“Araysa toss me the mascara.” Mandy said. Araysa chucked the mascara at Mandy. Mandy and Araysa were at their apartment getting ready to go to the Target Center to go backstage and meet Brian and Nick for the last time.
“Mandy, I am so nervous. What if I can’t talk, what if I cry, what if Nick doesn’t like me, what if…” Mandy interrupts Araysa, “Don’t worry about it, everything will be ok. I promise. I saw the way he looked at you at work earlier.”
“Yeah, he did smile and look at me with those gorgeous blue eyes of his.” Araysa seemed a lot better after this little talk they had.
“Grab the camera, we gotta go. Don’t forget the passes!” Araysa yelled at Mandy from across the apartment.
“Ok, got em, lets go!!” Mandy ran to the car and hoped in the passenger seat. Araysa did most of the driving since it was her car and she loved to drive. They were singing to the Backstreet Boy’s CD in the car on the way to the Target Center. It seemed like forever but they were finally there. They parked the car and walked into the front lobby. They showed the guy at the door their backstage passes and he got someone to walk them back.
“Wait here, they guys will be here shortly.” The security guard said as he seated them in a large conference type room. Mandy and Araysa just sat there in silence. They were both concentrating on what they were going to say or do or try not to do (and that was cry). After five minutes or what seemed like a life the door open and in walked A.J., Brian, Nick, Kevin, and Howie. Brian walked over to Mandy and gave her a hug. Nick did the same to Araysa.
“I feel really bad, I didn’t get your name earlier.” Nick said to Araysa.
“It’s Araysa.”
“That is a really nice name.” Nick commented.
“Thanks.” Araysa said with a huge smile on her face.
“Mandy, Araysa, I would like to introduce you to A.J., Kevin, and Howie.” Brian introduced the girls to the guys. They all hugged then sat down and started to chat.
“So, where are you girls…sorry…ladies from?” A.J. asked
“I am from Austin, Minnesota a really small town in the south eastern part of the state, and Araysa is from LaCrosse, Wisconsin.” Mandy stated
“But now we are going to school at the U of M and we are renting an apartment near there.” Araysa added.
“That’s great,” Howie said, “What are your majors?”
“I have a double major in Political Science and Public Administration.” Araysa stated.
“Damn girl, you are smart.” Nick said in amazement.
“Nah, that’s just what I like.” Araysa replied.
“My major is Human Resource Management.” Said Mandy
“I am human, you can manage my resources.” Brian said jokingly.
“Well, I am going to be looking for a job as soon as I graduate, can I call you?” Mandy said going along with Brian. They both started laughing. Araysa looked at the way Brian and Mandy were hitting it off.
“Well ladies, we have to get going, gotta get ready to do a concert.” Kevin said. They all hugged and said their good byes. Brian and Nick hung back for a minute.
“Mandy, Araysa, we are going to this party tonight after the concert.” Brian said. “And we were wondering if you would like to be our dates.” Nick added. Mandy and Araysa looked at each other, smiled and said, “Sure.”
“Alright then, it’s a date. Can we get your address and we will have a limo pick you up at your apartment around 10:30?” Brian said. Mandy found a piece of paper in her purse and gave Brian their address. Nick gave Araysa a kiss on the cheek. Brian also gave Mandy a kiss on the cheek. They said goodbye and left.
“Araysa, pinch me.” Mandy said in awe.
“I know, I can’t believe that just happened.” Araysa remarked. They walked out to their seat in the Target Center and just sat there in silence thinking about what just happened. The Backstreet Boys were making this concert up for the one that they had to cancel earlier in the year due to a death in the family. They decided not to have an opening act so they could perform longer. The lights went down, they current dropped and there they were, standing on a risen part of the stage behind the band. Everyone was screaming, including Mandy and Araysa. They were on their feet the whole concert, singing and dancing along with the guys.
It was about half way into the concert when the guys were doing their solo songs. Nick came out and said, “I would like to dedicate this song to a very special lady that I met. Her name is Araysa.” He started singing “Heaven in Your Eyes”. Araysa’s eyes filled with tears as Mandy gave her a hug.
“I can’t believe he just said that, I don’t think he has ever done that before.” Araysa said.
“I know. You must be very special to him.” Mandy commented.
