It was a typical sunday night in Feb. I was dressed in my red boxers and grey tank top reading a magazine. Them my boyfriend, Keith walks in.
"Hey Baby!" I said with my face enlightened.
"Hi Sweetie" He replied and gave me a sweet kiss. He was a big boy, about 6' tall, brown spikey hair and the most gorgeous green eyes. We have been going out for about 5 months. He plopped on the bean bag chair next to my bed. He scans the room and asks "Where's Kris?"
I stopped reading and said "She went to do the laundry".
"Oh" he replied. He looked over my shoulder. "What are you reading?" He asked.
I looked over and smiled and said "Oh, just my usual BOP mag."
He stood up and walkd toward the door cuz he just came by for a visit. "Oh I see, your usual Backstreet mag".
I followed him out and took his hand. "You know me too well" I replied.
He leaned over and gave me a hard, passionate kiss. After few minutes of making out, I pulled away. "I have to get to bed" I said.
"Yea, your right.....have a big english exam tomorrow" He said sympathetically.
"Ok" I said and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Good nite"
"Nite" he replied and left for the elevator. It was 10:45. I came up upon a contest. It said....
ACROSS COUNTRY WITH THE BSB DO YOU WANNA GO ON TOUR WITH THE FAB FIVE FOR 2 MONTHS?
WELL HERE'S YOUR CHANCE
JUST FILL OUT YOUR NAME
AGE
PHONE NUMBER
AND A BRIEF (100 WORDS OR LESS) ON WHY WE SHOULD PICK YOU TO ACROsS COUNTRY ......
I knew this was my chance. I have loved the BSB since '97 when i heard "Quit Playin' Games with My Heart" in my new DODGE DURANGO (Nick's car...hint hint). I have been a loyal fan. I have been to 3 concerts. BSB had helped me through...difficuilt time in life. I grabbed a pen of the computer desk top and started to fill it out. Just then, Krista walked in with a basket full of clean laundry. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she was wearing a grey sweatshrit w/ black streach pants. She was exausted from climbing all those stairs. "Why didn't you take the elevator?" I asked her.
"The....elevator was....broken" She managed to gasp out. We live on the 6th floor so it is quite a walk up. She dropped every on the floor and plopped next to me on my bed. "What are you filling out?" she asked looking over my shoulder.
"Oh" I replied "Just another BSB contest".
She looked at me discusted. "Tessa" she said concerned "You're never gonna win that. You haven't won anything like that."
I sighed "I know. But fate will bring the BSB and I together. I just know it!" I shouted. She smiled.
"Well it's getting late" she announced. "Lets hit the sack."
"I'm just gonna run the down to our mail box so the midnight mailman can pick it up. I walked through the blue painted hallway to the elevator in the corridor. The elevator dinged 5...4...3...2...1 and then it opened. I dropped the letter in the mailbox and went back up to bed.
It's Tuesday and I was in my friend Katie's room looking over some photos of my family. Katie was a barbie-look-a-like. The long blond hair and crystal blue eyes and sleek figure made her a perfect fit. She sat down next to me on the carpet. "Who is this?" she asked. She was one of my newer friends and didn't know about my.....family problems.
"That is my sister" I replied. A tear fell from my eye.
"Tess?" She asked suddenly concerned "What's the matter?"
I managed to choke it up and said sobbing "My older sister and Grandfather were coming home from the doctor's one day, about 5-6 months ago. They got in a horrible accident and my grandfather who was in the passenger seat died instantly. My older sister, Jessica died about 3 days later in the hospital. They were killed by drunk drivers.
"How terrible" She replied with wide eyes. "Is that why you never drink at Happy Hour?"
"Yea" I choked out. The tears came out of my eyes like rivers of water. She held me while I cried.
"Shhhhh, It's ok....it's ok to cry Tess" She said.
"I'm sorry to lay it out like that, but.....that's why I'm so concerned with my friends and driving drunk." I gasped
"I know....listen girl" she said "You're a fighter, I know this ok. You'll feel better about all this soon."
I nodded and whispered "Thank you for listening."
"Anytime" She replied with a smile.
It was May 10 and Krista and I were starting to pack to go home to NY. She was dressed in cargo shorts and a light blue tank top. I was dressed in mudd jeand and a purple tube top.
"DAMN" I said "Where am I gonna put all my BSB Pics?" I asked Kris looking at my wall.
She giggled. "Where should I put this?" Krista asked holding up my message board for the door.
"Ummm....." I said lookin in all my boxes. "The one by the closet." I pointed to a TV box by the closet. "Wat time is it?" I asked Krista.
