March 1998; Orlando, Fl.
AJ and Christel had been dating for a year and it was good, then it all changed. They seemed to fight more than before, in fact it seemed that was all they did. The littlest thing would set off a huge argument. Christel couldn't understand why he would act like that, until the night they got into their worst fight. She was at home feeling lonely and miserable on a Friday night when the phone rang.
"Hello?" she said misery in her tone.
"Hey, Pooh its me Spidey," the voice said from the receiver. It was Kevin one of Christel's best friends from the Backstreet Boys. Kevin and Christel were really close. Spidey was a nickname she gave him when he told her that his favorite cartoon character was Spiderman. He called her Pooh because Winnie the Pooh was her favorite cartoon character. She felt the closest to him more so than any of the other guys, even AJ. He was her best friend, she could tell Kevin anything and he would always understand.
"Oh, hi Spidey. How are you?"
"I'm fine. How are you? You don't sound too good," he replied. Christel didn't know whether or not she wanted to tell Kevin about the fight she and AJ had earlier. She knew Kevin's reaction wouldn't be good. He would get upset with AJ and she didn't want that. Christel also knew that Kevin was very perceptive and she wouldn't be able to hide it from him for long.
"Well... actually... I'm not too good," she finally said.
"Why? What happened? Are you ok?" Kevin asked before he could stop himself. Christel's heart warmed at the apparent concern in Kevin's voice. She knew he would react this way and it made her feel a little better that she had such a good friend.
"I'm ok I guess. It's just that AJ and I just had a huge fight... and... he walked out. I don't know Spidey it just seems like we're growin' apart," she said. Kevin's heart twisted at the way she sounded on the phone. He just wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss all her tears away.
"It'll be ok Pooh, I'm sure he didn't mean whatever he said," Kevin had to bite his lip to get that out.
"I don't think it will this time. I mean we always fight. Everyone fights but our fights have never been this bad before. We have a huge fight and then we just stop talking for a while until one of us is ready to go over to the other and try to make up. We never discuss what we fought about thus it never gets resolved," Christel couldn't hold back the sob that escaped after her statement. Kevin suddenly wanted to jump into his car and hunt AJ down.
"I hate to hear you so upset, sweetie. Wanna go out and do something tonight?" Kevin asked trying to sound cool.
"No, I don't really feel up to it," Christel replied.
"Oh come on, I got an idea we could go out to a club or something," he replied.
"I don't know. . . Kevin I don't feel like going out tonight."
"You shouldn't stay at home feelin' miserable because of a stupid fight."
"Kevin I don't really feel like it."
"Why should he have all the fun while you stay at home?"
"Alright, I'll come but I won't be much fun," she replied.
"Great I'll be over in half an hour. Is that enough time for you?" he replied and she could tell he was smiling.
"Yeah sure that's enough time," she replied.
So Christel had to get dressed to go out with Kevin. She rushed upstairs to her room and looked for something to wear. Eventually, after much distress, decided on a black dress and black ankle boots.
When Kevin arrived Christel was sitting on the sofa waiting. He rang the doorbell and Christel went to answer still hesitant about going with him. She opened the door and there stood Kevin looking handsome as ever. His dark brown almost black hair cut short and spiky on top complimented his tawny coloring, a trimmed mustache curved seductively around his mouth. He was exactly what people meant by tall, dark, and handsome. He looked best in black and tonight he was definitely using that to his advantage. He wore black slacks, black wifebeater and a black jacket.
"Are you ready?" he asked his green eyes flashing.
"Yeah, I'm ready, but, I can't promise that I'll be much fun tonight," she said.
"That's ok, I just wanted to get you out of the house. Let's go," he replied holding out his hand. Christel took it and they went out to his truck which was parked in her driveway. Kevin helped Christel climb into his black 4Runner and ran around to the driver's side to hop in.
"Ya know Spidey you really should get a car," Christel said.
"Why? I have a car," he said tapping the steering wheel.
"No, this is a truck. You should get a car. It's kinda hard to climb into a truck in a skirt and remain ladylike," she replied. Kevin laughed out loud and Christel smiled slightly. He looked over at her.
