Natalie stood in the mall entrance in shock. Why were there so many people in the mall at 12:30 pm in the middle of the week? Something smelled funny and it wasn't all of the perfume samples on display. She heard a scream and then many other screams. What the heck was going on? A flock of girls almost ran her over and she shrieked in horror. Someone stepped on her toe in the process.
"Damnit!" she screamed and clutched her foot in pain
"Oh my GOD!!!!! AJ MCLEAN IS HERE!! IN THE MALL!!" she heard a girl yell
"No way." Natalie thought to herself
Natalie shook her head in disbelief. Why would AJ McLean be in her mall? Their mall was so lame, she didn't even want to shop there but it was an hour drive to the next mall. Wait! She thought, maybe that was why AJ was at their mall! He wanted to shop in privacy without being noticed. Unfortunately for him, that didn't go very well. She had to help him get away from the craziness. So, she walked deep into the throng of crazed fans and screamed out:
"Oh my God! I just saw Nick Carter!"
"Where?" she heard some girls scream
"He went that way!" she said pointing to her right.
Girls thanked her and ran off in the direction Natalie had pointed. Natalie laughed as the crowd dispersed and uncovered a shaken AJ McLean.
"You-you saved my life." he stammered
"All in the line of duty." she said
"Are you a cop?" he asked
"A concerned fan is more like it. Are you okay?" she asked
"A little shaken up. They were really intense." he said
"I'm sure they were. They're all probably running in circles looking for Nick." she said laughing
"That was brilliant." he said
"Thanks. How about I get you out of here before they come back?" she suggested.
"Thanks. Where's the nearest mall? I was really hoping to do some shopping." he said
"It's about an hour away. I don't mind taking you." she said
"Cool." he replied
She lead him out of the mall carefully and over to her car. He got in the car and she spotted a group of fans near them.
"Hey! You said Nick Carter was here!" one yelled
"Oh, maybe it was some other blonde guy. My bad." Natalie said
"Hey! She has AJ in her car!" another yelled
"I have no such person in my car!" Natalie exclaimed
"Having a little trouble?" AJ asked
"Just a little. You stay hidden though or we'll never get out of here." she said
"That is AJ! Get him!" the other fan yelled
"Okay, time for me to go!" Natalie yelled, jumping into the car
"You better be grateful that I'm such a nice person." Natalie said, tearing out of the parking lot
"I think you almost hit a fan." AJ said
"It's either that or they eat you alive." she said
"Hit all the fans you need to!" he joked
She laughed and continued to drive until she was sure she had gotten away from the fans. She turned to AJ and smiled.
"Hi, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Natalie." she said
"Hey Natalie, nice to meet you." he said
"I would shake your hand but as you can see I'm driving." she laughed
"It's no problem. Thanks again for chasing them off. I don't know how they figured out it was me." he said
"There are some fans who can just smell you out or something." she said
"That's scary." he said
"Yes, this is true." she agreed.
"You're not a crazed fan are you?" he asked
"Isn't it a little late to be asking me something like that? I mean, I could be taking you to my secret hideout where I stash all the other popstars I pick up at malls." she said
"Please tell me you're joking." he said his eyes wide
"Yes, I'm just kidding." she said.
"Don't scare me like that, I don't handle that stuff very well." he said
"Eh, relax. I wouldn't hurt you or anything. I'd never hear the end of it if I did." she said
"Are your friends fans?" he asked
"Yeah, you could say that." she said laughing
"Cool. So Natalie, how old are you?" he asked
"I'm twenty." she replied
"Cool. Do you have a boyfriend?" he questioned
"Nooo. I'm am terribly single." she said
"Really? That's hard to believe." he said
"Yeah, okay. If you say so pal." she replied
"What? You seem nice enough. And you're very pretty so any guy is lucky to have you." he said
Natalie turned a deep shade of crimson and smiled. AJ reached across and patted her shoulder. This caused her to blush deeper if that is at all imaginable. He smiled.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone turn that red." he said
"I don't think I've ever turned that red." she said
They drove in a comfortable silence with the radio on the rest of the way to the mall. As they were getting out, AJ turned to Natalie.
"Okay, we need a plan in case fans mob me again." he said
"I could always send them on a wild goose chase for Nick again. That was fun." she said laughing
"It was." he said
"I'm sure you don't have to worry much. This mall is really big. I very strongly doubt that you will have to worry about anyone noticing you." she said
"Just in case, why don't we pretend you're my girlfriend?" he suggested
"Are you serious?" she asked, eyes wide
"Yeah. You can never be too cautious." he said
"I guess not. I'll go along with it." she agreed
"Great. Let's so shop till we drop!" he exclaimed
She laughed and followed him into the mall. When they entered, Natalie surveyed the crowd. It was packed. Perfect! she thought. The odds of anyone noticing AJ were small so she wouldn't have to play girlfriend. Not that she didn't want to, but she wasn't sure she could handle it. Even if it was only pretend, being a Backstreet Boy's girlfriend was a hard job. She would probably have to play like she was all lovey and such. The could include hugging, holding hands, and maybe even kissing! She blushed again just thinking about it.
