[[ Friends Forever ]]

The next few weeks passed uneventfully, so to speak. I mean, going onstage every night was normal now. I'd gotten over the breakup with Jason, and I was back to my normal tricks. Nick and I had a blast pulling pranks on everyone on the road. After I'd broken up with Jason, we'd sat down together and I'd told him everything, and since then we'd become best friends. I was closer to him than I was to the three people whom I'd been best friends with all my life- Amanda, Harmony, and Charisma.

I called my mom that afternoon. " Hey, mom, " I said. " Hi, Nikki! How are you? " she asked happily. " Pretty good, " I answered. " Boo! " A voice behind me startled me, and I dropped the phone. " Nick! " I screeched, picking up the phone. " Mom? Are you there? " I asked. " Yeah... what happened? What was that commotion? Is someone hurting you? " mom asked frantically. I burst out laughing. " No. Nick just scared the hell out of me, " I said. " Nikki... " mom warned. " Sorry... I dropped the phone 'cause he scared me, " I said.

My mom talked to Nick for a few minutes and then we got off the phone completely. " I'm sorry about scaring you. I didn't realize you were on the phone, " Nick said. " It's okay. Just don't do it again! " I exclaimed with a giggle. He smiled. " I was just coming to find you to see if you'd like to go to McDonalds for lunch, " he suggested.

" Sure. Now? " I asked. " In about, " he glanced at his watch, " twenty minutes. "

" Okay, " I agreed. " Cool. I'll see ya then, " he said. " Let's call it a date, " I suggested, only half kidding.

" Okay. Sure thing! It's a date, then, " Nick said, grinning at me. I laughed. " See ya in a little bit! " With that, I turned and headed to the bus.

" What are you so happy about? " Harmony asked when I got on the bus humming happily to myself. " Oh, nothing, " I replied. " Nothing my tail end. When did he ask you out? " she asked. I burst out laughing. " Damn! Assume much? He didn't... we're just going out for lunch together, " I said. " Ooh! Go, Nikki! Go, Nikki! " Harmony teased. " Shut up! " I commanded sharply. I hated being teased.

" Hey, hey, no offense! I was just picking on you! " Harmony defended herself. " Yeah, well, pick on someone your own size, " I said, then thought about that. I was her own size. " Like you! " she chirped. I groaned and ran back to my bunk before she could say anything more.

After changing three times, I finally decided on a pair of black jean shorts and a black midriff length top. I'd recently gotten my navel pierced, and wanted to show it to everyone. My mom didn't know yet, and I figured she'd best not know for a while. I hadn't asked her... but then again, she wasn't there, was she? And it was my body, so it was my decision.

Nick and I went to McDonalds a little while later. " Hey, Nikki, " he said when I got off the bus to go with him. " Hiya, Nick. Ready to go? " I asked. " Yep. You look cute, " he said shyly. I blushed. " Thanks. You always do, " I said. We looked at each other for a minute, then I looked at the ground. " So, ready to go? " Nick asked. I nodded and we headed to his car.

Once we'd gotten to McDonalds and were about halfway done eating, I started to talk. " You met my mom before she went back home, right? " I asked. Nick nodded, taking a bite of his burger. " What did you think of her? " I asked. " What do you mean? " Nick asked, after swallowing. " I mean, do you like her? She adores you, " I said. " Oh, yeah! You're mom's great. She's really nice, " he said. I grinned. " She's cool. Her birthday's coming up and I don't know what to get her. Does that ever happen to you? " I asked.

" Oh, yeah! Every single year, " Nick said with a laugh. " Oh, good. I'm glad I'm not the only one with that problem. It drives me absolutely nuts! " I exclaimed. " Why don't you call her and find out what she wants? " he suggested. " Yeah, but I want to get her something that will really mean a lot to her. Something really special, " I said. " I know what you mean. My mom's birthday is in two months, and I've been thinking about what to get her, but I really don't know, " he said.

" Really? When's her birthday? " I asked. " October nineteenth, " he said. " You're kidding me! Right? " I asked. " Nope. " Nick shook his head. " Oh, my gosh! That's my mom's birthday, too! " I exclaimed. " Are you serious? " Nick asked. I nodded and smiled. " Wow! That's cool! " he said. I giggled.

" Hmm... that's weird. Our mothers are born on the same day and they have the same name! " I said. Our mother's names were both Jane.

" That is weird! How old is your mom? " he asked. " Forty nine, " I said. " Oh... mine's forty seven, " he said. " Damn. That would have made it even weirder, " I said with a laugh. " Yeah... that would have been really freaky. I was gonna say, maybe we're brother and sister and don't even know it, " he said. I laughed again. " That would be cool, " I said. " Yeah, it would. I'd love to be related to you, " he said. " Oh, come on. I'm nothing special, " I giggled. " Yeah, you are, " he argued. " Not really. Just a teeny bit, " I said, then grinned.

On the ride back to the venue, Nick and I talked about what we were getting our moms. " My mom really likes Calvin Klein perfume... but I want to get her something that really means something to her. I'm just totally lost at what that'd be, " I said. " I know, right! I really have no idea what my mom would really like. I don't even know what she wants, " he laughed. " I guess we've got some thinking to do, " I said.

