(October 29, 1999)

April still didn't realize what big of a test that was to play such a huge part in her life. She didn't know what it was, but something was coming up. Something really big and she was worried, but at the same time excited. She ran around her neighborhood when she woke up, sat on her couch during the afternoon by the phone, and lay in bed at night reading by the phone. She wanted so badly for someone, some person to call and offer her a job. She knew it had only been three days, but her anxious side got to the best of her.

No matter what April tried to do, she couldn't keep her mind away from thinking and imagining small ideas up in her head. She had a plaguing feeling that something, big or bad, would make a big change in her life. Maybe this feeling she was having would happen soon, maybe later, or maybe not at all. That was what kept her worried. She thought she would be able to catch up an sleep after she saw her professor, but not it was VERY hard to concentrate on falling asleep.

April was sitting in her kitchen reading her book while drinking coffee late in the morning. She wasn't exactly wide awake, but she was getting there. Oh yes, sleepless in Newport was she and there was nothing she could do about it. She slightly jumped when she heard her phone ring and she had to take a few calming breaths before she was ready to answer it. Maybe this was what she was waiting for or maybe not. Who really cared? SHE DID, of course.

April slowly put the phone to her ear after turning it on and clearing her throat. "Hello?"

"Heellllooo. You sound tired, you okay? And what took you so long to answer the phone?"

She felt guilty, but right now this wasn't the voice she wanted to hear. It was also chirpy, awake, and bright which was the exact opposite of what she was feeling. "Yes I am tired, very tired indeed, and yes I am fine. What took me so long to answer? I kind of thought you were someone else."

"Oh my God you have a boyfriend!" She squealed over the phone and April had to push away the phone several inches from her ear until she quieted some.

"No I certainly do not. I scored high on my test and my professor said that people would be calling me to offer medical school spots."

"Wow, that's great! Have you gotten any?"

April sighed over the phone. "No not yet, but then again, it's only been three days. Who knows?"

"Will you be going to a different place to...you know...live?"

"Maybe. It all depends from where the person is calling and where they want me to be. But that doesn't mean I'm going to jump on their offer."

"Wide open spaces," Ann whispered to herself.

"What? Never mind I have to go and freshen up. I think I need to jog to wake me up some. Bye Ann." April hung up the phone and absently looked around her kitchen before pushing herself off of her chair and heading to her bedroom.

A few hours later April was sitting on her couch watching the TV, but not paying any attention to it.  Thoughts were running through her head and no matter what she thought and no matter what she tried to do, nothing kept her mind off of her life.  Things were going to change.  Things WERE going to change.  They WILL change, that’s what she kept telling herself at least.  It was a comfort to her and a small reassurance.  Hopefully for the better, the changes would be good, and that’s what she was doing…hoping.  Hoping for a call, but not only hoping…wishing. 

Things will change.  Things ARE GOING to change.  Things WILL BE changed.  Things will be…changed.

After snapping out of her daze, April picked the phone up what was ringing in her ears on the fourth ring.  "Hello?"

"Hello, is this the Miss April Summers’ residence?"

"Yes this is she.  Can I help you with anything?"

"I am calling because I have a few things I need to know and understand."

"I’m not quite on the same page as you.  Can you be a little less vague?" 

April heard a man, sounding as if he were in his mid forties, clear his throat on the other end of the line before speaking again.  "I suppose I should introduce myself.  I am Dr. Richmond, one of the many teachers, at the Orlando Medical School.  I am calling on behalf of Professor Stamens, I believe one of your professors."

If April could scream out of joy right there and then she would.  This was the call she had been waiting sleepless nights for.  This was THE CALL.  You couldn’t say she could die right there and be happy because if she did then she’d be missing out major.  "Yes she is."

"It is the time of the year where all medical schools enroll new students from all over the country.  We have looked at many tests, mostly in the Mid East, and have picked tests that belong to the student we feel fit the needs for the enrollment.  The school you currently attend is one of the schools we frequently go to to look at tests.  There are about ten thousand tests in which we look into a year.  We except a mere amount of one hundred students in.  You, Miss Summers, were one of those students."

April really didn’t know how to respond.  She didn’t know whether to say thank you, stay speechless and let him talk, ask him questions out of joy and excitement, or telling him she was speechless.  No matter what she chose, she had finally been able to turn on the newest light in her doorway and she couldn’t feel or BE happier.  "I…I’m speechless.  I really don’t know what to say besides, thank you."

