I turned around to face him and put my arms on my hips. Jeff looked surprised or frightened, I couldn't tell. I must've looked mad. And I sure did feel anger boiling up inside of me.
"Listen, Jeff. This is all a dream, okay? I've always dreamt of meeting the Backstreet Boys and now that I have the chance to do so, I'm gonna go ahead and do it and nothing you can do to change my mind. Besides, I'll be gone for only a month." Jeff slumped back into a chair.
"A month is a long time, Nikki. You're my best friend, I just don't wanna see anything happen to you." I sat on the floor beside him.
"You don't have to worry. It's not like I'm going to be alone with five guys. The make-up artists, prop directors, the managers, they'll all be there! I'm a big girl, not the little 11 year old I used to be." Finally Jeff relaxed.
"But you're leaving tomorrow. That's a big deal. Why didn't you tell me in the first place?" I sighed.
"Because I never wanted you to act like this anymore!" We glared at each other for a minute. We both broke out into a smile and burst of laughing.
"Listen, I have to go to my bud's party. Here," he pulled a small wrapped box out of his jacket pocket and placed it into my stretched out hand. "this is a good-bye present from me. But don't open it until you're on the plane, okay?" I looked at him strangely, thinking that he was joking around or something. But he closed my hand around the box and said, "Promise me, Nicole. Don't open it in front of anyone and open it in the plane."
I shrugged. "I promise, but what's so important about it?" But Jeff already opened the door and left my presence for one month. I finished packing, went down to eat a last dinner before I left and ran back upstairs. I set the mysterious, beautifully wrapped gift on my pillow. I laid down on my stomach, my chin in my hands, and stared at it. Something wasn't right. Something was in that little box, and I couldn't stand the pressure to open it. But a promise is a promise.
I rolled over and pulled up my phone. I spent all night talking and listening to my friends pleads and cries. I kept telling them it's only one month, but they still acted like I was dying. It was all so weird. I told them that I would call and write. Finally, a little passed 11, I said good-bye to all my friends.
"Have fun, girl," whispered Alexis. "Tell the boys that I want to meet them someday, k?" said Katy. "Inform the tough Backstreet Boys that if they mess with my best friend, they'll be seeing me in their face soon," teased Catherine.
That was the last time I heard their voices that night - for a while I mean. I sure did miss it though. My parents came into my room, tucked me in (it felt weird because I haven't been tucked in for years!), and gave me good night kisses. I sighed in the still darkness of my room. Why did everyone treat me like this was my last day on earth? It's only a month. These people are really overreacting. I turned on my side, looked around my room, and fell asleep.
"Well, that's my limo," I said as I smiled at my family. We kind of just stood there, smiling sadly. Even my baby sisters looked unhappy. I hugged my sisters and told them to behave themselves, and that I'll buy them presents. That's what made them so happy, I think. I looked at Dennis and stretched out my hand. We laughed and he pulled me into a hug. I just then realized that I haven't hugged Dennis since I was a little girl. I liked the feeling though. I looked up to see Tim's eyes. My friends were right. He was pretty cute, for a brother I mean. I could see laughter, joy, sadness, anger, all of those just looking into his eyes. He sighed, and gave me a huge bear hug. He whispered in my ear so no one else could hear,
"Be careful, I love you. See you soon, alright?" I pulled back and smiled sadly at him. I would miss him the most, I thought. I hugged both my parents and told them not to worry for I would be well taken care of.
"Remember, Nicole," said my mom, "you have to call us the minute you reach New York City, okay? No exceptions, get to a phone and call. If you don't, we'll be worried sick." I agreed and stepped back. I looked behind my shoulder and saw the limo driver waiting, he smiled and tipped his hat at me. I turned around and walked to the limo. All my luggage was already in the trunk, so I walked with only my purse and backpack on. I stepped into the vehicle, but stepped back out. I looked at my family and waved.
"Bye everyone, I'll see you soon!" They all waved back and started saying stuff but I was already in the limo.
"So, Miss. You're going to meet the Backstreet Boys, I hear?" said the driver, very politely. I smiled. I loved his English accent. I'm guessing he was from London.
"Yes, in fact. I just can't believe I have to fly to New York. I hate flying!" He laughed.
"Same here. My mother wanted me to be a pilot, but I said I wanted to be safe on the solid ground, so I became a limosine driver." We both laughed and had a decent conversation all the way to the airport.