Chapter 3

By: Victoria S.

Finally, the day had arrived. I had been waiting so patiently for this day to come, and it finally had arrived. I still couldn't figure out which guy I liked better, but I knew that I would figure it during my weekend with them. My bags were packed, I was fully clothed, and fully made up, and I was ready. I was so ready that I couldn't keep still. I stood outside of my school right in the front parking lot with Rose, Cloe, Sophie, and June waiting for the guys tour bus to pull up and pick me up. All of my friends were so excited for me. They were also really excited because they would get to meet them.

"I am sooo excited," I said practically jumping up and down.

"And I am soo excited for you," June said hugging me.

We all stood around talking, and joking about the pack of condoms that they had given me.

"Where are they?" I said worriedly looking down at my watch. "They are five minutes late.."

"Don't worry about it, Rebecca. They'll be here. They have to arrive 'fashionably' late," Rose said reassuringly.

"Yeah, they'll be here.." Cloe said smiling. 10 minutes passed.. 20 minutes.. And then finally they came. We were all sitting on the steps of my school, and all of my friends were trying to cheer me up. Nothing was working, until I saw their tour bus pull up. We all quickly stood up, and I began smiling for the first time in 20 minutes. I had been so worried that they had stood me up, I felt like crying. Thank goodness I was wrong..

The bus pulled to a stop, and AJ rushed out.

"Rebecca! Hi!! Sorry that we are so late.. There was so much damn traffic today.."

Although I was annoyed, angry, and pretty ticked at the fact that they were late the minute I looked into those big brown eyes, it changed the way I was feeling. "It's OK, AJ. I understand," I said sweetly.

"I'm glad you understand. Come on, we better get going before it gets dark," he said. "Let me take your bags."

"Let me help.." Nick said running out of the bus. I looked up, and saw Nick running towards me. "Hey, Rebecca.. Sorry we're late.. Traffic."

"Yeah, I heard from AJ." I looked at Nick, and just about fainted. He looked so gorgeous. His hair was neatly slicked back, and he was wearing a pair of baggy khakis, with a white button down 'Ralph Lauren' shirt. I just kept staring at him. I couldn't help myself.

Rose cleared her throat as to let me know that they still wanted to get introduced.

"Oh! Um.. AJ, Nick, I would like to introduce you to my best friends Rose, Cloe, June, and Sophie."

They all shook hands, and we stood around talking for a few minutes. The bus driver was getting pretty annoyed by this time so he honked the horn to let us know that it was time to go. I hugged all of my friends, and told them that I would see them on Tuesday at school. AJ and Nick helped put my bags in the bus, and then we were off. When I stepped into the bus I just about shit in my pants.. Literally. I couldn't believe how grand, and luxurious it was.

"This is how you get around?" I asked in awe.

"Yep," Kevin said. "Pretty nice, huh?"

I just shook my head 'yes.' I was too speechless to say anything.

"You get used to it after awhile.." Howie said with a smile. "After touring in this thing for days, and days at a time it becomes no big deal."

"Would you like me to show you around?" AJ asked me as the bus pulled out of my school parking lot.

"Sure.. That'd be great, AJ," I said.

He took my hand, and began showing me around.

"This is where we all sit and eat," he said showing me the kitchen table. "This is our little kitchenette... If you are ever hungry, or need a midnight snack or something, this is the place to come. There is all kind of food.. Cheetos, Goldfish, crackers, cookies," he said showing me the stash of junk food on top of the refrigerator. "We just don't have the one thing that I love the most in the world."

"And what would that be?" I asked interested to see what he was going to say.

"McDonalds. I am a huge Micky D's fan.."

"You too? I thought I was the only one!" I said ecstatically.

"You are too?"

"Yeah! Of course.. What's your fave thing on the menu?"

"Quarter Pounder with cheese," AJ said.

"Me too!"

"Wow, this is so cool. We already have something in common," he said.

"We probably have more.. We just need to get to know each other better.." I said smiling. I was totally flirting with him. I knew I was, but I just couldn't help myself. It was so hard restraining myself.