"You do, however, have to be in Orlando by November 5 and no later.  This is a big decision I’m sure and not much of time but you have to get back to us ASAP. "

"Okay I understand."

"You will easily be caught up with the rest of the students because of your IQ level.  The college years are shorter here.  It starts September 8 and ends May 24."

"Now I understand.  I would need to know your number so I can get back to you."

"I will leave my number before we hang up.  I do hope that you choose this school to attend."

"Thank you for calling me and I will definitely get back to you with two days at the most."

"That sounds wonderful.  I’ll be expecting your call.  Goodbye."

After the doctor left his number April walked into her bedroom and sat down on her bed.  She would sit there until she made up her mind and April didn’t care because she was quite comfortable.  She sat there fumbling with the paper in which she had written the doctor’s number.

Professor Stamens said people would be calling her left and right but they didn’t and that made April a little less discouraged.  But this…this call was the answer to her prayers.  So
April sat there for hours going over the ‘up’s and down’s’of her situation.  She knew that she would undoubtedly take it, but she wanted to go over everything and know that she was making the right decision.  Everyone that cared about her would be upset, but they would get over it.  She was only a few states away and that was better than living in Seattle or San Francisco.   

This was her all the way and she didn’t feel selfish at all.  She was sick and tired of trying to please everyone in her life.  She always tried to revolve around other people’s schedules when things worked out for them even if it didn’t for her, busted her butt to make everyone around her happy, felt guilty if one small incident wasn’t the way she wanted it that involved a friend or family member, and she always felt selfish when she wanted something even if the other did as well. 

The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to throw up.  Only now did she realize the way she tried to please everyone and that all pointed to one thing in April’s mind…vulnerability.  This one would be for her and now she really didn’t give a damn if  this didn’t fit in someone else’s schedule, if someone wanted her to feel guilty or selfish, or if someone would be mad at her.  She knew they would be upset, but this was her life and this was what she wanted in life and this was what she would be getting.

(November 1, 1999)

April had called Orlando two days ago and had let mostly everyone know about her move and Ann was taking it well and that surprised April.  She didn’t want anyone to be upset so she was relieved.  Everything was happening very fast and she was pushed to get her ass in gear.  Everything would be ready and everything would be fine.  At least that was what she was telling herself, mostly because she wanted to comfort herself. 

April would be driving down to Orlando tomorrow.  Adapting to new surroundings didn’t have to be rushed or done fast.  She wanted to be able to see Orlando and get used to it.  She knew of some great parks where she could paint and just relax.  Everything would be set and ready.

Just as April finished taping the top of a cardboard box holding some of her belongings, the doorbell rang.  She took a deep breath and walked over to the door yawning deeply.  "Hi Ann.  Come on in."  April opened the door wider so her friend could pass through.

"How are you?"

April motioned to the couch behind mountains of boxes.  "Sit down.  I’m holding up, how about yourself?"

"I’m doing good.  I thought I might just come by and see how the packing is going and I know that you have to leave in a few days so I was wondering if you needed any help.  A couple extra hands is better than two, right?"

April smiled warmly.  "Yeah.  It would be great if you could help.  I’m leaving in three days so I would really appreciate some help.  Thanks."

"No prob.  What are friends for?  Now, where should I start?"

"It would be great if you could start with the living room while I finish up the kitchen.  I can’t believe all of this and I certainly can’t believe I’m leaving in three days."  April called out as she started walking to the kitchen while Ann started collecting and packing items in boxes in the living room.

"Yeah, I know.  I am going to help bring boxes for you to Orlando.  I know you’re going to have a lot of work to do so, like I said, a few extra hands couldn’t hurt."

"No they can’t.  That’s for sure.  Thanks for helping Ann.  This is all hitting me so fast and while I wanted this to happen, it happened differently than I imagined it.  I imagined someone would call and I would be excited, overjoyed, and would have plenty of time to say my "goodbye’s" and pack.  I never dreamed of being rushed."

"Like they all say…the grass isn’t always greener on the other side."

"Amen to that.  But all the while I’m really excited that it is happening so fast.  This is the boring stuff and when all of this passes, my life is going to be just as it used to be, only I’ll REALLY be doing what I’ve wanted to do.  I’m going to be at a better school and learn more things in greater depth.  What more could I ask for?  This isn’t going to be a breeze and I’m going to bust my ass to do all I can and do the very best my brain will allow me to do."

