Alyssa and A.J had fallen asleep in Reflection's dressing room. They were the only ones there, because the other girls had found another place to crash. They had talked for hours, and gotten to know each other quite well.
Lyss had been sleeping well till she was awoken by something which sounded like a bulldozer. Her eyes fluttered open, and she sat up abruptly from the couch.
"What the..." she looked around to see where the noise was coming from. She pinpointed it to the sleeping man on the floor.
"Oh my god, is he ever a loud snorer" she mumbled scratching her head.
"A.J" she called out
A.J began to shift in his sleep.
"A.J" she whispered a bit louder
"No Kevin, I don't wanna sing this again..." he mutered between snorts
"HEY!!!" Alyssa finally yelled throwing a pillow at him "Wake up!"
A.J's head shot up "Huh, what?"
Alyssa laughed "You really need a vacation. By the way, did anyone ever tell you that you sound like a cat being cut up my a chain saw while you sleep?"
A.J smirked "I'm a deep sleeper, so sue me"
Alyssa spent a moment looking over him. His clothes were all wrinkled, his hair (what little he had) was a mess, and.... She began to laugh.
"What?" A.J questioned stretching
Alyssa continued laughing, crouching over and holding her stomach.
A.J looked at her puzzled "What?-What?" he asked again.
"You- you" she tried to get it out "You must have fallen asleep on your shades" she laughed pointing at his face.
A.J turned around to face the mirror and chuckled at the form that was printed on his face.
Alyssa was still in a fit, and even rolled off the couch to the floor.
"It's not that funny" A.J said humiliated. She just continued to laugh and laugh.
"Oh yeah" he said getting on top of her and beginning to tickle her mercilessly.
"Stop-stop" she pleaded laughing "I can't breathe"
"Okay, fine" A.J gave in. He was about to get off of her, when he noticed her hair was covering her face.
"Here" he said gently brushing the chestnut strands behind her ears.
"Thanks" she said shyly.
He looked down, and gazed into her green eyes. They were the most beautiful shade of green he'd ever seen! Almost emerald. They sparkled like the gem itself...
Alyssa watched as his eyes directed their way lower, to her crimson lips. She took in a breath and gulped. He began to lower his own mouth to them, and as she closed her eyes in anticipation for them to meet, they heard a ring.
"Great" she mumbled.
A.J reached to his pocket "My cell" he grinned thankful that they didn't get any further.
"Talk to me" he answered standing up extending his arm to help Alyssa up.
"Is there a Mr. A.J there?" the voice asked.
"This is he"
"Sir, are you familiar with a Miss. Amanda Lewis?"
Alyssa watched as A.J's brow furrowed and color became pasty.
"Ok, thank you" he said turning it off.
He simply stood there in shock.
"A.J, who was it?" she asked cautiously approaching him.
He didn't answer but she could see his eyes begin to gloss.
"A.J, what's the matter?" she queried placing her hand on his shoulder.
He turned to face her "Amanda's in the hospital"
**Later That Day**
"Ok, let's go" Kevin said as he lead Brian, Nick and Howie out of their room. His back was killing him from lack of bed which in turn made him grumpy.
Brian jogged up to him as they made their way down the halls. He couldn't wait to see his girlfriend again.
Howie span around "Hey! There's REFLECTION's dressing room"
He knocked, but there was no answer, so he opened the door.
"There's no one in here" he said as the others peeked in from over his shoulder.
"Looking for someone?"
They all jumped and turned around now facing 4 girls.
"Good morning baby" Brian smiled wrapping his arms around my waist.
Howie looked back and forth, bewildered "Why aren't you in there?" he asked.
"Alyssa and A.J kept blabbing all night, so we went to my dressing room." I looked to the empty room "Where are they?"
Just then, one of The Backstreet Boys' body guards walked up to us "They left in a hurry this morning" he said signaling us to follow him.
"Where did they go?" Howie questioned
Naila knew Alyssa pretty well so "They're probably already at the hotel"
Once we reached the exit, and walked out to the parking lot, I noticed something different. An unusual quietness.
And when we pulled up at the hotel, something else was missing: There were no screaming girls awaiting our arrival
"Where are all the fans?" I asked as we made our way through the front door for the first time in ages.
"They're probably already lining up out side of where the Celebrity party will be taking place tonight" Kevin responded.
