Within a few seconds, Adrianne and AJ's kiss became more passionate. Their tongues wrestled against each others. Adrianne jumped up and wrapped her legs around AJ's waist. AJ led Adrianne over to the bed and gently layed her down. Hen then started to kiss her neck. Small tears formed in Adrianne's eyes. AJ was concerned, so he asked, "Baby what's wrong?". "Nothing" Adrianne told him, "I'm just happy.". AJ rubbed his hand against Adrianne's cheek and continued to kiss her. He pulled down the thin, spagetti straps of her tank top, kissing the exposed skin softly and carefully. Suddenly, a thought ran through AJ's head, "Adrianne, what about Kevin? I mean, your brother is gonna kill me if he finds out....". "Shhhh" Adrianne interuptted, "Kevin is my big brother, but he doesn't control my life. He doesn't have to know about us. Besides, you know how Kevin reacted when you said those mean things to me. Just imagine what he would do if he found out you were my boyfriend.". "Am I you boyfriend?" AJ asked. "Yeah." Adrianne replied. They made out for another 10 minutes. Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Adrianne. Open up, it's Kevin."
"OH SHIT!!!" Adrianne said, "Kevin's here. AJ, you gotta hide." "Where?" AJ asked. "I don't know" Adrianne said, "Umm...the bathroom!" AJ quickily ran in the bathroom and locked the door.
Kevin knocked on the door again. Adrianne went over to the miror, fixed her hair, and then opend the door. "Hi Kev." she said nervousl. Kevin loked at her strangely, "What took you so long to answer?". Adrianne thought frantically, "I was umm... gettin dressed." Kevin walked in and said, "We're leaving for the airport in 10 minutes. Have you seen AJ?" "No" Adrianne quickly answered, "He's probably off flirting with some girls down by the pool or something." Kevin told her to meet him in the lobby in 5 minutes. He then walked out.
Adrianne waited untill she was sure Kevin was far away enough so that he couldn't hear what she was saying. "AJ?" she said, "You can come out now." AJ walked out, went over to Adrianne and kissed her. "It's gonna be hard to hide this from everyone." AJ said. "I know" Adrianne replied, holding onto his hands, "But we have to for now. Listen, when we get to the lobby, go along with whatever I do or say. I've got a plan. Everyone will know somethings up if we stop fighting. So, when we're around them, we gotta act like we still hate each other. K?" "Ok" AJ said. Adrianne looked at the clock, "We better go. You should leave before I do."
AJ slowly opend the door and looked out to see if anyone was around. When he saw no one was, he quickly left.
"There you are!" Kevin said to AJ as he entered the lobby, "Where were you? You forgot that we had at 9:30!!!" "I umm... went back to sleep. Sorry." AJ replied.
A minute later, Adrianne walked in. "Hi everyone." she said. She glanced at AJ briefly, then sat in a chair. The guys talked for a minute about what they're scheduale was gonna be like when they got back to Florida. Kevin handed Adrianne her plane ticket and said, "I'm sorry, but it looks like your siting next to AJ. "Great." Adrianne said, "It figures I get stuck sitting next to the freak!". AJ laughed, "Well I'm sorry your higness, do you want your own private jet?" "Sure." Adrianne joked, "If you're paying for it." Nick giggled, "If you two ever acted nice to each other, I think I would die of shock.". Brian checked his watch, "It's time to go.". Eveyone got up and walked out of the building.
At the airport, everyone sat around waiting fr their flight. After a few minutes, Adrianne was hungry. "I'm gonna go over to McDonalds. Do any of you want anything?" she said. They all nodded no. Then, Kevin spoke, do youwant me to walk with you?". "No" Adrianne replied. She then walked away.
**TEN MINUTES LATER**
"I'm gonna go check out the gift shop." AJ announced. The other guys didnt really care. They just nodded.
