"Aaron, what all did you see yesterday?" asked Howie.
"Well, I was out in the back looking for my basketball, and then I saw Misty and AJ," said Aaron.
"Great, I get to hear the inside story," said Nick.
"Shut up, Nick," said Tomi, "What happened?"
"AJ was running away from Misty. She kept trying to kiss him, and he kept trying to get away. AJ kept yelling at Misty but she wouldn't go away. Then Nick opened the door and Misty finally caught AJ," said Aaron.
Nick felt a feeling of comfort and a feeling of guilt all wrapped into one when he heard this. "Aaron, are you sure that's what happened? So AJ didn't kiss Misty?" asked Howie.
"No, Misty kissed AJ. I would be running too if a girl was trying to kiss me, yuck," said Aaron.
Tomi smiled and kissed Aaron on the cheek, "Thank you so much, Aaron." she said.
"Ew, you didn't have to kiss me," said Aaron, "I'm going to go wash my face." Aaron ran up the stairs to the bathroom.
"Is that enough proof for you, Nick?" asked Brian.
Nick stood there speechless. "I'll talk to you guys later," said Nick, running out his door.
"I hope the boy knows where he's going," said Tomi.
"This is Nick we're talking about…he probably doesn't have a clue," said Brian.
Nick didn't know where to go but he decided he should probably try AJ's house. He ran up to the door and rang the doorbell. AJ's mom answered the door. "Oh hi, Nick. How are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm okay I guess. Is AJ home?" asked Nick.
"No, he hasn't been home since Tomi came over. He seemed a little depressed this morning. I hope he's alright. Have you tried the park?" asked AJ's Mom.
"No, I haven't tried the park yet. Thanks," said Nick, running off. He ran as fast as he could to the park. It started to rain slightly and it was already cold from being 9PM at night. He finally made it to the park. Nick looked around but he didn't see AJ anywhere. It started to pour and he gave up hope. He turned around and AJ was standing there with an umbrella. Nick was so startled that he fell on his butt.
"What in the hell are you doing out here?!" asked AJ.
"What are you doing out here?" asked Nick.
"I have an umbrella, and I also have a car," said AJ, offering his hand to help Nick up.
Nick took his hand and stood up. "I was looking for you. Can we talk?" asked Nick.
AJ raised an eyebrow. "Talking as in meaning you hitting me, or talking as in you and me arguing?" asked AJ.
"Niether, I need to talk to you," said Nick.
"Oh, so you mean the actual definition of the word. Get in the car," said AJ, walking back to his car. Nick followed and got into the passenger side seat. AJ started the engine and they drove off. "Well, what did you want to talk about?"
Nick tried to dry off a little bit. He hesitated to talk. He looked down and said, "I wanted to apoligize."
"For what?" asked AJ.
"For hitting you, and for assuming something that didn't happen," said Nick, still not looking up. "How did you find out the truth?" asked AJ.
"Aaron saw you trying to get away from Misty," said Nick.
"Remind me to thank that little guy," said AJ, with a smile.
Nick finally looked up and said, "AJ, I'm really sorry. I should have thought more rationally. I should have known you wouldn't do something like that. But, I still didn't believe you." He looked down again.
"Nick, look at me. You had a right to be mad. I'm sure it didn't look too great from your angle," said AJ.
"Still," started Nick.
"Look, if you can forget about it, I can forget about it," said AJ with a smile.
Nick smiled. "Forget what?" AJ drove Nick home and they filled the others in.
The next day, Nick, AJ and Tomi were waiting in front of a clothing store in the mall, waiting for someone to get off of their shift. A few minutes later, Misty walked out and was a bit surprised to see the three. "What? Are you that surprised to see your "boyfriend"?" asked AJ.
"We need to talk," said Nick. Before Misty could refuse, they dragged her to the food court of the mall.
"What do you want?" asked Misty.
"Why did you lie to me?" asked Nick.
"How do you know I lied to you?" asked Misty.
Tomi rolled her eyes. "Yeah, it's really apparent that you and AJ are going out," said Tomi.
"Maybe it's just a cover up," said Misty.
