It was finally Saturday. Tomi couldn't get much sleep the night before. She started to pace restlessly in her room again. At about 4PM, her doorbell rang. She managed to answer the door and AJ was standing there with a smile. "Hi," said AJ.
"Hi…" said Tomi, as she raised her eyebrow.
"So, are you ready yet?" asked AJ.
"Does it look like I'm ready?" asked Tomi.
"No, that's why I brought a few friends with me," said AJ.
"Who?" asked Tomi.
Howie and his sister, Pollyanna appeared on the porch and Howie said, "Hey Chica."
"Hi," said Tomi.
"Hi, Tomi. Haven't seen you in a while," said Pollyanna.
"Alright, these two are going to help you get ready. I'm going to get ready myself. You will be so surprised, hehe… See ya later," said AJ, going back to his car.
"Come in," said Tomi, letting Howie and Pollyanna in. "Okay, I can understand why you're here, Pollyanna, but Howie…?"
"Um, moral support?" asked Howie.
"I'm sure he can be of some help. Come on, Let's get to work," said Pollyanna. The three went upstairs and after about two hours of doing hair, makeup, getting dressed and Howie sitting outside in the hallway, Pollyanna finally came out.
"Well?" asked Howie, sort of leaning against to the side on the chair, half asleep.
"So, what do you think?" asked Pollyanna, moving out of the way. Tomi slowly stepped out of the room, looking down. Howie fell off his chair from leaning too much and from the sudden surprise of Tomi's appearance.
Howie kept staring. "Wow…" was the only thing Howie could say.
Tomi turned a little red, and Pollyanna smacked Howie on the arm. "Quit staring, and get up," she said.
Howie got back onto the chair and said, "Sorry."
"See? I told you he'd be some help. We know you look really good," said Pollyanna. Tomi turned even more red but managed to smile.
Meanwhile, AJ came up to Nick's house and rang the doorbell. Aaron answered the door and as soon as he saw AJ, he started cracking up. "What?" asked AJ. AJ, had his hair slightly spiked, and it was dyed blue. It was night but he still had a pair of sunglasses on. He had a goatee perfectly shaped(dyed blue). He had on a dark blue suit with matching shoes to match his hair.
Nick came downstairs to see what Aaron was laughing about but soon saw for himself. "Oh my god…" said Nick, with a little laugh.
"What's so funny, geez," said AJ.
"Nice look," said Nick, with his choking laugh.
"Shut up. What are you dressed up like a business man for?" asked AJ.
"I am not," pouted Nick. Nick had a nice white suit on. He had his hair slicked back with a few strands coming over his face with a pair of glasses on.
"Yes you do, and why in the hell do you have glasses on?" asked AJ. Nick had no problem with his eyes.
"Shut up, at least I can see out of my glasses at night," said Nick.
"…You both have problems," Aaron concluded, watching them go back and forth.
"Shut up, Aaron," they both snapped.
"Fine," said Aaron, sticking his tongue out and walking off to the kitchen.
"So, did you buy the corsage?" asked AJ.
"Yeah… it's right here," said Nick, showing him the corsage.
"Alright then, let's get goin'. We don't want to keep the lady waiting," said AJ. The two of them walked out to AJ's car and headed toward Tomi's. Once they got there, they went up to Tomi's' front door and rang the doorbell. Howie opened the door and as soon as he saw AJ's hair, he started cracking up. "Okay, what is so damn funny?!"
"Have you looked in the mirror, AJ?" asked Nick.
"Yes, and I look fine!" said AJ.
"If you say so," said Howie, trying to stop laughing. Well Nick, you look like a gentleman, for once."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, is Tomi ready?" asked AJ.
"See for yourself," said Howie, pointing up the stairs. Both of them looked up. Nick's jaw dropped in awe.
Tomi slowly walked down the stairs. She had her gown on with the gloves. She had her hair up with a few curls coming down. She had some makeup on and some blue glitter on her. Nick couldn't help but stare at her. AJ just smiled as she came down the stairs. Tomi finally came down the stairs and stood a few feet in front of them. Nick kept staring and his mouth was still open. Tomi started to blush.
"Quit staring, idiot," said AJ, smacking Nick on the back of the head.
"Ow," said Nick, rubbing the back of his head.
"Lookin' very fine, Tomi," said AJ, whistling.