"I'd like to get to know you better, Rebecca.." he said in a very sexy tone. I just about fainted right then and there.

I felt like just grabbing his face, and giving him a long, hard kiss, but instead I just said "So, how about showing me the rest of the bus?"

"Oh yeah.." AJ said. He took my hand again, and led me to this hallway. It was kind of long, and on both sides of it there were five bunks with blue curtains over them for privacy. Each piece of cloth had their names embroidered on them so people could tell who slept in which one. AJ's was the last one at the very end of the hallway. He then showed me the last room on the bus.

"This is the game room," he said. "This is were Nick and his little brother Aaron always come and play video games." He opened the door, and showed me the inside of the room.

"I didn't know Nick had a little brother," I said looking around. There were pictures all over the room in frames. There were many pictures of the guys, and what seemed to be their family members. On one side of the room there was a huge TV set, VCR, DVD player, CD player, and huge speakers.

"Yeah.. You've never heard of Aaron Carter?"

"No.. Should I have heard of him?"

"Well.. No, but I thought everyone knew who he was."

"Can I tell you something?" I asked AJ.

"Sure.. You can tell me anything.." We sat down on the couch, and faced each other.

"I didn't even know who you guys were.. I had never even heard, or seen a picture of you guys before I met you.."

"I kind of figured that.."

"Really? How did you know?"

"Well, you didn't react like any other girl would react to meeting us."

"How do other girls react to meeting you?"

"They scream, cry, some even faint.." he said nonchalantly.

"Oh my gosh!" I said putting my hand over my mouth in disbelief.

"Sometimes some of them sneak into our hotel rooms, and take our clothes, bars of soap, deodorant, anything they can come into contact with.. One girl even took my boxers once."

"Now that's just going a little too far, don't you think?"

"Yes, I totally agree with you. It's invasion of privacy. That's the only part of being a Backstreet Boy that I hate. I love everything else.. I love the attention. I'll go to great lengths just to get some attention. But going into my stuff is taking it way too far."

"I'll also do anything for attention!" I said laughing. "There's one more thing we have in common."

AJ started laughing. "Yes, I guess it is.."

Then there was silence. I could tell that something was going to happen between us. We locked eyes, and then AJ began leaning in to kiss me. I couldn't believe that this was happening. From the first time I had met him he was all I could think about, and now, finally, he was going to kiss me. A million thoughts were going through my head at about a mile a minute. Before I could get too deep into thought, I felt his lips pressed against mine. For a few seconds we did the old school thing and just sat kissing, without opening our mouths. Then finally, gradually, we both opened at the same time and I felt AJ's tongue slip into mine. We played tonsil hockey for a few minutes, and then we pulled apart from each other.

"Wow.." I said.

"You can say that again," he said smiling at me. He took my hands and pulled me closer to him, putting his arm around me. I laid my head against his chest, and closed my eyes.

"Rebecca?" he asked.

"Mmm.." I said without opening my eyes.

"When we get to San Fran would you like to go out to dinner with me?"

I opened up my eyes, and looked up at him. "Like.. A date?"

"Yeah.."

"I'd love to go out to dinner with you, AJ. It sounds like fun."

"Maybe after we can go dancing or something with all the rest of the guys. I'll tell them to find some dates."

"Do any of them have girlfriends?" I asked.

"Brian does.. Him and his girlfriend Leighanne have been dating for over two years now. Kevin and Howie just date, and Nick just broke up with his girlfriend Mandy a few weeks ago."

"He did?" I asked suddenly interested.

"Yes, he did. They were having problems."

"What kind of problems?"

"Well, see, Mandy is very controlling, and is sort of the jealous type. She couldn't handle the fact that Nick associated with other girls. She always wanted Nick to herself, and always expected Nick to be with her at all times."

"That's impossible.." I said.

"Yeah, I know. Especially with our hectic schedules.. Everytime they weren't together she would get angry, and Nick couldn't handle it anymore, so they broke it off."

"Do they still talk?" I asked concerned.

