It’s been 5 years since then. Katie is now 17 about to graduate from her junior year. She did go on tour with the boys that summer for a month. She went on tour with them every summer except last summer but she had a good reason. That reason was Nick. The summer when she was 15 was the best summer of her life. They had finally confessed their feelings for each other and it had been an amazing summer. When the summer was over they had kept in talking every night but school was starting and Nick was busy recording and touring. The calls went from every night to once week to when ever they happened to think about it and had the time. They hadn’t talked but twice in past year and hadn’t seen each other since that summer but it was time. Time to rekindle what they had that summer. It wouldn’t be just a summer love. They’d make sure of that. It wouldn’t be that easy though, in two years more things had went wrong in Katie’s life than anybody could imagine.
*Katie’s POV*
*6am; Sat May 12, 1998*
“It’s 6am here on a beautiful spring morning in Lexington. Don’t forget about the Tates Creek Girls varsity basketball game tonight at 6. It’s the last game of the season. Come join us there to see if our girls win state. Now how about a little music. Here’s the Backstreet Boys with Everybody” The Dj said when my alarm clock went off.
“Oh great thanks make me more nervous than I already am.” I stated to the radio. I got up and quickly showered and dressed since I had b-ball practice at 7. After I was done it I walked downstairs to find it still dark in the kitchen. *Weird mom and dad are always up by now* I turned the light on and walked to the backdoor opening it. “Baby!” I yelled. “You want outside!” I finished. He came running down the stairs toward me at the sound of outside. I opened the door and let him out. I looked at the ‘fridge where there were 2 notes with my name scrawled on them. I grabbed them both and unfolded the first one.
Katie,
I took Jim’s shift today since his wife had surgery yesterday. It’s 5:30am. I should be home at 2pm. You’re mother also had to work there’s a note explaining that. I have to go now.
Love you,
Dad
Is what the first one said. *Ok well atleast he doesn’t have to work real late. Now lets see what mom had to say.*
Katie,
Hey sweetheart. I’m sorry I had to work this morning. The hospital was short handed so they called me. It’s 4:30am and I only have to work till 8am so I’ll see you later. I hope you had a good sleep.
Love you,
Mom
*Well since mom will beat me home I’ll leave a note so she doesn’t worry. Just incase she forgets I have practice this morning.* I thought as I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen.
Mom,
I’m at b-ball practice. I should be home between 8:30 and 9 but who knows how long he’ll keep us since we have ‘the big game’ tonight. There’s a letter from dad too. He had to work also. His note explains it.
I’ll see ya later,
Katie
*Now that that’s done I’ll grab some breakfast.* I quickly made me a bowl of cereal and poured me a glass of orange juice. I hate quickly as possible so I wasn’t late. It was 6:50 by the time I was done. Just in time to jump in my car and drive to school. I let Baby in then grabbed my keys and walked out the front door to my car. I jumped in, started it and pulled out of the driveway. I loved my car. I was still trying to actually believe that Brian had given me a convertible for my birthday. I arrived at the school about 2 minutes before 7. It was a good thing otherwise Coach Hayes would’ve kicked my ass. Especially since I’m captain of the team. I got out locking the doors before running for the gym.
“Morning Littrell.” Coach Hayes said as I walked in. He called all of by our last names.
“Morning Coach.” I replied with a smile.
“Hey Kat.” Sarah Ward said.
“Morning Sar.” I greeted my co-captain and best friend.
“Ok girls lets get started. Do your stretches and then I want 5 laps.” Coach interrupted. The 8 of us nodded and got down to business.
*Brian’s POV*
8:15 am that same morning
“It looks kinda dark Rok.” Aj said as we got out of the car.
“Yea it does. They might still be asleep. I guess if they are they’ll be up in a couple minutes.” I replied. The rest of the boys laughed and we walked up to the door. I rang the doorbell to see if anybody would answer. After a couple minutes and nobody had answered I dug my keys out of my jeans pocket and unlocked the door.
“Mom, Dad, Katie!” I yelled once we had all gotten in the house. The only one that came running was Baby. “Hey Baby.” I said bending down to pet him. I picked him up and stood up. “Let’s go see if we can find out where they are.” I said. They agreed and we walked to the kitchen. “Look for a note or something.” I stated.
“Brian I think what you’re looking for is on the ‘fridge.” Nick stated not even a second later.