"Thanks," said Tomi, who managed to smile when she saw AJ's hair.
"Okay, what is wrong with my hair?" asked AJ again.
"It's blue," said Howie, laughing again.
"Yes, it's blue. So what's wrong with blue?!" asked AJ. Nick didn't realize he was staring again. Tomi looked down and turned a little more red. AJ smacked Nick's head again. "Quit starin', jeez. You're makin' the lady blush!" AJ's comment made her turn even more red.
"Ow, sorry, jeez," said Nick, "You look really nice, Tomi."
"You are SO original," said AJ, rolling his eyes.
"Shut up," said Nick smacking him back.
Tomi smiled, "Thanks."
A little silence, then AJ hit Nick again just for the hell of it. Then Nick hit him back. "Alright, children, Nick, you look like a gentleman for once, don't mess it up," said Howie. They looked down, and then smacked each other again, just to piss Howie off. "Okay, just go. You're going to be late."
"Alright, latez D. Tell Polly thanks," said AJ.
"I will. Have fun you three. And Tomi, you look beautiful," said Howie.
"Thanks," said Tomi. AJ walked to his car while Nick stopped at the porch. Tomi shut the door and turned around and found Nick standing right in front of her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing… Oh yeah," said Nick, pulling out the corsage and taking her hand and putting on the corsage. "There you go."
"Thanks," said Tomi. Nick then offered his arm. Tomi took it eventually then they both walked to the car. Then AJ drove them to Homecoming. Tomi tried not to look nervous. This was the first dance she had ever gone to and on top of that, it was with Nick. Well AJ was there but she didn't really think of that. Nick kept glancing back time to time.
AJ sighed, "Do you want me to just pull over so you can go sit in the back, Nick? That way you won't strain your neck."
"Huh?" asked Nick.
"Nevermind, just sit still," said AJ.
Shortly after, they reached the school and they walked over to the cafeteria. They walked into the cafeteria that was decorated with baby blue, dark blue, and white streamers, and balloons. There were also huge white cut outs shaped like clouds. There was a huge banner that read, "A walk in the clouds". Nick nervously took Tomi's hand and Tomi looked at him. He was actually turning a little red. He slightly looked down and asked, "Do you want to dance?"
Tomi, although blushing herself, smiled and replied, "Sure." Nick took her out to the dance floor and put his arms around her waist. Tomi hesitated to put her arms around his neck.
AJ finally got annoyed and came over and took Tomi's arms and placed them around Nick's neck. "There ya go," he said, walking off. The two silently slow danced looking away from each other.
Finally, Nick said, "You really look pretty tonight, Tomi… or should I call you Anne now?"
Tomi looked up at him and asked, "Anne? Why?"
"Well, I mean… Tomi's sort of a guy's name and well…um," said Nick.
Tomi smiled, "Nick, I've been called Tomi ever since you and the other guys could talk. You don't need to change it now. Besides, Anne is too weird." AJ then casually came by and pushed Tomi into Nick's chest.
"Whoa," said Nick, holding her a little tighter without realizing it. Tomi was very aware of this fact and was turning bright red. Nick looked down and saw her turning red and let go a little. "Sorry," he said. Tomi shook her head.
They danced silently for a few more minutes, then Tomi said, "Sorry, I'm not the best slow dancer."
"You're doing fine. Just relax," said Nick.
Suddenly AJ came up to them and took Tomi's hand. "I'm gonna have at least one dance with her, come on girl," he said, dragging her off.
"…Thank you for giving me much of a choice," said Nick, letting her go and finding a place to sit down and wait for AJ to finish.
"Jeez AJ, chill, it's just me," said Tomi.
"I know, that's why I'm getting a dance in while I can," said AJ, "The way you're lookin' tonight, every guy here's gonna ask you to dance."
Tomi turned red(if you didn't figure it out by now, she's really really red), "That's not true…" she said.
"I'm not taking any chances," said AJ. They danced a few dances and AJ got her to loosen up a little bit. "You know, you don't have to be so shy around Nick."
"I'm not…" said Tomi.
"Yeah right. Watching you two is hilarious, annoying but hilarious. I've never seen you guys so stiff. Just chill, it's just Nick," said AJ.
"…I'll try," said Tomi.
"Good, now I think I kept the boy waiting long enough, he's gonna go through withdrawls," said AJ, letting her go.
