Chp 2
The two women arrived at the mall a few minutes later. Elena had recovered from her little emotional drama and was determined to try to forget all about it. Staci, on the other hand, had a strange feeling that Elena wasn't telling her something. She had never seen Elena cry over a song. She didn't even see her shed a tear during Titanic! But she decided she wouldn't mention anything of it. Elena would tell her when she was ready. In the meantime, she hid her suspicions by acting like the hyperactive happy person that she was. They purchased the tickets right then and there. Fifth row center. Not too shabby, considering the concert was that very night.
"Eelie! We have to buy new outfits!"
"Why?"
"For the concert! Duh!"
"Like I said, why? It's just a concert."
"It is not JUST a concert! It is a BACKSTREET BOYS concert! I want my Kevin to see me all pretty and caliente! Hehe! And I know you want AJ to see you at your best, too."
"Not really. The guys have seen me all dolled up and looking like crap. It would be no surprise. They're just my friends. I don't dress up for friends. And stop picking on me! I don't like AJ that way!"
"You don't love AJ?"
"Yeah, I do love him, but as a friend or even little brother."
"AJ isn't THAT much younger than you! Besides he's 25 years old now! He's no longer the innocent 21-year-old you once knew. He's a MAN!"
" *lol* AJ's NEVER been innocent!"
"Well, not until you corrupted him, anyway."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh come on! You hung out with them ALL the time! You cannot tell me nothing ever happened between you and AJ!"
"Yes I can because NOTHING happened!"
"Elena, he is a young hormonal guy, like all guys, who thinks with his head and I'm not talking about the one on his shoulders. You're a beautiful older Latina woman. Nothing happened?"
"No. I said it five billion times and I will say it again! NOTHING happened between me and AJ! NOTHING! NADA! ZILCH! NOT A THING! He's too young for me!"
"Age does not matter when there is hot and steamy sex."
"You're sick."
"No, I'm just being adult about this. Things happen between people that they don't have control over. It's nature's way. It's not always true love and a box of chocolates, you know."
"I know. But I know AJ too well. He's not my type."
"Then what is your type?"
"Umm, uh, he---uh, he has to have---he---I don't know! It's just not him, ok?! I'm not attracted to him."
"Oh, so now he's not attractive to you, is that it?"
"NO! He's very attractive! Just not to me! And I'm not his attraction, either!"
"Ah, so you think he thinks you're not attractive to him."
"Dammit, Staci! Stop twisting my words! All I'm saying is that I don't feel that way about him! I never have and I never will! I won't feel the same way with anybody the way I felt with H---" She almost said his name, but cut herself short. "Forget it. I'm not going to argue this with you. Think what you want. All that matters is that I know what I feel, or in this case, don't feel. So please, just drop the subject, ok?"
"Ok. Fine."
"Thank you."
They continued roaming the mall quietly. Staci felt bad about upsetting Elena and Elena felt bad about flipping out on Staci. After a few minutes of deafening silence, Staci decided to apologize.
"Elena, are you mad at me? I'm sorry. I didn't know my teasing would upset you so much. I'll stop."
"No, Staci. *sigh* It's not you at all. I'm just a bit out of it today. And I'm not mad at you. Sorry if I'm acting a little bit bitchy. I'm not myself."
"Ok, all is forgiven, so do you still want to buy a new outfit for the concert?"
"Well, actually I want to get their new CD. Now that I'm here I might as well before every last one is snatched off the shelves which is bound to happen if it's as good as you say it is."
"Oh you better hurry, girl, cuz it is! Meanwhile I'll just look at the *ahem* leather skirts."
"Leather skirts?! Remember you're trying to get Kevin's attention, not AJ's!" she laughed.
"Well, both are nice, too" She smirked.
"Leave my baby bro alone! He doesn't need this from you!"
"Shut up and get the CD! I'll be in Hott Gurlz if you need me. Hehe."
"You're such a hoochie mamma."
"No, just impatient. See ya, Eelie."
"Later, Staci."
They each went their separate ways. Elena strolled into Sam Goody and didn't even have to look for the CD because it was elaborately displayed right at the entrance.
"Good Lord, like they need all this promotion," she muttered as she picked a copy off the shelf. "Cute cover." The guys were all wearing earthy tones standing around what appeared to be a statue of an angel. "But it would look better if God, I have to stop." She turned it over and read the song listing
1. Who Do You Love
2. If You Knew What I Knew
3. Move Your Body My Way
4. Time Again
5. The Games You Play (With My Mind)
6. Where Do We Go From Here
7. Love Reflects Off Broken Glass
8. Let's Dance
9. Days Go By
10. Pieces Of My Heart
11. You Light Up My Life
12. Down An Unknown Road
13. Dangerous Obsession
14. A Love Like Ours
15. No Good-byes
"Whoa, if this doesn't convince the critics that the Backstreet Boys aren't just for teenyboppers, they're just being dickheads."
With Time Again in hand, Elena began browsing the other shelves. Millennium and Backstreet Boys were still selling at respectable numbers. She picked up Backstreet Boys and compared it to Time Again. Then she ran her fingers across the plastic covering of the latter.
"I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry," she silently repeated over and over to herself as she felt her tears threatening to fall. 'If I keep getting like this every time I see them, then I'll just have to stop seeing them. But that's impossible and I don't think I can live without seeing them. I just have to gain control over my stupid emotions.' She walked over to the cashier and pulled out her money to pay for it. The cashier looked at it and smiled.
"So you're a big BSB fan, huh?" she asked, radiating with amiability.
