personal he’s ten times better. His eyes are so resilient.
"Hello and who might you be?" he asked.
"I’m Laura."
"I’m Ashley."
"Well Laura and Ashley, why don’t you come in?"
Our parents would have killed us if they’d known we were going into two s trange guys’ hotel room no matter how famous they were. Like something was gonna happen. I something happened, it’d be the end of their career. We went in and had a seat on the bed.
"So, what’re you doin’? Are you two homies chillin’?" Ashley asked.
"I guess you could say that. We’re watching the Pepsi Chart Show." "Management have been really lacking lately in telling us where we stand on the charts. They’re blimmin’ pissin’ me off!" Abs said.
I went to say something and Abs motioned for me to shut up.

The television said that Westlife’s "I Have A Dream/ Seasons In the Sun" would be the millennium number one. The video came on and I started to sing along to it. I’d fallen in love with the song the first time I’d heard it.
"You like those lads?" Scott asked.
"Yeah. They were on the same plane as us this morning and I got offered to spend my New Year’s Eve with Kian and she’s gonna be with Bryan."
"I think they’re a bunch of mammy’s boys. The only reason that they’re making it is because Ronan Keating’s their manager."
"I think they’re so sweet."
"We are. What’s the matter with us?" Abs asked
"You were a little rude with us at first."
"Oh really. Then you can go back to where you came from."
"No, no. Don’t throw them out. How ‘bout going to the bar with me for a drink?" Scott asked.
"Do they have Dr. Pepper and rum?" Ashley asked.
"Sounds like my kind of girl. I suppose I’m wearing the right pulling outfit today."
"I don’t think it’d matter what you wore," she said and they both got up and walked out the door leaving me and Abs alone. I really didn’t want to stay there. Obviously Mr. Breen was in a bad mood.
"Well, I think I’d better be going," I said. "Would you sign something for me?"
"Yeah. I guess I owe you that much." He was pissing me off. Why did he have to be such a smart ass?
He grabbed a CD that looked like it was left over
from a promotion they did. He picked up a pen from on the table and signed it. He shoved it into my hand. I wanted to test him a little.
"Can I have a hug before I go?" I asked. He gave me a look which asked "Are you serious?" He hugged me anyway.
"I want a picture. I’ll go get my camera." I grabbed my camera and ran back into the room and snapped a photo.
"Thanks," I said and turned to leave.
"Wait. Don’t go." I wondered what he wanted.
"I apologize for being so moody. It’s just I’ve been having the worst day. Dealing with record execs and everything. I need a holiday from all of the work. I can’t stand it right now."
"I understand. I know you’re under a lot of pressure with the whole world watching you. You can’t make a mistake or everyone picks up on it."
"Sometimes you just feel like you need someone to be there to hug you when you’re down," Abs said.
Was that my cue? Aw c’mon now. Did you honestly think that I could resist giving THE Abs Breen a hug? No matter how bad he treated me. The answer was no way. Absolutely not.
"C’mere then," I said. He approached me slowly. He probably asked himself why he was doing this.
"Oh what the hell," he mumbled under his breath. He wrapped his arms around me so tight that I couldn’t breathe. I saw a half smile cross his lips as he rested his head on my shoulder. I put my arms around him too. No wonder Scott was in such a rush to get out of that room. Abs was on some type of emotional roller coaster.

Poor guy. I guess I’d probably go insane too if I had to say "Wiggy wiggy, I’m gettin’ jiggy" about a million times in my life too. Fame was obviously taking its toll on him. Five minutes later, which felt like an eternity from my point of view, Abs let go of me.
"Feel better?" I asked. Please say yes so I can get out of here. Something else came to my mind. I’d just read in Sugar that he’d broken up with his long time girlfriend.
"Yes. Yes, I think so. Why don’t you stick around awhile? At least until your friend and Scott get back."
I really didn’t want to. I was tired from the flight.

"I’d like to really, but I’m so tired from our trip. We just got here this morning."
"Sleep over here then. I just need somebody to be with me."
I weighed the decision in my mind. What could happen?

"OK. Can I ask you something first?"
"Shoot."
"Is this cuz you broke up with Danielle?"
"Don’t mention that name. It kills me inside."
"Sorry."
I laid down on the bed and Abs was next to me flipping channels on the television.
"Top of the Pops is on the Beeb. Boyzone! Bleh!" he said and then finally turned it off. "Telly’s terrible tonight."
I laid there almost afraid to fall asleep. Abs got up and dimmed the lights and laid down next to me.
"Good night," he said.
"Good night."
I watched Abs until he started to snore lightly. That was all I remembered since I fell asleep next to him.