"What are you blushing about now?" he asked smiling
"N-nothing at all. It's a little warm in here and I get flushed when I'm hot, that's all." she said
"Right. Oh look! Hats!" he exclaimed, dragging her into a funky hat store.
"Oh my dear God..." she said
AJ pulled on a neon colored court jester hat and posed.
"What do you think?" he asked
"I think you look crazy. I hope you don't plan on buying that." she replied
"Why not? I should buy it and wear it around the mall." he said defiantly
"Yes and then you will draw so much attention to yourself that every fan from here to North Dakota will notice you." she said
"North Dakota? Wow! Ya think so? Maybe I'll get it and wear it just to see what'll happen." he said
If you do, don't expect me to protect you." she said, walking to look at a more discreet hat.
"Aww come on, you know you love me." he said making the puppy face
"I said no such thing." she replied
"You looooove me and you know it." he said
"You have issues. Are you gonna get something or what?" she asked
"I actually like this one." he said pointing to a bucket hat.
"I like that one. Maybe I'll get one too." she said
"Oh! You can have them embroidered!" he squealed
"What would yours say?" she asked
"I don't know. Probably something like Bone Daddy or something." he replied
"Oh my. You do that buddy." she said
"Okay, I will." he said, walking over to the counter.
She groaned and follwed him over to the counter to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. As he was getting his hat embroidered, Natalie noticed some girls walk into the mall whispering and staring at AJ. She had a funny feeling and instantly grabbed his hand.
"What ar you doing?" he asked
"I think those girls over there are fans so I'm trying to play girlfriend. Just play along. This was after all, your idea." she whispered.
"Okay." he said squeezing her hand affectionately.
She hugged him and he kissed the top of her head. They looked at each other lovingly, the whole nine. Natalie turned her head and noticed the fans had left so she pulled away.
"Aww, why'd you move?" he whined
"They're gone." she said
"But I was so comfy! You're really warm." he said, pulling her back toward him
"AJ, you can stop the act now. I said they were gone." she said, pulling away again
"What act? I don't care if "they're" here or not. You're very comfy and I liked hugging you." he said
"You're delusional." she said shaking her head
"So I've been told. I'm done here, want to grab some grub?" he asked
"Okay." she agreed
He grabbed her hand and held it tightly as they walked to the food court. She looked at him as if he had a million heads and he just shrugged. She shrugged and went along with AJ and his whole plan. Hey, it wasn't that bad. It could have been worse. And it was about to get worse. A whole group of fans started coming toward them. AJ noticed first and he full out kissed Natalie right on the lips! She freaked out and kissed him back only because there was nothing else she could do. When they broke apart she looked at him wide eyed.
"What was that?" she asked
"I believe my darling Natalie, that was called a kiss." he replied
"Oh stop being a smart ass." she said, slapping his arm
"I'm not!" he replied
"Just find some place to eat." she replied, trying to be mad
They walked around and AJ spotted a McDonald's. Natalie shrugged and went inside. They ordered and sat down. Natalie stole one of AJ's french fries.
"Woman! What are you doing?" he asked
"Eating a french fry?" she asked innocently
"Never ever eat one of my french fries." he scolded
"I'm sorry." she said pouting
"You're so cute." he said
"I am not." she replied
"Yes you are." he said
"Nope." she argued.
"Yes!" he exclaimed
"Bah humbug." she said
"You're weird." he replied
"I know. But you are too so you can't pass judgement." she pointed out.
"Whatever." he pouted
"Oh stop pouting." she said
"No, it's fun." he replied
They finished eating and AJ dragged Natalie into a million stores. It wasn't really that many but to Natalie's poor feet it felt like it. Once he was satisfied with all of his purchases, AJ announced that it was time for them to leave. Natalie obliged and they went back out the parking lot, managing not to run into any more fans. They loaded AJ's many shopping bags into the trunk and backseat and set off again.
"You know, I should have gotten those jeans." AJ said
"You bought five other pairs of jeans you know." she reminded
"I know. But you can never have too many pairs of jeans." he said
"You are crazy." she said laughing
"But you love me anyway." he said grinning brightly
"So it's been said." she replied
"Oh whatever." he said
Before they knew it they were back to where they started.
"So, where are you off to now?" she asked
"Hotel." he said
"Do you need a ride back?" she asked
"Sure. That would be nice." he replied
She drove him back to the hotel and helped him unload his purchases. When they were done, they sat and watched television for awhile. While they were watching tv, Natalie was beginning to fall asleep.
"Nat? Do you just wanna stay here tonight?" he asked
"No, I should get going. I have some place to go early tomorrow morning. Thanks though." she said, getting up
"Okay. I had a lot of fun today." he said
"Me too." she agreed
"Thanks for saving me." he said smiling
"It's no problem. I don't mind." she said smiling back
"Can we hang out again tomorrow?" he asked
"Sure." she said
She wrote down her number and told him to call her the next day. He agreed and walked her to the door.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow then." he said
"Yeah." she said
He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. She smiled and tried to walk out gracefully. He closed the door and sighed. She went skipping down the hallway. She couldn't wait for tomorrow.