Brian walked down the familar street that basically represented his childhood. He spent summer after summer playing basketball at the playground and countless nights at the corner with his pals. He turned the corner and continued walking at a slow pace. He looked around as the wind blew leaves infront of his feet. A small bookstore across the street caught his eye. He remembered always walking past it but he never went in. He remembered Nick saying something about how he wanted some new sports book that was out now. Brian shrugged his shoulders as he made his way across the street. He figured he could buy Nick and himself a copy.
Danielle looked up as the bell rang and someone stepped inside the store. A smile appeared on her face and she jumped off the stool. "Brian Littrell! How the hell are you?!?" She asked quit loudly, making Brian almost jump out of his skin. She suddnely regretted yelling his name in fear that he wouldn't remember her. He whipped his head around and saw her standing behind the counter. "Danielle? Oh wow!" He quickly walked over to her and pulled her in for a hug. She was glad he remembered her. After a moment Danielle pulled away and grabbed his arm. She lead him over to a table in the corner and they both sat down.
"So, how are you? I hear you teach at the ol' highschool now, huh?" Brian asked. Danielle nodded. "Yup yup. It's great. I love it and the kids are wonderful. But enough about me, what about you mister Backstreet Boy? I told you you'd make it, didn't I?" Brian blushed alittle. "Yeah. Everythings great. Just enjoying some time off. Don't get much of it." Danielle nodded.
"So, you're going tomorrow night right?" She asked, although she already knew the answer. "Of course! And you better be!" Danielle smiled. "Yeah I am. Actually, I was in charge of sending out the invitations and such. It was hard tracking you down boy!" Brian laughed. "Sorry about that." Silence came over them and they both averted each others stare. Brian quickly looked up at Danielle and a memory of her flashed in his mind.
Brian walked up to his locker after his last period. He was glad the school day was over because it seemed like it would never end. He quickly transferred the books he didn't need for the books he did. He grabbed his jacket and as he shut his locker Danielle appeared at hers. Their eyes met and she gave him a quick smile and then turned her attention to her locker combination. Brian's heart skipped a beat. That moment he felt something that wasn't there before. He didn't understand. She smiled at him all the time, why was this one any different?
"Brian? Hellooo?" Danielle called his name as she waved her hand infront of him. Brian was quickly brought back to the present. "Sorry, I was thinking about something. What's up?" Danielle couldn't help but laugh. "Nothing. I just wanted to know if you came in here for a reason. Looking for a particular book?" Danielle asked as she brushed a piece of her dirty blonde hair behind her ear. A small smirk came across Brian's face. She still looked the same except her hair was longer. It used to be quit short in highschool. Now, it was a little past her shoulders.
"Umm, yeah. Actually, I wanted to know if you had some new book come in that talks about stats and stuff." Brian stated. "What's it called?" She asked. Brian shrugged his shoulders. "Okay. Who's it by?" Brian, once again, shrugged his shoulders. Danielle smiled and rolled her eyes. "You are no help. Follow me. I'll try to find it." She said as she smiled and stood. Brian followed her as she walked to the new release section. She turned to look at him as he approached her. "You did say it's new, right?" Brian nodded. Danielle swept her finger over some of the books as she glanced through them.
Brian decided to help and started to look though the books. "You still friends with that Gina girl?" He asked, making conversation. Danielle smiled. "Yeah, we're joined at he hip." Brian laughed a little. "I figured. You used to talk about her a lot. Is she going tomorrow?" Danielle nodded as she pulled out a book from its place on the shelf. "Is this it?" She asked as she held it up infront of him. The cover looked familar to him. He nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure. I'll need two. Gotta get one for a friend." Danielle nodded and pulled another one out. She walked over to the cash register and placed the books down on the counter.
After Brian payed for them he picked them up and stood silently not knowing what to say. Danielle felt her heat race as she stared at him. She always had a crush on him but she figured it went away over time. Crushes always go away, thats why they're called crushes. Brian sighed, breaking her thoughts. "Well, I better get going. I'll see ya tomorrow I guess." Danielle nodded. "We can hang out there, if ya want."
Brian smiled. "That'll be fun. I'll look for ya. We can dance. Slow...or fast, whatever." Brian said quickly. He felt like smaking himself. Real smooth, Bri. He thought. Danielle smiled. "I'm taking your word on that." Brian smiled and nodded as they both said their good-byes. As Brian walked home he felt, for the first time since he cam home, that he was excited about going to the reunion.
CHAPTER 4
