Chapter 6: Limbo
When AJ awoke he noticed that Serenity was not in her seat. He looked over to the long table that held the punch bowl but Serenity wasn't there. He looked down at his watch to cheek the time, it read 3:50. �Dammit, I fell asleep again. Stupid insomnia problem. Where did she go?� AJ said under his breath as he stood. He looked around trying to see if he could spot her. But he didn�t see her anywhere. He started to the middle of the yard. As he walked he noticed a big crowd had formed down toward the pool. He walked toward the crowed to see what was happening. As he pushed his way through he saw that there was a limbo game being played and Serenity way holding one side of the poll. As the people in the line went under the poll a small boom box on the side blasted Nelly�s It�s getting hot in herre. AJ went over to the side Serenity was standing. �What are you doing? When did this start?� He asked her.
�AJ! Hey, you�re awake. Want to play?� She asked him as she moved to the music. �No, did you start this?� He asked her. �What? I can�t hear you?!� She said yelling over the music. �Serenity, what are you doing?!� He yelled to her. �Playing Limbo! The party was boring so I suggested it, and everyone wanted to play. I got the radio from inside the house. Have to have good music to play Limbo!� She yelled back to him. AJ couldn�t do anything but let out a brief chuckle. This girl was crazy.
Then he thought back to Barry�s words in the office, keep a low profile. She wasn't exactly keeping a low profile but people were having fun so she wasn't doing anything wrong, he thought to himself. �I think we should find your father.� He told her. �What?!� the smiling girl yelled back. �Your father, find your father!� He yelled. �What?� She asked again. �Your father!? AJ yelled to her. �He�s behind you!� She yelled back. AJ turned around to see Barry standing right in front of him. �What is this?� He asked. �Well, Serenity started a game of limbo.� He spouted followed by a warm smile. �Limbo? What happened to having a low profile?� He asked. �Well, everyone is having fun.� AJ said trying to think of something else better to say. Barry let out a big breath and looked back at Serenity and the even longer limbo line. �Let�s go now, get Serenity.�The pudgy man said as he walked back up the hill toward the house.
AJ got the feeling Barry didn't approve of the Limbo game but didn�t understand why. After yelling three times he finally got Serenity�s attention and told her they were leaving. As the ride started in the limo Barry�s attention turned to Serenity. �So what was that whole stunt about?� He asked her. �It wasn't a stunt, I was just having fun.� She told him. �Sure you were.� He said rolling his eyes and looking out the side window.
When they returned to Barry�s office AJ and Serenity sat in the waiting room as Barry went inside his office to take care of something. He had asked them to wait in the front for him while he talked with some clients. As AJ and Serenity sat on the couch he looked at the secretary work on her computer. The constant sound of typing was starting to annoy him. �Do you know how long this is going to take?� He asked Serenity. �No.� She replied as she turned the page of a magazine she was looking through. AJ sat slouching now, wishing his torture was over. How long was he going to have to spend here? He wish he could return home and watch TV. But then he thought about Jessica. She was probably back at home by now and he didn't want to have to hear her rambling. He then saw the door of Barry�s office open and his face appear. �AJ can I speak with you for a moment?� He asked. The younger man walked over to the crack to hear what the older man had to say.
�Hey, I�m going to be tied up here for a while so why don�t you just take Serenity to dinner and then a movie or something okay. You can drop her off at home later. You two just...just have fun okay.� Barry said as he patted AJ on the shoulder and handed him some money. �But...� AJ started to say. �You�re doing a great job, don�t worry. Just make sure she doesn�t get in any trouble okay. Talk with you later, bye.� Barry said as he sled back into his office. AJ was left looking at the door with his mouth still open to finish his sentence. He turned around to look at Serenity still sitting on the couch thumbing through her magazine. He then regretfully walked over to her. �Hey, um, your dad is um...�
�Let me guess, he�s still working and told you to take me to get something to eat?� She said looking up at him.
�Yeah, that�s pretty much it. So you ready?�
�Sure, any things better then sitting around her.� She said putting the magazine down and standing.
