"Oh my god! Wake up! Wake up!" Naila shrieked as she shook her still
slumbering friend out of her trance.
Drowsily lifting her head from her drooly pillow, Alyssa took one
exasperated look at her band mate, and quickly buried her head under her thick chestnut
mane "What? Can't you see I'm sleeping" she moaned irritably.
"Lyss!" Naila whispered loudly; making a conscious effort not to wake the
others around them "What day is it?"
Grumbling, Alyssa turned to her side "I don't know... Tuesday?... What
does it matter? We're on tour! One day's just like the other..." she argued, shielding her
still dilated pupils from the rays of light which crept through the blinds of the bus.
Naila shook her head "No!" she said, finally loosing patience with her friend,
and pulling the sheets off of her "The date! The date! Look at the date on the calendar!"
Giving Naila a spiteful glare, Alyssa looked up at where she was pointing.
When her eyes focused on the circled square on the agenda, she let out a huge gasp and
smacked herself on the forehead "Oh Lord! I completely forgot!" she cried.
"You're not the only one..." Naila trailed as she signaled for Alyssa to fallow
her into a more secluded part of the bus "What are we going to do? It's too late to
organize a party..."
"Well it is her sweet 16..." Alyssa pointed out as she slumped down in the
entertainment room couch "I haven't even gotten her a gift!"
Scrunching up her face, Naila let out a deep sigh "Poor Laur! We're with her
24/7, and still we manage to forget about her birthday. What great friends we are,
huh?" she chuckled sarcastically.
Deep in thought, Alyssa ignored that final remark and began to ponder on
any possible solution. After several moments of profound concentration, a light lit above
Lyss' head, and she ecstatically pounced from her seat "I got it!" she exclaimed.
"Shhh" Naila hushed, placing her index finger over her lips to silence her
agog friend "You'll wake everyone up!"
"We'll get her a necklace! You know how the girl loves jewelry! We'll get her
a gold necklace with 'Happy Sweet Sixteen' engraved in a musical note! She'll
love it!" Alyssa said proudly.
Naila smiled at the idea "Wonderful! And we'll take her out for dinner or
something- No wait!" she paused. Her eyes lit up; sparkling with anxiety "Oh my god! I
am a genius!"
"What? What?! Tell meeee" Alyssa insisted.
"Ok!" Naila yipped "We give Laur her gift on stage and, get this, we get the
guys to sing her Happy Birthday during the show tonight! She'll flip!"
Alyssa clasped her hand over her mouth to help keep down her excitement
"Aaah! This is so cool!" she giggled "All we have to do now is ask the
boys, and find some sort of excuse to go shopping. Call Kevin up now to tell him"
Naila's grin rapidly faded at the mention of her boyfriends name.
"Uh, maybe it would be best if you asked Aje..."
"Um hello?" Alyssa reminded "A.J and I aren't exactly on speaking terms
right now, remember?"
"Crap! Ok, so what are we going to do?" Naila whined.
"Do about what?"
Both heads turned as a groggy, yet nosy Kristy barged in to the room
"What are you girls talking about?"
The two soon filled Kristy in on their master plan, and having forgotten
about Laurel herself, immediately jumped at the opportunity to compensate for
absentmindedness.
"So just call them, and ask who ever answers to pass the phone to Brian"
Alyssa prompted.
Saluting her, Kristy straightened her posture and deepened her voice "Yes
ma'am" she joked.
Picking up the receiver, she hit the first memory button and waited for an answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey Brian- We need a favor..."
**Soon After**
After my first peaceful night of sleep in quite some time, I awoke to an
empty bunk bed. The scent of Nick still lingered in the sheets, and I couldn't help but
smile at the contentment I felt knowing that my two facing days were over. Brian and I
had settled our unfinished business; Nick and I could finally be free to hold hands... Yup;
things were sure looking up!
**~~**
"So- is it cool with everyone?" Brian asked after having explained to
his fellow band mates the girl's special request.
"I don't see why not..." Howie shrugged.
"Yeah" Kevin said, still a little distracted by why Naila hadn't called him
herself "It sounds like a good idea! Laurel will definitely be surprised"
"If we shove her face into the cake, she'll be even more surprised!"
Nick chuckled mischievously.