"I’m really glad this is all fitting in so nicely for you.  I mean, I don’t plan on leaving this school for some time, but I also don’t go in as much depth as you do.  That’s not a bad thing and I don’t make it out to be.  I’m proud of you and I know everything will work out.  My life’s puzzle will take a little longer to put all of the pieces together than yours, but I will get there somehow.  Right now, I’m not too into what I want to do.  I don’t think you even understand because sometimes I can’t even figure my own self out."

"I hear you loud and clear my friend.  I know exactly where you are coming from because that was how I used to be."

"Yeah, when you reached the age of seven."

"Funny.  Real funny!"  April walked out into the living room to put a couple of boxes on a stack before looking at Ann and growing serious.  "I’m going to miss you and everyone and everything else.  Don’t think I’m going to throw you all, my LIFE in the trash and start a fresh and crisp new page totally forgetting about my past.  This is who I am and without the knowledge in which I have been taught from my parents, teachers, or friends, I wouldn’t be standing here right now, anticipating my new life."

"Well said."  Ann put her hands on her hips and looked around the apartment.  Looks like your just about ready.  When do the movers come?"

"They’re going to move everything I can’t tomorrow morning, actually.  So all in all, I can basically drive to Orlando tomorrow night because I’ll have a bed to sleep on."

"Are you going to do that?"

"Yeah.  The sooner I get settled in the easier it will be."

"Well let’s get started."

"Thanks again for all of your help."

"Like I said before, no problem.  I’m enjoying this.  Where to?"

"Hmm…let’s see.  I have everything pretty much packed up and taken care of except for a few things here and there in most of the rooms.  When we finish then we can go from there.  Sound good?"

"Sounds grreeeaatt!"

"You really need to work on that Tony the Tiger imitation you have going on there."

Ann gave April a dirty look before rolling her eyes.  "Thank you.  Than you so much."

About an hour later April and Ann were sitting on the floor in the living room surrounded by boxes and were eating pizza as they watched Nick at Nite.  They were both worn out to the bone and this was what they really needed.  April was now all packed and the movers would be transporting most of her belongings tomorrow without any trouble.  She would, of course, have to be there so they could get in and give them access. 

"I’m so beat and I think I’m going to just go to bed now.  How about you just spend the night?  It’s already late and you said you were going to drive down with me, but if you don’t want to then that’s okay, but…"

"Say no more.  I’m in no state to drive."  The girls grabbed a couple blankets and pillows that April had left out for her to sleep with.  After they got situated and all set to go to sleep, April reached over and hugged Ann before they laid down.  "I’m going to miss you, April."

"Me too, Ann.  Me too."  April pulled away from the hug to walk a few feet across the room so she could turn off the light and walk back to her sleeping spot behind and in front of boxes.  "Well, we better get a good night’s rest so we’ll be ready to start the day tomorrow."

"Goodnight Apes."

April smiled as she heard her old child nickname Ann had made.  She didn’t remember what the cause was to that name, but she definitely liked the memory of that it. 

Ann could almost see April’s smile when she said those words and she couldn’t even help herself from smiling.  Ann snuggled deeper into the blanket’s warmth and got in a more comfortable position. 

Before both of them knew it, they had fallen asleep.  The whole day and night was spent packing and talking, and now they were worn out.  They were tired, sore, and their eyelids were becoming to heavy to keep open anymore. 

They had been up and going non-stop for almost seven hours.  They talked about childhood memories, how far they had come together, prior boyfriends, and they even talked about the future and what they might think would happen.

Nothing could prepare what April was about to witness in this big move, but then again, no one in her shoes would.  This would require hard work and even she knew it wouldn’t be a breeze.  She knew this would be hard work, but wasn’t working hard something April lived for? 


(Two days later)

April and Ann had both driven down to Orlando and Ann had driven back after they said their final goodbye.  April was excited about everything and she couldn’t wait to start getting everything in her new apartment settled in.  She knew exactly where she wanted everything set out and where. 

Everything had run smoothly and now was the time where April would do all of the unpacking.  To tell the truth, April really didn’t care.  It would give her something to do since she was new here, so she had spent yesterday and this morning unpacking.

