*Coming Attractions* Chapter One

Natalie opened her eyes, her head still pulsing from lack of sleep, and peered out of the limo window to see why the driver had stopped. There was a large U-Haul truck blocking her driveway. Sighing loudly, she pushed the button for the seperator between her and her driver.
“ I’ll get them to move, Ms. Trevante,” He said before she said a word, moving to open his door. She watched him talk to the driver of the U-Haul and noticed a tall blonde and a brunette watching them. She winced as her phone rang, the sound drilling a thousand nails into her head. Glancing at the number, she saw it was her sister and chose not to answer it. Instead, after turning off the ringer, she turned her attention back to the scene before her. Impatient at the time passing, she opened her door and got out.
“ What is going on, Hal?” She demanded angrily, walking to where he stood.
“ I’m sorry, Ms. Trevante, but-”
“ Listen, Lady, we don’t have enough space yet. We’re almost done. It won’t take more than a few more minutes,” The driver interrupted and the other two people approached them.
“ What’s wrong?” The brunette asked, his eyes scanning over Natalie before he looked at the truck driver.
“ They want us to move the truck,”
“ Hey, aren’t you Natalie Rose Trevante?” The blonde asked curiously, his eyes showing signs of intrest.
“ Yes, I am. Hal, I’m going inside,” Natalie told her driver impatiently, wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep.
“ Ok, I’ll be by tommorrow then,” She nodded and turned back to the stretch of pavement to get to her house.
“ If he’s leaving, why does he need to park?” She heard the blonde ask as she walked through the stretch of land and finally to her front door. She knocked and Mary, the housekeeper opened it.
“ ‘Evening, Ms. Trevante,”
“ Hello, Mary. I’m going to be upstairs, taking a nap. If anyone needs me, I’m unable to come to the phone or see them, allright?”
“ Ok,” She went back to dusting the foyer table and Natalie made her way upstairs. Pushing open her door, she kicked off her shoes and undressed. Without bothering to pull on a nightgown or anything, she closed the blinds to the already dying sunlight and slipped into bed. She was already asleep when Hal drove away a second later...

*****

AJ sat on his back porch, staring up at Natalie’s house. The sun had gone down a few hours ago so the night was nestled in darkness with the exception of the moonlight and occasional stars. The light turned on in a room and the blinds were drawn back, revealing Natalie in just her underwear and bra, opening the glass private balcony door absentmindedly. He smirked, amused before calling out to her.
“ Lovely view from here. Guess I chose the right neighbor,” She looked over at him, unruffled and got a look of impatience and slight intrigue. She was out of view for a second and when she reappeared by the window, she had on a white tank top and a pair of jeans.
“ So you’re my new neighbor,” She mused dryly.
“ How about you come down and we’ll get properly introduced,” AJ tossed lightly back to her. She paused for a second before stepping onto the balcony and walking down the flight of stairs and crossing the grass in between to get to him.
“ I’m AJ,” He offered his hand and a winning smile. Or so he hoped.
“ I‘m Natalie,” She shook his hand, studying his face.
“ Yeah, I know who you are, Babe,”
“ So did your friend. What brings you here?”
“ Needed a change in scenery,” He shrugged, pulling out his cigarettes.
“ Do you smoke?” He asked, offering her the pack.
“ No, it’s a disgusting habit,” She shook her head distastefully and he pulled his hand back.
“ Mind if I smoke?”
“ If you want to look disgusting, be my guest,”
“ Well, am I in the status of looking otherwise?” He flirted and Natalie studied his face critically again, only knowing dozens of flirts like him but feeling as if there was something more about him than meets the eye.
“ You look familiar,” She commented, watching as he lit the cigarette.
“ Yeah? I’m a member of the Backstreet Boys,” It was his turn to pause.
“ Though I shouldn’t have said that,” She shrugged.
“ Why not? Because you’re a ‘celebrity’?” He made no comment and she looked up at his house.
“ So, why here?”
“ ‘Scuse me?”
“ Why these little houses as opposed to a fourteen room mansion?”
“ Well, Ms. Trevante, why are you here?”
“ Because I need some normalcy,” She answered simply.
“ A lot of celebs live here, don’t they?”
“ I guess so...What about your friend? Is he part of the group?”
“ Yeah. That’s Nick,” He added. Natalie nodded and glanced at her watch.
“ It’s getting late, I should head back inside.” She said, getting off the porch swing.
“ So soon?” He asked.
“ Yeah. I’ll see you around,” She gave him a half wave.
“ Next time ya change, make sure to stand in front of that door again,” He grinned.
“ I’ll keep that in mind,” She left and AJ watched the balcony door close a few seconds later. He finished off his cigarette and stood up.
“ Hey, who were you talking to?” Nick asked when he walked past the living room.
“ Natalie,”
“ Natalie? Why was she over here?” Nick asked, standing up.
“ Nicky Boy, one day you will learn that there is more to Mr. McLean than teenybopper-flirting,” He said in an airy voice.
“ What, did you ask her out?”
" Nope. Didn’t feel the need to,” And with that, he walked up the stairs, leaving Nick in the living room...

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