Adrianne ordered a quarter pounder with cheese, a large Pepsi, and large fries. She took her food and sat down at a table. Just as she began to eat, she felt someones lips press softly against her neck. Adrianne turned around and saw that it was AJ. "OMG" she said, "AJ, we shouldn't be doing stuff like that in public. Do you have any idea who might be watching us?". "Nobody saw anything." AJ replied, sitting in the chair across from Adrianne. He tried to lean in and kiss her, but then he pulled back. "Let's go somewhere." he said. "Where?" Adrianne asked. "I don't care." AJ answered, "Anywhere. Some place where we can be alone.". Adrianne & AJ got up. Adrianne packed the rest of the food in he bag and then put it in her backpack.
Adrianne and AJ walked down to the bathroom. "Check to see if anyones in there." AJ said. Adrianne opend the door, no one was, so they went in. AJ locked the door behind them.
"Do you remember the first time we all met together?" Adrianne asked. "Yeah." AJ said. "Well," Adrianne continued, "What you probably don't know is that when I first saw you, I kinda thought you were cute." AJ was suprized, "Really? What happend?" Adrianne laughed, "You opend your mouth."
AJ wrapped his arms around Adrianne's waist and started to kiss her sweetly on the lips. There was just something about AJ's kisses that made Adrianne's body turn to jello. She grabbed AJ black wife beater, lifted it up over his head, and threw it n the ground. AJ lifted Adrianne up by the waist and placed her down on the counter, leaving a trail of kisses down her shoulders. He then reached up Adrianne's shirt and began to unsnap her bra.
There was a lud knock on the door. "SECURITY!!!" a man's voie shouted. Adrianne and AJ puled their lips apart. AJ ran and hid in one of the stalls. Adrianne checked herself in the mirror, and then went and opend the door. There sood a man in a police officers uniform.He looked at Adrianne and said, "We've received some complaints that this door was locked. Why was the door locked ma'm?" "I spilt soda on my shirt, so I had to change in here.". The officer looked at her, confused, "Why didnt you just change in one of the stalls?" "I have this thing." Adrianne explained, "You see, I kinda freak out when I'm gettig dressed and I know theres complete strangers in the room. I'm sorry if I caused any trouble.". The man smiled, "No problem. Just don't do it again."
After he officer left, AJ walked out, with his shirt on. "That was close." he aid. "Yah." Adrianne replied. She checked her watch. It was 11:40 am. Their plane would be boarding soon. Adrianne was just about to run out the bathroom when AJ grabbed her arm,spun her around, and kissed Adrianne, parting her lips with his tongue. He held Adrianne's wrists on the wall.
"Your attention please. Flight 169 departing for Orlando is now boarding at Gate 4A."
"We better hurry!" Adrianne said. "You go first. I'll be there in a minute." AJ replied.
"There you are!!!" Kevin shouted to his sister as he was her running towads the gate, "Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? I thought something bad had happend. I was just about to send Marcus out to look for you. Don't EVER do that again!!!!!!" "Sorry Kev." Adrianne said. "Whatever." Kevin said shaking his head, "where's AJ?". Just as that was said, AJ walked in. They all boarded the plane.
Kevin and Howie sat infront of Adrianne and AJ while Brain and Nick sat in back of them. AJ decided they should write notes back and forth to each other. He reached over to his backpack and pulled out a notebok & pen. AJ scribbled down something, then handed it over to Adrianne. Adrianne looked down at the paper and read what it said-
Hi angelbaby. 'sup?
Adrianne wrote back-
angelbaby???
AJ smiled-
Yeah. That's my new nickname for you.
Adrianne replied-
How did you come up with that?
AJ wrote again-
Well, you looklike an angel and your my baby- angelbaby. :)
Adrianne had to bite her lip in order not to giggle-
That's so sweet! I don't have a nickname for you though....
AJ glanced over into Adrianne's eyes-
That's ok. You can just call me Alex if a want. Ya know, this is so hard...
Adrianne looked at him strangely-
What's hard?
AJ brushed his hand against Adrianne's-
I'm fighting every urge in my body not to wrap my arms around you and hold you close to me.