It was about nine o’clock when the concert was over. They hurried to get home so they could get ready to go out with the guys. Mandy and Araysa had decided to dress a little sexier then they had for the concert. After all they were going to be dancing with these guys. So they wore their new Tommy dresses that they had gotten at work earlier in the week. At about 10:20 there was a knock on the door. Mandy opened the door.
“Hi, I am the limo driver. I know I am early, sorry about that. Take your time if you are not ready.” Stated the young, good-looking limo driver.
“That’s ok, I think we are ready.” Mandy said. They slipped on their shoes and got in the limo. After a while they were by the Target Center again. The limo pulled up in front of First Avenue and dropped them off. The girls walked inside where Nick and Brian were waiting for them.
“They are with us.” Brian told the bouncer. The bouncer stepped aside and let them in. Brian and Nick gave them a hug and lead them out to the dance floor. As soon as they got out there “Nice and Slow” by Usher came over the speakers. Brian pulled Mandy in close to him and they started to grind nice and slow. They were looking into each other’s eyes when Brian leaned forward and gave her a nice soft kiss on her lips. He stepped back and looked in her eyes and saw that she was pleased and approved of the kiss so he leaned in for a longer more passionate one. Mandy laid her head on Brian’s shoulder and finished the dance. She looked over and saw that Araysa and Nick had sat down to talk. Mandy could tell that Nick was really interested in her friend. She couldn’t believe the night she was having; she kept thanking God every two seconds for bringing her to the man of her dreams. Both Mandy and Araysa didn’t want the night to end but it was soon over. The lights came on in First Avenue meaning it was time to go home.
“Since we have had such a good time tonight I was wondering if you guys would like to go to the Mall of America with us right now.” Brian suggested
“Mall? Now?” Mandy asked curiously
“Yeah, they have that amusement park thing open for us. The other guys are there right now. There are also a few stores that stayed open for us.” Nick added.
“I am up for some more fun.” Araysa exclaimed.
“Yeah, sounds like fun to me!” Mandy said. They all hoped in the limo and off they were to the Mall of America. It took about 25 minutes to get there; they all sat in the limo and joked around. Mandy and Brian’s personalities were so great together. They got to the mall and ran to get onto the rides.
“Wait!! I can’t go on rides in this.” Mandy said.
“Alright ladies, let’s go get you some shorts and shirts for you.” Brian said as he grabbed Mandy’s arm and drug her and Araysa to their place of employment.
“Hey girls!” said Jeff, one of Mandy and Araysa’s co-worker. “So its your fault that I had to work this crappy shift.”
“Sorry about that. At least we are here to buy something and it wasn’t a total waste of a night.” Brian said kindly.
“Pick out any thing guys, it’s on us.” Nick said. Mandy and Araysa knew exactly what they wanted. They had been looking at these outfits for a while now. Araysa picked out a pair of khaki jeans and a tank top with a fisherman’s hat. Mandy chose a pair of blue jeans with a white t-shirt and a baseball cap. They went in the fitting rooms and put on their outfits.
“This is where we first met. Dang, sounds like that line from Titanic.” Mandy said jokingly. Brian kissed her and laughed.
“I would just like to say that you guys look damn good.” Nick said as he pulled Araysa in for their first kiss. They kissed for what seemed like 10 minutes when Brian yelled, “GET A ROOM.” Mandy and Brian ran out of the store laughing so hard as Nick and Araysa ran after them.
They got to Camp Snoopy, which is where the rides are in the mall.
“Let’s go on the roller coaster.” Araysa yelled as she ran up the stairs and hoped in the first cart. Nick sat down beside her. Mandy and Brian decided to take the back cart.
“Woo Hoo!” Brian yelled as they climbed the first hill. They went on the roller coaster 5 times in a row when they decided it was time for a different ride. They rode every ride there like 10 times. It was 4:30 in the morning when they decided it was time to get out of there before the mall walkers came.
“You guys should come back to the hotel with us. We are staying there tonight also. We have the pool all to ourselves.” Kevin suggested. Mandy and Araysa didn’t have to work the rest of the weekend so they thought that they would go. They stopped by their apartment to pick up some clothes, their suits and the necessities. They got to the hotel at about 5:30 in the morning. Brian and Mandy feel asleep on the couch, Nick and Araysa feel asleep on the floor and the rest of the guys were in their beds.
Back To Chapter 1
On To Chapter 3