Los Angeles

Nic

I look over myself with a half-smile and am about to respond when two girls come running up the hall. Mentally groaning, I plaster the same fake smile I had all afternoon and answer a few of their questions before gripping Jackie's wrist and dragging her up to the VIP area, leaving the guard to hold the other two back.

"Maybe, when I'm done here, we could talk more," I say.

When we reach the VIP section, I let go of her wrist and let it be her decision whether she wants to be the scapegoat in a crowd of others who paid a sh*tload of cash to spend a little time with someone they think they know. Especially when a few of them always end up trying something.

"I've got to go through the motions right now," I sigh.

Jackie

I follow him and chuckle at his words, wrapping my arms around him and never wanting to let go. I hear the gasps from girls around us, "Don't leave me. I'll be watching my boyfriend sing and dance while watching other girls swoon over you. It makes me feel weird. Expecially when they set there status on facebook- 'taken by Nic Carter' because if I do that then people will think I'm just like them," I laugh.

Nic

I hesitate before wrapping my arms back around her and flashing a smile. My eyes scan over everyone in the room before setting on Jace, who nods and helpfully diverts their attention by deciding to sell one of my sweat-soaked shirts from a previous concert. It disgusts me how easily changed they are, how they flock to it, and how much money is thrown at it.

It's just a shirt. A plain dark purple button-up.

I turn away and focus back on Jackie, leaning down to whisper back to her.

"Fine," I say. "I won't leave you. They're taken care of for now. When I have to go back on stage, you can wait with Jace and your friend, too. He's not me, but he's pretty decent looking and has somewhat of a sense of humor."

Jackie

I nod and bury my face in his chest, rocking back and fourth with him. I close my eyes and keep cuddled against him, but look up when I see a bright like stun my vision.

Paparazzi. How'd they get in here? I blink a couple times, blocking my eyes.

Nic

My cheek rests against the top of her head, and my eyes close after she starts rocking back and forth. Something about being in her presence makes me realize how tired I am, how drained I feel; yet something about her also makes me feel wide awake. Again, confusion.

Then something flashes, and my eyes snap open. Anger flares up inside me, and I push Jackie behind me in an almost instinctive or protective way. This might be my life, but it's not her's. If I hate being in the tabloids, how is she going to feel?

"How'd you get in here?" I ask, trying to keep calm.

Jace notices the problem and uses his walkie-talkie to call up security. Then he comes running and takes over the interrogation, letting me and Jackie be.

Jackie

I cough and paparazzi makes it's way around to me, crowding me into a chair. I bring my knees to my face, not answering any questions, and start shivering when the security finally takes them away.

Publicity. I hate it...

My eyes open just a little to see Nic arguing with the security to keep on guard more. I bring my head back down and swallow, not bringing my guard down yet.

Nic

When I'm done chewing out one of the guards, I leave Jace to clean up my mess, or rather call Charlie to, and calm myself the best I can before heading over to Jackie. I twine my hand with her's and lead her away from the place altogether, shutting us in my dressing room instead, where I know for a fact only one other person has a key to, that person being my brother.

"I'd say sorry, but that'd kind of be out of character for me," I say.

She looks alert still, and that kind of bothers me; so I bring a hand up to her head and smooth her hair out of her face.

"Stuff like that might happen a bit more now that they have... proof, I guess, that we're something," I warn her in a whisper, leaving the option I don't want her to choose unspoken.

Jackie

I swallow at his words and take a deep breath, sitting down and running a hand through my hair, "I can deal."

I pull him down next to me and lie down, wrapping my arms around him again and closing my eyes, "We have fifteen minutes. Do you think that maybe I can stay in here and you'll come see me when you finish?"

I don't want to be alone, but I need to compose myself. Being out there will only make me paranoid. All those screaming girls.

All to much for me.

Nic

I nod and keep my arms around her, not worrying about time. Jace will come get me before I have to go back on. Always does. My forehead rests against hers, and I find myself closing my eyes as well.

I don't like how fragile I sense she is. Maybe it's not fragility, but just discomfort. Either way, it bothers me.

"Yeah, s'fine," I tell her. "Might be best, actually. No worries with it."

Jackie

I nod again and take a deep breath, wetting my lips before I realize how good he smells. I raise an eyebrow, smiling, and realize that he was just sweating a few minutes ago.
'Realizing how creepy I sound, I kiss his chest lightly and nuzzle my nose in his shirt, "What are you doing after this? Don't you have a hotel?"

I play with my wrist behind his back, a sign of anxiety that I always get. I'm not nervous though, maybe just scared. What if the magazines get the best of us? What if they start saying things that aren't true? I dismiss the thought and just focus on him, swallowing.

Nic

I smile when I feel her nuzzle her face in my shirt, moving to plant a kiss on the top of her head. She plays with something behind my back, but I dismiss it. Whatever she wants to do is fine, I guess. It's not like it's affecting me directly.

"I do have a hotel, yes," I say. "I didn't peg you as the go home with a guy on the first date type, though."

Even if that'd definitely be okay with me.

I almost consider saying that thought out loud, but something about her catches it in my throat. What I've already said is enough.

Jackie

My eyes tear up, but I dont think he notices because his eyes are closed, "Nic. I really like you. And not that 'lovey dovey' like either. I actually like you. I wanna see how strong we'd be. If the tabloids will destory us, or if we'll be able to overcome it with the help of eacother. I don't know. But, I just want you to know that I'm trying the best I can."

I bury my face in his shirt once again but stop playing with my wrist to wipe my eyes, taking a deep breath.

Nic

I think about her words for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and kissing the top of her head again, tightening my grip.

Does this mean I have to say something sappy too?

I withhold a sigh, knowing that I'm partially okay with that.

"Uh, I guess... I just want to let you know that I'll try not to look at anyone else or their a*ses while we're together and stuff," I say.

That wasn't to the extent of her statement, was it? Oh well.

Jackie

Well that was a d*ck move.

I sigh and close my eyes again, "You didn't have to tell me that...but whatever," I whisper back, biting my lip.

So, he's going to try not to look at anyone else. I'm giving him my all here, and I'm practically the one struggling. That's nice, Nic.

Nic

I mentally curse myself and search my mind for something to say instead. Nothing comes to mind, and I hate that. I feel like I'm drowning almost, struggling to find something to say before it's too late.

"I-I'm sorry," I almost choke out.

The words taste funny. It's no wonder I never say them.

"I didn't mean for that to sound... as bad as I think it did," I say. "Just... Listen, I'm no good at any of this lovey-dovey sappy stuff. I've never done anything of this scale. Usually, my relationships last a night. I want this to be different, though; but it's not going to be easy for me either."