Elena blushed. "Does it show?"
" *lol* Don't be embarrassed. They're not just for fifteen-year-olds, you know. I happen to be a huge fan myself. Who's your favorite?"
"I don't have a favorite. I love them all."
"Oh. Well, my favorite is Howie."
"But"
"Oh I know what you're about to say, but that doesn't matter. I love all the Boys as well, but there's just something about Howie that made me love him the best. I know it was a long time ago, but you can imagine the shock I had, being the big fan that I am, when I heard that dreadful news. My God, how I cried and sometimes I still do. But you know what keeps me happy and strong?"
"What?" Her voice came out small and strained.
"To know that his gorgeous eyes, beautiful smile, and caring, bright personality will live on forever."
"That's very sweet."
"It's my belief. Hey, are you ok?"
"Yeah, just my allergies. Listen I have to go because my friend is expecting me to meet her somewhere. It was nice talking to you. Bye."
"Likewise."
She left the store and went in search of her crazy friend. Just as she was about to enter Hott Gurlz, Staci walked out with two bags full of merchandise.
"What the heck did you get?!"
"Oh I got the cutest outfit!" She put her bags down and started taking out her purchases one by one to show her. First she pulled out a bright blue halter-top and a tight and very short black mini skirt.
"You slut!"
"No no no! Wait! I'm not finished!" She then proceeded to show Elena her big ass backless platforms and her black beaded choker. Not to mention, electric blue nail polish, a pearly pink lipstick, silver eyeliner, and silver body glitter.
"Gawd!"
"Hehe. Little Staci's gonna get some serious action tonight, babay! And if Kevin doesn't notice me, well then I'm just gonna have to rape him."
"You're a lunatic!"
"Yeah and damn proud of it, too!"
"Did you get what you wanted?"
"Yeah, did you?"
"Yes. You ready to leave now?"
"If you want to."
"Ok, let's go then."
They walked out to the parking lot and stuck Staci's bags in the back seat. Elena opened her CD and popped it in.
"Let's see how much my boys have grown."
Staci snatched the CD jacket and practically drooled all over it.
"Very much. Doesn't Kevin look hot? My God, I WANT him!"
"Relax! You're gonna see him tonight!"
"But I WANT him! Hey, can you arrange for him to meet me in a hotel room with a champagne bottle? I'll do the rest."
"Sorry, that's impossible. But maybe I can get us backstage."
"I will love you forever if you do!"
"I'll try, but the guys probably have forgotten all about me."
"Nah. They wouldn't forget their friends."
"I don't know"
"Well, I do. I remember you telling me how sweet and considerate and caring they are. They'll remember."
"I hope so."
"Don't worry about it."
"Easy for you to say! You just want Kevin's hot body! I actually want a meaningful conversation with my friends!"
"Hey, I want to get to know them better, too! It's just that, well, I want to ride the Train as a bonus. Hehe."
"Alright! Fine! You have already established that you want to do Kevin for the fiftieth time! Now shut up!"
"Eww?"
"Whatever. What song you wanna listen to?"
"Umm, how about Dangerous Obsession?"
"That sounds like your anthem."
"Shut up! Kevin's not my dangerous obsession! He's the object of my affection! There's a difference! Anyway, it's really cool. It's like a cross between Don't Want You Back and If You Knew What I Knew. It's one of those songs you wouldn't expect the BSB to sing, which makes it even better."
"Ok."
She pressed the button until the number on the small CD player screen came to 13, and pushed play. A strong echoing mid-tempo staccato beat from a mute guitar boomed out of the speakers. Then AJ's deep raspy baritone overtook their ears and mind
"Is it just infatuation or true love that I feel
Was it a mysterious force that led me to you
Did you grace my life by accident or could it have been fate
Don't know the answer, but I do have all the facts
From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were my soul mate
You're in my every thought
Can't get you out of my head
Baby, I'm afraid you're becoming my
(All)
My dangerous obsession
Girl, you're always on my mind
Taking all my time
Trapped me and became my
Dangerous obsession
(Brian)
I tried to talk to you and get into your mind
But you had it under lock and key and your heart was already taken
I felt my spirit split in two
How could I have been so mistaken
Still I can't forget you
No matter how hard I try you're always there
(I close my eyes)
But you're beautiful face is everywhere
My lady, I'm afraid you're becoming my
(All)
Dangerous obsession
Girl, You're always on my mind
Taking all my time
Trapped me and became my
Dangerous obsession
(Kevin)
Girl, I'm going crazy
I just don't know what to do
You've taken over my life, soul, and heart
The thought of us together makes me so happy
But it will never be and it's tearing me apart
Baby, I'm telling you
You're becoming my
(All)
Dangerous obsession
You are always on my mind
Taking all my time
Trapped me and became my
Dangerous obsession
(AJ)
My baby, darling lady
(Brian lead, rest background)
I know I love you
But I can't tell you
Your devotion belongs to someone else
I can't forget you
Girl, this is torture
I can't get through this all by myself
(Brian and AJ alternate lead and all four on background)
My
(I know I love you)
My dangerous obsession
(But I can't tell you)
You, baby, yes, always on my mind
(You're love belongs to someone else)
I can't forget my lovely lady
(Baby, you are)
You are
My dangerous obsession"
The song ended. Elena gaped.
"This sounds like a stalker's song!"
"Kind of, but it's cool, right?"
"Hella yeah! I always knew AJ was a psycho!"
They both laughed and jammed to the new BSB tunes all the way home. Only four hours left until the concert and reconciliation.
Chp 3
Chp 1
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