Howie raised his finger and gave him a stern glare "Don't even think about it
Mr" he warned.
Everyone laughed, and were still laughing when Felicity stepped into the
room.
Giggling at the sound of their laughter, I gently tip toad over to Nick and sat
down next to him "What's so funny?" I queried as I snuggled into his chest.
Within seconds, the entire room fell mute. They all exchanged awkward
glances; taking extra precautions to avoid making eye contact with Brian.
"Ah-eh- Nothing" A.J stammered.
Chuckling lightly, Brian stood up and headed towards the frige "Its cool
everyone. Eli and Nick are together now. It's Ok with me- really."
The tension surrounding us eased up suddenly. You could tell that they had
been shitting bricks for that split second...
Still; neither of us received any sort of congratulatory statements. It would have
been somewhat premature on their part considering it still hadn't sunken in. Most
especially with Brian still being around...
"Brian, Nick, Eli fallow me- now!" Dawn exclaimed out of the blue.
We all shrugged unknowingly as she brought us back to the bunk area.
Being the quick thinker that she was, Dawn had already thought of the pros
and cons of Nick and Eli's relationship.
"Good or bad news first?" she offered.
"Bad" Nick and Brian exclaimed simultaneously. "Although I'm not too sure
how much more bad news I can handle..." Brian added underneath his breath.
Dawn bit her bottom lip. "Ok, the bad news is... And I'm really sorry you
guys, but- there's no way that you and Eli can be seen in public together"
Angrily placing my hands on my hips, I gave her a dismain look "What?...
Why?"
"Think about it: All this time we have been denying the allegations about you
and Nick. If the both of you are seen together, they will automatically assume the rumors
were true! And there goes everything we've been working on..."
"Unbelievable" I snickered; shaking my head.
Seeing as there was no better time than now, Dawn immediately jumped in
with the rest
"But the good news is that, since you're all back on speaking terms, Eli and Brian
can be seen together; and should be!"
Brian brow arched "Ok- you lost me!" he said, folding his arms over his
chest.
"Look; it's simple!" Dawn explained "If you and Felicity start showing up at
events arm-in-arm, everyone will start asking questions on the liability of that article. I
mean, why would you two still be together if all that happened were true?... With the
both of you reconsciliate, all this hoopla will be water under the bridge! Believe me. It's
brilliant!"
As skeptical as we were about her proposal, we had no choice but to agree.
After all, it did somewhat make sense. In the blink of an eye, Brian and I were back
together... To the public, that is. But the thing is that Brian and I were no longer the
problem- Nick was. Would he be able to handle seeing me pretend to still be in love with
his best friend? I really began to ask myself if love was always so damn complicated?...
**Later That Afternoon**
"They so owe me big time!" Sheridan grumbled to herself as
she casually strolled down the chic jewelry stores gold platted counters.
Not wanting to arouse suspicion, the girls had asked Sheridan if she could possibly
go pick up their gift for Laurel. Having nothing else to do, Sheridan graciously accepted.
At the time though, she didn't realize the favor would require so much effort! Picking the
perfect necklace was going to be just about as difficult as finding a needle in a hay
stack...
**~~**
"Fuck! This is harder than I thought... I like em' both"
"Then why don't you get them both? It's not like you don't have the money..."
Seemingly appalled by his good friend's hoity-toity remark, Justin turned his
head around and blinked hard "J.C, you know I can't ask Brit for two gifts on my
birthday! Might aswell make it a good one"
Rolling his eyes at the pompous blonde, J.C went on admiring the diverse
assortment of sparkling gems. He'd never quite understood Justin's obsessions with
jewelry. To him they were just
well polished rocks! As he trotted down the isles, the glisten from one of the display
cases caught his attention, and he soon found himself being lured to it...
"Whoa!" he marveled, as he stood awestruck before the 12 karat diamond and
emerald studded bracelet. It was impressive, to say the least! The green stone shimmered
and shinned so vivantly, it was almost blinding.
As he gawked over the priceless splender, the intense tint of the emeralds couldn't
help but remind him of Alyssa's brilliant eyes. Seemed like everything that crossed his
path these days made him think of her...
"Oh shit!"
His blissful thoughts suddenly cut off, he spun around to face a somewhat
dreamy looking Justin.
"What?" he asked, annoyed by his constant disruptions.
