Chapter 39
"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked Toni in the food court at the mall. Toni was just sitting there staring at her food as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.
"Huh?" Toni asked looking up at Nick. She heard Nick talking to her but wasn't paying any attention to what he was saying.
"I asked you what you were thinking about," Nick said repeating himself.
"Nothing," Toni said then went silent for a couple of minutes before she spoke again. "Nick....what happened last night?"
"I don't know. I know you got upset with me but I don't regret kissing you. I really like you, Toni."
"I feel the same way towards you."
"Then what's the problem?" Nick asked confused.
"Nick, I'm scared that things will turn out the same way they did with you and Kristen. I don't want that."
"Listen, let me take you out on a date tonight and let's see how things work out from there. Everyone deserves a second chance. So please. If I don't change your mind I won't bother you again about this and we can remain friends." Toni looked at Nick in an unsure way. "Is it a deal?" Nick asked putting out his hand for Toni to shake.
"Okay, it's a deal," Toni said taking Nick's hand in her own and shaking it.
"Now you're a girl so I need to get you back to your place so you can get ready for our date tonight," Nick said getting up.
"What is that supposed to mean that I'm a girl?"
"Meaning you will be in the bathroom forever going crazy trying to get ready. I have enough sisters. I know how it works."
"Well, you think you just know everything about us females don't you?" Toni asked sarcastically standing up to leave.
When Toni got back to her apartment she went inside to see AJ, Brian, Kevin, Howie, and Angela sitting in the living room. "Okay so why is everyone over here?" Toni asked confused.
"AJ needed help planning Kristen's birthday so he invited us all over," Howie explained.
"Yeah I hope you don't mind," AJ said.
"No, not at all. Where's Kristen?" Angela got up and went up to Toni and pulled her into the kitchen to talk to her.
"Okay, did Kristen and AJ get in a fight or something?" Angela asked.
"No, why do you ask?"
"Because she will only come out of her room if AJ is not here. He left for about twenty minutes and she came out and talked with all of us. As soon as he came back she went back in her room. I don't get it."
"She's beginning to like AJ and she doesn't want that to happen. She doesn't want to get hurt."
"Well, I can see where she's coming from. AJ is planning this huge deal for her birthday and if she doesn't fall into his arms then there is something wrong with that girl."
"What is he planning?"
"You'll have to wait and see. If we want to do something for her birthday we'll have to do it in the day cause AJ has dibs on her all night long."
"Dibs? He put dibs on Kristen? That's rude."
"Yeah, well, he wants to be alone with her."
"Okay I don't want to know the details. I'll find out from her after her birthday. If she doesn't go with AJ I'm going to have to smack her upside the head a few times. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go get ready for a date," Toni said walking into the living room.
"Toni has a date? Who might the lucky man be that you are going out with tonight?" Kevin asked.
"The one and only, Nickolas Gene Carter," Toni said leaving to her room.
"Well, this ought to be interesting," Brian said.
"And why is that?" Angela asked sitting down on Brian's lap.
"Because Kristen still likes Nick." When Brian said that AJ got up and left the apartment. Angela smacked Brian on the side of the head.
"What was that for?" Brian asked holding his head.
"Next time think before you speak." Howie got up and walked out of the apartment to follow AJ. He found him sitting on the curb in front of the apartment complex so he sat down next to him.
"Do you think I even have a chance with her?" AJ asked turning to face Howie.
"Man, this is the first time I've ever seen you torn up over a girl. Yes, I think you do. After what you are doing for her birthday she will definitely fall for you."
"Sometimes I wish I could just kill Nick for what he did to her. He hurt her so bad."
"Yeah, well, if you killed him there would be no baby blonde boy that everyone loves in the Backstreet Boys," Howie said joking around.
"Good point. Do you mind if we go over to your house to work on this song for Kristen since you have a studio in your basement?"
"It's not a prob. Let's go," Howie said getting up.
"Do you mean to tell me that AJ has the hots for Kristen?" Brian asked as Angela and Kevin tried to explain things to him.
"That is was we have been trying to tell you. Why else do you think that he would be going all out for Kristen's birthday?" Kevin asked.
"Don't ask him that. The answer is just plain and simple. He doesn't use his brain all of the time," Angela said.