April got an early start this morning and after a couple hours of unpacking she took a shower and decided she would drive around to get a feel of Orlando.  She also brought along her paints, brushes, pallet, and painting board just in case.  Throwing it in the back seat wouldn’t hurt.  April needed a break and art calmed her nerves and relaxed her.  This was what she had needed for a while and she anticipated her drive.  Maybe she would find a decent park where she could set up and paint the surroundings around her.

April got in her car and started the ignition before pulling it out and driving through unfamiliar streets.  Much to her surprise, she found a park that looked more than beautiful and it was more than she had ever imagined.  Of course April had been to a fair amount of parks in Newport, but this wouldn’t even compare.  She drove through the dirt road and looked out the windows before pulling into a space and getting out.  She grabbed her bag with all of her painting supplies and board before putting the alarm system on as well as her sunglasses.

April spent a fair amount of time just looking around the park and taking in it’s beauty.  April noticed that the air smelled differently, not in a bad way, but maybe for of an ocean-like smell instead of her old town which smelled like forests. 

April found a spot where other painters sat on stools and painted.  She decided to sit on the grass where the wind blew her hair around.  Her spot consisted of a small lake where Catamarans, Sunfishes, and Rainbow boats sailed.  She held the view of small children flying kites and walking around with grandparents or parents as well as older siblings.

April made a glide on her board of sky blue paint before looking back up and taking off her sunglasses.  April sat like that for an hour and a half in secludeness just painting.  Time flew by and she didn’t even realize it.  All she realized was that her nerves were somewhat calmer than before and she was thoroughly enjoying this.  When her hand started to hurt, she set aside her half-painted painting and her supplies  before laying down on the grass and staring up into the sky.  When April started seeing dots because of the sun that was glaring, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

April sat there in silence enjoying the peace and quiet that was given to her.  She felt a shadow above or beside her because the sun was now being blocked by something.  "That’s weird," she said under her breath.  April slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes due to the sudden change of color her shut eyes were put through.

"Lovely painting you have going on here."

She rubbed her eyes one more time before looking up at the man who had said that to her.  "Um…thank you?"

The man smiled and took a seat beside her.  "Your welcome.  I’ve been looking at all of the paintings people have had going and I saw a small figure in the distance and the  curious side of me got to me so I decided to come over and take a look.  And look what I have found.  I’m JC, and you are?"

April looked at JC’s extended hand before shaking it and talking to him.  "I’m April and I didn’t mean thank you as a question, I really am thankful that you thought my painting was good."

"Well you obviously have a talent and you have shown it well.  You must have been painting a while or maybe you were born to paint.  Maybe both?"

"I’ve been painting since I was a teenager.  I’m glad you like it.  I mean, I like it too, because it’s not that I don’t like it and…I’ll just shut up now."

JC chuckled before looking straight ahead again.  "Beautiful day.  It’s not too often that there is such a nice day in Orlando this time of year.  Don’t you think?"

April leaned back on her hands and looked in the same direction of JC.  "Actually, I just moved here."  April didn’t know why she was being open because this wasn’t like her, but this man whom she had just met seemed to her like a person she had known for years.

"Oh really?  From where?"

"New Jersey.  I lived in a small town called Newport.  Ever heard of it?"

"Can’t say that I have.  I can faintly hear an accent through you, though."

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"It’s a cute thing."

April felt her cheeks gaining color and she couldn’t seem to stop it, so she slapped her hands to her cheeks and she crinkled her nose before groaning.  "Ouch.  I can’t believe I just did that."  If April’s cheeks were red before, they were more than on fire now.

JC smiled and he didn’t miss how cute she looked when she blushed and when she crinkled her nose after trying to hide it.  "So when did you move down here?"

"Yesterday, actually.  I’ve been working a lot and I just wanted to relax.  This was what came to mind first."

"How long have you been here?"

"Actually, since I was young.  I was on the MMC and now I’m in a band with four other friends.  Let’s see, there’s Justin, Chris, Lance, and Joey.  Ever heard of *N SYNC?"

"I think I’ve heard a few songs.  Are you part of it?"

"Yeah.  My four friends and I are the band and we live here."

"Wow, that’s awesome.  It must be fun to tour and make music, not to mention dancing."

"It is fun.  So what brings you down to Orlando?"

"I’m currently a medical student and I was offered to be a student down here."

"That’s great.  What are you majoring in?"

"Neurology.  I find it interesting knowing how the brain works and all of that jazz."

"You must be really smart."

