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November 8, 1993

Dear Nick,

Hey Frack!! What's up? Right now I'm just sitting here in my room, so I decided to write to you. How's Brian, Kevin, AJ, and Howie? How's the singing thing coming along? Have you done any more shows? If you have, you better have pictures 'cause I want to see.

Anyway, I have no idea when I can come out to Florida. Not Thankgiving. My family and I are going to Fillmore, otherwise known as Boredomville. Maybe Christmas? Who knows. But I really miss you. Sometimes I wake up thinking you're still here, which is really weird since it's been almost a month.

Your buddy Sarah Logan is bugging me now that not here. She keeps trying to pump information about you from me. Once I even caught her looking in my binder, hoping to find your phone number or address. The girl is relentless.

On to better things, Todd and I are doing okay. We seem to have worked out all of our problems. Right now he's trying to decided what college to go to. He's had several college scouts offer him full scholarships for basketball. Did I tell you he loves basketball? Something you two have in common. That's scary!! Just kidding. I better go. Homework calls. Call me or write soon. I Love You!!!

Always a friend, Raelene

P.S. Say hi to the Boys and your family for me.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Nick folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. He thought about Rae almost every day. Whenever she called, he was happy the rest of the day. He was teased constantly by his sisters, BJ and Leslie. The fellas teased Nick, too, saying he always had this goofy smile on his face when he was thinking about Rae.

"What did Raelene have to say?" Nick's mom, Jane Carter, asked. She stood in the doorway of Nick's room.

"She think's she'll be able to come out for Christmas and she says 'hi' to the family." Nick smiled.

"That's nice. Well, I just came up here to tell you Brian and AJ are here."

"Thanks, Mom."

Nick got up off his bed and headed downstairs. He gave his mom a hug on the way out. Jane looked at her oldest son. 'He's growing up,' she thought. 'I know he likes this girl. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what comes out of this friendship.'

Jane smiled to herself and headed downstairs.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey, Frick. What's up?" Nick said, walking into the living room.

"Not much, Frack," Brian said. "AJ and I came over to tell you we got a gig singing at a charity concert this weekend."

"Yeah, we're getting paid and everything," AJ added.

"Cool. What time? I have an audition for a musical at 9:00am."

"We go on at 2:00pm," Brian said. "What are you auditioning for?"

" 'Annie, Get Your Gun'," Nick answered.

"Good luck, man," AJ said.

"Thanks."

"We thought it'd be a good idea to start rehearsing now," Brian informed Nick. "So we're heading to me and Kev's apartment."

"Alright. Let me go tell my mom."

A few minutes later, Nick came back with a little toddler following him. Nick knelt down and gave him a hug.

"I'll be back in a little while, Aaron. Okay?"

"Then will you play with me?" Aaron looked up at Nick with his adorable brown eyes.

"Yes. I'll play with you when I get back."

"Okay. Bye, Nick."

"Okay." Then Aaron ran into the next room.

"Alright. Let's go." Nick headed towards the door. Brian and AJ followed him.

"So, have you heard from Rae?" AJ asked Nick once they were in Brian's jeep.

"Yeah. I got a letter from her today. She said to say 'hi' to you all. So, hi."

"Has she broken up with Todd for you, yet?" Brian asked from the driver's seat.

No. She's helping him decided what college he should go to. And why would she dump him for me?"

"Because she loves you," AJ said from the backseat.

"And you love her," Brian added.

"As friends, guys. We're just friends." Nick let out an exasperated sigh. He didn't know how many times they've gone through this.

"So you say," AJ said.

"Okay, okay. I might have liked her as more than a friend at one time, but I'm totally over it."

"Whatever you say, Nick," Brian said, pulling into the space in front of Brian's and Kevin's apartment. They all got out and headed inside to practice.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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November 23, 1993

Dear Rae,

What's up, Baby Girl? Like you new nickname? Brian and I thought if fit you perfectly since you're so small. Anyway, the Backstreet Boys did another show. And we got pictures, so I'm sending you copies. We've all been pretty busy. I was in a musical called 'Annie, Get Your Gun'. I had a starring role, so my mom took pictures of that, too.

Now guess what? I have a girlfriend. Her name is Bryn. She had a starring role in the musical, too. She's real nice. I think you'll like her. The guys think she's cool, too. I told her all about you and she hopes to meet you soon. Which brings me to my next question, can you come out for Christmas? My parents said it's alright with them if your parents are alright with it. You could stay here, share my room....

I better go. All the fellas miss you a lot. I miss you a lot. A whole lot. I can't even to begin to tell you how much. My family said to say 'hi' and they hope youi can make it out for Christmas. I Love You!!

Always your, Nick

P.S. Tell Todd and you family I said hi.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Rae put the letter down. Rae and Julia were sitting in Rae's room. They were quiet for a moment.

"Are you disappointed?" Julia asked.

"About what?" Rae responded.

"About Nick going out with someone else," Julia said.

"No. Why should I be?" Rae sounded surprised.

"I don't know. You just seemed to like him a lot, that's all."

"At one point in time, I did. But that's all behind me now. He can go out with whoever he wants to. Besides, I have Todd. He's the one who is my soulmate, not Nick. I truly believe Todd and I will one day get married."

"That's true. I got a letter from AJ. He said he doesn't think Nick will go out with Bryn for long. He also said she acts a lot like you, but looks the total opposite. AJ thinks he's looking for a substitute for you. Anyway, are you going out for Christmas?"

"Yeah," Rae said, not believing what Julia just said. "I asked my parents yesterday and they're cool with it. My brothers are coming, too. And Todd. I just have to tell Nick." Rae picked up the letter again. It was surprising to find that she didn't have any jealousy towards Bryn. All she felt was happiness for Nick.

"I have to go," Julia said, looking her watch.

"Alright. Bye, Julia."

"Bye, Rae."

Rae walked Jamy to the door and watched as she got into her mom's car. Who knows how long Julia's mom had been waiting there. Hopefully, not long. The Rae shut the door and went to call Nick with the information about Christmas.