"AH!" Kayla gave a shout as her and Chel ran up the stairs towards their apartment. "We are home!", she shouted happily. At the same time, she was very happy to be back home, but sad because the tour was just about over. They still had three shows left, but they were all in the central Florida area, giving Kayla the option to drive to and from the venue. As she reached the apartment, she pulled out the key and flung open the door. Chel raced into the room from behind her and once inside, the two of them began going crazy, yelling and hugging. "Kayla! We're home!" Chel was laughing as she flopped down onto the couch. The phone rang, causing both of the girls to jump.
Chel grabbed the phone and answerd it with a cheerful, "Hello?". She smiled when she heard the voice on the other end. "Hey babe, ya miss me yet?" Chel let out a giggle, "Nick, its been all of five minutes, how can i miss you yet?" She heard his wounded reply. "But...but i miss you!" She sighed. "You know i miss you, i wish i was in your arms right now. And i will be in a couple of hours, what time are you picking us up?"
Kayla listened as Chel repeated that the guys were gonna pick them up at 7:00. They were going to the Orlando Music Awards, which recognized local talent. What the guys didnt know was that they were being presented with "entertainers of the year." At first, the guys hadnt wanted to go for fear of causing a riot of fans, but the management had told them they were going to make an appearance to show their hometown support. They agreed only if their being there wasnt going to be announced on radio or tv. To ensure that they would go almost unnoticed, they would all arrive in seperate cars.
Kayla began looking through her closet to find the perfect dress for the night. At the MTV video awards, she had worn the same dress that she wore in the "Dont Wanna Lose You Now" video. She continued looking and came across two dresses that she liked. One was a white dress that stopped right above her knees, the second was a sapphire blue dress that had a long flowing skirt on it. Deciding on the blue dress she turned around and nearly had a heart attack. "AAHH!! Chel, you scared the shit out of me!" Laughing, she collapsed on the bed next to her friend, whom she hadnt heard walk in.
Kayla could see that there was something on her friends mind. "Whats up, Chel?" Chel looked at her and shook her head, sighing. "Its kinda dumb, but, Kay, is it really over?" Kayla was shocked because that was the exact same question that she had been trying to push to the back of her mind all day. "Chel, you love Nick and he loves you, right?" Chel nodded and Kayla continued, "AJ and I feel the same way about each other. We talked about this the other night. As long as we have that bond, it wont end. And who knows, theres always the next tour!" They both laughed at the thought of another tour, and Kayla was glad she was able to make her friend feel a little better.
She thought back to a couple of nights ago, when her and AJ had talked through the night about everything. Kayla loved the heart-to-heart talks the two of them had, communication was a big part in their relationship. That night, he gave her a little insight on what the guys would be doing for the next few months. As soon as the tour ended, they would have a well-deserved month off, during which they would make limited appearances. Aj had told her that Nick was thinking about doing a solo album, but he wasnt sure yet. She had told him that he should think about doing that, and he quickly dismissed the idea, saying that he wouldnt have the time. "Maybe when the time is right." He had told her. As soon as their vacation time was over, they would focus mainly on the new album, which they wanted to get out by the fall of next year. In the meantime, the guys would perform small shows and do photoshoots and promotional stops, but there would be no new tour until the end of next year. Back in her room, Kayla got dressed, thinking about the things AJ had told her two nights before.
A few hours later, Kayla was sitting in the Orlando Arena, watching the guys walk up to the stage to accept their award. When their name had been called, she saw that both Kevin and Brian had gotten a little misty eyed. AJ had given her his best Austin Powers impression, kissing her and saying "Yeah baby!" She proudly watched as the five of them ran up to the stage, lookinglike little kids at Christmas time. Brian was the first to speak. "Wow! I gotta say that this is truly an honor, to be thought of like this here in Orlando! First off, I want to thank God, for his strength and guidance. My family and friends, to the Firm, Lil' Tyke, and last but never least, Lisa, I love you! Thank you all!" Kayla heard the shouts from all over the arena, "Brian, I love you!!!"
Howie took the mic next. "As Brian said, I wanna start by thanking God for everything He has done for us. We are so happy to be home again, and to come home to an honor like this is such a good surprise. Thank you all, for everything!" Kayla watched as he blew kisses out into the audience as he stepped aside for Kevin. "I just want to thank all of the fans for all of their love and support, without you, we couldnt have been right here with you tonight. To my "little brothers", its come this far, beyond our wildest dreams. Ive enjoyed every second! thanks guys! To all of our behind the scenes people, our stylists, our wardrobe, To the best group of musicians in the world, The Backstreet Band, you make us sound good everynight! To Fatima, We love ya, keep on grooving, also to our five beautiful and talented dancers, you were great!! Love ya, sweet P!!" Still not believing that Kevin had just thanked the dancers, she looked over at Paula and saw that she was blushing a bright red from Kevin saying her nickname in front of everybody. She caught Kayla's eye and mouthed, "Im gonna kill him!" and the two of them broke into a laughing fit.
Nick stepped up to the microphone next and Kayla felt Chel squeeze her hand excitedly. "Was up, Orlando? I wanna thank everybody, you know who you are. Most importantly, i want to thank every single one of our fans, all over the world! Without you, there is no us. We love you!" He began to step aside, then brought his face back up to the microphone. "Love you, Chel!" Kayla looked at Chel, who was staring at the stage with a look of complete shock on her face. She turned to Kayla, and Kayla had to laugh. "Oh my god, Kay! Did he just say what i think he did?" She began to answer when Chel interrupted her, pointing frantically at the stage. "Kay! AJs about to talk!" Kayla turned and watched as he stepped up to the microphone.
