Perfection isn't even the word to emulate what everything was to Bridget. Her head rested on Frankie's shoulder as blurs of colors and shapes passed her by. Listening to his heartbeat pulsate into her ears and the gentle rhythums of songs on Star 99.9 sent her into a mind state of total relaxation. She didn't even mind the clouding skys because nothing would ruin this weekend.
"Looks like rain," Mrs. G stated, peering into the gray clouds.
"We never had a show in the rain before," Jesse stated with excitement.
"That's because it's a TAD bit dangerous to do that, genious," Matt informed him, drawing on the window delicately with his finger.
"NERD!" Jesse shouted, anger tainting his angelic voice as he turned around in the front seat.
"Aaron Carter Wannabe!" Matt retorted, pointing a finger dangerously at Jesse.
"Boys, please," Mrs. G bagged sternly. "Don't spoil the great weekend we had."
Frankie was about to drift off to sleep in the arms of his love when his cell started to ring. He moaned loudly, a signal for Bridget to sit up as he dug around for his cell in his yellow pants' pockets. "Hello?..." Frankie answered as rain began to spill from the sky in unequal doses. "Hi Lou...Yeah, we can see that...The signing first? Meet in the back? OK...Got it...Did you called Chris on his cell? No, he's in Sasha's car...OK, You're welcome...See you soon."
"What's up?" Matt asked, his doodling ceased as he turned to Frankie.
"Since it's raining, were going to do the signing first upstairs in the mall," Frankie informed them as he hung his arm lazily on Bridget's right shoulder, "He said to go in the back way, Mom."
"OK Honey," Mrs. G replied, turning cautiously into the mall parking lot.
Louie was waiting there, leaning on the railing of these monstrous stairs leading up to the glass-surrounded food court with an umbrella in hand. "Hey Guys, Mrs. Galasso, Bridget," He greeted as they stepped out of the car.
"We're signing up there, Lou?" Frankie asked, hovering his jacket over Bridget so she wouldn't get wet.
"Yeah, We aren't even sure if we're going to have the concert," Lou replied grimly as the rest of DS filed in from Sasha's car.
"Lou, this is some crazy weather," Chris told him, holding his arms above his spikes so they wouldn't frizz out.
"I think you girls should go eat, shop, do whatever while the guys sign," Mrs. G suggested as they began the tiresome climb.
"Good Idea," Tiyanna sniffled, "I'm feeling better but some chicken soup would do me good."
The 3 girls were astounded by the amount of fans lining up to meet Dream Street; It must have been hundreds standing and sitting is a discombobulated form of a line. They're was an overwhelming cheer of joy as the guys arrived at the table. There was crying, hugging, fighting, rejoicing. It was utter chaos. "Let's get out of here!" Sasha joked with a scared look displayed on her face.
The girls headed downstairs to Friendly's. They ordered their meals and were drowning in their Fribbles as Bridget enlightened them about last night's events.
"This is delicious!" Sasha shrieked in delight as she devoured her strawberry Fribble.
"Please, Sasha, let's focus," Tiyanna begged, sipping her hot cocoa. She cupped her hand around the mug, attempting to get some stimulation in her frosty fingers. "Now, what happened?"
"Well," Bridget started, watching herself twirl her straw around the chocolate Fribble in front of her, "It was the most beautiful night. We ate chinease food in the gazeebo down the beach. I couldn't believe my eyes; the sky was so...amazing...and then we saw a shooting star...and...He said he loved me."
"The 'L' word?!" Sasha implored, wide-eyed. Bridget nodded, a satisfied smile creeping on her face as she glanced up from her Fribble.
"That's great, Ridge," Sasha said warmfully as the just as their meals arrived at the table.
"Oh, this is going to be delish," Tiyanna smiled, rubbing her hands together eagerly as her soup was placed in front of her. "But, seriously, I'm so happy for you, Bridget. He's such an angel."
Bridget simply replied with "I know" as they started to ingest their dinner.
By the time they found the guys, they were just getting ready to go onstage. The crew had just wiped off the rain-soaked stage and the fans waited anxiously for the performance they deserved. "I'm glad we caught you," Bridget gasped as she ran up past security to Frankie. The guys were all lined up, ready for Lou's cue from the stage of dreams.
"I'm glad you did to," Frankie replied, a little worry showing in his eyes. The crowd was already blasting with cheers. "Listen, I heard Beth was coming here today. With our luck, she'll probably be front row. You let me know if you see her or anything, ok?" He ran his thumb over her chin as her eyes lightened from relief.
"Of course," was her reply as he abruptly left a kiss on her cheek and ran on stage. Bridget, Sasha and Tiyanna stood on the side of the stage with other "privaledged" fans as the beat of 'Let's Get Funky Tonight' electrified through the crowd. The murky clouds sure didn't damper the fans' spirits as the concert continuted without a hitch.
Suddenly, during 'Sugar Rush', Bridget heard someone shout to her "Do you really think you're someone different to him?" She turned her head slightly as the view of a small girl leaned over the barricade so her meek voice could be heard. Her brown eyes stared at her emotionless, just as her face did.
"Beth?" she implored, squinting to see her.
"He's just playing with you," Beth continued, nonchalantly glancing at 'Sugar Rush' coming to its climax, "You'll see...he'll leave you so many times, you'll forget his embrace. He'll be like a ghost. His undenyable charm, His pathetic lies, I hope you are smarter bitch than me and leave when you can."
Bridget did admit to herself that they haven't been spending a significant amount of time with each other, even when he wasn't touring. Bridget forced the tears from her eyes. She twisted her head back to the pier to regain her composure. Tiyanna could feel the discomfort radiate from Bridget's tears and asked with her eyes what was wrong. Bridget whirled back to Beth and said, "I don't believe you." Bridget stomped backstage, tears blinding her vision as she saw Frankie's feet onstage. Matt was starting the smooth vocals of 'This Time' as Bridget pulled on Frankie's yellow pant leg. "She's here," Bridget gasped as Frankie kneeled down to her and skimmed the audience. His eyes locked with Beth and she raised her eyebrows to his direction.
"Look, whatever she said," Frankie started as he took her hand softly, processing that he had to go back center stage, "You know, in your heart, it's not true. Harry, she's over by the right speaker."
"Got it, Frank," A fatherly, plump security guard rasped back as he hobbled over there.
"Bridget?" Frankie asked, touching her cheek.
"What?" Bridget snapped unintentually as her eyes were diverted from the security guard's journey.
"You do believe me, don't you?" Frankie asked with pleading eyes. His eyes widened as the lenght of silence grew.
"Yes," she wearily replied, squeezing the hand that cupped her face, "I believe you."