Chapter Three
She got off the bus, collected her gear and walked to her
Passat, only stopping to pet her friend’s new puppy. She unlocked her car and
placed all her stuff inside. She got in the driver side and locked the doors.
She turned her cell on and instantly had a call. “You slice em we dice em here
at J’s meat factory.” She answered.
“Yo.” Was all the caller said.
She started the car up as her best friend waved to her. She
waved back and said, “Hey AJ.”
“Oh, you’re no fun.” He kidded. “How was the bus
ride home?”
“Fine. Wait.. How did you know I just got back?” She
inquired.
“Don’t look now, but do you see the silver tour bus
turning into your school?” He said sarcastically.
Her eyes shot to her rear view mirror. “OMG! AJ!” She
turned the car off, took the key out, unlocked the door, and ran out, locking
and slamming it shut. She took off to where the bus had stopped and AJ had
stepped out. He had his arms open. She turned her cell off and jumped into his
arms. They hugged for the longest time. She pulled away and the two kissed, not
noticing the four guys who had gathered at the door of the bus. They started a
chorus song of awws.
“Shhh you.” Jess teased, pointing her finger at the
guys. AJ let go and she ran to give them all hugs. “It's great to see you all
again.”
“You too, Jess.” Brian said, pulling her into a hug.
“Why did ya all come back?” She questioned.
“AJ, would you like to answer that question?” Howie
teased.
“Well, we have a concert here tomorrow and I was bugging
the guys a little.” AJ said shyly.
“A LITTLE?” Kevin raised his voice, chuckling.
“Way more than that!” Nick teased. Someone called
Jess’ name and she spun around.
“Sorry to interrupt. But can you give me a lift home?”
Her best friend asked.
“But of course.” Jess said with an English accent.
“Thank god. I’m sad to say that Mum and father forgot I
was coming home and went away.” Her best friend answered in the accent too.
“Oh, C. I’m sorry.” She hugged her friend. “You
guys remember C, don’t you?” The guys nodded.
“You look mighty familiar.” She thought for a second.
“OOOOH. My bad. A little forgetfulness today.” She giggled. “”Nice to
meet you all again. What are you doing in ol Paramoose?” She giggled, making
fun of her town.
“Is that how you pronounce the name of the town?” Brian
asked.
“Nope.” Jess giggled. “It's really Paramus. But we
call it Paramoose now because of the announcer at the festival.” She winked at
AJ and took off his cowboy hat. “You know, I lllllllllove this hat. I have
loved it forever!” She put it on her head.
“You have one just like it.” CJ giggled, which cost her
a slight playful hit on the arm. “I hope you take your necklace off, AJ.
Otherwise, she’ll take it because she lllllooooooooves men with necklaces.”
Again Jess hit her, but the guys began to laugh. “It's true!” She protested
as she eyed Brian. Their eyes met and she blushed.
“AWWWWWWWWWWWW. My wittle J is blushing!!!” Jess
screamed. CJ looked at her and began to attack. Jess ran behind AJ, throwing her
arms around his waist. “Protect me AJ!”
Nick stepped up, going along with the fun. “No. I have to
save you from AJ!” He laughed and picked her up, placing her on his shoulder.
“MY SAVIOR!!!” She screamed, laughing the whole time.
“Hey! Where you going with my girlfriend?” AJ screamed
as Nick ran away, being chased by CJ.
“SAVING HER FROM YOU AND CJ!!!” Nick chuckled. He
abruptly stopped, putting Jess down. She ran to AJ who embraced her tightly in
his arms and CJ ran into Nick’s open arms.
CJ looked up (and up and up) at Nick. He stared back into her eyes. She saw the bluest
eyes she had ever seen and she shyly smiled. “Hi.” She said.
“Hey.” He said, never looking away from her eyes.
Jess turned in AJ’s arms so that her back was to his
front and said to herself, ‘God. Her hormones are running wild. First Bri now
Nick. Geez.. I know they are all hot. Atleast I know who I want to be with.’
She laughed quietly as she heard their conversation of hi and hey. She snuggled
closer to AJ and sighed. CJ and Nick stood still, looking at each other. As if
just like the movies, they moved in closer. Nick’s lips touched hers as they
both closed their eyes. Jess joined in the rounds of ‘oooooohs’ being made
and laughed along. It was so cute. Her best friend in the arms of a Backstreet
Boys. “They are so cute.” She said to AJ.
“Not as cute as you.” AJ said, flattering her.
“Thanks sweetie.” She said. She lifted her hand up
behind her and felt for his face. Instead she got someone licking her tongue.
“EWWWWW. AJ! Don’t do that again! That’s just gross.” She giggled. She
moved her hand away and touched his cheek, his scruffy cheek. She loved his
facial hair. It completed him, like he completed her. “Ok, before we attrack
more attention to us, let’s go somewhere. CJ.. You’re living with me until
your parents get back. No ifs, ands, or buts..” Jess spoke.
“Where is a good place?”
“Well.. It’s a Sunday night and most places aren’t
open so.. you wanna come to my house?” Jess offered.
“Only if your parents won’t mind.” Brian said.
“Um. You don’t have to worry about parents. My dad left
when I was a baby and my mother died.. as AJ knows already.” AJ’s arms
around her tightened and she wiped a tear from her eyes and sniffled.
“Oh, Jess. I’m sorry.” Brian said and he ran over to
give her a hug. AJ’s arms disappeared so everyone could hug her.
“Thanks guys. I’m ok now.” She took a deep breath.
“Your bus going to follow me?” The
guys nodded and Kevin went in to talk to the bus driver. He came down the stairs and gave Jess the thumbs up sign.
“C, why don’t you go with the guys in the bus so if you get lost.. I’ll
take anyone who wants to come.”
Brian and AJ volunteered to go with her so they parted in
different directions. AJ got in the passenger side and Brian took a seat in the
back. She turned on the car and Larger Than Life came on. She chuckled and
reached to turn it off. “Na.. Leave it on.” Brian said and started singing.
She opened her sunroof and AJ put his hands through. She
backed out and waited for the bus to get behind her. AJ had stuck his head out
of the sunroof and was waving to the bus driver. “J. Come back down to earth
please.” Reluctantly, he came down. She turned out of the school and sped up
the hill. It turned red, all for the good. The bus was slow coming up the hill.
AJ placed his hand on her leg, at first cautiously. She took her hand off the
wheel and took his hand in hers. She placed it down on her leg, drumming her
fingers on his hand to the beat. She was singing along and smiling. The light
turned green and she made a right. She slowed down, waiting for the bus. Then
she took off, her hair waving all around as the wind came in through the
sunroof, loving it the whole time. She came to another red light. She pressed
the skip button until number 8. “WAHOOOOO! I love this song!” she yelled.
AJ screamed, “YOU’RE WILD!!!” and then he laughed.
“Aren’t I supposed to say that? I mean Baby screams it,
but Mr. Hottie was driving. (Dirty Dancing) “ They laughed and she pumped up
the volume. “Where’d my bass go?” She said and found the button for the
bass and turned that up, too. She hit the accelerator as the light changed to
green. She made a left and the bus followed her.