January 1997; Orlando, Fl.
Christel was sitting in the food court sharing a basket of fries with her roommates, Chinita and Ohniece. They had been shopping the morning away and needed to fuel up to finish their shopping trip.
"These fries are good," Ohniece replied.
"I can't believe you put chili, cheese and ketchup on them. That's gross," Christel said grabbing one from the section of fries that weren't completely covered in anything but ketchup.
"I can't believe you don't," Ohniece retorted.
"Christel I think those guys over there are checkin' you out," Chinita said glancing at her admirers.
"What guys?" she asked turning in the direction Chinita was looking.
"There's five of them but, two of them are really lookin' at you," Chinita said.
******
Meanwhile...
"Hey she's cute," AJ replied.
"Uh oh, here he goes again. AJ, you've been saying that all day about several girls and you haven't talked to any of them. Why don't you go talk to her," Brian said.
"I make my moves when I think the time is right," AJ replied with his usual sly smile.
"Yeah right you're chicken aren't you?" Howie asked.
"I'm not chicken," AJ retorted.
"Then go over there," Nick replied.
"Ok fine," AJ replied. Kevin stared at the beautiful girl. She had big brown eyes, smooth milk chocolate skin, a pouty mouth and when she smiled it revealed the most adorable dimples. He was so lost in her face that he hardly noticed the conversation that just took place among his friends. All Kevin could see was the girl.
******
"They are really checkin' you out. Especially that one over there," Ohniece said.
"Niecey there are two of them, which one are you talking about?" Christel asked turning back to her fries.
"The tallest one with the dark hair," she said.
"They both have dark hair," Christel replied.
"I think she means the one with the Phat Farm shirt on," Chinita pointed out.
"The other one is headed in this direction," Niecey replied.
"He is?! Are you serious?!" Christel asked turning to see.
"Don't look don't look!" Niecey exclaimed.
"Why can't I look?" she asked.
"Because he's almost right behind you," Chinita replied. Before Christel could turn around to see she heard,
"Hello ladies."
"Hello," Christel said reaching for a French fry and popping it into her mouth.
"Hi!" Niecey exclaimed too brightly, in Christel's opinion.
"Hello," Chinita said coolly.
"I'm AJ, what's your name?" he asked directing his question to Christel but Ohniece answered him first.
"I'm Ohniece but my friends call me Niecey that's Chinita and this over here is Christel," she said. Chinita and Christel smiled at him.
"Well hello again and how are you all today," AJ replied.
"Well I'm great. Can I ask you a question?" Christel said.
"Sure go ahead," AJ replied.
"What does AJ stand for?" she asked.
"Alexander James. Are you from around here?"
"Yeah we're roommates and we live generally in this area. What about you?" Christel continued.
"Yeah I live in this area too," he said.
"So tell us about yourself. You came over here to us you must have something interesting to say," Chinita said. AJ couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Well I'm in a singing group you may have heard of us, the Backstreet Boys," he said.
"It sounds vaguely familiar," Christel said looking up at him.
"I know where I've heard it, the flea market where all the teenagers hang out at. Ya know the Backstreet Market," Niecey replied.
"Wait a minute, you guys named your group after a flea market?" Chinita asked.
"I like it. How old are you?" Christel retorted.
"Thanks. I'm nineteen. How old are you?" AJ replied.
"I'm nineteen too," Christel said.
"Ok I think I've heard of your group," Chinita said.
"We aren't all that famous here, but, we got much fame in Europe," he replied.
"Really? I hope it works out," Christel said turning back to the fries. She stood to take her tray to the trash can.
"I really hope it does too. I mean I don't want to be a one hit wonder . . . in another country," he replied. Christel laughed out loud.
******
Kevin continued to watch the exchange between the girl and AJ. He really wished he had gone over to her. He watched more intently. AJ said something and she laughed. His heart warmed at the sound of her laughter that floated over to caress his ears. She stood up in front of AJ and Kevin noticed that she wasn't very tall; she was shorter than AJ. Kevin also noticed her shape. She was curvy; she had nice round hips and a full chest. He watched her hips sway as she walked back to her seat and AJ followed.
******
"Well it looks like I have to go my friends over there are motioning for me to come on. I really enjoyed talking to you so uuhh can I get your number? I'll call you sometime and maybe we can go out," AJ said.
"Why don't you give me your number," she asked.
"Sure that'll work, but, how about an even trade," he retorted. Christel stood and reached into her purse. She retrieved a pen and paper. She quickly jotted down her number, he did the same and they traded.
"I'll call ya," he replied returning to his friends.
"Great," she called after him. Christel turned back to her fries and stuck one into her mouth.
"If he calls will you go out with him?" Ohniece asked.
"I don't know, he seemed nice though," she said.
"You gave him your real number or was it fake?" Chinita asked.
"I gave him my real number. You guys ready to go?" she replied.
"Yeah," they said together. The girls got their shopping bags and continued on their shopping trip. I wonder why the other guy didn't come over, Christel thought to herself.
******
The guys walked casually through the mall to the nearest exit.
"Kevin didn't you say that girl was cute, too?" Nick asked.
"Yeah so what?" Kevin said grimly.
"So why didn't you go over to her and talk to her?" Nick asked.
"I was just agreeing with AJ when he said it," Kevin replied. Kevin and the others walked on as he thought about the real reason why he didn't go over to her.