"And you must be really talented in the musical fields."

"JC we gotta go!"

JC and April dragged their eyes away from each other and turned around to look at a man running towards them.  "Hi Chris.  This is April.  April, this is one of my bandmates, Chris."

Chris literally jumped on April and hugged her.  "Hi April!"

April almost fell back but managed to support herself once again.  "Uh…hi Chris.  Mind getting off me?"

He pulled back and smiled brightly.  "Surely my lovely!"

"My God Chris, shut UP.  Get off of her."

Chris jumped up and brushed off his clothes.  "Nice to meet ya.  Always a pleasure."  Chris bowed and started bouncing around in place and humming an unfamiliar song.

"Wanna meet the other bandmates April?"

"Sure.  Let me pack up first."  April carefully placed her painting into her bag along with her supplies and pallet. 

JC helped April stand on her feet before turning to Chris.  "I wonder why we decided to take you off of Ritalin."

"It gave me rashes on my butt and it made me have gas and…"

"You really know how to embarrass yourself Chris."

"What?  I’m just saying that…hi guys!"

"You’re back ALREADY?  I think you beat your record Chris.  You made it back in less than five minutes."

Chris puffed out his chest and patted it.  "Thank you, thank you.  No autographs please.  Since you were so kind as to point that out Lance I suppose I shall write one up for you.  What would you like it to say?"

Justin cleared his throat to get some sort of organization and some silence from Chris.  "So JC, can you introduce your new friend to us?"

"Guys, this is April.  April, this is Justin, Lance, Joey, and…Chris what in heavens name are you doing now?"

"I got ants in my pants."  Everyone rolled their eyes and April had to hide her smile behind her hand. 

"Nice to meet you April," Justin said and smiled.

"Welcome to the crew," Joey said as he shook her hand and smiled as well.

Lance smiled and shook her hand.  "Fancy meeting you here."

April almost smiled when she heard his heavy southern drawl.  "It’s nice to meet you guys."

"Sorry to run April, but we have to get back to the studios.  Were having dinner at Papa John’s for pizza.  Wanna join us?" Justin asked.

"Um…sure, I guess.  I really don’t know how to get there though."

After giving April directions and a time to meet them, the guys and April went their separate ways.


(Later on that day.  Around six o’clock.)

April looked in the mirror one more time before making her way through the maze of boxes and out the door.  Just as she was closing her door, the phone rang.  She reopened the door and walked inside once again.  "Hello?"

"Hey there."

"Missing me already Ann?"

"I threw a party.  The invitations said, ‘Let’s celebrate, April’s gone!’.  No, but really.  How are you holding up?"

"It’s been really nice.  I really enjoy Orlando so sorry to burst your bubble by saying that I’m not coming back."

"Yes!  Ahem…anyway, have you painted yet?"

"Yes.  Today I did earlier.  I met a very nice man named JC and he introduced me to his friends.  They are…"

"Is that N SYNC?"

"Yeah.  How did you know?"

"I have listened to their music in the past.  Are they nice?"

"Very.  As a matter of fact, I was on my way out when you called.  I better get going so I’m not late, but I’ll call you soon.  Okay?"

"No problem.  Bye April."

"Bye Ann."

April stuffed the directions in her back pocket after she hung up the phone and walked out of her apartment. 

After ten minutes of driving she arrived at Papa John’s.  "Nice," she dragged out at as she opened the door and walked in.  She squinted her eyes to try and find the guys better.  She spotted the shortest member jumping up and down and he began to run over to her.  She pulled back and smiled as he approached.  "Hey Chris.  That IS your name, right?"

His head bobbed up and down.  "Christopher Allan Kirkpatrick at your mercy ma’am, yes ma’am." 

April looked over his shoulder to see JC coming their way.  She looked back at Chris and smiled.  "Well I don’t know about that, but…do you ever keep still?"

Chris stopped for a second while he pondered over April’s question.  He began to bounce in place again and he shook his head.  "No."

JC could hear April’s laugh not for away as he came close to them.  "Hey."

"Hi JC."

Chris turned around and his shoulders slumped down in defeat.  He brought his head up after dropping it along with his shoulders and looked up at JC.  "You ruined everything JC.  She was just about to go in for the kill.  She couldn’t resist me.  She still can’t.  Just look at her…look at her!"

"Chris, a cow would know better than to kiss you."