Adriann'es eyes widend-
Don't worry Alex, we'll find ime to be aloe. We have reharsal tonight, right? We'll have at least 4 or 5 hours together.
The plane landed in Orlando about 4 hours later. Everyone went back to their own houses.Adrianne lived with Kevin & Kristin. She liked it there. Kristin was the sweetest sister-in-law anyone could ever have. Adrianne could always goto her when she needed advice. Not that Adrianne coudn't talk to Kevin, it was just that she needed someone to talk about girl stuff with.
Adrianne went in her room and began to unpack her stuff. The room was painted entorely in baby blue, Adrianne's favorite color. On the walls were a few of the many platinum awards the Backstreet Boys had received. She had five of them- one for the international version f their first cd, one for the American version of their first cd, one for Backstreets' Back, one for Millennnium, and one for Black & Blue.
Just as Adrianne was putting away her clothes, her phone rang-
"Hello"
"Hi angelbaby."
"AJ? You know, you shuldn't be calling here. For all I know, Kevin could be listening right now."
"Well thas a ris I'm willing to take."
Um ok. What time do you want me to meet you so we can rehearse?"
"How about right now?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah. Meet me at the old warehouse."
"Ok, I'll see ya in a little while."
"Ok. I can't wait. Have I told you how beutiful you are?"
"No"
"Well, I'm telling you now. You're like an angel. I must have died and gone to heaven."
"Awww, you're so sweet!"
"I know"
"Well, I'll be there in about 20 minutes."
"Ok. Bye angelbaby."
"Bye Alex."
Everytime you're near baby
I get kinda crazy in my head for you
I don't know what to do
And oh baby
I get kinda shaky when they mention you
I just loose my cool
My friends tell me
Somethings has come over me
And I think I know what it is
I think I'm in love.....
"I Think I'm In Love With You" sung by Jessica Simpson. Written by J. Mellencamp
Adrianne layed on her bed, hugged her pillow, and started to giigle. She couldn't beleive this was happening. Never in a million years did she think her and AJ would be together.
"Who were you talking to on the phone?" Kevin asked his sister as he entered her room. "Liz" Adrianne replied. "Oh really? Kevin said, "How's she doing?". "Good" Adrianne told him,"I have to go now. I'm suppose to meet AJ down at the warehouse so we can rehearse.". Kevin asked Adrianne if she wanted him to drive her there. "No" she said, "I can drive myself. Is it ok if I borrow your car?". After much hesitation, Kevin handed his car keys to Adrianne. She went to walk outthe door, but Kevin stoped her and said, I don't want you to be out too late. And if someone tries to attack you, my cell phone is in the glove compartment. Call 911 and then call me.". Adrianne rolled her eyes, "I'm not stupid Kev." "I know you're not." Kevin said, "I just dont wat you to get hurt." Adrianne told him she would be fine and then she walked out of the house.
As Adrianne walked into the warehouse, she saw AJ reading a magazine on the couch. She creeped up on im and wrapped her arms gently around his neck. "Hi baby" Adrianne said, kissing AJ's neck. AJ turned around and smiled, kissing Adrianne on the lips, and said, "Hi. I missed you.". Adrianne looked at him, "We've only been apart for 3 hours.". AJ reached over and held Adrianne's hand, "It feels like alot longer than that.". They leaned their heads against each others. For 5 minutes, all Adrianne did was look into AJ's eyes. AJ's arms were around Adrianne's waist.
"Um, AJ?" Adrianne said. But AJ didn't respond. He just stared at Adrianne. Adrianne spoke to him again, "AJ? Hello? AJ? Alex?". Finally, AJ spoke, "What? Oh, I'm sorry Adrianne. What was it you wanted to tell me?". Adrianne laughed, "Shouldn't we start reharsing?". "Oh yeah!" Adrianne said, "I knew I forgot something. Anyway, I wrote up a scheduale of what we need to go over tonight.". He handed here a piece of paper-
7:00-8:00- Get Another Boyfriend, The Call, Not For Me, Shining Star, Everyone, Larger Than Life
8:00-8:15- break
8:15-9:15- Show Me The Meaning, The Answr to Our Life, Backstreet's Back, I Promise You, More Than That, Time
9:15pm-12:15am- as many dances we can fit into 3 hours
12:15-1:15- **our time** :)
"I thought we were only going over he ones for Black & Blue." Adrianne sad, "I already know the old ones.". "I know" AJ answered, "But it's a good idea that we practice them so you don't forget.". "Oh ok." Adrianne replied.