She looked at her watch. "About 12:30"
"I'm going down to get the mail." I announced. I left the room. I walked around th corner and someone grabbed me from behind. I turned around to see Keith with a devilish grin on his face.
"You're so silly" I said giving him a kiss but he turned away. "Is something wrong?" I asked him.
"Ummmm.....Theresa we have to talk." He replied. I know when anyone uses my real name something is wrong.
"What?" I asked. We sat down on the bench.
"Tess, I love you with all my heart. but I know it would be hard for us to be together, you know living in different states and all. So I guess were over." He stood up and walked away. I was in shock. I couldn't move.
"WAIT!" I shoutd at him. I walked up to him. "Do you think you're gonna end 8 months of togetherness and love just like that?"
"Tess, it isn't gonna work" He replied. His head was hangoing down in shame.
"But I love you. I tought you loved me. Wait a minete, are you cheating on me?" I asked
"I'm so sorry Tess" He replied. "It was just a one night stand, but then it grew to something more."
"With who?" I asked more pissed off then sad
"Tiffany Norwald" He whispered
"That tramp!" I screamed "Well hope you're happy with her"
"Wait, Tess!" He tried to apologies.
I ran toward the stairs. "DONT YOU THINK YOU SAID ENOUGH?!?!?!" I screamed. I ran down the stairs.
He punched the wall "DAMN! I BLEW IT" He yelled.
I was crying by the time I got to the mail. But going back up in the elevator I calmed down.
I walked back into the room and Krista was standing there with her eyes wide opened. "Did you and Keith....I mean are you guys?" She was trying to choke out.
"Yea I think so" I sobbed. She came over to me and gave me a hug.
"Don't worry gurl." she said, "Youll get over it"
"Yea" I smiled "I hope so.
4:05 PM THAT DAY
We were all packed up in my Durango. I said my last good-byes to Katie, Samantha, Andy, George, Marcy and the rest of the 6th floor rommies. I got all their numbers and screen name to keep in touch. Krista and I got into my car.
"Bye everyone" we said in unison.
As we pulled away, I saw Keith running along the car.
"Tess, I'm so sorry! TESSA!!!" He screamed. I just pulled away as fast as I could.
"Well, that was a little rude" Kris said turning on her stereo.
"I don't want to deal with that prick now" I replied putting on my sunglasses.
"Did you even check the mail?" Kris asked picking up the 3 letters.
"No, you check it" I told her
"Ok" she replied. She picked up the letters. "Let see, a letter from my mom" she opened it....."OOOO MONEY!!!"
I giggled. "Ok next one is a hone bill for this month. $69.85"
"Holy shit!" I yelled "That's alot of money!"
"Last one is for you" She said giving me a letter from BOP.
I looked from the corner of my eye. "Let me see that" I grabbed it from her hand in excitment. I pulled into a Moble Gas Station. I tore it open. "It says" I said as I began to read it out loud.
Dear Ms. Tessa Miller
We are happy to congradulate you because your essay was picked out of 40,000 entries to win the ACROSS COUNTRY WITH BSB Contest! As soon as possible, you must call this number (984) 934-9597 and ask for Donna. We must schedual an interview. You already read all the rules. You will be flown or bused to Charlotte, North Carolina to meet the Backstreet Boys and go on their 2 1/2 month "Millenium Tour" During September 17- November 7th. We hope to hear from you soon
Signed
Donna Wright
"OH MY GOD!!!" We screamed. We jumped out of the car and hugged each other.
"We are gonna live with the BSB!?!?!?" Krista yelled.
"FOR 2 months!!!!" I replied. We sounded like kindergartners and people were staring but we didn't care. We drove home the happiest people in the world. My dream came true and things looke like they were going my way.
*5 DAYS LATER, 10 AM
It was a Monday 5/15. I took me key out of my pocket and opened the front door of my house. "Mom? Dad?" I called. My mother came walking out. She died her hair Brown and her big brown eyes were heavy from slumber. she wore a big "WOODSTOCK" tshirt for a night shirt. She was sleeping, I could tell. "I'm sorry Mom" I apologiesed. Did I wake you?"
"No Dear" She said as she hugged me "I was just resting. How was the drive?" I put my luggage down.
"Good" I replied "Mom, you won't believe what happened.'
We sat down at the kitchen table and I gave her the letter. She read it with her eyes widened in excitment. "Oh Sweetie!" SHe said as she gave me a hug "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, I have alot to do during the summer now."
