The next many weeks absolutly flew by, between travelling and the concerts, sometimes two a day. Summer and I had the chance for quite a few girl talks, as both of our relationships were progressing. AJ and I grew to know each other inside and out, we knew what we were thinking, and usually, it was pretty easy to get along. Usually.
One night, Summer and I decided that we needed to go clubbing without the guys. We were aching for a little time where we could party, and not worry about security, mobbing fans or jealous drunks. Don't get me wrong, clubbing with AJ was probably the most fun that I'd ever had, but we needed to go a night without being "Backstreet Girlfriends". AJ however didn't understand that.
When I told him that we were going out, but we didn't want the guys there, he was amazed. "And why not, Cass? Are we getting to be burdens or something?" he asked me in a harsh tone.
"No, baby, you know it's not that, we love having you guys around... we just need the normalcy of a night at the clubs. It's not as if anything is going to happen. Besides, we're finally in Toronto! We know the city, we have friends here." I explained, taking his hand. "Don't you ever need to get away from it all?" I asked.
"Of course, but I can't! It's who I am! And now it's who you are too. They know who you are, they've seen you in the newspaper, magazines. Tony'll go with you." he argued.
"No, I don't want a bodyguard! Look, I'll go to the Picadilly. We know the bouncer there, he goes to school with me. It'll be fine, really!" I pulled my hand back from him, and turned to change into my "going out" clothes. I'd moved into his room a while ago, while Summ shared with Nick.
"I worry. You know that... please don't go." he said quietly.
"I'm going AJ. You can't control me." I turned on him.
He stepped toward me. "Take a guard then."
"No! Listen, we'll be fine. Why can't you understand that? You can't control me! Summ and I can hold our own against the average clubber, or do you think I'm yours to boss around or something?" I raised my voice at him. I couldn't believe he was being so obstinate about this. One night!
"I don't want you to go, Cass. What if..." he started.
"Yeah, well what if I hadn't been on duty that day in the mall?" I asked, grabbing my clothes. "I'll be in Summ's room. I'll see you when I get back." I said with a steady voice as I slammed the door behind me.
Howie's head popped around his doorframe as he heard the slam. "You ok?" he asked.
"Yeah. Fine, wanna kick his butt, but I'm fine." I said through clenched teeth as I knocked Summer's door.
"Ok then..." Howie frowned as he closed his door mumbling. "I'll talk to J later..."
Summer opened the door, to see me standing there in jeans and a tee shirt. "You're not ready. Why?" she asked.
"Ahhhh! Long story!" I exclaimed as I went into her room.
"So tell it." she said, as I flopped down on her bed.
"Here we go..." I said as I started in.
"Whew... " she commented. "You don't think you..."
"Over reacted? No, I mean can he just tell me that I can't go clubbing in Toronto, where I live, with my best friend?" I protested.
"Well, then, what are you waiting for? We're definitly going now! Get dressed!" She commanded.
"Yes ma'am!" I laughed.
When we stepped out her door to head to the elevators, I was dressed in a short, light purple satin skirt with a shiny black spaghetti strap shirt. My red curls were piled up on my head messily, as I knew they'd be falling out all night anyway. Summer was wearing a short black fleather (fake leather people...) skirt with an iridescent red top that shimmered a burgandy colour. As we turned to go down the hall, I looked in the hall mirror to put on lip gloss, when I saw the crack in AJ's door dissapear. "So ha!" I said to myself as we headed toward the elevators, and my first normal night in ages.
