Chapter 3:

Jess walked into the night and she looked up into the sky. “Hey.” She heard AJ’s voice say. His arms appeared around her waist and her eyes met a white rose in front of her.

“AJ, I love it. Thank you.” She said, quickly taking a hold of the rose. “It’s beautiful.”

“Like you.” His scratchy voice whispered. He put his face into her neck, his goatee scratching her and she giggled. “Oh, before I forget.” He said, his arms removed themselves from her waist to move into his pocket inside his jacket and took out a backstage pass. 

“Thank you, AJ.” Her eyes wide with excitement. She held it in her hand very gently, like it was very fragile.

“It’s not going to break, sweetie.” AJ chuckled; his mellow laugh sent a shiver down her spine. He saw her shiver and was worried, “You cold?” He asked and she shook her head. “Here ya go.” AJ said, taking his jacket off and placing it on her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome. Do you want to go for a cup of coffee or something?” AJ asked.

“Sure I could use some, I still need to do work, tonight.” Jess said.

“Great. Maybe I can help you with your homework.” AJ offered, holding out his arm.

“Maybe.” Jess smiled, putting her arm through his. “I know a great coffee shop around the corner.” She suggested.

“Sounds great.” He said, letting her lead the way. It started to snow, the snowflakes came down quickly.

“Hey, perfect time I write a song.” She smiled. “Outside the snow is falling.” His voice startled her as he echoed the words. Together, they started a song as they entered the coffee shop. They order their coffee, AJ buying for her after her plead to let her pay for her at least. They sat down in the loveseat in the front of the shop, watching the snow fall, together. (authors note: it's so weird writing about snow falling bc it's the end of summer. And it is almost raining. Anyways..) Her mind was racing with lyrics. She quickly took her recorder out and hit the record button. She started the song again, AJ still singing with her. She decided to make it a duet. She looked at him and he knew to start making up lyrics to go with the song as a duet.

“As the snow falls, I see you looking back at me. I make my way to the corner of three. I take you in my arms and awake in bed. It was just a dream but it's really snowing. I go out to find a party and my dream plays out when I see you.”  They repeated the chorus and together, they sang the ending. “Wow, that was great harmonizing.” AJ breathed, looking into her eyes as she hit the stop button and their coffees were delivered.

“Yeah.” She sighed. “It's almost like a where you are song.” She sighed. His face was getting closer and hers moved closer.

“But with you and me and it was better.” He mumbled, slowly placing his lips on hers for a sweet kiss. (authors note: ahhh I'm on a sugar high so don’t mind me if I start rhyming. Now I'm singing a song from the movie empire records- I'm sugar high!!!!)

The old couple across the room had watched the two love-struck singers (hey.. another note.. I did Romeo and Juliet in school last year and I had to memorize the prologue.. In fair Verona where we lay our scene. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes. A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.. whose misadventured piteous overthrows. Doth with their death, bury their parents strife….) create a perfect song, that even they liked. Now, they watched as the couple had what the old couple thought to be their first kiss together.

“Oh, Alex isn’t that adorable?” The old woman cried.

“Yes, darling.” Alex, obviously the old man replied. “Give em privacy.” He shooed his wife to look somewhere else.

Meanwhile, the two kissing broke apart. “AJ.” Jess breathed into his ear from the breathless kiss.

“Yes.”

“Wa.. Was that supposed to happen?” Jess stuttered.

“I dunno but it felt right.” AJ said.

“Yeah, it did.” Jess said. She moved to pick up her coffee, which was getting cold. AJ picked his up and took a sip, watching the girl next to him take her time drinking the coffee.

“So what’s your favorite song?” AJ asked.

“I don’t really have a favorite.. They are all great to me.” AJ nodded. “I love Lay Down Beside Me, though. It's near the top of the list.” She said, blushing.

“I would have thought you liked I Need You Tonight.” AJ grinned, remembering her solo.

“Yea, well I Need You Tonight is higher than Lay Down Beside Me.” Jess began to blush again.

“You know you have a beautiful voice, Jess.” AJ said, and again she began to turn red (sound familiar?)

“Thank you AJ. You’re a great singer, too. And who else could do the cackle better than the man himself in the beginning of larger than life.” Jess said, now it was his turn to blush. “I told my friends it was like a chromatic scale, but singing.” She laughed. She began to imitate his cackle, but his lips were again on hers. His hands were placed on her face and she placed her arms on his shoulders. Jess broke away from the kiss; her arms moving away before AJ carefully and gently took hold of one.

“Jess, what’s wrong?” AJ looked at Jess, who had her face turned in the other direction so he wouldn’t see her cry. All he heard were sniffles.

Jess opened her eyes, pulling her arm away from AJ’s hold and wiping the tears away she began to pick up her book bag. “I just. Uh. Remember that I had to be home for something.”  She began to walk away, but AJ held her back, having her land in his lap, taking her in his arms.

“Don’t cry, Jess. Tell me what’s wrong.” AJ said, sincerely concerned.

“You.. You’re going to leave and.. and.. and then forget all about me. I don’t want to start something that I’ll be heartbroken over.” Jess turned her head to avoid looking into his eyes.

