Break-up Games
Story by Daisy

~~*Chapter Three*~~

          “I’m going!” I called, slipping on my sunglasses and adjusting my purse strap on my shoulder.

          “Ashley, come in here for a second,” Dad called back. I rolled my eyes, then walked reluctantly to the kitchen.

          “Dad, I’m going to the mall with Darcy. Then we’re gonna go hang at her house.” I explained as I walked through the doorway, taking off my sunglasses.

          “Commere.” Dad motioned me with his hand. I walked over to his side and he lowered his voice. “Nick doesn’t get out much. Why don’t you take him with you?”

          “Dad!” I hated when my dad did this! “Don’t try to set me up! I can get my own dates you know.”

          “But honey, he’s a nice boy,” Dad said, using that tone that told me he didn’t want me to argue.

          “He’s not gonna want to go to the mall, Dad. He could get trampled.” Dad turned towards me and looked at me quizzically. “Duh! He’s a Backstreet Boy! And I’m sure that he wouldn’t want to go with his boss’s daughter to the mall.” I put my sunglasses back on and turned around, only to find Nick standing behind me with a smirk on his face.

          “How would you know that?” He has his arms crossed and I could see his well-shaped biceps.

          “I’m sure you’ve got way better things to do. You’re a ‘superstar’.” My tone was mocking. “Besides, I need some quality time with my best friend. I haven’t seen her all summer.” Just then the phone rang. I grabbed it as an excuse to get out of the kitchen. “Hello?”

          “Ashley?”

          “Darcy! Thank goodness you called!” I held up a finger to Nick and walked out of the room. “My dad just tried to set me up with Nick.” I whispered into the receiver.

          “Who’s that?”

          I flopped onto the couch. “My dad’s new assistant. He’s cute, but cocky.”

          “How could you know that? Doesn’t even sound like you’ve known him for long.”

          “Carter, Darcy. Nick Carter. You know, the Backstreet Boys? You can’t tell me that he’s not cocky.” I twirled my sunglasses around while I talked.

          “Haven’t you gotten mixed up with enough Backstreet Boys?” Darcy laughed.

          And then it hit me. Backstreet Boys. Of course! Nick knew Brian! Oh Brian! Thoughts of our summer together flooded my mind and I knew that I had to have him back again.

          “Uh, Darce, I gotta go.”

          “Wait!” I stopped before I hung up. “Ash, I called because I can’t go to the mall. Mom got mad cuz I promised that I’d spend time with Hallie.”

          “You can hang out with your little sister any time! We’ve only got one more week before school starts and we need to get some shopping done!”

          “I tried explaining, but Ash, Mom just doesn’t get it….here she comes. Gotta go.” She hung up the phone without saying goodbye. I clicked off the phone and sat dejected on the couch.

          “Your friend cancelled?” His voice was teasing and I got up from the couch.

          “Don’t think that just because I’ve got no one to go to the mall with that I’m gonna take you.” I said, walking up to him and crossing my arms when I stood directly in front of him. “I’m an independent woman. I can shop alone.”

          “I never said I wanted to go with you. I merely commented on your being rejected by your friend.” His smile held amusement and I hated him for it.

          “I don’t know why all those little teeny boppers like you. You’re just another immature guy on this earth.”

          “That just so happens to be in the number one boy band in the world.” He smiled then turned away.

          “Ugh, I hate you.” I turned and started to walk towards the door, then thought better of it. “Hey, Nick.” He turned and I started walking back towards him. “As an apology for being rude, I’ve decided to take you to the mall with me.”

          “No thanks. I’ve got better things to do.” He turned around again.

          “Like what?”

          “I’m gonna hang out with my boys tonight.”

          “Your boys being the other Backstreet Boys?” He nodded. This was perfect! “I wanna go with you.”

          “Why? Wanna get an autograph or something?” He scoffed.

          “No, I need a little catching up to do with one of your friends.”

          “Who?” He asked. By the tone of his voice I could tell he didn’t believe me.

          “Brian,” Just saying his name gave me butterflies in my stomach. “I met him over the summer and…well let’s just say we hit it off really good!”

          Nick stared at me hard for a few moments. I flashed him a dazzling smile, hoping that would help him make up his mind. “Fine,” he finally said.  “But I gotta tell your dad that I’m leaving.” He turned and walked back to the kitchen.

          Yes! This was perfect! I was about to be reunited with Brian! And when he sees me, he’ll sweep me off my feet and kiss me like there was no tomorrow! Nick walked back in the room to see me smiling ear to ear. He shook his head at me and started to walk towards the door. I followed, pleased with myself for being so brilliant. I guess I wasn’t over him after all.

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