Chris’s shoulders bounced back and he smiled brightly up at JC.  He slapped him on the back in a friendly way.  "Your gettin’ there big boy.  Your comebacks are getting better and better.  I took no offense to the comment you just said."

"I’m honored.  Now let’s sit down."

"Wait a minute.  Did you just say even a cow wouldn’t kiss me?  Because if you did…"

"Shut up and walk straight ahead Chris."

As Chris walked to the booth he kept talking to himself and looking confused as he tried to figure out what JC had just meant.

JC looked over at April.  "Find the place all right?"

"Yep.  I turned on the wrong street and that got me caught up a little, though."

"Pretty good.  Especially for a Saturday night.  I hope you like plain because…what did you guys order?  Every kind of pizza they serve?"

Justin looked up as he bit into a slice of pizza.  "No.  We awsked da wady for da pwizzas we wanted."

"That’s disgusting Justin.  Close your mouth," JC said as both he and April sat down at the booth.

"So how’s Orlando treating you?" Lance asked.

"Orlando is treating me well so far."

"Dig in Apwil," Joey said through a mouthful of food.

April slowly and cautiously picked up a piece of cheese pizza and put it on her plate as if she were scared it would attack.  Whenever she ate in front of new people…it got to her.  For some April-like way, she felt almost self-conscience.  She felt a few pairs of eyes on her and she looked up.  "What?"

JC looked up at her carefully.  "You just took that slice of pizza and put it on your plate like you were afraid it was going to awake and scare you."

Chris swallowed his food and shook his head.  "No, no.  That isn’t it.  Your afraid of getting sauce on your nails because you just got a manicure.  Right?  That’s what girls are like.  Um…right?"

Joey chuckled.  "You know nothing, man."

Chris rolled his eyes and turned his head so he could see Joey.  "I’m sorry my bad.  I almost forgot, you are the greatest and fairest of them all when it comes to what women want."

"Don’t you know it!  I know exactly why…why…what were we talking about again?"

"I kind of forgot, Joe.  Hmm…oh!  Oh!  I know!  You…are…a…womanizer.  Ding, ding!  Chris has won again.  Which girl will he choose for a date this time?  Carmen Electra has been taken even though she wanted to be with me so that leaves Pamela Lee Anderson!"

"Now that is just gross.  You took that way overboard, Chris."

"Hey, I wouldn’t be talking fro boy.  Have you seen that head of yours lately?  Whew!  A lawnmower wouldn’t even be able to get it thin again.  You and those damn curls."

"Oh really?  Am I the short one?  Not to mention, the oldest?  And how could I EVEN forget?  The most pathetic, annoying, immature twirk I have…ever…seen."

"Oh you have definitely asked for it."

Justin’s eye brows raised in a challenge.  "Asked for what?  To get sissy slapped on the stomach?  Ooh…ouch…that one really hurt!  Mommy, I need some Tylenol for the excruciating pain in my stomach."

Chris rolled his eyes.  "And I’m the pathetic, annoying, immature twirk?  Speak for yourself Justin TIMBERLAKE."

Justin sank down in his seat and his face reddened.  "Don’t start that Chris.  I really don’t need to have a headache right now.  Don’t…attract…the fans."

Chris grinned evilly.  "Aww, is poor ol’ Justy Wubby embarrassed that I said his name is a public place.  Get real ‘Justy Wubby’, because there are no fans around.  Just some old geezers hanging around.

"You expect ME to believe that?  On a WEEKEND?  A SATURDAY night?  No teens in sight?  Get…real."  Justin slowly slid up to his former position and looked around.  "There was, in fact…no teens in sight.

An old woman came in their direction, pushing her cart so she stayed on her feet.  She stopped and slowly pushed her glasses higher up on her nose.  What assumed to be her husband walked beside her with a cane.  They didn’t look to old, just in pain.  "Well, golly they are.  I told you Patrick Henry.  I told you them boys were part of that whatchamacallit? Boyband that Mary Ann likes.  What’s their name, again?  It  ‘aint the Backstreet Men.  Mary Ann hates them.  Spice Girls?  Oh wait, that can’t be right.  Those are girls, right?  How can people keep up with these modern day bands now a days?  Well, hi there boys."

Everyone kept in their giggles that they most definitely wanted to let out.  "Hi miss.  What can we do for you?"