"Are you sure that I can't go to Rob's party instead?" Nick pleaded Kevin. Rob was one of Nick's pals who was having a huge bash that night, and he would rather be there than at a stupid celebrity soiree.
"No!" Kevin answered firmly.
Laurel pouted "What are we going to wear?"
All girls froze in their tracks at the realization, that indeed, they did not have the proper attire for the evening.
"Time to shop!" Kristy chimed.
**That Evening**
It was finally the evening of the greatly anticipated party, and neither REFLECTION nor Eli could have been more thrilled. The girls had been out on a shopping spree and Eli especially couldn't wait to flaunt her new rags to riches look infront of Brian. And if all went well, this would be the night she'd give herself to him.
"You look beautiful" Naila gushed as I walked out of the washroom
"Thank you" I smiled spinning around. I wore a meticulously trimmed red dress which came down to approximately my knees; bare back, black heals; hair up with strands falling here and there; simple earrings; a gold necklace with a single diamond stud; make up, and a french tip for a touch of glamour.
"I feel like a princess" I said pulling them in for a group hug "Thanks"
Kristy's eyes filled with tears "Stop that" she said wiping her eyes "You're making my mascara run"
"Come on, let's go" Laurel yelled grabbing her A.J inspired leopard print hand bag.
And with that, all 4 girls left looking more ravishing then ever.
**A Little Later**
Brian paced around the celebrity filled room nervously. He had a gut wrenching feeling that something was going to happen and he didn't like it.
"Whoa, slow down there cuz" said Kevin placing a calming hand on Brian’s shoulder and reaching for a cup of punch "Got a plane to catch ?"
Brian forced a smile and walked away.
Kevin simply ignored his behavior and was about to walk up to a certain Miss Carrey when he felt a draft.
Turning around, his jaw dropped. As if it were some scene from a corny teen flic, he watched 4 stunning girls walk through the door. Gulping, he observed as they made their way towards him.
"Hi Kevin" I said giving him a kiss on the cheek
"Now aren't we the handsome one" Laurel teased.
Kevin wasn't there. Physically yes, but mentally, he was far, far away in Naila Land. She looked absolutely breathtaking.
"You look... wow!" he blurted in a daze.
Naila blushed shyly.
Laurel rolled her eyes and made her way through the crowd. "There's gotta be someone my age around here" she thought. Not quite impressed by the stars which surrounded her, she continued till she arrived at the dance floor. Celebrities didn't mean as much to her as they once did, now that she was becoming one. All these 'suits' were so called "dancing". God, they really didn't know what they were doing out there. "And to 'What A Girl Wants' at that" she grunted.
Well, if these snobs didn't know how to get down, she would show them.
**Meanwhile**
"Wow, look at Laur go" Kristy laughed with Nick. She also had split up from her friends, but had thankfully found a familiar face.
Nick chuckled "Yeah, and by herself too".
"Come on, let's join her" Kristy said clasping her hands around Nick's arm.
Nick stumbled. He hated dancing. But now, there he was, in the middle of a gigantic dance floor with famous people gawking.
Awkwardly, he began to boogie on with Laurel on one side and Kristy at the other.
Certain moves could have been R rated out there.
Soon enough, they were joined by Howie and a bunch of V.I.P teeny boppers trying to get there act on with either BSB.
**Meanwhile**
Brian wiped his hands, walking out of the men’s room. Looking down at his watch, he figured that Eli should have arrived.
"Hello Brian"
Rising his head, he first saw only long legs and red. He then caught a glimpse of a smile that lit up the room.
"Baby" he marveled taking her into his arms "You look breathtaking"
"Thanks, you look good yourself" I said using all my inner strength not to throw myself at him right there and then.
There was an awkward silence till I asked "Wanna dance?"
"But of course" he answered, doing his best impersonation of a French man.
We walked out to the dance floor hand in hand, and the moment we reached it,
"Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias.
"I love this song" I said to him as my body began to sway to the music.
Brian watched her move around sexily, yet gracefully. This was the first time he could recall dancing with her, and he liked it.
"You're good" he whispered huskily in her ear as she leaned back on his chest.
I smiled and put his arms around my waist and held them infront of me.
I tilted my head back "You ain't seen nothing yet" I flirted moving myself rhythmically against his groin.
Brian's eyes bulged. He couldn't believe what his little shy girlfriend was doing... to him! Brian let out a muffled moan.