Over the next hour, Adrianne practiced till she though she would collapse. Sweat ran down her face and arms. She was so glad when their break came. Adrianne's watch started beeping. "Why's it doing that?" AJ asked. "It's time to take my medication." Adrianne explained. She got her water bottle & medicaion, and swallowed a pill. "Does that stuff ever make you sick?" AJ said. "It use to." Adrianne old him, "When I first started taking them".
"What was you life like after your Dad died?" AJ enquired, "If you don't mind me asking.". "It's ok." Adrianne said, "After my dad died, my life was basically a living hell. I remember one day in particular. It was my first day of 7th grade., 2 week's after my Dad's death."
**FLASHBACK**- September 19, 1991
Twelve year old Adrianne sat in the back of Ms. Lauderdale's 7th grade class. She was wearing Kevin's black hooded sweatshirt over her white t-shirt & overalls. Adrianne refused to talk to anyone excpet for Liz, who sat right next to her.
"Welcome everyone." Ms. Lauderdale said, "I'd like to start off the class by ging around and asking each of you to tell us something that happend to you this summer. She picked up the attendance sheet and said, "Let's start with..... Adrianne Richardson."
Adrianne's eyes widend and started to form with tears. "Stand up Adrianne." Ms. Lauderdale spke softly. Adrianne shook her head no. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Liz said. "I think it's a wonderful idea." Ms. Lauderdale replied, "Now Adrianne, this isn't that hard. All you have to do id stand up and tell everyone something that happend to you this summer."
Adrianne started to cry. "What's wrong Adrianne?" Ms. Lauderdale asked. "Her father died 2 weeks ago." Liz sad. Ms. Lauderdale walked over to Adrianne and said, "I'm so sorry Adrianne. I didn't know."
"Adriane is a freak!" shouted Tommy. Tommy was the meanest boy in the entire class. "Shut up before I punch you!!" Liz said. "That's enough!" shouted Ms. Lauderdale, "Tommy, go to the princiapls office right now!!!."
Just before Tommy left, he said. "Adrianne is a freak. She tried to kill herslef last week. Only a freak would do something like that. Freak!". "FREAK! FREAK! FREAK! FREAK! FREAK!" the entire class started shouting. Adrianne ran ot of the room. Liz went after her.
Liz caught up with Adranne in the bathroom. "Are you ok Adrianne?" Liz asked her best friend, "I'm so sorry about that. Don't pay attention to them. They're all mean.". She hugged Adrianne and the two of them walked around the school for the rest of the day.
At 3:00pm, school was over. Adrianne slowly walked down the sidewalk, her face was still covered in tears. Just then, Kevin's car pulled up next to her. "Adrianne." Kevin said, "C'mon get in the car.". Adrianne put her backpack in the back seat and then sat in the front with Kevin.
"Hi sweetie." Kevin said softly, "How was school?". When Adrianne didn't respond, Kevin knew something was wrong. "What happend?" she asked. Adrianne took a dep breath and said, "The teacher wanted everyone to get up and tell the class what happend to them this summer. She called me up first.". "Oh" Kevin said," I'm so sorry. I should have called your school and let then know what's going on. Did anything else happen?". Adrianne spoke again, "Everyone knows I tried to kill myslef. Then, one boy started calling me a freak because of it. He got everyone in the class to call me a freak. Liz tried to make them stop, but she couldn't. I ran out of the room crying."
Kevin hugged Adrianne. "I'm sorry you had to go through that." he said.