“Oh yea that’s where they always put ‘em.” I remarked sheepishly. Kevin walked over and grabbed them. “Well what do they say Kev?” I asked.
“Hold on Brian and let me read them.” He replied.
“Sorry I’m just excited to see everybody.” I said. Howie and Aj laughed while Kevin shook his head and Nick well he was completely quiet probably a little glad Katie wasn’t here. I was so excited to see her I hadn’t seen her since last Christmas.
“Ok well you’re mom’s at work it said that she should’ve home 15 minutes ago so you might want to check the answering machine. You’re Dad has to work till 2 and Katie is at basketball practice.” Kevin stated.
“Ok I’ll check the machine see if she’s left a message.” I stated and walked over to the machine. The red light was flashing 2. I pushed play and mom’s voice came on.
“Katie it’s mom. I’m gonna be a little late the hospital’s still short handed. It won’t be any later than 10 so you can count on me home by then. I hope you had a good time at practice. Love you.” The next message soon came up.
“Hey mom.” Katie’s voice came through the speaker. I looked over at Nick to see his reaction. He looked pale compared to the way he had looked only seconds before. It had been way too long since him and Katie had talked or seen each other and he’s more nervous than he was the first time he asked her out. “I’ll probably be home a little early. Coach is actually going easy on us today. Guess he doesn’t want to wear us out before the big game. I should be home around 8:15. I’ll see ya then. Love you. Bye.” Right after that ended I heard the door slam and watched as Nick paled even more than he was before.
“Hey Mom I’m home. I’m gonna go take a quick shower and I’ll be down.” She yelled and I heard her walk up the stairs. She didn’t even know we were here. After she was out of ear shot all of us except Nick cracked up laughing.
“Oh she doesn’t even know we’re hear can you imagine the surprise she’s gonna get when she walks back down those stairs.” Aj crackled.
“Oh she’s gonna freak. She’ll be glad to see all of us.” Howie laughed.
“Not all of us.” Nick stated solemnly.
“Nick she’ll be glad to see you too. Believe it or not she really will.” Kevin said. I nodded my head in agreement.
“She’s missed you Nick. She’s told me that. You can get back everything you had that summer. You’re both just gonna have to work for it. You guys were young you didn’t know how to deal with a long distance relationship.” I stated.
“I know.” He replied.
“Well good then brighten up.” Aj said. Nick smiled as we all started talking.
*Katie’s POV*
I walked in to the house from practice and yelled to my mom that I was home and I was going to take a quick shower. 20 minutes later I was showered and dressed. I walked down stairs to here what sounded like Brian laughing. I figured mom was talking to him on the phone and was using the speakerphone. I walked into the kitchen to tell her hi and got the surprise of my life. Sitting there in the kitchen was Brian, Kevin, and the rest of the guys.
“Oh my god Brian!” I yelled as he stood up I ran into his arms.
“Katie! How are you.” He said hugging me.
“I’m good. What are you doing here?” I asked pulling away.
“Well we decided to come back a little early for my surgery so I could spend more time here.” He replied. I nodded my head in understanding. I didn’t like to talk about his surgery much and neither did he. I was soon wrapped in Kevin’s arms.
“I missed you Katie.” He said.
“I missed you too Kev.” I replied.
“I know she’s family to you guys and all but stop hogging her.” Aj joked. I pulled away from Kevin laughing.
“Hey Aj how are you.” I smiled hugging him.
“I’m fine. What’s this big game we’ve heard about?” He asked. I pulled away and answered him.
“We made it to state and that’s the big game. It’s tonight actually.” I replied. Howie pulled me into a hug before Aj answered.
“Congratulations!” They all said.
“Thanks.” I replied after I pulled away from Howie.
“I can’t believe you guys made it.” Aj said
“Hey!” I said slapping his shoulder trying to act offended. The rest of the guys all laughed and it was Nick’s laughter that reminded me he was there. I turned around and faced him wearing a small smile. I gave him a small, awkward hug and he did the same. We pulled away only seconds after we had touched. The phone rang just a couple seconds later.
“I’ll get it.” Brian yelled running for the phone. I laughed and turned to the rest of the guys.
“So have you guys gotten your luggage in and stuff?” I asked.
“No we haven’t.” Howie stated.
