~*~PART ONE~*~
(2001)

1.
    AJ McLean stood on the Littrells' front step, waiting for someone to answer the door. He was actually twiddling his thumbs. Finally, after another minute had zipped by, the doorknob turned and AJ's mouth practically hit the floor. The five-foot-nine-inch knockout, before him, was enough to stop traffic. AJ had to literally remind himself to keep breathing she was so gorgeous.  

    Somewhat favoring Leighanne, Brian's wife, she had a pointed nose and soft, friendly blue eyes. Her skin was smooth, and sparsely freckled. It glowed. Her blonde hair was pulled away from her face in a ponytail. And she had these lips that just seemed painted to lust over, full and the deepest shade of scarlet he'd ever seen. Even the smile she flashed him was something to get excited over. "Hi, are you here to see Leighanne or Brian?" She had a small, innocent voice.
    "Yeah. They home?"
    "No, they stepped out for a moment. But you're welcome to stay and wait. I'm sure they wont be too long. I could use some company anyway ... so would you mind sticking around?"
    "Not at all," he looked her over as she turned, walking toward the living room.  She wore a (rather) short plaid skirt, white collar shirt and navy blue sweater. When she'd been facing him he could see the gold crest on the left side that said Micha Simmons on it.  Micha Simmons was a private high school, quite a way away from the Littrells' home.
    "By the way, she sat down at the piano by the marble fireplace, I'm Brittany."
    "I'm--"
    "AJ McLean. I know who you are." She pulled the gray rubber band from her hair with ease and her long hair cascaded down her back to its full length and Brittany ran her fingernails through it. Her nails were cut short and painted a soft pink.
    "How so?" he wondering, trying not to study her too hard, although the way she moved, was amazing to him.
    Brittany smiled, but with her eyes this time, and begun playing the bars to Beethoven's Fur Elise. “You don't have to be cute, AJ. I'm from Cleveland, not Mars. Secondly, Brian's my uncle now. I'm surprised you don't remember seeing me at their wedding."
    "No, I don't remember you."
    "Well, I'm a little older now. Thank God I don’t look as dorky as I did last year."
    "How old is older?" he asked, perching on the sofa adjacent to the piano, where Brittany had yet to miss a key. She smirked crookedly, almost deviously but that particular expression was hard to show on her sweet and innocent face. "Guess..."
    "Eighteen? Nineteen..." his voice trailed when she shook her head, cheeks turning red. "Twenty?" he guessed hopefully.
    "And still in high school, AJ?" she laughed.
    "Shit happens," he joked.
    She stopped playing and turned to face him, hands resting between her knees. Her eyes burned into his and she bit her lip, almost nervously it seemed. "I'm fifteen," she said softly.
    AJ tried not to seem to disappointed. "You don't look a thing like it, Brittany."
    "Thanks... that is a compliment, right?"
    "Definitely." Despite the age difference AJ could not help but be fiercely attracted
to Brian's niece. Brittany was perfection in itself. She was so pretty and really sweet and her smile just melted his heart. He saw a pretty face, and BAM! he was in love. Although, he doubted he was in love with her, especially not that he'd found out she was fifteen. And Brittany didn’t even seem interested, and probably only wanted to be friends. And he did not mind a bit. He'd do anything to be a part of this remarkable girl's life.


    AJ McLean was a beautiful someone. A devious grin, mysterious but beautiful brown eyes. He was handsome in a way Brittany had never found herself attracted to before. Somebody recklessly unforgettable. Only about fifteen minutes had gone by and already she found herself very drawn to him. His company was comfort. And boy, did she need a little of that right then. Her school was 89% snob/asshole. The two people she had always hoped to confide in were never home, asleep, or too into each other to pay her any attention, so she was always alone. Even if they did say "hi" and "bye" to her she would still be alone... Brittany was always alone. Through her smile she cried and succeeded in hiding the past that haunted her. Somehow, at first glance, he'd managed to make her forget. And even though he had no idea… she would be forever grateful to him for it.
    And he wasn't trying too hard to impress anyone, wasn't all slicked back and starched up like the asses at her school. And that was really all it had taken for her to slip. Brittany could literally feel sweat on her palms. But this was the way most girls react upon meeting him, she figured. And Brittany doubted he was the least bit interested in her. She was way too young for him.
    "I really like it here in Florida. It's really different from Ohio," she said after a short silence, "I'm glad Brian decided to move back here."
    "Yeah, it's a nice place... I’ve lived here my whole life."
    Brittany nodded, "I really don't care where I'm at as long as I can play basketball."
    He chuckled, "You'll get along just fine here, then. Nick and Brian love basketball."
    She arched a well-proportioned eyebrow, "Neither one of them are much of a challenge," her remark was presumptuous but her tone of voice was meek. "We played a couple games this weekend."
    AJ seemed surprised.
    "You play too?"
    "I try... but me, I’m more of a pool kinda guy."
    "See, there's something you could teach me. I don't know a thing about pool."
    He smiled and nodded, "Maybe if you can convince Leigh and Brian to let you
swing by once this weekend I can give you a little tutorial. I'm an excellent teacher."
    "And I'm a fast learner," she said softly just as the door swung open.
    "Howdy, folks!"
    AJ and Brittany turned to find Leighanne and Brian stepping into the house.
    "Well, here's who you were looking for,” Brittany said getting up from the piano.
    "Thanks for keeping me company, AJ, it was really nice to finally meet you..."
    "You too, Brittany. I'll see you soon."
    "Yeah..." AJ’s eyes were glued to her as she went downstairs to her bedroom.

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