Suddenly, Brian pulled up in his truck. "Hi" Brian said out his window." He noticed that Adrianne looked like she was crying. "Is everything ok?" he asked. Kevin explained what was going on. Brian looked at Adrianne and said, "Me & Harold are gonna go get some pizza later. Do you wanna come Adrianne?". Adrianne shook her head no. "Are you sure?" Brain questioned. Adrianne nodded yes.
After Brian drove off, Kevin said, "We better head out. Your session with the phsycologist starts at four." Adrianne rolled her eyes, "I don't wanna go Kev. I hate it there. All they try to do is make me talk about Daddy. I don't wanna talk about him. It just makes me upset. Please don't make me go there anymore. Why do I have to go in the first place?". "You tried to kill yourself!!!" Kevin said. "I KNOW!" Adrianne screamed, "What are you trying to say Kev? Do you think I'm a freak too?". "Of course not!" Kevin said, "Listen, I know you don'twanna go. But at least do it for Mom. She's really worried about you. It's bad enough she's upset over Dad's dea--". As soon as those words came out of Kevin's mouth, he istantally regretted it. Adrianne started cryig really bad. "I miss Daddy!" she said. "I know sweetie." Kevin said, "We all do." "It's not fair!" Adrianne blurted out, "You, Tim, and Jerald got to spend more time with Daddy then I did. He was there for all of you for everything- first dates, graduation, school dances, everything. I'll never have that. And it's all my fault!" "Whatare you talking about?" asked Kevin. "It's my fault Daddy's dead!" Adrianne screamed. Kevin's eyes widend, Why do you say that?". Adrianne wiped the tearsoff her face, "Maybe if I had been a better daughter, Daddy wouldn't have been under so much stress. If Daddy hadn't have been so stressed, he wouldn't have gotten cancer.". Kevin couldn't beleive the words coming out of his little sisters mouth, "No. Don't you dare do this Adrianne. Don't you dare blame yourself. Listen to me, Dad's death is NOT your fault. Dad didn't die because of you. He died because....well... because God decided it was his time." "I Hate God!" Adrianne said. "You don't mean that." Kevin replied. "Yes I do!" Adrianne told him, "God took Daddy away from us. God killed Daddy! GOD KILLED DADDY!!!!!". Kevin put his arm around Adrianne, "Calm down sweetie. Hey, I got an idea. After we got done at the pshycologits' how about we get some ice cream?" Adrianne pushed Kevin's arm off her, "No! Damn it, why do you & Brian keep on doing this? Do you two actually think that buying me ice cream and pizza will make me feel better? Well, you're both wrong. Just leave me alone!!!". The clock on the radio read 3:45 pm. "We gotta hurry." Kevin announced.
Adrianne sat uncomfertabaly in the waiting room of the phsycologist office reading a magazine. She was so nervous she started shaking.
"Adrianne Richardson?" the nurse said, "Dr. Hunter will see you now.". Adrianne stood up. "Do you want me to go in with you?" Kevin asked. Adrianne shook her head no.
"Let's see."Dr. Hunter said looking down ata notepad, "We left off yesterday by discussing how you felt about your fathers death." "No." Adrianne interuptted, "YOU were discussing it. I didn't say a word, remember?" "There's no need to get angry at me Ms. Richardson. Now, let's start again. How did you feel when your father died?". Adrianne was suprized. "What kind of question is that? How do you think I felt? I was upset." The doctor continued, "That's understandable. Someone who suffered a loss like you did would definitally be upset. But, your problem is your a little too upset." "Fuck you!" Adrianne shouted, "You have no right to say that I'm too upset. It's none of your damn buisness. Leave me alone! I'm fine.". Dr. Hunter said, "You're not fine. If you were fine you wouldn't have tried to commit suicide. While we're on that subject, would you like to tell me the real reason for what you did?" "Why do you think dumbass?" Adrianne asked, "My father died." Dr. Hunter put down his notebook, "Adrianne, that's not a real reason. I'm looking for something more specific. Maybe the REAL reason you did it was because you can't deal with the facts. Your father is never coming back. You need to get over this. He's dead..."
