Authors Note: First, hope you're enjoying the update so far! Second, there's another link on my profile page for images to see my top in this chapter, and Cheryl's dress.

Chapter 9: Introductions

Alicia's Point of View

We had spent most of the day taking photos and doing some video footage of us walking out of the darkness of the tunnel and into the light. The network wanted both still and live footage to start the ad campaign for Season 10.

Zak had been…there are no words. When he had lifted me, easily, up onto his back, I had been shocked. I wasn't sure if he was flirting, or if it had been his way of apologizing.

Either way, I had enjoyed it. Especially when his hands had brushed along my thighs as he had set me down.

I felt my face flush at the memory of it.

"Cheryl! Will you hurry up!" I called up the stairs.

The guys had decided (the idea originating from Ashley) that some celebratory drinks and dancing should be had in honour of me joining the crew. Normally, I avoided dancing and nightclubs like my life depended on it, but Zak and Aaron were all for a night of "partying" and they wouldn't take no for an answer.

I agreed to go on one condition, that I could bring Cheryl. They easily agreed, especially Aaron. I knew if I went to a nightclub without her, she'd kill me. And if I didn't use the opportunity to introduce her to the guys, she'd also kill me.

So there we were. Getting ready to go to the Vanity nightclub in the Hard Rock Hotel with GAC.

"Just getting my shoes!" Cheryl called back down the stairs.

I waited nervously.

Nightclubs were definitely not suited for my social anxiety, or my self esteem. And what if one of the guys asked me to dance? What if Zak asked me to dance.

My stomach's butterflies had started their own version of dancing.

I looked in a mirror near the front door to double check my hair and makeup. I had left my hair and makeup styled the way it was from the photoshoot, since I liked it so much. I just did a bit of retouching on my makeup before I had come downstairs.

I hated dresses and skirts with a passion. So I had decided on a red corset top, with some rose patterned, black lace covering parts of the red. It also had a removable "jacket" that only covered my shoulders and a bit of my back. I paired that with black, form fitting pants, and the heeled boots that the wardrobe department had let me keep.

I heard a car pull up outside and I glanced outside. The guys had arranged for a limo to pick up Cheryl and I, as an added treat.

"Cheryl!" I yelled, I didn't want to be late.

"I'm ready!" Cheryl called, walking down the stairs.

She looked great. She wore a black, mid thigh length dress. It had mesh cutouts along her sides, and one in the neckline. She paired that with strappy heels, and her curly hair was styled to perfection.

"Girl, why aren't you wearing a dress?! Or at least a skirt!" Cheryl commented, while grabbing her purse.

I shook my head and chuckled.

"You know I hate anything dress or skirt related. Now come on, the limo is here," I replied.

"Okay okay, relax Shorty," Cheryl smirked, mocking my telling of how Zak had called me by my new nickname earlier in the day.

"Oh God, please don't make me regret this," I said, as we had walked out the door and locked it.

Cheryl mimicked an evil laugh as we walked down to the limo.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Lord help me…


The limo finally pulled up in front of the VIP entrance of the club, and I saw Ashley and Jay waiting for us.

"Hello ladies!" Ashley chimed as Cheryl and I got out of the limo, the driver opening the doors for us.

"Hey you two," I smiled, then motioned to Cheryl.

"This is my friend Cheryl," I started. "Cheryl, this is Jay and Ashley," I added, doing the introductions.

They all shook hands.

"Great to meet you," Cheryl smiled.

"Great to meet you too," Jay replied with a smile.

Ashley nodded her agreement.

"The guys are already inside, they wanted to make sure we didn't lose our booth in case you were late," Ashley stated, as she and Jay moved toward the entrance.

Damn it, I thought.

Why did Zak always have to be there first? I was hoping that I wouldn't have to do my "walk of shyness" if he liked how I looked, like he had earlier in the day.

"I'm sorry if we're late, you can put the blame on me," Cheryl stated with a small laugh.

"Not at all, you're right on time," Ashley replied with a smile, as we all walked inside. "Follow us," she added as she and Jay started moving their way through the crowd toward the booths.

I felt my social anxiety start to rear it's ugly head as I walked with Cheryl through the crowd. I was already starting to regret coming.

I felt Cheryl take my hand and give it a small squeeze.

I looked at her and smiled gratefully. God bless her.

"Here we are," Ashley stated, reaching a circular booth. Zak, Aaron and Billy all stood up to greet us.

"Well, hello ladies," Billy smirked.

I smiled.

"You must be the lovely woman I talked to on the phone last week," Aaron smiled, holding his hand out to shake Cheryl's.

She smiled and giggled slightly as she shook his hand.

"Cheryl, this is Aaron, Billy and Zak," I introduced. I could feel Zak's eyes on me as I tried to keep my social anxiety at bay. I wanted to sit in the booth, to be hidden from prying eyes.

"Nice to meet you," Billy said, shaking Cheryl's hand.

She smiled and shook his hand, then turned to shake Zak's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you," Zak smiled, shaking Cheryl's hand.

I could tell by looking at her she was trying not to faint. I managed to hold back my laughter.

"Pleasure's all mine," she replied slyly, causing Zak to smirk.

I felt a twinge of jealousy go through me.

What the hell? Since when do you get jealous? I thought.

"Well, I hate to just meet you and run, but I want to dance," Ashley stated with a smile, pulling a reluctant, but smiling Jay to the dance floor.

Cheryl and I laughed.

"No problem," Cheryl replied.

"I gotta get back to the table before the song runs out," Billy started. "Again, nice to meet you Cheryl," he added before walking away.

"He's DJing tonight?" I asked. I knew Billy did some DJ work now and then.

"That he is. Guess it's just the four of us," Aaron smiled.

I saw Zak smirk.

Oh boy, I thought.

"Ladies' first," Aaron said, motioning to the booth.

Cheryl smiled.

"Why thank you," she said, as she slid around to the middle of the booth.

I followed suit, seeing Zak slide in beside me, while Aaron slid in beside Cheryl.

I could sense this was going to be a very long night.