"From time to time.. I think the last time they spoke was a few days ago. Nick got angry at her over the phone, because of something she said to him, and they haven't spoken since."

"Man, that's pretty serious stuff.. Is he alright?"

"Yeah.. He's cool. He still thinks about her constantly, but it's only natural that he would, cause they were a pretty serious couple."

Just at that moment, there was a loud knock at the door.

"Yeah?" AJ yelled.

"Can I come in?" a voice asked from outside the door. I couldn't really make out the voice because it was a little muffled.

"Yeah, come in.."

The door opened, and Nick waltzed in.

"What are you two doing?" he asked sitting down on the couch next to me. He saw that AJ had his arm around me, and said "Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.." He quickly got up off of the couch, and rushed to the door.

I jumped up from the couch, and ran after him, grabbing his arm, and saying "You didn't interrupt anything.. Please, come sit down with us."

He looked down at me, and smiled. That smile made me melt. He looked so beautiful just standing there in the doorway. He was so perfect, in everyway. You are probably thinking that I am crazy for liking both guys. Your probably also thinking that I should choose one guy, but it was so hard. Yes, I know that I had just kissed AJ, but I couldn't restrain myself from wanting, and lusting after Nick.

"Baby?" AJ said quietly. I turned around and walked over to AJ sitting down next to him. He was already calling me baby.. I knew that I could get used to that.

"Maybe I should just leave you two alone.." Nick said turning to walk away again.

"Nick, it's cool," AJ said in that rough, sexy, raspy voice of his. "You can stay."

Nick was still sort of unsure, but walked over to the couch anyways. "I just wanted to talk to you about something.." he said to AJ.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I'll let you guys talk," I said sensing that it was a private matter and got up from the couch. "I'm gonna go and get something to eat.." I still to this day don't know what they talked about, but I am positive that it had something to do with me. How do I know? Because when AJ came out of the room, and walked over to me, he wrapped his arms around my waist and I saw Nick gave him this evil look. I didn't really know what the look was for, back then, but now I know. When I get more into my story, you'll have a better understanding at what I am talking about.

"Anyone have any plans for when we get to San Fran?" Howie asked us all.

"Rebecca and I are going out on a date," AJ said informing everybody.

Brian looked up from where he was playing his guitar on the couch and said "You are?"

"Yes, we are, Rock.."

Brian then looked over at Nick, who was sitting in a chair with his hands in his lap, and looking towards the floor. I could tell that something was wrong with Nick, but I didn't know exactly what it was. Maybe it was jealousy.. Was he jealous of AJ and me? Nah.. That couldn't be. Did he like me? I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on here.. But I did sense tension, and maybe anger from Nick towards AJ.

"I was kinda thinking that after dinner," AJ said looking at me, and then towards everyone else "that we go dancing.. Maybe a little clubbing. Go check out some of the night spots in San Francisco."

"I'm up for that," Howie said.

"Yeah, me too," Kevin agreed.

We all sat around talking about our evening plans for awhile. AJ was feeling a little tired, so he went to take a nap leaving Brain, Howie, Nick, Kevin and me to talk. Nick was still sulking, and I still had no clue as to why he was. Brian noticed that I looked confused, and said "Rebecca, can we please talk?" We walked to the back of the bus, to the room where AJ and I shared our first kiss, and sat down on the couch to talk.

"What's up Brian?" I inquired.

"I just wanted to talk to you about Nick.."

"Why is he sulking around?"

"Well, I haven't talked to him yet, but I think the reason is because you and AJ are going out on a date."

"Why would that upset him?"

"Because he likes you..."

"He does?" I asked shocked.

"Yes, he does. A lot as a matter of fact. Ever since we left your dad's office the other day you are all he has been able to talk about."

"I never realized.." I said looking towards the floor. "If I had known, maybe.."

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe I wouldn't have kissed AJ.."

"You kissed Bone?"

"Who's Bone?" I asked.

"Bone is AJ's nickname. Actually, his real nickname is Da Bone, but we just call him Bone."