�So where do you want to go?� He asked her as he drove. �I don�t care. How about McDonalds or Taco Bell or something?�
�Are you serious? You really want to eat at McDonalds?�
�Yeah, why not? Why is that weird to you?�
�I guess I�m just so use to eating at fancy restaurants.�
�Oh yeah I forgot, you�re a Backstreet boy.�
�No, that�s not what I meant. I mean I'm use to girls wanting to eat at fancy restaurants. Most girls aren�t into Taco Bell, especial girls here in LA. Actually I love McDonalds, the only time I eat there is when I�m by myself though.�
�Are you for real? So none of the girls you date will go to a McDonalds with you?� �Actually I have a girlfriend, and no. She doesn�t do the McDonalds thing.�
�Oh, so what dose she like?� As AJ thought to himself he let out a little laugh. �Gardenias.� He said laughing. �Isn�t that one of those healthy food only places? All they have there are different kinds of salad.�
�Exactly.� He said turning a corner.
�And you eat there all the time?�
�No, not all the time. Just when she wants to.� He said turning to look at her.
�Why don�t you just tell her you don�t like their food?�
�Well, she likes it and it�s just easy to... you know... go along with her on things.�
�Well, if I had a boyfriend I wouldn�t like him to just go along with things. I would want him to tell me his honest opinion about things. That�s how a relationship works, you know.�
�You don�t know Jessica.� AJ said under his breath. �What?� Serenity asked. �Oh nothing.� He replied. �Jessica, that�s her name, is just a classy girl. That�s what she�s use to.�
� And you never get a say in the matter?�
�Like I said before, when I�m by myself I go where ever I want.�
� Sounds like she�s a snob if you ask me.�
� Well no one asked.� AJ replied with an irritated sound to his voice. �Hey look, a carnival. We have to stop at the carnival.� She said as her face lit up.
�I Don�t know. Your dad said dinner and a movie.�
�AJ please, I�m not 8, I�m not going to runaway or do something to get you in trouble. My dad will never know anyway. You worry way too much, you know that. We can pick something up to eat at the carnival too.�
He hadn't been to a carnival in a long time, and he figured he deserved a little fun since today had been so boring. He went into the drive way and parked the car. After getting in and getting wrist bands they went on the Zipper, the Kamikaze, and a mini roller coaster. After the roller coaster Serenity was hungry so they went to the food booth. �What do you want?� He asked her. �A corn dog and curly fries.� She told him. After getting their food they sat down at the closest table. �I love carnival fries, they are so good.� She said as she stuffed her mouth full of fries. � Hungry?� AJ asked as he cracked a smile. �Hey, a girl�s got to eat.� She said taking a bite of her corn dog.
It was nice being with a girl that didn't care about what people thought for a change he thought. He couldn�t believe it, but he was actually having fun. All of a sudden the day didn�t feel like a complete waste to him. �Oh my God! Can I have your autograph? I love you so much; I have all your albums.� A young girl screeched as she came up to AJ. �Um yeah. Thanks.� AJ said as he cheeked his pockets. �I have a pen and paper, here.� The young girl said to him as she handed him the pen and paper. AJ gave his autograph and thanked the girl for being a fan as he gave her a hug. �So stuff like that happens to you all the time hu?� Serenity asked him after the girl had walked away. �Well, I am a backstreet boy. Actually that�s why I usually wear shades or a hat or something when I come to real public places like this. Most of the time people will still notice me anyway though. I�m pretty sure I�m the most recognizable one out of the group� He answered smiling. �So does that kind of thing get on your nervous? I mean, having strangers coming up to you all the time, asking you for autographs?�
�No, I mean not really. Their fans, it�s because of them I�m here where I am. And if all they want is an autograph and a hug, it�s the lease I could do to repay them for my career.�
�Humm, maybe I was wrong about you.�
�You mean the whole rich boy who thinks the world revolves around him thing?�
�Yeah, that thing.� Serenity said giggling a little embarrassed. Just then three more girls came up asking AJ for an autograph. Then 7 more girls. �AJ? AJ I... AJ.� Serenity tried talking to him. A crowed had formed and he couldn�t hear her. �AJ?!� She yelled from behind him. �Serenity, I'll be done in a minute.�
�No it�s not that. I was just going to tell you I see a couple of friends over by the Ferris wheel. I'll be back!� She yelled to him. �Okay.� He replied. After 15 minutes of signing his name for people AJ looked around for Serenity she still hadn't returned. He walked over to the Ferris wheel but she wasn't there. He continued to search the park for 2 hours until finally giving up. He then searched around the area until Jessica called him on his cell phone. AJ searched and searched but Serenity was gone.