"You see Patrick?  That’s…that boy’s name is Lance.  Lance, sweetheart, tell my husband over here what band your a part of.  You know old geezers’ minds.  You know how they work.  You should have a grandma.  What’s your band’s name again?"

"Oh dear God Alice.  Leave these poor kids alone." 

"N SYNC?"

"That’s it!  You see Patrick?  You see?  Anyway, my dear grand daughter loves you boys.  Can’t get enough of ya’s.  Reckon I could get yours autographs?  She’d really appreciate that."

"Why not?" said Chris trying to hold in his laughter.  The last thing they needed was a speech from an old woman that would start it off with ‘When I was your age…’, and that was not what they wanted.

The woman smiled graciously.  "Patrick, they said yes!  You boys are so nice, wait till Mary Ann hears about this!  Give her three days and she’ll rule the school!"

Everyone passed the napkin around and signed it before JC gave the napkin to the woman.  "Hope Mary Ann enjoys this."

"Oh, you have NO idea!  You are the cutest things I have ever seen!  I don’t know why…"

"Alice…let’s go.  Now."

Alice put a hand on Patrick’s shoulder before turning to the boys again.  "He gets very impatient."

"You don’t say," Joey said.

"Oh yes.  Well, it’s way past our bedtime.  Me and Patty here like to hit the sack, is that what young people call it these days?  Anyway, we like to go to bed around eight or eight thirty.  It’s nine o’clock.  How time flies.  We don’t necessarily fall asleep right away, so we pull out Moby Dick or something along those lines.  I just love that book, me and Pat read it over and over because…"

"NOW, Alice.  Nice meeting you boys."  Patrick turned Alice around.

"Bye boys!  Patty, they were such nice fellows, why did we have to leave so soon?"

"They were scared out of their wits, Alice.  You annoyed them.  I bet they’re sighing in relief because we’re gone.  You seem to talk to everyone…"

Their voices were drained out as they walked further and further away from the booth.  Chris looked at everyone in the booth before giggling.  "Now THAT is something you don’t see every day."

Joey looked away as the couple walked through the doors and turned his attention to Chris.  "I’ll say."

Justin threw some money on the table before putting his hip forward so he could put his wallet in his back pocket.  "My turn."

Joey rolled his eyes.  "Damn straight.  Don’t look all innocent.  It’s been your turn the last THREE times.  You always have seemed to have spent it shopping."

Justin rolled his eyes in return.  "Okay, okay.  Point taken.  I’m tired and I want to go home."

"We wouldn’t want Justin to miss his bedtime, now would we?"

"Shut up Lance.  At least that old lady didn’t know me.  She seemed to know you pretty well.  Maybe she has dreams of getting it on with you."

Lance’s face turned red while everyone laughed.  "Point taken once again.  Let’s go."  Everyone filed out of the booth and started to walk slowly.  "So April, we haven’t really talked to you."

It was April’s turn for her face to gain a little color.  It was fine when the guys were talking…or fighting.  But now the spotlight was on her and she hated that.  She cleared her throat and tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.  "Um…what…what would you like to know?"

Chris looked deep in thought.  "Ooh!  Ooh!  I know!  What are you doing in Orlando?  Like, why did you move?"

"I’m majoring in Neurology and was offered a spot for a medical student, so I took it.  I’m originally from New Jersey."

Justin’s eyes slightly widened.  "Wow, that’s awesome.  You must have one smart brain up there."

"I guess so."

"What school are you going to attend?"

"Orlando Medical School.  It’s really a college though."  April looked at her watch and her eyes widened.  "Well, I have to get going.  I’m going to be pretty busy.  Thanks for dinner.  I guess I’ll see you around." 

Everyone started their journey to each of their cars before April absently put her hand on JC’s arm.  They both stopped and looked at each other.  "I have to ask you something JC."

"Anything."

"Can I have your number?  I mean, I don’t want to just forget you guys and I might need something or not really something, but…"

JC smiled and pulled his arm away from her to dig for something in his pocket.  They had now completely stopped and April was looking up at the stars while she rocked back and forth on her heels.  "Here you go."

April looked down and took the small scrap of paper from JC’s hand and scanned it before looking up and smiling at him.  "Thanks.  So…see you around JC?" 

"Indeed you shall," JC said.  "Bye April."

April smiled up at him before she walked in the opposite direction to her car.  "I certainly hope so…JC."

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Because Of You - Chapter Three
World Of Our Own Fiction