"Well, I guess everything has been said already. Thats what i get for being the last one to talk, you guys all get spared my chatter. I wanna thank my mom and my grandparents for showing me all i needed to see and for giving me everything in life. I wanna say to my partners in crime, I love you guys! Lets keep it going! Kay, my fire, my desire, we've got tonight and beyond, I love you! And more than anything, i want to thank everybody here tonight. The fans, we couldnt do this without you, we live for you! Thanks again, Im bone and Im out!" Kayla hadnt heard the last part of his speech, having been in shock from what he said about her. As she watched the guys return to their seats, she felt a tear of happiness roll down her face.
Later that night, Kayla was at the after party dancing with AJ. As they moved across the dance floor together, Kayla felt as if she was having the time of her life. The song slowed and Kayla felt AJs arms slide around her waist, pulling her closer. As they danced, she looked at him. "Did you mean what you said? Am I your fire? Do we really have tonight and beyond?" AJ stopped dancing and pulled Kayla out at arms length, to look at her. "You know I meant it. You have made me feel whole. I cant imagine life without you and Im not going to. I knew since that day when you were beating up the vending machine..." They both laughed, remembering when they had first met, then AJ continued, "I knew then when i saw your smile. It lit up the whole room and i knew i wanted your smile in my life." Kayla felt her face turning red and she smiled at him. "See? There it is." He said, pulling her into a long, passionate kiss.
It was five nights later and Kayla was sitting backstage, feeling very bummed. They had just finished the last show of the tour and the memory was still fresh in her mind. Before the show, Tommy, from the band had told her to stay alert tonight because the last show always got crazy. Laughing, she thought to herself, And it did. Brian had decided to switch all of the dancers costumes, so that they had to mismatch them for the show. Kayla had a great time performing one song in a hot pink halter top and bright orange short shorts. Then there was Nick, who as she was taking her final bow, had grabbed her from behind and poured a bottle of water over her head. Kayla had looked out at the audience towards where Chel was standing and she saw that she was cheering Nick on. At the end of the show, she vowed that she would get the "three musketeers" back when they least expected it.
"Kay! Come on, get your stuff ready! We gotta get home and change!" Kayla heard Chel yell to her. She looked at her and saw that she was standing by the door talking to Nick. As soon as they got home and changed, the guys were taking them out to celebrate the ending of the tour. As she grabbed her bag, she heard somebody clear their throat loudly behind her. Smiling, she turned around. "You know, you really should get that checked out." She wasnt surprised to see AJ standing behind her, but was surprised when he pulled out a bouquet of yellow roses and a small box. "AJ, what are you doing?" He rolled his eyes at her and said, "Would you just open the box?" Laughing, Kayla grabbed the box and opened it. Inside was a small silver ring. There was no stone but it was etched with the design of fire flames. She turned it over and saw that it was inscripted. "my fire, my desire". She slipped it onto her finger and looked at AJ.
He began walking toward her and she felt his arms around her. Kayla loved his embrace, the feeling of his arms, the smell of his cologne, she could get lost in the comfort it gave her. She felt her whole body tingle with excitement as AJ began to softly kiss her neck, then brought his lips to hers. They kissed, softly at first, then stronger and stronger. She felt AJs hands moving along her back and she felt that she never wanted this kiss to end. "Kayla!! Come on!!!!!!" Chel's voice made them both stop and Kayla looked at her friend, taking a minute to remember exactly where she was.
Kayla looked back at AJ and he smiled at her. "Its alright, you can leave. We can continue later." She gave him one last kiss, then walked away. As he always did, he grabbed her arm amd pulled her back. "AJ! Chels gonna murder me." He laughed and pointed to where Chel and Nick were both in the middle of a kiss. "Ok, maybe she wont murder me, but we do have to go home and change." She let him give her one small kiss, then whispered in his ear, "Later." She walked over to where Chel and Nick were still kissing and mimicking Chel said, "Come on Chel! We have to go right now!" She gave her friend a smartass grin as she walked to the car.
Five minutes later, Kayla and Chel were on their way home. The song "the one" was playing on the car stereo and both girl were singing loudly. Both were in a great mood, and looking forward to spending quality time with Nick, AJ, and everybody in the coming months. As Kayla approached the intersection, she saw the light was green and continued driving.
~~~there you are, wild and free~~~
They were only a few blocks from their apartment now and kayla felt her excitement building for the night ahead of her. She was still singing loudly, but she stopped when she noticed the a cars headlights in her lane, about five miles ahead. "Why the hell arent they turning?", she muttered as she kept herself alert so she could steer out of their path.
~~~reachin out like your needing me~~~
"Kayla! Watch out!" Chel was shouting at her. "Its heading right for us!! Turn it!!!" Kayla spun the wheel and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that they had avoided the oncoming car. "Asshole!" She yelled out the window as they continued driving. They were now a block away from their apartment. They didnt see that other driver had swerved again, the car turning completely around. Neither girl noticed that it was now heading once again for their car, maybe if they had it would have been different. It was too late as the two cars made impact. Three sounds echoed through the night, the sound of the tires screeching, the crunching metal of the impact and lastly, the sound of the two girls screaming. As people began arriving at the scene, it was eerily silent, except for the cars stereo, which strangely was still playing.
~~~a helping hand, to make it right, I am holding you all through the night~~~
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