She felt a gentle hand lightly touch her chin and move it so she was looking into his eyes. “Who said that I was going to forget you, or that I was going to leave?” His mellow voice asked.

Her tears had stopped as she looked into his eyes. “I..I..”

“Jess. I really like you.” AJ slowly moved his head toward hers, and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

“AJ, I like you too. I just don’t know if I can deal with a high profile boyfriend.” With that, she got off his lap, taking her stuff with her and with one look behind her, she left.

Chapter 4

“Hello?” A voice picked up the phone.

“Hi. This is AJ McLean, can I please talk to Jessica?” AJ spoke into the phone.

“Sir, I already told you, my daughter wishes not to talk to you.” Her mother said.

“I’m very sorry. I just want to know how she is.”

“Heartbroken as a teen would be.”

“Can you just please tell me if she’s going to the concert and the backstage pass?”

“Sir, I know you didn’t want to hurt her but I can't tell you. I’m sorry.”

“Please, I beg of you. I won’t call back. Please.” AJ reasoned.

“Fine. Yes, she’s still going.”

“Thank you! Goodbye.” Her mother hung up before saying goodbye. AJ sighed, hanging the phone up. He picked up a glass and threw it against the hotel wall. He then kicked the wall, cursing himself and went to hit his head on the wall, but a hand blocked it.

“Alex, what’s wrong?” It was his mom, Denise.

“I don’t get her at all.” AJ groaned, sinking to the floor.

“Who?”

“Jess.”

“Oh, the girl you met at the bar?”

“Yeah. The one with the amazing voice and moves.” AJ sighed, dreaming of her beautiful face.

“She must mean a lot.”

“She does. I can't believe I didn’t follow her.” He kicked the floor with the heel of his foot. He began to twirl the laces on his sneakers. All of a sudden, he ripped his shoe off and flung it at the door, barely missing Howie coming out of the bathroom. It surprised his mother and of course, Howie.

“J?” Howie asked. “Care to explain.”

“He’s fallen for the bar girl.”

“HER NAME IS JESSIE!” AJ screamed, letting his body lay on the carpet.

“Geez, sorry Alex. Reminder we leave in 5 mins for the arena.” With that, Denise left.

“I’m sorry How. But it's the girl. I can't get her out of my mind and she was so upset when she left.” AJ started to explain.

“It’s alright.” Howie said as the other three guys came in. “Let me talk with him, ok?” The guys agreed and left. Howie sat down next to his best friend. “AJ, you gave her a backstage pass and she has front row tickets, right?”

“Yeah with her friends from the club.”

“Oh. Good, I liked Lauren.” Howie said, smiling. AJ groaned. “Oh, sorry. But you’ll get to talk to her tonight.”

“That’s if she comes.”

“I don’t think she’d miss the chance to meet us all.” Howie doubted.

“But I messed everything up! I KISSED HER!!!!!” AJ screamed out.

“J, we gotta go. So let’s talk with the other guys bout this, ok?” AJ nodded and got up with the help from Howie. AJ picked his leopard hat, just for Jess and looked for his jacket, but remembered she had it. He hit his forehead and was dragged out of the hotel room by Howie.

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“Laaaaauuuuuuur.” Jess whined.

“WHHHHAAAAAA?” Lauren said back.

“Do I hafta go?”

“HELLO?? We’re talking about the Backstreet BOYS HERE!”

“I still have the backstage pass, his jacket and the rose he gave me and I feel so bad.”

“Why?” Her best friend asked.

“Because I told him I didn’t think I could handle having a high class boyfriend who is always gone. I left crying. I Miss him, laaur.” Jess began to cry.

“Nooo. Don’t cry. It’ll run your makeup.” Lauren made a joke and cracked Jess up.

“Always think of appearance, don’t ya?” Jess grinned.

“IT'S THE BACKSTREET BOYS!!” Lauren screamed, causing the three other girls to slide into the room. They looked from Jess to Lauren and back again.

“Jess, you’ll see him tonight.” Allison said.

“I know but that’s the problem. I have backstage passes and it's going to be so weird to see him.” Jess whined.

“Why?” Ashley asked, confused.

“Long story..” Jess began as the girls hopped into her Passat to head to the arena.

Chapter 5:

The girls walked up to Q, Jess with the backstage pass hanging around her neck. “Q?” Jess questioned as she approached him.

“Yes. How can I help you?” Q answered, eyeing the backstage pass.

“AJ gave me this backstage pass. I was the main singer where the guys..” Jess was interrupted by Q speaking.

“You all can go in. Here are four other tags for the other girls, go right in.” He handed the girls the passes and let them pass him. Jess breathed in as she saw posters up with his face on them and the costumes hanging, with big letters labeling each guys’ wardrobe. The girls stopped at a dressing room, obviously the guys’ dressing room. Jess took a deep breath and knocked on the door, holding onto Allison as she did. They heard some singing and then the doorknob moved. Soon, in front of the girls stood Brian.

“Jess.. you came! J’s gonna be so happy. Let’s go find him.” Brian took her hand and began to lead them away.