Adrianne couldn't take it anymore. She leaned foward, covered her ears with her hands, and started screaming, "No, no! Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!" . She lunged foward and started punching. Dr. Hunter in the face.
"ADRIANNE STOP IT!!" Kevin said running into the room. He ripped her off Dr. Hunter. Adrianne fell on the floor and started crying. Kevin took the doctor aside and said, "What the hell happend?". "Well," Dr. Hunter began, "I simply told her that maybe the real reason she tried to commit suicide was because she can't deal with the fact that our faher isn't coming back." "How dare you say that to her!" Kevin said harshly, "We told you to take it easy on Adrianne for the first ouple of sessions. It's too soon to be talking about stuff like that. She's just been through a very tramatic experience.". Dr. Hunter spoke again, "I think it would be safer for Adrianne if you placed her in an insane isylum." "NO!" Kevin shouted, "THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL I'M PUTTING MY LITTLE SISTER IN A LOONEY BIN!!!!". Kevin helped Adrianne up and the two of them walked out of the building.
"Please don'tmake me see him again." Adrianne pleaded. "I won't." Kevin said, "I'm sorry. We'll find another doctor you can go to. We should be getting home. Wanna piggy back ride?". "Ok." Adrianne said. She jumped on Kevin's back and the two of them walked to the car.
**END OF FLASHBACK**
"Wow" AJ said, "I never knew that." "There's alo of stuff you don't know about me." Adrianne replied. AJ smiled, "Well, I'd like to learn."
Adrianne & AJ reahearsed for another 3 hours. By the time the clock hit 12:15 am, Adrianne had memorized all the dances.
Afterward, AJ went over to his bag, pulled out a sall black box, and handed it to Adrianne. "Whas this?" Adrianne asked. "Open it." AJ told her. When she opend it she saw a small slver bracelet that had tiny stars around it. "OMG, it's so pretty." Adrianne said, "AJ you didn't have to get me anything.". "I know." AJ replied. Adrianne leaned in and kissed him. "Thank you." she told him. They started kissing again. Within seconds their shirts were on the floor, and the two of them were laying on the couch. Adrianne layed on top o AJ. She smiled as AJ stroked her hair gently. Five minutes later, Adrianne fell asleep, her head resting on AJ shoulder. AJ carefully reached over and got her jacket. He put it over Adrianne and rubbed his hand against her cheek.
** A FEW HOURS LATER**
AJ was still awake. He watched his girlfriend sleep peacefully. She looked so happy. AJ had never seen Adrianne this happy. He held her close to his body. He acted as if he were to let go, he would lose her. Slowly, Adrianne opend her eyes. She smiled at AJ and moved her ace towards his. AJ kissed Adrianne's forhead, and then her lips. "You look so beutiful when you sleep." AJ said. "Yourso sweet." Adrianne said, "OMG, what time is it?. AJ looked at his watch, "7:00am". "Oh no!" Adrianne shouted, "Kevin told me not to be out too late. I have to go home." She got up and picked her shirt up off the floor. AJ grabbed her arm gently and said, "Wait a minute, you don't have to go anywhere. You're 21.You can do whatever you want. Who cares what Kevin says!" "I know." Adrianne replied, "But you know how Kevin can get. I bet he'sreally worried. Knowing Kev, he's probably got the FBI out looking for me.".
Adrianne stood up and got her shirt back on. "I'm sorry." Adrianne said, "I really have to go. I don't wanna make Kevin more upset than he is already. I'll try to call you later. Adrianne kissed AJ and then put on her shoes and left.
Adrianne hurried back home. It usually took her aout 10 minutes. But, she made it there in 5. She quietly parked the car in the driveway ad steped out. Knowing that Kevin would here herif she came through the front door, Arianne decided to go through he bedroom window. There was a tree next to her window. Adrianne climbed up it. The window was open so Adrianne jumped and slowly climbed her way into her room.
Just as Adrianne's feet hit the floor, a light was turned on. She looked up. Kevin was standing in the doorway.
