Kristina. Kristina. The name never seemed so beautiful.

"So…do you live nearby? And do you come here often?" Asked Nat. He was shocked he could even talk. Ever since she said her name, it was like he was star struck by her voice.

"Actually, I do live nearby. Just a few blocks away. I just moved here to L.A. I come from the Bronx." answered Kristina. She was still smiling. Nat hoped she would never stop. Her smile was beautiful…almost as beautiful as…

Rosalina's.

Could it be possible Nat was falling for someone else?

Maybe.

But is love at first sight even real?

Nat never thought so, but Kristina could be giving him second thoughts.

"Where do you live, Nat?" She asked him.

"I live a few blocks from here, too. To the left."

"I live a few blocks from here to the right."

Nat loved the fact she lived nearby. They could become good friends, he could tell.

Or maybe even more, if his heart would let him.

Does she play music, Nat wondered? It wouldn't hurt to ask. But it seemed Nat was the one who was asking all the questions, which wasn't normal. Nat was normally quiet, almost shy. Nat hoped he wasn't pestering her. It would be awful to find out that he thought he was just getting to know a cute girl in the park, and find out his constant interrogations had annoyed her. Still, music was his passion, it was the question he asked everyone if he was interested in getting to know them. Music is a favorite subject everywhere. Who doesn't like to talk about music?

"Do you like music?" He finally asked, after an awkward silence.

"Saying I adore music would be an understatement." Kristina answered. "I love it so much! I listen to pop, rock, country, you name it! But my favorite type of music is 60s through 80s."

"Wow, me too!"

"I also love to play the bass. I don't know why I wasn't into guitar, piano, drums, or any other of those cooler instruments that everyone wants to learn. There's just something about the bass. I rehearse until midnight sometimes, even on a school night. Everyone says I'm pretty good. I hate to brag, but I think I've got the chops to get into a band with no sweat."

Did somehow, someway, Kristina know that the position of "bassist" was open in the Naked Brothers Band? That sounded like audition talk to Nat. She couldn't have known, though, or else she would have jumped Nat, hurt ankle or not! Whether or not she knew, Nat didn't care. She sounded perfect. She fit the bill. Kristina Reyes in the Naked Brothers Band…it sounded right.

"Kristina?"

"Yeah?"

"How would you like to audition to be in my band?"

"You have a band?"

"Yeah. The Naked Brothers Band. We're pretty famous, especially around here, but our popularity doesn't matter. Are you in?"

Kristina put her finger on her lip and looked up, in deep thought of whether to decide or not. Nat giggled a little. She looked awfully cute, even when she was serious.

But still, even though the expression on her face was humorous, it made Nat a nervous wreck at the same time. What if he asked her too soon? What if she said no?

"Hmmmmm…….I'll have to think about that." Kristina said, still looking up.

"Well, you can have all the time you wa-"

"Psych! I would sooooooo totally most definitely positively want to be in your band! I've never had anyone ask me that before! Thank you so much…ummm…..what's your name again?" Kristina was bouncing up and down with excitement.

"Nat Wolff. But, you can just call me Nat."

"Thanks so much, Nat!" Kristina nearly knocked him off the bench, the way she flew to hug him. Once she wrapped her arms around him, she squeezed him so hard he couldn't breathe. Nat loved it.

"So I guess that means we have a new bass player…I mean, that is, if you do well, which I haven't a doubt in my mind you will."

Kristina was beaming. Nat had made her day. Her dream of becoming bass player in a band had finally come true…well, if she made it in, that is.

After the topic of music had been set aside, Kristina and Nat talked for what seemed like hours…about anything you could think of. The mainstream media, the 2008 presidential election, brothers (Kristina has an older brother called Jimmy, Nat found out), video games, clothes, food, and keeping their rooms clean. Besides keeping their rooms clean (Nat was a neat freak and Kristina was a total slob), the two had so much in common it blew their minds. It was almost like talking to the opposite sex version of themselves. It was nice talking to someone who finally understood.

Nat didn't want the conversation to end, but he was sure by now his father and brother were wondering where he was (he never told them that he had left), and Kristina's ankle was feeling well enough to walk now.

"Well, I hate to leave, but I want my mom to know I'm okay." said Kristina, finally.

"Are you sure you can make it back okay?" asked Nat, concerned.

"No, I'll be fine."

"Well, do you want me to walk you home?"

"If that's okay with you. I wouldn't mind a bit." Kristina smiled flirtatiously at him. Nat hoped she wasn't just teasing.

Nat helped her up and they linked arms. Though she had a bit of a limp and walked slower than Nat, she walked fine. "I think I'll be better by tomorrow. I just need to rest." She told him. "Yeah. And maybe you should put some ice on your ankle." Nat agreed.

Nat left Kristina by her doorstep. "Wait right there." Kristina said. She went inside and brought out a notepad. She wrote something down with a pen, tore out a page, and gave it to him. Nat read it. "It's my phone number," she explained. "if you ever want to give me a call." Nat looked up and smiled at her. He took the notepad and the pen and wrote down his, then he handed them to her. "That's mine, in case you ever want to give me a call." They both chuckled awkwardly. "Well, I'll see you around." Nat waved and took off down the street. He had a bit of a bounce in his step.

Nat thought over everything that had just happened between him and the beautiful Kristina Reyes. She had personality, a wonderful smile, a glow in her face, and a twinkle in her eye. He was sure the audience would love her if they got to know her. Sure, it would be hard without Rosalina, and it would be weird seeing Kristina there with the bass instead of Rosalina or Thomas, but Kristina just belonged there in the Naked Brothers Band. He could feel it.

But suddenly, Nat grew nervous. The NBB didn't know about Kristina yet. What if they didn't like her? What if Kristina turned out to be a bad bass player? What if someone else comes along who's better and he has to turn Kristina down?

Nat sighed and walked slower. Only time would tell if his feelings about Kristina being the perfect new bass player were correct.