“Brian, no. I don’t want to see AJ.” Her voice startled even herself. She was dying to see him. “We come back after the show.. let it be a surprise please.”

Brian narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure? He’ll be thrilled and then pumped for the show.”

“I'm sure Brian. Anyway.. We better be going. We’ll see you after the show. Bye break a leg.” Jess gave him a slight hug, and left with the girls saying goodbye and trailing behind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AJ paced the room, until a stagehand strapped him into his board and connected to the harness. He hadn’t seen her yet and the show was about to begin. He psyched himself up, thinking about her. The group was lifted into the air and the music began to play. The show had officially started.

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“OMG! THERE HE IS, JESS!” Lauren screamed as AJ came into view. A few songs later, AJ finally saw her. Jess had spent every moment on him. Just him. His eyes sparkled in the light as he viewed her. She fell in love again with him in a second. Her eyes began to tear and his face was apologetic. She forced a smile to get him in a good mood. He grinned back, his heart pounding as her smile turned genuine. It was time for Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely and the guys were finding people to bring up. Howie had found Lauren and took her out as AJ was making his way down the stairs. He went straight to Jess, whose heart pounded quicker than she had ever felt it.

“Hey.” AJ whispered.  

“Hi.” Jess said as her eyes twinkled.

“Care to join me?”

“Sure.” His hand found hers and they walked up the steps together. She brushed her hair back with her other hand, moving it to her back. AJ soon took her in his arms, her back to his front. He placed his head on her shoulder, grinning the whole time.

“Yo! This is Jessie.  I met this fine young lady yesterday.. damn this girl has moves and a voice like an angel.” AJ’s sweet voice echoed through out the arena.

“AJ!” Jess playfully said and slapped him. She couldn’t help but smile widely. Their eyes met and for a few seconds as the others announced their woman for the song, no one else existed. They tore their eyes away from each other in time for AJ to find the words in his brain to sing. 

“Alright! Give it up to these beautiful women who came up here with us in that song.” Kevin said.

“Now, what do you say we bring it up to have a party?” AJ grinned and Jess stopped short. Her right foot in midair, she turned to see AJ grinning like a chester cat. Lauren looked up at Howie who was also grinning. “Jeess? Where are you going? Bring your girls up and join us why don’t ya?”

“Of course,” Jess turned to her group and signaled for them to come up.

“Hey guys.” The rest of them chorused as they came up.

“Can we say a contest for the best dancers?” AJ asked.

Jess grinned, the girls knew she would except so she nodded. “You’re on, AJ.”

“Great, we’ll go first.” Nick grinned. “Backstage crew, can we have five other mics, please.” Crewmembers ran out onto stage, putting them on the girls.

“Break a leg.” Jess muttered. Lauren slapped her shoulder and laughed, throwing her head back.

Nick began to sing, the others coming in with choreography. Jess’ eyes twinkled as she watched AJ strut his stuff. She and Lauren must have read each others minds, because they began to yell. “SWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET.” Jess screamed when the guys bent down. The audience roared with laughter. Soon enough, came Jess’s favorite part.

“Poof after midnight, uh.” AJ sang. The girls watched their idols perform the choreography they were about to perform. “Alright, girls your turn!” AJ teased. As the girls took up the front of the stage, AJ slapped Jess’ ass. She twirled around, her hair following her movement.

“Exxxxxxxcuse me mister, where did that hand belong? On your ass, not mine.” She turned back around, walking away like she owned the place. “ARE YA READY ORLANDO?????” She winked at the band, which started playing. Jess began to sing, with the girls following her in the moves. Soon enough, they were all dancing and singing together, Lauren doing AJ’s vocals. AJ watched intently, as did the others, as Jess moved flawlessly.

“Poof after midnight.” Lauren sang. “UH!!!!!” She screamed. Slowly Jess came up as Lauren’s hands were by her. Jess’s grin became fixed on her face. The thrill of performing rushed to her at once.

She ended the song, stronger than ever. “YYYYYEAAAHAAAAAAAW!” She screamed. The others chuckled at the sight of her having a blast. She began to do other choreography. “Oops.. wrong boy band.” She joked. “Alright ya’ll give it up if BSB was the best!” She screamed. The audience roared too loud for even the guys to deal with.

“OK QUIET!!!!” Howie screamed. The audience quieted down.

“GIVE IT UP FOR THE BACKSTREET GIRLS!!!!!!” AJ screamed and the audience screamed, but not louder than for the guys.

“HAHAHA!” Nick laughed and grabbed Jess into his arms, swinging her around. “We beatchya.”

“Put me down.” She said and he did. She walked intently toward AJ, swinging her hips on purpose. She fixed her microphone and began to sing. “One way or another, I’m gonna find ya, I’m gonna getchya getchya getchya.” She placed her hands on his shoulders, moving around to his back. “One day maybe next week… One day.. I’ll drive by your house..” She began to cough.. “Too low.” She whimpered. “I’m gonna getchya.” She screamed, jumping on his back, knocking his cowboy hat off. He grabbed her off his back, pulling her down to the stage, he fell on top of her.

Chapter 6

Club