"I see your point. Is that a smile that I see? I hope to see more of those tonight," he replied. Then, "Besides AJ has an Expedition and that's bigger than this." The slight smile that was on Christel's face disappeared when he mentioned AJ's name, a frown quickly appeared
"Oh sorry, don't worry I won't mention him again tonight. Tonight is for you. Where do you want to go?" Kevin asked looking at her intently.
"Uuuuhhhh I don't know. You can choose," she replied.
"Ok then I have just the place," he said starting the engine. And they were off for a night of fun. Kevin tried to keep Christel smiling on the way to the club by telling her funny stories and singing along with the radio.
When they got to the club the music was pumping. Kevin went off to get them some drinks. Christel couldn't help but sway a little to the music, she felt like it was everywhere. Kevin came upon her as she swayed her hips seductively to the music and he couldn't take his eyes off her movements. He handed Christel her drink and when they had finished them off he asked,
"You wanna dance?"
"Sure I guess," she replied flashing Kevin her best smile. They danced together almost matching each other's movements. As Christel spun around she saw a flash of green hair. The hair reminded her of AJ and she began to feel miserable all over again.
"Kevin I want to sit down," she said as she spun back towards him.
"Ok," he said as he led her to their table. Kevin could tell this was serious because she called him by his given name, which she rarely did even when she was mad at him. When they reached their table Kevin turned to Christel, "Why don't ya wanna dance anymore? You looked good out there." Christel struggled to think of a reason any reason. Finally she said, "I'm a little tired."
Kevin looked at her; he could tell there was something else that made her stop dancing. She definitely wasn't tired she wasn't even out of breath. He watched her now as she moved slightly in her seat. She couldn't even keep still. He decided to dismiss it if she wanted him to know the real reason she would have told him.
"Kevin I'm going to the ladies room," she said breaking into his thoughts.
"Ok Pooh," he replied. He watched her leave. He had been having these feelings for her for a year now and they weren't going to go away. He had decided to not try and get rid of them. He tried before and it didn't work. He tried almost everything. He went through more girls than socks trying to get Christel out of his mind.
Christel made her way through the crowd to the ladies room. She slipped inside and went straight to the sink. Her hands were trembling as she turned the faucet on. She cupped her hands and filled them with water. She splashed it on her face then repeated it several more times.
I'm going to be ok. I don't know why I'm freaking out here. It wasn't even him. He probably went home to sulk, she thought to herself. Christel grabbed a paper towel and wiped her face, reapplied her makeup, then went back to Kevin. On her way to their table she spotted the guy with the green hair again. This time he was in a tight embrace with some woman. Her misery worsened, the feeling slapped her in the face when the couple broke apart and the guy was in fact AJ. Their eyes met and locked. It didn't help that AJ had lipstick all over his face. Christel ran for the door as the feeling of shock and horror came at her. Christel ran past Kevin.
"Hey Christel what's wrong? Where are you going?" he asked as she sped off. Kevin followed the direction she came from and saw AJ sitting with another girl. He had obviously been kissing the girl the lipstick all over his face was great evidence. He went over to him immediately.
"What the hell is wrong with you? How could you do this to her?!" he yelled.
"How was I supposed to know she would be here?!" AJ yelled back.
"It doesn't matter whether or not she was here, you shouldn't be tonguin' some girl!" Kevin yelled.
"I gotta go find her," AJ replied scanning the crowd for her.
"No I'll find her she probably won't wanna talk to you," Kevin replied as he ran out of the club with AJ following close behind. When they found her, she was in the parking lot crying miserably right next to Kevin's car. She looked up when she heard them approach.
"I-I-I. . . couldn't g-g-get into the car," she mumbled. Kevin's heart broke at how pathetic she looked. He wanted to pull her into his arms but AJ beat him to it.
"Aaahhh, Christel I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, really. She doesn't mean anything to me, you do," he said, reaching to pull her into his embrace, she pulled away.
"Don't touch me," she said bitterly.
"Why?"