His eye remaining still on his target, Justin raised his finger and openly
pointed out the Boticellic beauty "Check that out" he said, glued to the
motion of the young woman's ass.
J.C was about to smack him over the head, when the girl caught his own eye.
"I've seen her before" he trailed, slowly making his way towards her. "But where?"
His mind suddenly went in to over-drive as he scanned his memory for any
recollections of her.
"I know!" He exclaimed; snapping his finger's "She was at the party the other night!
She was with Backstreet..."
His nose scrunched up "Fuck! What would a babe like her possibly want
to do with those losers?" About to forget about the whole affair, Justin turned around;
only to catch a glimpse of brunette in the mirror. Grunting, Justin went against all his
principal's and decided to fallow the bulge in his pants and go after the girl.
"C'mon" he said, grabbing hold of J.C's arm "Engage a convo, and I'll take it from
there-"
**~~**
"Thank you!" Sheridan relished as the cashier handed her gift box.
Grateful for finally having found the perfect pendant to accompany the gold chain she
had picked out for Laurel, she grinned victoriously and was about to leave the store,
when she felt a hand place itself on her shoulder.
Startled, she spun around and dropped her bag.
Trying not to laugh, J.C extended his arm to shake her hand "Sorry about
that" he chuckled "I saw you at the party the other day. You're friends with Backstreet,
aren't you?"
"Yes I am" Sheridan answered sharply. She recognized J.C, and knew about
the problems that him and his scooby squad had caused. Her friends loathed them, so
why shouldn't she?
Before J.C could think of what to add, Justin squatted and picked up what
Sheridan had dropped "Here you go" he grinned suavly.
"Thanks" Sheridan blushed. Justin didn't look all that bad in person...
'That's it- you caught her. Now ya just gotta reel her in' Justin
commended himself. "Oh, how rude of me" he played "My name is Justin. It's really nice
to meet you..."
"Sheridan" she smiled, taking the bag as he held it out for her "Sheridan
McKenzie"
"What's in da bag, Sheridan McKenzie" Justin flirted brazenly.
Bashfully fiddling with the her hands, she crackled her voice to help clear
her throat.
"It's um, it's just a gift the girls from REFLECTION asked me to pick up for Laurel.
It's her birthday today, and they're planning a small surprise"
J.C nodded; feigning his interest in the dreary topic.
"You don't seem too enthused about it"
"Is it that obvious?" Sheridan snickered.
Justin chuckled "Who can blame ya?". Pausing, he licked his bottom lip and
stepped up to her; placing his arm around her neck. He could feel her flush, and knew
he was winning over his bait. "Listen" he began, rubbing his chin in his best God
Father'ish impression "Let me make you an offer you can't refuse. How's 'bout you ditch
that all-too-entertaining soiree, and join me and some pal's at this party an acquaintance
of mine is throwing?"
"Well, I don't know..."
"C'mon! Who'd'you rather be stuck with all night?" Justin wooed "Me, or the
brat pack?"
It didn't take much persuading. "What time?"
After having made the arrangements for that evening's engagement, Sheridan
excused herself, explained she had to return to the arena in order to help the others with
the arrangements.
"Brit will shit bricks when she finds out about this" J.C snorted, thinking of
what a ditch his friend had just dug himself into.
"Dawg, haven't you learned anything about me after all these years?
Lust; not love. Brit's nothing but one of my many sex toys."
"So you're planning on making Sheridan your next victim?" J.C queried,
already knowing the answer, yet still wanting to hear it from his mouth.
Justin shook his head "My conquests are never victim's. They get to
experience a night of pure passion with the world's most sought after heartthrobs; aka, me!
But that's not the case with Sheridan. You see, J.C, I'm doing you a favor..."
"Oh, do explain?" J.C spat sarcastically, sickened by his band mates superior
mambo-jumbo.
"By my hooking up with Sheridan, you get to be closer to your precious
Alyssa"
J.C stopped in mid-track, and glanced over at Justin. The kid was
contemptuous as hell, but when it came to conniving ideas... "What's in it for you?" he
remarked, knowing all too well that Justin wouldn't do an unselfish act to save his life.