Tomi laughed slightly, "He's probably fine," she said. "But…" She moved right up to him and kissed him on the cheek and said, "Thanks, AJ."
AJ was actually turning a little red and said, "Anytime…damn. I got a kiss, before Nick too… hell, you just made my night." Tomi smiled and went back over to Nick and they started dancing again. AJ then found a place to just stand against the wall and look around for someone to dance with. He looked over at Tomi and Nick time to time and just smiled. A few girls passed by him and just snickered. A few more people passed by, all focused on his hair, and did the same thing. AJ threw a little fit and said, "What?!"
Someone came by and tapped Nick on the shoulder. Nick turned around to see who it was and it was Misty. "Hey, Misty," said Nick, trying to be nice.
"Aw, how cute, the boy's in a dress," said Misty.
Tomi clenched her fist but Nick shook his head and held her hand. "She's not worth it," said Nick, leading Tomi away from Misty. But as they were walking away, Tomi pulled herself away from Nick. "What's wrong?" asked Nick.
"She's right, all I am is a boy in a dress," she said as she walked out of the cafeteria.
"Tomi, wait!" said Nick, following her out. "Tomi, wait. That's not true."
"Yes it is, Nick. No matter how hard I try, I'll always be just one of the guys," said Tomi.
"That's not true. Don't listen to her, she's just jealous," said Nick.
"Jealous, jealous of what? Why would she be jealous?" asked Tomi.
"Because the most beautiful girl I have ever seen is standing in front of me right now," said Nick, blushing, as he realized he just said his true feelings.
Tomi thought she was hearing things. She turned around and asked, "What did you just say?"
Nick was turning even more red, but he managed to say it again, "The most beautiful girl I have ever seen is standing in front of me right now." Tomi looked around her, checking to see if anyone else was around. Nick sighed and said, "Tomi, I mean you."
Before Tomi could reply, they heard from inside the cafeteria, "And now, we will announce the Homecoming king and queen. The Homecoming king this year is…Nick Carter." They heard clapping and cheering from inside.
"…You better go in," said Tomi.
Nick nodded and went back in. Tomi followed him in and stood against the wall next to the exit. Nick went up to the stage and got crowned. He kept looking right at Tomi hoping she'd get crowned queen. AJ was smirking alone again. "And now…the Homecoming queen is… Misty Spears."
Tomi and Nick's hearts sank. Tomi looked down and left the cafeteria. AJ's jaw dropped, "Aw HELL no," he said, walking toward the stage.
Nick saw Tomi walk out and he tried to walk away and follow her, but he felt a tug on his sleeve, it was Misty again. "Where are you going? We have our dance still," said Misty with a smirk. Nick tried to get away but everyone was expecting them to dance. Tomi stood outside of the cafeteria trying her best not to cry.
"I knew it was too good to be true," said Tomi.
Back inside, Nick uncomfortably danced with Misty, who was doing her best to get as close to him as possible. As they were dancing, he looked around and realized that a lot of people were whispering among themselves. He managed to overhear a few of them saying, "…Hey who did you vote for?"
The reply was, "I voted for Tomi… I thought a lot of people voted for her as far as I know. Man…who voted for Misty." The whispers got louder and louder and Misty tried her best to ignore them. Finally, AJ went up onto the stage and talked to the announcer.
The announcer then said, "May I have your attention please." Nick and Misty stopped dancing and everyone looked back up onto the stage. "There seems to have been a mistake. According to the information I have just received, the Homecoming queen this year is Tomianne Dylan." This time the crowd cheered and Nick smiled and quickly let go of Misty, and took off her tiara.
"That can't be right! How could I lose to that stupid little boy in a dress?!" whined Misty.
"She deserves it more than you ever will," said Nick, running off to find Tomi. Tomi was still outside, still trying not to burst into tears. She didn't hear the announcement that was just made. Nick found her and said, "Tomi, come on, let's go back in."
Tomi looked down and said, "You're supposed to be in there dancing with your queen."
"…That would be a little hard considering she's standing right here outside of the cafeteria," said Nick.
Tomi looked up and asked, "What?"
"You're the homecoming queen. There was a messup, and Misty's probably behind it," said Nick, walking up to her.
"…I'm the homecoming queen?" asked Tomi in disbelief.