"Why the hell do you think? I don't want anything to do with you Alexander James McLean! So go to hell!!" she yelled between sobs.
"Please let me explain!" he cried.
"No leave me alone!" she cried before completely breaking down. Kevin turned to AJ and said, "AJ, she doesn't want to talk to you right now so just stop tryin'." AJ glared at them both as Kevin pulled Christel into his arms and she let him. AJ walked away frustrated and furious.
"You ready to go?" Kevin asked. All Christel could do was nod. Kevin unlocked his car and helped Christel inside. He couldn't help his feelings for her, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her till she smiled again but, he knew he couldn't do that now. Kevin climbed into the driver's seat.
"Do you want me to take you home?" Kevin finally asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.
"No. . . for several reasons. One, I know he's gonna try to call me and I really don't want to deal with that right now. Two, if he doesn't call me he'll come over to my house, he is a persistent bastard. Three, I don't think I can take it right now . . . too many memories," she said in a bitter tone. Kevin had never really heard her sound so bitter and distraught he wanted to hit AJ with his car right then. "Kevin can I stay at your place?"
"Yeah sure . . . you can stay at my place. I don't mind. Do you wanna get some clothes for the night and tomorrow?" he said.
"Yeah I guess I would need some clothes. You don't mind taking me by my place first do you?"
"No I don't mind, Christel." Kevin reached over and squeezed her hand. Christel felt little comfort from that gesture. They got to her house shortly, as Kevin pulled into the driveway she felt as though she would turn and run . . . she didn't. Memories of many intimate moments between her and AJ came at here as she stared at her house. Kevin got out and opened the door for her seeing the look on her face he leaned down to her and nudged her shoulder, she looked over at him as a tear escaped from her eye.
"Are you gonna be ok?" he asked concern written all over his face as he wiped the single tear away.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," she replied trying to flash her fake smile but not managing it.
"I'll go inside with you, ok?" Kevin asked. Christel nodded as Kevin grabbed her hand and pulled her to the front door. She searched for her keys and opened the door. She stepped inside and turned the lights on as Kevin followed her close behind. "I'm gonna go up and get my stuff you can stay down here and make yourself at home if you want. I shouldn't be too long," Christel said to Kevin.
"Ok I'll be right here if ya need me," he said pointing to the couch. She nodded and headed upstairs.
Christel rushed into her room and grabbed the clothes she had on before she went to the club with Kevin. Quickly, she changed into them and dug through her closet to find a bag to take with her. She found a tote bag at the back of her closet. She grabbed her PJs, a pair of jeans, underwear, socks and a T-shirt and threw them all in the bag.
******
Downstairs . . .
Kevin sat on Christel's couch looking the room over. He saw a few pictures of her with Ohniece and Chinita, some of her family and some of her with other friends. Kevin let his gaze sweep the room when it fell upon a picture of her and AJ at the carnival. It was a very cute picture he had to admit. It was one of those pictures where you stick your head through the cut out. In the picture Christel was a helpless victim and AJ was King Kong. He was so busy staring at the picture that he didn't hear Christel come downstairs to stand behind him.
"That was taken earlier this year at the carnival when we all went. When we all decided to split up that's what AJ and I did," she replied suddenly. Kevin turned to look at her tear-streaked face. He wanted to pull her into his arms and make her forget all about AJ.
"I remember that day," he replied.
"I don't know how I could have been so stupid to fall for him," she said as a few tears spilled from her eyes.
"You aren't stupid. Don't even say that," Kevin said going over to stand beside her.
"It's true. How could I let myself get so wrapped up in him that I didn't even notice that our relationship was falling apart?"
"Christel, look at me," she turned her gaze on Kevin, "You are not stupid. You are an intelligent, beautiful and sweet woman and AJ is the idiot for doing this to you. Any man would or should be honored to have you," he finished realizing that his emotions were showing.
"That was very nice of you to say that Kevin, but, right now I really don't think it," she replied. Kevin just looked at her and pulled her in for a small hug.
"Well I do," he replied. She gave him a small smile and picked up her bag.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked.
"Yeah come on. Let me get that bag for you," he said reaching for her bag. They hopped in Kevin's truck and headed for his house.
