Brian had been anxious all week. He couldn't figure out what made him want to meet Ashley so bad. All he knew was that it would soon be time to surprise her. He had been getting on all the guys' nerves during the last week. He was a giddy as a twelve-year old school girl. They had just finished their last show before performing in Boston for two shows. When they all got on the bus, Brian headed straight for his computer. He hadn't talked to Ashley since he asked if he could see her. He figured she probably didn't want to talk to him anymore anyway, but he had to see her while he was in town.
"Brian are you going to that damn computer again?" AJ asked. He had been making fun of Brian about Ashley ever since he started talking to her.
"Yeah. I just wanted to see if my brother was online."
"Sure, that's what they all say." AJ said sarcastically.
"I am." Brian knew he was really looking to talk to Ashley but she wasn't on. So he signed off and got up from the computer. "See, I just wanted to talk to my brother and he wasn't on so now I am done. Is that okay with you?" Brian asked.
"Calm down B-Rok. You will be seeing her tomorrow. Can't you control yourself for one day?" AJ just laughed and walked out of the room towards the kitchen.
Brian followed AJ out of the room. It finally really hit him that he was going to meet a girl that said didn't want to meet him. He continued thinking about it. "I really don't care if she didn't want to meet me. I really like her and want to see if this could go any further than just an online relationship." Brian said to himself.
When they reached the kitchen all the guys were in there sitting around the table eating a snack before they went to bed.
"So are you ready to meet to girl of your IM's?" Kevin knew that would get on his cousin's nerves.
"You are so damn funny Kevin. That was a real knee slapper." Brian said as he sat down.
"Don't listen to him Bri. I think it is kind of sweet that you are going through all this to meet someone that doesn't want to meet you." Howie said trying not to laugh at his own joke.
"Are you guys ever going to give me a break about this?"
In unison they all said, "NO!"
Brian looked at them and rolled his eyes, "I didn't think you would."
Brian got up from the table and headed towards his bed as he walked passed Nick he said, "Nick, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure."
Ashley had been really busy with her schoolwork that week. Since it was coming up on spring break both her and Kaycie were busy studying. She hadn't had time to get online and talk to Brian. The only time she ever went near her computer was to look information up online. During that whole week she had really wanted to talk to Brian but knew that her school work was more important then talking to someone she barely knew. It was getting late so Ashley and Kaycie decided to get some rest so they could continue studying tomorrow.
Brian had talked to Nick that night. Brian didn't want to go to Boston College by himself. He thought that might freak out Ashley even more if he went by himself. Nick agreed that he would go with Brian. He wanted to see what this girl looked like anyway. He knew that she would be a heffer and Brian would get embarrassed.
"K, we have been in this damn room for a LONG time. We really need to get out. Why don't we get dressed and go get some lunch." Ashley looked over at Kaycie who looked relieved to be getting out of the room.
"Sound great to me!"
They both got up from their desks and got ready. It was really cold out so they decided to take Ashley's car to the dining hall that was on the other side of the campus.
"You know, for being one of the biggest campuses I've ever seen, they didn't lay this out right...now we have to trek to china to get food." Kaycie and Ashley both began to laugh.
When Ashley started the car the CD player turned on and the song "Back at One" by Brian McKnight came on. They both love this song. Every time they hear it they do their little dance they made up in the car. Every time Brian says a number they stick up that amount of fingers and in unison wave it across. The entire time they doing their little dance they are laughing hysterically.
Brian and Nick got up and ready to head over to the campus. Brain was so nervous that he let Nick drive. They figured they would bring less attention to themselves if they drove.
"You ready to find her B-Rok?" Nick was just as excited to go as Brian was.
"Yeah. What if she gets scared that I found her though?" Brian was really beginning to doubt his decision to find her.
"She won't. I am sure she will be surprised but I don't think she will be scared of you." Nick tried to calm his friend down.
As the entered the campus they didn't say anything. As they were following the signs they passed a blue Explorer. They both looked over and saw two girls doing a very odd dance. Nick and Brian began to laugh. This calmed him down, which he was very thankful for.
"This should be interesting Bri." Nick kept thinking about seeing the two girls dancing in their car.
Brian didn't care. He just wanted to get to the admissions office. When they finally found a parking space they walked it to the office. Brian walked up to the desk. The girl behind the desk was young and obviously a student. She was reading a book when they walked up to the desk.
"Excuse me Miss, I was just wondering if you could tell me what room Ashley Matthews is staying in?" Brian said that in the most polite voice he could have possibly used.
"No, I'm sorry I can't do that." The girl said without even looking up.
"Please Miss, she is my cousin and I would really like to surprise her." Brian didn't mind lying if he got to meet Ashley.
The girl finally looked up from her book, "I told yoooooo….Oh my god…y-your Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys." The girl was practically yelling at him.
"Yes, I am. So can I have her room number or no?" Brian knew he could use this to his advantage when he saw the look on the girl's face.
"Sure, let me look it up. You said her name is Ashley Matthews right?"
"Yup." Brian was so happy she was getting it for him.
"Ok, I got it. She is in Brock Hall room 39. Before you go could you give me an autograph?" She asked.
Brian figured it was the least he could do. He signed it and walked out to the car where Nick was waiting.
"Did you get it?"
"Yup. We have to find Brock Hall."
The boys started driving around looking for the building.
Kaycie and Ashley went out and had their lunch. They were so glad to have gotten out of that room. They sat and talked for awhile, but knew they had to head back. They went back to their room and continued to study.
Brian and Nick finally reached the Hall. Brian sat in the car staring at the building.
"Bri, are we going to just sit here after all this or are we going to go in?" Nick was watching the expression on Brian's face. He had never seen his friend so nervous in all his life.
"Ummm…yeah, let's go." Brian opened the door and got out.
They headed into the building. The girl at the desk gave him the right information to get into the building so he didn't have to page Ashley. They walked through the halls and came up to the door.
"Well, knock already will ya, Bri!" Nick said.
Brian knocked. He was so worried about what she would say or do that he started to walk away as he heard someone come to the door. So there was Nick, in front of Room #39.
"K, would you get that? I am right in the middle of a paragraph." Ashley asked.
"Sure, you just want me to be distracted so I fail." Ashley and Kaycie both laughed.
Nick looked at Brian as he walked away. He heard the door opening and he came face to face with Kaycie. She stood there shocked for a second and Nick went back to grab Brian. After the immediate shock wore off she slammed the door.
"Kaycie! What the hell is a matter with you? Who was it?"