"And maybe pigs fly," said AJ. Right after he said that, a stuffed toy pig flew by right in front of his face. Apparently, two little kids were throwing it around as they ran through the mall. "Okay, that was not supposed to happen…"
"How do you know AJ didn't kiss me first?" asked Misty.
"Because my little brother saw AJ trying to get away from you," said Nick.
"You're going to believe some 10 year old kid over me?" asked Misty.
"Um," said AJ, pretending to think for a second, "Yeah."
"He has no reason to lie to me and he has a history of being rather blunt," said Nick.
"Damn it, Misty. Just confess that you lied," said Tomi.
"Where the hell am I, court?" asked Misty.
"Well, we are in a food…nevermind," said AJ, realizing it was a really stupid joke.
"Alright, alright, fine. Yeah, I kissed AJ," said Misty.
"Why though?" asked Nick.
"Like I told you before Nick, you may be cute, but you're boring," said Misty, "and you're always with…them."
"You mean my friends?" asked Nick.
"Yeah, or whatever you call them," she replied.
Tomi stood up and walked up to Misty. She stood Misty up and slapped her across the face. "Whoa," said AJ.
"You're lucky I didn't punch you," said Tomi. Nick was stunned. AJ quickly held Tomi back. Tomi tried her best not to yell. "You're telling me just because of your damn jealousy, you had to almost wreck two of my best friends' lives? And you thought you were gonna get away with it?!"
"Okay, we'll be going now. Come on, Nick," said AJ, dragging Tomi with him and leaving Misty alone.
In the car on the way home, Tomi sat in the back totally silent. She couldn't believe she slapped Misty in front of Nick. But she didn't have any regrets. "You guys, I'm sorry I blew up like that," said Tomi.
"It's okay. I just never saw you so mad," said Nick.
"Yeah. That was a hell of a slap," said AJ, "Could you teach me how to slap like that?"
Tomi managed to smile and say, "Just stick with punching, AJ. I can't imagine you bitch slapping anyone. Then again…this is you we're talking about so…"
"Hey!" said AJ. Nick and Tomi laughed and Tomi forgot all about Misty.
Time went by and it was finally a week before school was going to start for Nick, AJ and Tomi. Tomi was over at Kevin's apartment helping Kevin clean and Brian was starting to pack. "Does someone wanna tell me why I'm here again?" asked Tomi.
"Because you said you needed a little extra cash," said Kevin.
"Remind me to get a job," mumbled Tomi.
"Hey Tomi, are you done with the kitchen?" asked Kevin.
"Yep. It looks almost new," said Tomi.
"Good, then I have another job for you," said Kevin.
"What?" asked Tomi.
"Cleaning my room, hehe," said Brian.
"Excuse me? Cleaning up that thing you call a room, by myself? I think not," said Tomi.
"You're helping her Brian. I'm not going to let the poor girl clean that pigpen alone. That would take days," said Kevin.
"Aw, man," whined Brian.
"Quit whining and get to work," ordered Kevin.
"Yes sir, drill sergent SIR!" said Brian, standing up right and saluting Kevin.
"Just get to work," laughed Kevin.
After about six hours, the whole apartment was clean. Brian was exhausted and was sleeping on the couch. Tomi was sitting down at the end of the couch. "I don't know why he's exhausted. I did most of the work," said Tomi, rolling her eyes.
Kevin smiled. "Thanks for helping out," he said standing up and walking up to Tomi. "Here's your pay." Kevin handed her a single bill.
Tomi took a sip of water and looked at the bill. It was a $100 bill. She tried her best not to spit out the water. "Kevin, I think you gave me the wrong bill. You gave me a $100," she coughed.
"Then there's no mistake. You earned it," said Kevin.
"Kevin, I said I need a little money. This is a bit much," said Tomi.
"Well, if you don't want it…" said Kevin.
"Yes, I don't want it. It's too much," said Tomi.
"You were supposed to say, no you want it," said Kevin, "Keep it, alright? Besides, isn't Homecoming soon?"
Tomi raised an eyebrow and said, "Yeah, so?"
"Well, use the extra money for that," said Kevin.
"Exactly when did I say I'm going?" asked Tomi.