Nick smiled and said, "Yeah." He took the tiara and placed it on her head and took her hand. "Come on, they're waiting for us." He led her back inside and the crowd started clapping again. Misty threw another fit and stormed out of the cafeteria. The lights dimmed and "Open Arms" started playing as they slowly started to dance. As they danced, Nick kept pulling Tomi closer until finally she was right up against his chest. She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes, holding him close. At the end of the dance, she looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back and gently kissed her on the forehead. Tomi smiled and held Nick close. AJ just stood there smiling, satisfied with his accomplishment.
"Well now that those two are an item…I need to find someone," said AJ. Right then a girl walked right past him. He stared, smirked, and followed her.
A little while before the dance was over, Nick and Tomi were walking outside of the school holding hands and just talking. "So…did you mean what you said earlier?" asked Tomi.
"About you being the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen?" asked Nick. Tomi blushed and nodded. "I hope this answers your question," he said, as he pulled her close and kissed her gently on the lips. Tomi, although a little shocked, smiled and kissed back.
"Nick, wake up!" said Aaron, as he jumped onto his brother's bed, with him still in it. Nick mumbled and groaned.
"Aaron, get off of me…" he said as he looked at his alarm clock. "Aaron, it's only 7AM, and it's Sunday."
Aaron shook his head, "No it's not," he said.
Nick rechecked his calendar. Aaron was right, it wasn't Sunday, it was Monday. "Oh crap!!" said Nick, jumping out of bed, Aaron bounced on his bed laughing. Nick hopped into the shower and got dressed and ran out of the house. Right as he got out, he saw the bus drive off. "I REALLY need to get a car," he said as he started to run to school.
As he was running, he heard a horn honk and a Rav 4 pulled up next to him. Inside, AJ said, "This scene is just a bit too familiar. I'm gonna save us some talk, get in." Nick got in, and tried to get his breath back. "You know, you really need to get a car. I can't keep saving your ass like this every morning."
"Well you've been doing a pretty good job of it so far," said Nick with a smile.
"Don't push it…" said AJ, as he pulled up to the school. They both ran into class right as the bell rung.
Nick sat down and someone tapped on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Tomi. "Oh, hey Tomi," he said.
"Don't 'Hey Tomi' me Nickolas Gene Carter. Why didn't you call me back yesterday?" asked Tomi.
"You paged?" asked Nick, taking out his pager.
"Just a few times," said Tomi.
"Why does this feel like this has happened before?" asked AJ.
"Probably 'cause it happens almost every week," said Tomi.
"Oops," said Nick, looking at the numerous pages Tomi sent yesterday, "Sorry."
Tomi sighed, "It's alright, it's not important anyways. Just wanted to remind you of the game tonight."
"There's a game tonight?" asked Nick.
"I tell you, the boy is a genius," said AJ.
"Yes Nick, tonight," said Tomi, as she rolled her eyes.
"…Oh yeah," said Nick.
"I would like to begin class sometime today," said their teacher, glaring at them.
"…Sorry," said the three, pretending to pay attention.
After class, the three were walking to their next class when a basketball hit Nick on the back of his head. "Okay…OW!" said Nick, turning around. "Okay, YOU aren't supposed to be here, you graduated!"
"I'm just visiting, jeez chill Nick," said Brian, taking his ball back and dribbling it.
"Just can't get enough of this place huh, Rok?" asked AJ, "Your own school doesn't want you anymore or what?"
"Shut up, Boner," said Brian.
"I swear I'm surrounded by maturity," said Tomi, rolling her eyes.
"Anyways, I'll see you guys at the game," said Brian, walking off.
After school, they all met at the park. "I don't agree with this member change," whined AJ, "it's like breaking a tradition or something."
"God AJ, it's just me. I'm sure you guys will play just fine with Kevin. And just think, now you have someone a little taller than Nick," said Tomi. Tomi and Kevin had switched teams.
"We can take them still, right Kevin?" asked Howie.
"Of course. I'm not gonna let my little sibs beat me, no matter what team I'm on," said Kevin.
"…Traitor," whined AJ, sticking his tongue out at Tomi.
Tomi just smiled. Nick came up next to her and held her hand. "I REALLY hate to break it to you Nick, but you need both hands to play basketball. You already play bad enough so you need all the help you can get."
Nick smiled, "Shut up Brian, come on, let's just get the game goin'. I ain't losing to any of you guys, as long as I have her to love me."