"Yes, yes I know" She said pouring 2 cups of coffee for us. But 1st things 1st, How's Keith?" She asked sipping her coffee. I held my head down. "Oh No" She said walking up to me "Don't tell me you..."
I started crying "YES it's true, we broke up"
"Oh no....I'm so sorry Tess" She conforted her
"And...and he said" I tried to control my crying "That It won't work because cuz... we live so so far away!!!
"He lives in Montana right?" She asked me
"Yea"
We heard a little voice coming from the stairs "Tessa?"
I turned around to see Matt, my 14 year old brother, his brown buzz cut lightly tassled from his slumber and his big brown eyes widened with excitment.
"Matt?" I asked. I got up from my seat and smiled. He walked down and hugged me. "I missed you soooo much" I told him. "So did I" He replied.
He noticed the tears coming from my eyes. "Tess, why are you cryin?" He asked concerned.
"I just missed you so" I said lyingly.
"Oh" he whispered. "Mom, can I go to Chad's house to skate?" He asked getting his Rollerblades out of the closet.
"Yes dear" SHe replied.
"Ok thankz" He replied "Bye mom, Bye tess" He said leaving the house in his PJ's
"Uhh...Matt aren't you" too late, He slammed the door and left.
"Kids" I said shaking my head. Mom laughed.
"Dad should be home soon" Mom said going back to the table. "He's at the doctor for his monthly check-up"
"Oh" I said. I was never very close with my father. He was either at work or at softball games instead of being here. Just then with a jiggle of the door handle, Dad walked in tiredly.
He lookes at me "Sweet Pea" He said "You're home already?"
"Yes Dad" I replied giving him a hug. Dad still smelt the smell of Old Spice. He had black hair and brown eyes. He was very well built and was very tall.
"How was your drive home?" He asked putting his coat in the closet.
"It was ok" I replied sitting at the table with Mom. "There was alot of traffic on I-69 between Charolette and Binton because of a bad car acc...." My voice trailed off. Dad looked at me puzzled.
"It was fine" I said sharply and ran to my room. Dad got up to follow me but Mom held him back. Dad sat down with a cup of coffee.
"She is still upset about......you know" Mom told him
He nodded sipping his coffee. I walked into my room. It was just like I remembered it, light blue wallpaper, purple bed sheets, and of course, Backstreet Boys Pics.
I reahced into my pocket. I pulled out the letter. I grabbed the black cordless phone off the hanger and dialed the number. One ring, Two rings
"Donna Wright, Talk to me" Said a woman
"Hello" I replied "I'm Tessa Miller, the winner of the Across Country WIth the BSB contest."
"Oh hello Tessa" She said friendly. "Ok Now I'm gonna be sending you 2 tickets to Philly cause I'm gonna be there next Thursday for a promo meeting of the BSB. Is thursday ok?
I checked my daily planner. "Yea" I replied "Thursday is great"
"Ok then" She replied "Now on Thursday we're gonna sign the contract, talk about what to bring, ya know stuff like that. Ok now I will pick you up at the airport and I'll see ya there"
"oK" I said while jotting this stuff down. "Then I'll see ya Thursday"
"Thursday It is" She cheerfully sung "Bye now"
"Bye and thankz" I said
"You're welcome Dear"
click......
click......
I was so happy! I called Krista.
"Hello" Krista said cheerfully
"Hey Kris its me....ok listen. Next thursday I have to go to Philly for a day to sign the contract and all that junk....wanna come"
"Hold on" She replied "I'll check" She dropped the phone and asked her mom. A few min. later she was back. "Yea I can go"
"Ok i didn't get the tix yet but I'll let u know when we gotta leave"
"Ok"
"Ok"
"I gotta go now Tes, I'll see ya lata"
"Ok"
"Bye"
"Bye"
~* 5 DAYS LATER 5/10*~
It was a Friday. I got the tickets in the mail. We would have to be on the plane at 9:15 next Thursday.
~* THURSDAY 5/24*~
I got up at 7. I took a shower and put on a short white skirt and a white tank top. I drove over to Krista's house on the other side of town. I honked the horn. She came out in Demin jeans and a Lavender baby tee.
"Hey Kris" I said saddened
"Hey Tess, what's wrong?" She replied.
"I'm just worried about my family, I mean what if....i Mean something could..."
"SHH!" Kris asaid putting her finger to my lips "Don't ever think that. You're family is gonna be fine!"
I nodded even thogh I was still worried.
"Ready?" She asked
I smiled "Yea"
We were on our way to our destiny, my fate, my dream and I was happy once again.