* * *

Now it’s my turn to tell the story since Laura wasn’t there for this part. Scott and I went to the hotel’s bar and had several drinks. He was funny and kept cracking jokes. He amused me even more than Humphrey the Pimpin’ Snowman. He paid for everything. That was a good thing since I didn’t have any money on me anyway. After we were done we went back into his room.

Laura and Abs were lying in the same bed together. It was quite an interesting pose. Abs’ hand was on Laura’s ass and her hand was on his crotch.
"Look at that," Scott said. "That’s priceless. His hand is on her bum and he doesn’t even realize it."
I looked over to the table and saw Laura’s camera sitting there. I picked it up and focused in on them. I clicked the button and it was a memory to be kept forever.
"That’ll make for an interesting piccie when her mum and dad see that one."
"I’ll say."
The flash went off and I hoped that the picture would come out clear. I bet she’d be shocked when she saw that one. I was pretty drunk and having a little trouble standing up. I almost fell down. Scott grabbed my arm.

"A little tipsy now, are we?" he asked.
"Something like that." I don’t even remember what he said, but we both started laughing hysterically and then went out to the balcony.
"Hello London!" he yelled when we got out there. "I’m drunk off me ass from visiting all my good friends at the pub! I’m the king of the world!"
Right after that I watched him lean over the banister and puke. We were pretty high up. Hopefully no one was below us or they would have gotten a surprise.
"My day’s been just pukka, thank you very much!" he said loudly and with a touch of sarcasm.
I wasn’t feeling so good right then. My stomach seemed to gurgle and then I ended up doing the same thing Scott had done minutes earlier. I leaned forward and I felt his hands grab my shoulders to steady me so I wouldn’t fall over. With his other hand he moved my hair away from my face.
"Alright now?" he asked.
"No," I said, hoarsely.
We walked back into the room. Abs and Laura had slept through the whole thing. I stumbled into the room and then I must have passed out on Scott’s bed. That’s all I can remember other than the fact that everything went black.

The next morning I woke up with the sun in my face. My head hurt so bad. I groaned hoarsely as I rolled over to see Scott’s darling face next to me. I was still in my jeans I’d worn the day before. I looked to the other bed and Laura and Abs were still there. It was quite a different pose than that of the previous night. Laura was leaned up against Abs and they were both hugging each other. They couldn’t have gotten any closer. It was probably just an unconscious thing that occurred.
I sat up and tried to stand. That wasn’t going too well. I was hung over and New Year’s Eve was tonight. I was most likely going to look like hell. What was I going to tell Bryan? Or maybe I’d luck out and he wouldn’t call. I laid back down next to Scott. I could hear someone moving over in the other bed. It was Abs. I saw him look at Laura, a little shocked. Then something seemed to come over him. I’m glad he remembered everything from last night because I sure didn’t. His movement must have awakened Laura. She looked at him strangely and then kinda smiled. I don’t think that either of them realized I was watching the whole thing. They really didn’t say anything.
"Abs, I better go," she said.
"Well I’ll see you later then," he replied.
"How much longer are you guys gonna be here?"
"Until Friday."
"OK. Bye."
"Bye."
There was an awkward pause as they both walked to the door. I think he liked her, but she wasn’t really into him. She didn’t even see me lying there with Scott until Abs mentioned it.
"Laura, your mate’s still here."
"Oh. Tell her I’m over in our room when she wakes up."
"I’ll tell her."
Laura walked out the door leaving me with Abs and Scott. Scott stirred and his eyes flew open.
"Oh shit! What time is it, Abs? We have to be at that photo shoot at ten. What time is it?"
"We’re fucked. It’s twelve, mate!"
"Management is gonna be so pissed. And you think he was raving mad the last time we did something like this!"
"I better be going," I said and crawled out of bed.
He was so caught up in what he was saying he didn’t even hear me. He saw me get up to leave and came with me.
"Ashley, you don’t look too good. I’ll walk back over with you," he offered. I said no and went back myself.

I could still hear Abs and him bitching and fighting about management. I went into our room and shut the door and fell onto the bed. All I wanted to do was sleep and maybe it would go away.