"Why wouldn't you go? It is your senior year," said Kevin.
"Like I have anyone to go with," said Tomi. Brian kicked Tomi on the side. "Ow!" Tomi hit Brian on the leg.
"Ow! What was that for?!" asked Brian, sitting up.
"What'd you kick me for?" asked Tomi.
"I was asleep, I didn't know, sorry jeez," said Brian.
"Anyways, Tomi, I'm sure any one of us would love to take you to Homecoming," said Kevin.
"That's sweet of you but I'm not going. I never go to school dances," said Tomi.
"I'll be right back. I'm gonna get something to drink," said Brian, walking out of the room.
"Kevin, can I ask you something?" asked Tomi.
"Sure, what's up?" asked Kevin.
"Do you remember your first crush?" asked Tomi.
Kevin thought for a moment. "Yes I do, it was Angel," he replied.
Tomi smacked herself on the forehead. "I'm sorry Kevin, just forget about it," said Tomi.
"No, no. It's alright," said Kevin, "So, you have a crush?" Kevin smiled.
Tomi blushed, "Um, well, sort of," she said.
"So who's the lucky guy?" asked Kevin.
"I'm not gonna tell… besides, with me liking him, how is that lucky?" said Tomi.
"Tomi, you're a beautiful young woman. If I was that crush I would be very flattered," said Kevin. Tomi started to turn bright red. "I'm not that crush am I?"
"Huh?! Um… no," said Tomi.
"Aw man," said Kevin, sticking out his tongue. "Aren't Nick and AJ going?"
Right when Kevin said "Nick", Tomi jumped slightly. "I'm not sure, but it's not hard for them to find someone to go with. I'm sure tons of girls are dying to go with them," said Tomi.
"Well, if you ever need a date, I'll be glad to take you out," said Kevin, kissing Tomi on the cheek.
Tomi blushed and smiled. "Thanks Kevy."
Brian came back into the room and sat down next to Tomi. He then looked up at Kevin and asked, "So, where's my $100?"
Tomi smacked him on the arm. "So, you were awake! What the hell did you kick me for you little brat?" said Tomi.
"Ow! Kevin, did you see that?" asked Brian, rubbing the place he just got hit.
"Yeah, and you deserved it," said Kevin.
Brian mumbled to himself and stuck his tongue out at Tomi. She returned by laughing.
Finally, school started for Nick, AJ, and Tomi. This year's Homecoming dance was going to be as early as the third week of school. AJ signed up to be on the committee for planning the Homecoming for some odd reason. He seemed really excited about it as well. Nick, Tomi, and AJ were sitting together in their first period class and AJ suddenly proposed, "Hey, why don't we all go to Homecoming together? Just the three of us, as friends?"
"That sounds cool," said Nick, "What do you think, Tomi?"
"Huh?! Oh, um, yeah sure," said Tomi, trying not to blush.
AJ smiled and said, "Good, so it's set!"
Tomi noticed the smirk and whispered to him, "AJ, I know that smirk. What the hell are you up to?"
AJ smiled and replied simply, "You'll see."
"Alexander James McLean…" started Tomi, but she was cut off by the announcements.
Towards the end of the announcements, the speaker said, "And now, the nominees for Homecoming Queen and King. The nominees for Homecoming king are: Justin Timberlake, AJ McLean, JC Chasez, and Nick Carter."(all I gotta say is I want to go to this high school) The class cheered as AJ and Nick's names were called out.
"So that's why you were smirking," said Tomi.
"Maybe, and maybe not," said AJ, still smirking.
The speaker started to read off the nominees for Homecoming Queen. Misty's name was called and Tomi's heart sank. "And the last nominee for homecoming queen is… Tomianne Dylan," read the speaker. The class cheered as Tomi's jaw dropped. Nick turned around and smiled. AJ just kept smirking.
"The intercom did not just call out my name," said Tomi.
"Oh yes it did," said AJ, smirking.
"Congratulations, Tomi," said Nick.
Tomi started to feel panicked. A bit more panicked than she did when she thought if Misty got homecoming queen. "What if I'm Homecoming Queen and Nick's Homecoming King?" she thought.