Chapter 1

"So in conclusion, when talking to troubled young adults, you must understand where they are coming from and be their friend. Thank you" Nicole Smith smiled after giving her report in Pschology. She walked back to her seat and watched the clock waiting for the class to end.

*****

Nicole walked out to her blood red eclipse spyder and unlocked the door.

"Nic!" somebody yelled from behind her

"oh hey Ryan." she smiled putting her bag in the back seat.

"hey, think you could give me a lift? Lisa has to take a test and my cars in the shop."

"sure" she said climbing in.

Ryan went around the the passanger side and got in, "so you got any love interest lately?"

"Boy, you know that a relationship is the last thing on my mind right now" she said pulling out of the university parking lot.

"well damn girl, you know, nothing's wrong with being in love."

"I was in love" she muttered as she came to a stop sign."but then, as I recall, you weren't ready for a serious relationship, so you dump me and ask my friend to marry you about six months later"

"Nic, I thought we got over that."

"no, you got over that."

"so is that why you're afraid of being in love?"

"no, I'm afriad of being hurt ok. Now Ryan drop it ok?"

Ryan sighed sitting back in his seat.

Five minutes later, they pulled in front of Ryan's apartment.

"So I'll see you at the party tommorow?" Ryan said getting out.

"I dunno, I have a term paper to write."

"girl it's due in like two months, plus, my old friends are coming. You might know of them, they're in a band called Backstreet Boys"

Nicole laughed, "you mean those guys that are like 16?"

"Nah, they're older" Ryan laughed, "AJ's coming and he's 22, and the rest are older too"

"fine" Nicole sighed, "I'll be there"

"great" he smiled, "see ya then"