"For that comment you can take yourself out to dinner tonight," Brian said glaring at her.
"I don't think so. You will take me." Brian looked at Kevin for him to say something about it.
"I'm not getting into it. You know the women are always in control," Kevin said.
"Thank you Kevin. You know, I'm beginning to like you more and more," Angela said.
"Oh good work. Now you're trying to steal my girlfriend away from me," Brian said sarcastically. They heard Toni run out of her room then start yelling at Kristen frantically.
"You know what, I think we should go now," Angela said. "Toni is getting ready for a date and if she's anything like Kristen is then I don't want to be here."
"Why?" Kevin asked.
"Because they go crazy. They can't figure out how to do their hair or what to where or what color to paint their nails. Now let's get out of here," Angela said pulling Brian and Kevin off of the couch and walking out the door.
"Chill out Toni," Kristen said in her room as Toni started rummaging through her closet.
"No, you don't understand. I have a date tonight and I have nothing to where!"
"So you go through my closet?"
"Yes. Hey this is a cute outfit. Can I borrow it for tonight?" Toni asked holding up the outfit that Kristen bought and wore for her first date with Nick.
"I don't think so bad choice," Kristen said trying to grab for the outfit.
"Come on Kristen. This outfit is perfect!" Toni said holding the outfit away from her.
"I said no!" Kristen yelled snatching the outfit from her and throwing it in the trash.
"Whoa. Okay all I wanted to do was borrow the outfit."
"Fine," Kristen said getting grabbing the outfit from the waste basket in her room and shoving it in Toni's face. "Wear the outfit. You can have it. I don't want it any more anyways."
"I know this has to do with Nick. Do you want me going out with him tonight or not? Just make up your mind because if it's going to hurt you then I'll just forget about it."
"No, go out with him. I'm sorry. I just over reacted. I have to get ready for work," Kristen said leaving to go get in the shower. Toni decided to wear a pair of black and white dress pants with a white spaghetti strapped shit with a black short sleeved jacket over it. About and hour later she was ready as soon as Kristen started to leave for work. "Have fun tonight, Toni. Get the hook ups with him or something," Kristen said giving her friend a hug before leaving. When she got to work one of the other employees told her that the manager wanted to talk with her. Kristen knew it couldn't be good but she went to his office anyways and took a seat. "You wanted to talk to me?" she asked.
"Kristen, I hate to do this but I have to fire you," her manager said.
"I'm confused. Why?"
"First of all you had to work yesterday and you never showed up and never called. When you do come to work you're late half of the time. Then your mind is always somewhere else. You don't pay attention. I'm sorry but I have to fire you."
"I understand," Kristen said and got up and left. Kristen drove over to AJ's house to talk with him but found he wasn't home so she decided to drive over to Kevin's since Angela and Toni were both out on dates.
"Kristen, come on in," Kevin said when he answered the door.
"I'm in a little bit of trouble Kevin."
"How much trouble."
"Not much considering I'm officially now unemployed."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?"
"I don't put any effort into my work. I can't stop thinking about Nick and AJ."
"I can understand you thinking about Nick all the time but why AJ?"
"I can't explain it."
"I think you should just go out with him, Kristen. He would never hurt you like Nick and your other boyfriend did."
"How did you know that's what it's about?"
"It's sort of obvious to everyone except AJ and Nick. You can't be afraid of guys forever you know."
"I'm not afraid of guys. Just ones I date."
"Well, you need to learn to trust. That's what a relationship is all about."
"I don't know Kevin. I just need to wait it out some more. Now what am I supposed to do about a job? Toni can't pay the apartment bills by herself while I don't have a job."
"I still think you should try and pursue something with your dancing or singing skills. You're really good."
"That could take forever."
"Well, start going to dance auditions and if you need some money I'll help you out and you can reimburse me when you have the money."
"I can't take your money Kevin."
"I know you'll pay me back. I've got some money to spare and I don't mind using it on my friends."
"Thank you so much," Kristen said giving Kevin a hug.
At about six o'clock Toni answered the door to see Nick standing there. 'My God he looks gorgeous' she thought to herself. "You ready?" Nick asked. Toni nodded her head and took Nick's arm as he led her out to his car.
Chapter 40