"Is that why AJ called you Rock? Are you guys like Rock and Bone?"

"No.. No.. My nickname is actually B-Rock. Cause I love basketball so much.. You didn't know our nicknames?"

"Nope.. Before my dad mentioned you, I didn't even know who you five were.."

"Oh.." Brian said sighing. "Back to what we were saying.. If you had known that Nick liked you, you wouldn't have kissed Bone?"

"Well... I'm not really sure.. I just know that I would have thought twice before I did it," I paused, and then began speaking again. "Brian? Can I trust you with something?"

"Of course you can.. What is it, Rebecca?"

"Well.. I don't really know how to say it, but.."

"Just say it. I'm listening."

"OK.. I'm kind of cofused about something, and I don't know what to do..." I paused for a moment, and took a deep breath. "I like both Nick and AJ."

"Both of them?" he asked me in shock.

"Yes.. I know, I'm a bad person, and I should just decide," I said getting up from the couch.

"No, no.. Your not a bad person. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I can kind of relate to you.. A couple of years ago at the making of the 'As Long As You Love Me' video, I met Leighanne. She was one of the girls that was in the video. The minute I saw her, and spoke with her, I instantly knew that I liked her. She was such a sweet person, and so much fun to be around. Then, she introduced me to her best friend, who also was in the video. When I met her, I couldn't get over the fact at how beautiful she was.. Kinda like you," he said smiling. "I got to know both of them better in the next few days, and I knew that I liked both of them. Just like you, I knew that I had to choose who I liked more, and who I wanted to be with. I sat back, and thought about all the conversations that Leighanne and I had had in the past, and I also thought about the conversations that I had with her best friend. Then, it suddenly hit me. I only was drawn to her best friend, because of physical attraction. But with Leighanne, I was drawn by her personality, and presence. Like I said before, she was a total sweetheart, and always was ready, and willing to lend a helping hand. That was how I finally decided who was right for me. So, I totally know how you are feeling. Would you like me to give you some advice?"

I nodded my head and told him "Go on.."

"I think that you need to sit down and think about the qualities that you like in both of them. Why do you like AJ? Why do you like Nick? Those are the things that you need to think about. It may sound cheesy, but maybe writing them down would help... That's what I did, and I know it helped me. I know that I made the right decision in who I chose."

"Wow, Brian. Thank you so much for all of your help. I really appreciate it." I leaned over and gave him a big hug, and a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"No problem, Rebecca. I'm glad that I could help."

After he explained to me his situation, I went on and explined to him how this whole thing got started in the first place. I explained how my father wanted to set me up with Nick, and how he thought I was cute, and how I started to like him. Then I explained the image of Nick that I had in my head which instead was AJ. I also went on to explain how I couldn't decide between Nick or AJ, and how I had fallen for both of them. I don't really know why I told him all the stuff I told him, but somehow I knew I could trust him.. Somehow I knew he could keep a secret. I knew that I could confide in him with anything. We sat there talking about it for I don't know how long. It must have been a very long time, because when we were finished with our conversation we had arrived in San Francisco, and were already at our hotel.

AJ was still asleep when we arrived. Brian woke him up and we all got our stuff, and went inside the hotel. All six rooms were on the same floor. My room was right in between AJ's and Nick's rooms. AJ and I decided that we would go out to dinner at 9:00. It was 8:00 when we arrived, so that meant that I had an hour to get ready. I wasn't quite sure as to what I was going to wear, but that wasn't what was on my mind. All I could think about was how much I wanted Nick. I kind of regretted the kiss that I had with AJ, although I knew that I loved it. It was really strange. I liked both of them so much, but in such different ways. I think that is what was making my decision so difficult. The guys all went into their seperate rooms, and I went into mine. I decided that I would sit down on the bed for awhile, and just think about all the things that were happening. Just as I was getting real deep into thought I heard a knock at the door. I assumed it was AJ or Brian, so I said "Come in." Since I had no lights on in my room, and it was very dark I couldn't see who had come to see me.

"Who is it?" I asked wondering who it could be.

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