“What do you mean ‘we’? Aren’t you staying at Kevin’s like you always do? Or is someone else staying there?” I asked praying that if someone else was staying there it wasn’t Nick.
“Well Grandma and Grandpa Littrell and Grandma & Grandpa Richardson are coming in tonight before you’re game and they’re staying at my house so we’re out of room.” Kevin said.
“Oh.” I stated. *Great now I’m really nervous not only are Brian and the rest of the guys gonna be there. But so are Grandma and Grandpa Littrell and Grandma and Grandpa Richardson.* “Um, ok, go get your luggage and I’ll figure something out.” I stated. I got a chorus of oks and they walked out the door. “Man ya’ll had to make me more nervous than I already was.” I said out load.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to make you more nervous.” Nick stated.
“Ahh! Oh my god I didn’t know you were there!” I yelled startled.
“Sorry didn’t mean to scare you.” He stated.
“It’s ok.” I replied. There was silence between us but it wasn’t the comfortable silence that it used to be. It was a strange and uncomfortable silence. “You can set your bags in Brian’s room for now.” I stated. He nodded and walked up the stairs.
“Katie I figured something out.” Brian said coming in the house.
“And what would that be?” I asked.
“As soon as Howie and Aj get in here I’ll tell you. Where’d Nick go?” He asked. “Never mind here he comes.” He stated before I could even get a word out.
“Here comes Aj and Howie too.” I stated motioning behind him.
“Ok here’s how were gonna do this. Howie you take the room Nick normally stays in and Aj you take your normal room. I’m gonna take my room…” Brian said.
“What about me Rok?” Nick interrupted.
“I’m getting there. You’re gonna stay in Katie’s room with her.” He finished my mouth dropped to the floor I couldn’t believe he had just said that. Nick was evidently as speechless as I was; he hadn’t said a word yet. Brian smiled and walked up the stairs and Aj, Howie, and Kevin followed him leaving Nick and I alone. “Nick I threw your stuff in Katie’s room!” Brian yelled down the stairs.
“Ok.” Nick yelled back weakly.
“I um…” I started to say turning around to face him but I had no idea what to say. I wanted to yell at Brian for doing that but in a way I was glad he had decided to put us in the same room. We stood there staring at each other for a couple minutes before I spoke up again. “I guess we don’t really have a choice since we’ve ran at room at both houses. I guess we’ll just have to deal.”
“Yea I guess so. I’ll sleep on the floor if you want me to Katie.” He said.
“No Nick it’s ok. I don’t expect you to sleep on the floor.” I replied and lead him up to my room. “How long are you gonna be here?” I asked.
“About 2 weeks.” He replied shutting the door behind him. I nodded my head and opened the closet. I moved my clothes to one side so he could put some of his in there. I didn’t want him to have to live out of a suitcase for 2 weeks if he didn’t have to. “What are you doing?” He asked curiously.
“Moving my cloths so you can put some of yours in there.” I answered.
“You don’t have to do that.” He said getting up.
“It’s ok I don’t mind.” I replied turning around, smiling. It wasn’t till I turned around that I realized how close he was to me. We locked eyes and were only centimeters from kissing when the phone rang.
“Sorry” He said backing away.
“No big deal.” I shrugged.
“Katie it’s Sarah!” Brian yelled.
“Ok!” I yelled back. “You can go ahead and unpack Nick I don’t care if you’re in here.” I stated when he started to walk out the door. He nodded his head and walked back in over to his suitcase.
“Hey Sarah.” I said answering the phone.
“Hey Girl! You didn’t tell me your brother was going to be home.” She said. Sarah and I had been best friends since we were 2 so she had also grown up with my brothers. Harold and Brian are the brothers she’s never had since she’s an only child.
“Well I didn’t know it either. Until I got out of the shower.”
“Man must have been quiet a surprise huh?”
“Yea it was.”
“So, are all of them there?”
“Yes they’re all here.” She had this huge crush on Aj.
“Yes! Finally I get to see him again.” I just laughed at her.
“So what did you call for Sarah. I know it wasn’t just to talk about Aj.” Nick gave me a strange look when I said that. I just mouthed I’d tell him later.
“You’re right I didn’t. The rest of the girls and I thought we’d come over to your house and play a little ball. You know have a little fun before the big game.”
“Sure that’s fine. I don’t care.”
“Ok see ya in 5”
“See ya.” I said and hung up.