" Mom? Before you go getting mad at me for not asking... and before you get mad at me for not telling you right away... I pierced my navel, " I said a little while later into my phone. " You did? Why? " she asked. " Why? I wanted to, " I answered, a little surprised. She hadn't flown off her rocker! " Okay. It looks okay, right? " she asked. I wanted to burst out laughing.

" I don't know. I think it does. Hold on, let me get some opinions, " I said, pulling the phone down past my chin. " Nick! Harmony! Charisma! Amanda! Come here! " I yelled. Everyone came in the door at the same time. " Does this look okay? " I asked, showing it to everyone. " When did you get that done? "

" Cool! "

" It looks great! "

" I want one! "

All those things echoed through the room. " Yeah, it looks okay, " I said to mom, laughing.

When mom and I got off the phone, I was really surprised. I'd expected her to be really mad at me. But she wasn't. " Hey, Nick, what do you really think of this thing? " I asked, pointing to it. He looked at it, then at me. " I would normally say it's a stupid thing to do, because it usually looks weird. But on you, it looks good, " he said shyly. I smiled. " Thanks, " I said, looking at it again and then picking up my drink. " Let's go see if we can find something fun to do, " I said.

We played basketball for a couple hours before we had to go get ready to do the show that night.

" Man, that was fun! We beat you, B-rok! " Nick said happily as we walked down the hall to the dressing rooms. " That was the bomb! We rule! " I giggled, wiping my sweaty face on my sleeve. August in Florida is not exactly cool. In fact, it was down right hot.

When Strike 4 went onstage that night, it was different than usual. We'd changed our set around a little bit, adding in three new songs and taking one out. The old set had gotten a little bit boring, so we figured we should put a little flavor into it. I was hyped up and ready to rumble when the announcer called us onstage.

" Live Oak, please welcome Harmony, AJ, Nikki, and Charisma, better known as Strike Four! " That magical little voice over the sound system. We ran out onstage in the order that he said our names, and began doing the dance moves for the first song of the night. I had no idea that Nick was watching. And I really didn't know he that he was planning a way to ask me to be his girlfriend.

At the end of our set, we went backstage like normal. " That was great, " Nick said, taking hold of my arm as I smiled and then headed for the bathroom. I turned back to him. " Thanks, " I said. " Nikki, can I ask you something? " he asked me. " Sure. Fire away, " I said, " but hurry, I've got to go to the bathroom. "

Nick shook his head. " Never mind. I'll ask you later, " he said. " Are you sure? " I asked. He nodded.

" Okay... see ya later! " I said, running off to the bathroom and leaving Nick staring after me.

The guys' show that night was great, as usual. I wondered how they learned to move like that. The dance moves Strike 4 did were nothing in comparison. I watched Nick dancing and wondered what that funny feeling I had meant. It wasn't bad or anything, just tingly. Maybe Harmony would know what it meant. I turned and went to find her.

" Harmony? " I asked when I saw her. " Yeah? " she answered. " Can I talk to you? " I asked.

" Sure. What's up? " she asked. " Well... do you ever get a funny, tingly feeling in your body? " I asked.

" Yeah... whenever I'm around cute guys, " she said with a laugh. I sighed. " Why? Is something wrong? " Harmony asked. I shook my head. " No... I don't think so, at least. It's just that every time I get around Nick, I get that tingly feeling... does that mean anything? " I asked.

I hated asking others for advice, but this was urgent. It could decide something that would have a big impact on the future. " Of course it means something! You like the boy! " Harmony exclaimed. I blushed. It was true, I did have a crush on him. But that didn't mean he liked me. Or so I thought.

" Well... yeah, I do, " I said at last. " Alright! Yay, Nikki! " Harmony cried. I grabbed her arm and clamped my hand over her mouth. " Shut up! " I commanded. She looked at me, wide-eyed. " Keep it down! I don't want the whole damn world knowing! " I hissed. " Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I'm just happy for you, that's all, " she said. " Well, if your happiness gets me into trouble, nobody's gonna be happy! " I muttered.

Nick came backstage after the show and was looking for me. Amanda came up to me and startled me. " Nikki? Nick is looking for you, " she said. I jumped at the sound of her voice. " Okay... where is he? " I asked. " Looking for you. Probably by the sidestage area, " she replied. " Okay, thanks! " I exclaimed, taking off running.

I found him about ten minutes later, talking to Harmony. They were talking in hushed tones, and I couldn't hear anything. " Hey, Nick. Hey, Harmony, " I said, walking up to them. " Oh! Hi, Nikki. Listen, I've got to go find something to eat. I'll talk to you guys later, " Harmony said, turning to go. I didn't notice when she winked at Nick. " Okay, bye, " I said, waving after her.

" Nikki? Can I talk to you? " Nick asked. I turned my attention back to him. " Sure. What about? " I asked. " Well... I wanted to ask you something, " he said. " Okay... what is it? " I asked. " Well... first of all, let me say this. I don't want you to get mad at me, " he said. " Mad? Why? " I asked. " I don't know. You might, though, " he replied. " Oh, come on. I won't get mad. I promise, " I said. " Okay... " Nick trailed off.