"You know me well after all" Justin chuckled "Well, let's just say porking
one girl might enable me to get my hands on another less eligible, yet feistier one. That
Felicity chick has been on my mind ever since I lay eyes on her, and I won't be satisfied
till she's laying in my bed. Or pool table... Heck, as long as I get to fuck her..."
"You're going straight to hell, I hope you know that" J.C laughed.
"Yeah, well, at least I'll be jabbing pitch forks up people's asses for the rest of
eternity..."
**That Evening**
The girl's had spent the whole day planning out step-by-step Laur's
surprise. It had to be perfectly prepared, or it would all blow to pieces.
Sheridan had told everyone about going out with Justin that night, and of course,
no one was pleased by it. Most of all, Nick. He just glared at her and stormed off. That
just infuriated Sheridan further, and she figured that if things wouldn't be able to work
out between she and Justin, the least she could accomplish was to piss the shit out of
Nick...
"Ok, got the necklace?" Naila whispered over to Kristy.
"Check" she confirmed, patting her pant pocket.
Naila smiled; relieved "Awesome!"
"Aight! Let's get out there and show em' what we're made of!" Alyssa cheered
as she ran up on stage, soon followed by her 3 companions.
The girl's went through their usual 3 song routine without flaw.
"Thanks folks, it's been a blast!" Laurel scram in to the mic as she got ready
for the final bow. Before she could, an arm came up to rest on her shoulder.
"Now wait!" Kristy smiled "Guys, you wanna know what today is?"
She was answered by countless enthusiastic screams.
"Today's Laur's birthday!" Alyssa announced, jumping up and down to hype
the crowd up even more.
"Yep, our lil' Laurellypooh turns sweet 16!" Kristy said proudly, placing her
arm around her shoulder's.
"Happy Birthday babe!" Kristy smiled, reaching in to her pocket and pulling out a
small box.
On the verge of tears, Laurel threw her arms around her best friend. "You
guys are the best" she sniffled. Opening the petite parcel, she gasped at the sight of the
marvel which lay within.
A gorgeous gold musical note with the words "Happy Sweet Sixteen" engraved in it
shown back at her.
"Oh guys..."
"Nah-uh!" Naila interrupted, "It ain't over yet. Boys!"
The arena filled with mind boggling howls as five distinct figures emerged
from the shadows.
Kevin was the first one to be hit by the spotlight. Holding a relatively large cake in
his hands, he approached the girls as they all broke in to the most moving rendition of
'happy Birthday' ever.
By the time the harmonies ended on "to you", Laurel had already started blubbering
like a baby. She could hardly believe what was happening.
"Make a wish" Howie murmured.
Laurel thought hard. All her dreams had already come true; what else was
left to wish for.
Without a second thought, she took in one deep breath and blew out all the candles in
one shot.
"Guys, I really can't than-" Before she could even get half way her thank
you's, she felt her an icy cold cream project itself onto her face, and the smell and taste of
vanilla fill her nose in mouth. Gasping in horror, she used her fingers to scrape the
frosting off her covered eyes.
The first thing she caught a glimpse of when she managed to open her lids was the
snickering snide face of the blonde butt-head.
"Happy Birthday"
"I'm going to kill you Carter!" Laurel screeched, lifting her hands into a
choking position before her legs sped off and she took off in a chase after Nick's neck.
The audience gave them a standing ovation as the other merely cackled at
their misery.
As Laurel raced backstage after Nick, her heart began to pound roughly against her chest
and her breathing started to get ragged.
"You're a dead man Carter!" She yelled, watching as the blonde head rapidly disappeared
amides the chaos around them.
Before she could even think of getting upset again, her lips curled in to a cute grin, and,
not being able to contain herself another instant, began to crack up.
Laughing hysterically, she keeled over and fell to the floor.
Until just a few minutes ago, she was convinced that they had completely forgotten about
her. It hurt a little, but with all the commotion going on, she was willing to let it go.
But what had just happened... That just totally blew her away!
Finally gathering herself, she stood up and began to brush herself off, when she felt a pair
of hands place themselves firmly over her eyes.
"You've got two seconds to live Cart-"
Before she could finish her warning, the hands removed themselves from her eyes.
As her lids began to open, a body leaped in front of her; almost knocking her over.
"Surprise!"
Gasping, Laurel cupped her hands over her mouth and her eyes opened wide
in disbelief "Michael?"