Delighted with the power she held over him, Eli continued her magic till the song came to an end. The next tune was a ballad, and she wanted to arrange herself more comfortably in his strong arms.
As he let her part from his grasp, his eyes twinkled with delight. There were no words to describe how she looked, and how he felt about her. He loved her with all his heart, and Angels were ringing their bells.
"Brian, your cell" I said noticing that he wasn't entirely there.
"Oh" he murmered taking it out of his pocket "Hello... yes, this is he. Who? There... Oh ok, I'll be right there" and closed it.
I looked at him curiously.
"Um, I've gotta go to the, um, hotel... They need me." He stammered, avoiding eye contact.
"The hotel?" I repeated disappointed "But..."
"I'll be back soon, I'm so sorry" He said before disappearing into the crowd.
Furious, I made my way through the dance floor and grabbed Nick
"What?" He asked his fun interrupted
Looking him straight in the eye, I practically ordered him to bring me to the party he was talking about earlier. When asked why, I didn't answer.
Nick couldn't say no to her, even if he wanted. So he agreed.
Laurel watched them leave and quickly followed
"Where are you going?"
"To a party" I answered coarsely, still making my way through people.
"Can I come?" she begged, desiring only to be with Nick.
As we reached the door, I turned back "Yeah, sure"
Nick and Laurel exchanged looks. What had come over her?
**Same Time**
Kevin couldn't believe how much Naila and him had in common. They both had a love for horseback riding, were perfectionists, enjoyed reading, and had the same sense of humor.
Naila did all she could to keep from humiliating herself. Kevin was so hot and perfect, she didn't want to screw it up.
"Have you seen Alyssa ? " she asked remembering her missing friend.
"No I haven’t. Have you seen A.J ? " he asked himself getting a bit worried.
Both eldest members of the groups tried to shrug it off.
"They’ll show up" Naila conformed.
"Wanna dance?" they asked simotaniously
**Earlier That Day**
A.J quickly dialed a number on his phone "Yes, I'd like to book a flight to..."
Alyssa watched him oddly.
He hung up "Tell the guys what happened and..."
"But what happened?" Alyssa asked interrupting him.
A.J's eyes glazed "I don't know myself" he said "But I have to see her"
And to those words, he pounced out the door.
"I'm coming with you" Alyssa said quickly following him
"No you're not" he said not even slowing down
"Yes I am!"
A.J turned to her. Her face was as sharp and stubborn as her voice had been.
"Alright" he acceoted, not wanting to waste any more time.
Pleased that she got her way, they both ran out of the venue and took a cab to the air port.
**Back To The Bash**
After Kristy finished her slow dance with Nick Lachey (from 98 degrees) she turned to find her friends.
"Hey" she thought "Where did everyone go?"
Nick and Laurel had disappeared, and the only other friendly face around was Howie.
"Kristy!!!" she heard a female voice yell.
"Oh, hello Miss. Miller" she said as her manager approached her.
She smiled widely "Are you having a good time?" she asked.
"Yes!" Kristy answered truthfully "I was just about to go talk to my friend Howie over there. Would you like for me to introduce you?". Kristy was always the proper person for these situations.
"The Backstreet Boy? Yes, that would be nice" Miss Miller said following her client.
Howie stood pouring himself a drink when he heard someone call his name.
"Hi Kris" he smiled.
"I wanted to introduce you to one of our managers" she took her by the arm and pulled her infront of him
"Miss Miller, this is Howie. Howie, this is Miss Miller."
Howie's eyes froze as his heart skipped a beat
"Dawn?!"
"D?!" Miss. Miller said in equal amount of shock.
Kristy smiled "Ah, I see you've already met"
She then looked at both of them. Their expressions were motionless.
"Well then" she said awkwardly clasping her hands together "I'll let you two get reacquainted"
Howie blinked hard to make sure this was really happening
"Dawn... what are you doing here?... I mean, why didn't you... I mean..."
Miss Miller (Dawn) let out a small laugh "I know how you feel"
"Is your, um, boyfriend around?" Howie asked remembering how they had last parted, and not wanting to re-live the experience.
Dawn tugged her blond locks behind her ears , her blue eyes slightly divulging pain "No, no he's not" she said quietly.
'They're still together' Howie thought sadly. He could never be with his mistery woman if she was in a relationship
