Chapter 5: Little Book Café
"Ok, coffee it is. We'll go tell Donna where we're gonna be and we'll be off, ok?" Brian said as he and AJ got up to leave the room.
Manda turned to look at Mel. "Is your mom really ok with us not being at the hotel right now?" she asked.
Mel nodded. "Yeah, she's fine with it," she said.'Man, what a worrywart'! Mel thought as Manda gave her a skeptical look.
"You honestly worry too much! What would you rather be doing tonight? Spending the night in a hotel room beside my mother or a night with two of the hottest guys in the Backstreet Boys?" Mel asked with a serious look.
Manda smiled. "I would rather go out with Brian and AJ!" she replied with a laugh.
"Hey, I heard my name. Are you two beautiful ladies talkin' 'bout me?" AJ asked with a goofy look.
Mel just smiled at AJ and said "We were talkin 'bout ya not to ya" while Manda blushed.
Brian walked back into the room. "Are we ready to go?" he asked looking at everyone.
"Well, I am! How about you two?" AJ said looking at the two girls.
Manda nodded as Mel said, "Yeah, we are."
The four of them walked about two and a half blocks from the venue to a quaint little book café called 'Lil Nook'.'How cute', Manda thought as they entered the café. Brian offered to pay for both Mel and Manda but AJ insisted that he pay for Mel. Mel didn’t mind. Free coffee paid for by AJ McLean. This night couldn't get any better! 'At least I don’t think it could?'she thought to herself when she realized that Brian and Manda were waving their hands in her face.
"I'm back out of my little dream world now. Sorry!" Mel said with embarrassment.Brian and AJ laughed which made her face turn a bright shade of crimson.
A little while later, Brian and Manda decided to head outside since it was such a beautiful night. They wanted to talk and get to know each other a little better. Mel and AJ, on the other hand, decided to stay in the café and get to know each other.
"...So, I had to sacrifice...well not sacrifice, more like miss the chance at my last two years in an actual high school to join the BSB. Even though Nicky, Bri and myself had tutors, it still wasn't the same as going and seeing your friends and going to your senior prom. But, I have to admit, if I had to go back and do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. I love the guys and the fans. I love my life and the fact that my life is singing, makes it even better!" AJ said as he finished his life story while Mel sat there fascinated by every word that came out of his mouth.
"So, how 'bout you? Where ya from 'n stuff?" he asked turning his attention towards Mel.
"Well, I grew up in a city called Peterborough. It's about an hour and half drive form here. I live with my dad, mom and my bratty little sister, Cortney. She's probably sitting at home right now sulking because I wouldn't bring her. Even if I had, who knows how I would have spent the weekend. I definitely know I probably wouldn't have met you and Manda wouldn’t have met Brian," Mel said looking into her coffee mug as she thought about what a great time she and Manda have had. Plus, it was only their first night. She didn’t ever want it to end.
"Hey, the guys and I are playing a game of hoops tomorrow. Wanna come?" AJ asked. Mel looked up from her coffee.
"Sure, I'd love to!" she replied hoping she didn’t sound too eager.
"You know, it just so happens that we're staying down the hall from your hotel room," AJ said as he began to blush, "I was listening to the conversation you had with your mom. Sorry."
"Don't be! I was talking loud, I figured everyone heard me," Mel said smiling. She found herself staring into AJ's mesmerizing dark brown eyes.
"Hey guys," Brian greeted as he and Manda made their way to the table.
"Yeah?" AJ asked without taking his eyes off Mel. "We gotta get these girls back to their hotel," Brian said as they got up to leave. They made their way to Brian's grey Dodge Intrepid.' Well, it was nice while it lasted.' Mel thought as she looked out the window. 'Wait! What am I saying? I'm going to watch them play basketball tomorrow!' she remembered with a smile.
*The short but sweet good nights*
Brian and AJ stopped outside the girl's hotel room and gave each one of them a hug. Brian gave Manda a soft kiss on the cheek and whispered something in her ear. This made her giggle. Mel figured she would have to get info on it later. "Good night Brian," Manda said with a smile. She then headed into the hotel room to wait for Mel.
AJ, on the other hand, gave Mel a long hug and said, "Meet you here at 9:30 SHARP! Not a second later!"
"Ok," Mel said with a small giggle and a smile. AJ leaned over and gave Mel a sweet yet long and lingering kiss on the lips. Brian saw the scene since he was waiting for AJ and he was very determined to find out what was going on between them.
Take Me Back!!