*Brian*

Lara’s car was so much better then my Jeep. "I really need to go car shopping," I thought to myself, as I flicked on the radio.

"Glad you’re listening to XL 106.7 this glorious morning. Now here’s a hit song by *NSync, "Tearin’ Up My Heart"," a DJ announced.

"Yippee, we get to listen to posers!" Nick said sarcastically. Lynn and Lara giggled as I changed the station.

"Now this is good music," I said as Boyz II Men’s "Bended Knee" came on.

"I love this song. It’s so sweet!" Lara grinned.

I wanted to say, "I love this song too, but I love you more!" I only got up enough guts to say the first part.

"You guys are sappy. Journey is so much better then this yucky love stuff!" Nick whined form the backseat.

"Shut up Carter, we are they yucky love stuff! Does "I’ll Never Break Your Heart" ring any bells?" I laughed at my clueless friend.

"Oh, right. Whoops!" Nick blushed then hugged Lynn tightly.

"I wish I could do that with Lara," I thought. Then I looked over to Lara and noticed that she was crying.

"What’s wrong?" I asked in a whisper so that Nick and Lynn couldn’t hear.

"Remember my ex-boyfriend that I told you about? Eric. Well, this was our song and it just makes me cry every time I hear it," I sniffled.

"Aww, don’t cry sweetie. I’m here for you," I murmured, brushing a tear from Lara’s cheek.

"Thanks Brian. You’re such a good friend," she replied with a grin.

"Great, I mean to be sweet and caring and she thinks of me as a good friend!" I cursed to myself silently.

"Brian, are we almost there?" Lynn shouted form the back of the car.

"Yeah, about a half hour and we’ll be there," I replied. Lynn said something in return, but I couldn’t hear her.

Playing with the radio once more, I turned back to 106.7.

"Here’s the song all the girls have been waiting for…"I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys," the same DJ as before announced.

"Oh great. Brian change it! I don’t want to hear myself!!!!" Nick screeched.

"No, leave it! I like it!" Lara smirked.

"Lara wins. Sorry Carter. I take pride in our work," I said. Then I listened to the song, not even once beginning to sing.

"You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way

But we are two worlds apart
Can't reach to your heart
When you say
That I want it that way

Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way

Am I your fire
Your one desire
Yes I know it's too late
But I want it that way


Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way

Now I can see that we've fallen apart
From the way that it used to be, yeah
No matter the distance
I want you to know that
Deep down inside of me
You are my fire
The one desire
You are, you are, you are, you are
Don't wanna hear you say...

Don't wanna hear you say,
Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
(Don't wanna hear you say),
I never wanna hear you say,
I want it that way

Tell me why,
Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Tell me why,
Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
Tell me why,
I never wanna hear you say,
(Don't wanna hear you say),
I want it that way

Tell me why...
Ain't nothin' but a heartache,
Ain't nothin' but a mistake,
Tell me why,
I never wanna hear you say,
(Never wanna hear you say it),
I want it that way

I want it that way"

"That’s really good Nicky," I heard Lynn giggle in the back. Then I heard kissing noises. I didn’t want to find out what they were doing.

"You like it Lara?" I asked, hoping she’d say yes.

"I love that song. It’s so beautiful," Lara replied breathlessly.

"Thanks…" I said as I turned the car off the exit. 5 minutes later we were parked at Busch Gardens.