As they drove to Kevin's house he asked, "How 'bout we rent some videos and order some pizza when we get to my place?"
"Uuuhhh alright, that sounds like fun," she said.
"Good, which would you like to pick the movies or the toppings? Ya know given the day you had how 'bout you pick both?" Christel gave a little laugh and smiled at Kevin.
"Alright, I'll pick both. How many movies are we gonna get?" she asked.
"How 'bout two?"
"Two sounds fine to me."
They drove to the nearest video store and rented two of Christel's favorite movies Chasing Amy and William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.
"I've never seen either of these," Kevin replied as they drove to his place.
"They're both good, you'll like them," Christel replied.
As soon as they got to Kevin's house Christel plopped down on the couch and got comfortable while Kevin went to order the pizza. When he came back into the living room and saw her stretched out on his sofa he couldn't help but think what she would look like stretched out in his bed. Kevin quickly pushed that thought out of his head.
"Well you look like you're comfortable," he said as he walked into the living room.
"I really am," she said smiling up at him. All he could do was smile down at her.
"Well move over I want to get comfortable too. Your pizza should be here soon," he replied.
"Well let's start one of the movies while we wait," Christel retorted sitting up and making room for Kevin to sit down.
"Which one do you wanna start with?" he asked.
"Chasing Amy," she replied. Kevin stuck the movie into the VCR and hit play before plopping down on the sofa next to Christel.
They sat in silence watching the movie until the pizza arrived. Kevin jumped from his place on the sofa to get the pizza. As he carried it into the kitchen Kevin replied in his best Italian accent, "Madam you medium, meat lovers, pan pizza awaits." Christel giggled and Kevin smiled at the sound. She knew he was trying his best to make her feel better and she thought he was doing a good job of it.
"Well let's dig in," she said as she poured their drinks.
"Ya don't have to tell me twice," Kevin said causing Christel to giggle again. When they had come down to their last piece Christel looked over at Kevin and smiled.
"What's that smile for?" he asked.
"I was just thinking Spidey, ya really know how to show a girl a nice time," she replied. Kevin blushed visibly and Christel smiled more. They went back to the sofa to watch the rest of the movie.
Kevin tried to watch the rest of the movie he really couldn't keep his attention on it. Here he was sitting with the girl he'd loved for a year now. In that year the only thing holding him back from making her his was her boyfriend who was also one of his closest friends. Now she was free of that boyfriend she had just broken up with him that very night. He didn't know what to do, now. Kevin couldn't think of a way to approach the subject. Then he thought that she was going to be spending the night here in his house and quite possibly in his bed. It wasn't like this would be the first time she had crashed at his place; she was one of his best friends. Christel had spent the night at Kevin's house many times, but for some reason this would be different. Kevin looked over at her. God, she's adorable, he thought to himself. What do I have to do to you mine? I wish we could be together under better circumstances. I should have been the one to come up to you at the mall that day but I was too shy.
Chasing Amy had ended and they were watching their second movie when Christel started to nod off. She had laid her head on Kevin's shoulder, as her eyelids got heavy. Kevin poked her side and asked, "Do you want to go to bed?" Christel nodded and sat up a little to look at Kevin.
"Where do I sleep?" she asked.
"In my bed . . . I'll sleep on the air mattress down here," he said.
"No you take your bed and I'll sleep on the air mattress. I don't want to put you out," she said.
"It's ok, I've slept on it before it's pretty comfortable, I'll be fine."
"If it's so comfortable than I can sleep on it."
"No! Then I'll feel guilty and I won't be able to sleep thinking of you down here on that mattress," he said firmly. Christel could tell that he wasn't going to back down so she gave in.
"Alright, I'll take your bed only to ease your mind. Goodnight Kevin and thanks for everything you're a real friend," she replied leaning over to give him a peck on the cheek.
"You're welcome," he replied a bit stunned. Christel smiled at him and headed for his room. Kevin sat there a little shocked until her words came back to him, "-and thanks for everything you're a real friend." A friend. Is that all she would see me as?