" So, what did you want to ask me? " I asked. " Well... I was going to ask you... I was going to ask if you'd go out with me and be my girlfriend, " Nick said.

I almost choked. " Really? " I asked. He nodded. " You're not mad, are you? " he asked. I shook my head. " No! Not at all! In fact, I couldn't be happier! " I said, hugging him. He seemed a little surprised at first, but immediately put his arms around me and hugged me tightly to him. " Nick, I've liked you for a while, " I said shyly. " Seriously? " he asked. " Yes, seriously. Well, which seriously? I mean, seriously like really, or seriously like closely? " I asked. " Seriously as in really... and closely, " he said. I smiled at him.

" Both. "

When I finally climbed on board Strike 4's bus that night, it was almost one thirty. " Where have you been? " Harmony asked. " I was talking, " I said. " To who? " Harmony demanded. " Why do you care? " I asked. " Because I was worried, " she said. " I was with Nick. I was perfectly safe, mother Harmony, " I said.

" With Nick? Did he ask you out? " Harmony immediately started pressing me for details. " Yes... " I said slowly. " And? " Harmony pressed on. " And... and what? We're together, " I said. " Alright! WOOHOO NIKKI! " Harmony whooped.

" Shut up! " I said. Harmony giggled. " You go girl! " she said. I laughed. " You're nuts, " I said.

" Yeah, I know, " Harmony managed to choke out through her laughter. " What's so funny? " I asked. " I've been waiting for the two of you to hook up for so long! " she exclaimed. I wanted to slap her. " You retard. " She looked at me in surprise. " What? Don't you like him? " she asked. " Yes, I do! But I don't appreciate people freaking out about it, " I said.

" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, " Harmony apologized. " It's okay. Just don't do it anymore. It gets aggravating, " I said. Just then Amanda and Charisma bounced into the room. " I saw you two! " they both exclaimed at the same time. Harmony and I looked at them in surprise. " Who? Me and Nick? " I asked.

" Yeah! " they said at the same time. " So? " I asked. " Way to go! I saw that kiss! " Amanda cried, giving me a high five. Harmony just looked at me.

" Kiss? " she asked. I giggled. " Yeah... it was great! " I exclaimed. " Wow, girl! You're moving along well! " Harmony said, laughing. We all cracked up. " I never thought this day would actually come, " Charisma said. " What do you mean? " I asked. " You and Nick Carter... a pair! " she exclaimed. I laughed.

" Well guess what? It's true! " I said, giggling.

The next morning, the sound of a phone ringing woke me up. Harmony's cell phone was ringing away on the table beside her bed. " Hello? " I answered it groggily. " Hello... Nikki? " I heard a familiar voice.

" Yeah... who is this? Is this Brian? " I asked. " Yeah, " he replied. " Hey, Brian. Did you want to talk to Harmony? " I asked. " No, actually I was trying to get ahold of you, " he said. " You were? " I asked.

" Yeah. Nick said he wanted to talk to you but didn't have your cell phone number, and he's too scared to call Harmony to ask for it, " Brian said. I heard Nick in the background. " Shut up, B-rok! " he cried. I laughed. " Put Nick on the phone, " I said. " Hold on. " I heard a little scuffling, then Nick's voice on the other end of the phone. " Hey, Nikki, " he said. I giggled. " Hiya, Nick. What's up? " I asked.

We talked for nearly half an hour before I suggested we get off the phone. " Harmony will be pissed when the bill on this baby comes in. Let me call you back in a couple minutes, " I said. " Okay, " Nick said.

" 'Kay. Talk to ya in a few, " I said. " Until then, I love you, " he said. I smiled. " I love you, too, " I whispered. I got off the phone and replaced it on Harmony's table, then went to find mine.

That afternoon, Nick and I went to a nearby pizza parlor for lunch together, then went back to the bus to talk. " I still haven't thought of anything I could get my mom for her birthday, " I said. Nick laughed.

" Me, neither. We need to get thinking, " he said. " Problem is, I can't think of anything, " I giggled. He smiled at me. " We'll figure out something. Let's put on a movie and see if anything comes to us while we're watching it, " he suggested. I knew damn well he didn't intend to think about it at all. But, neither did I, so I agreed. We settled down on the couch to watch a comedy about two idiots who try to run a bank, and before I knew it, I was falling asleep.

When I woke up, I was being moved to my bunk. " Hey, " I said to Nick, who was carrying me.

" Hey. Was that movie a little boring? " he asked, laughing. " Just a little, " I mumbled, rubbing my eye.

He set me down on my bunk. " Still tired? " he asked. I nodded sleepily. " Okay. Well, I'm going to leave and let you sleep, " he said. I shook my head. " No, stay, " I whispered. He took my hand. " It's okay. Just go to sleep, " he said. I closed my eyes, and within minutes, I was sleeping soundly. Nick stayed, and leaned back against the wall of the bunk. In a little while, he too was asleep.