Chapter Two
‘Here we go.’ Juliet said to herself and started humming the NSYNC song, ‘Here we go.’ She laughed at herself and held onto the doorframe to hold herself up while she laughed silently, her sides sore and hurting from playing basketball the day before. She collected herself and knocked on the door. She heard a faint, “I’m coming.” And breathed in as she prepared herself to meet yet again the Backstreet Boys.
AJ looked through the keyhole and breathed in as he saw the beautiful girl standing in front of the door again, waiting patiently. He began to speak as he opened the door. “I thought you were not going to come back after the situation with Brian.”
“Well, I’m the announcer for you guys and I get to bring you to lunch.” She said, breathing in the site of AJ in his boxers and a black wife beater.
“Oh, well congratulations.” AJ said, offering a hug, which she gladly accepted.
“Who is it, J?” A southern voice asked.
“It's the girl you slammed the door into.” AJ responded quickly and to her said, “I never caught your name.”
“Juliet..” She said.
“Well, Juliet. I’m your..”
“Romeo.. I’ve heard it all.” Juliet said impatiently.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” AJ said, looking confused. He only knew her for a few minutes and already loved her. Her outfit was so catchy. He loved the hat. Her leopard Steve Madden sandals went well with the hat and the black tank and pants. ‘My kinda girl,’ His inner voice said. “Please, come in,” AJ said, still thinking about the girl before him. “I.. uh.. love your hat. I have one just like it.”
“Thanks. I love this hat, too. My dad was so happy I finally got a cowboy hat but was upset it was fur. What a goof, my dad.” She giggled.
“Guys, meet Juliet. Although we already met her thanks to Brian.” AJ hissed.
Everyone welcomed her and Brian spoke before he could reach her. “I’m sorry for my behavior. I am usually not like that. I just broke the wedding off with my fiancé. Well, now ex-fiancé. She was um.. with another guy. All the guys were fishy on her.. but the truth came out before the wedding, thank god. I’m kinda still in a bad mood about it.”
Juliet thought for a while, staring at his figure. He was dressed in a basketball jersey and jeans. The jersey showed off his body. “It's. Ok. It's not a normal thing to get hit in the face with a door by a Backstreet Boy. And I’m really sorry about that. But I guess Leighanne wasn’t ‘The One’, no pun intended. You’ll find your soul mate, Brian. Give it time. I haven’t found mine yet, either.” She opened her arms and Brian found his way inside them. She breathed in his cologne and hugged him.
He breathed in her perfume, Tommy Girl, he guessed. Nick’s sister wore it and he had been around her before, it was familiar. “Thanks for understanding. You’ll find the right one soon enough.” He whispered. “I was such a jerk before. I am truly sorry.”
“It's ok.” She whispered back. They broke apart. “So, who is up for sound check and then a game of basketball?” All the guys were happy and ready for that. But the guys had to get dressed, so they politely kicked Juliet out. She stood against the wall, staring at the closed door, thinking of Brian and AJ.
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(with guys)
AJ put his head resting on the door after he closed it, dreaming of Juliet. He was way over his ex. Thank god he was single and looking. ‘God, she is fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.’ AJ growled inside his head. “God guys, how fine is she?” He asked the group.
Everyone agreed she was stylish and beautiful. They all knew that AJ had picked the girl. Brian knew in his heart that AJ wanted her, but so did he. Ever since he saw her, that’s why he snapped into being a jerk, trying to get rid of the girl. He was attracted to her and didn’t want to get hurt again, so he tried to push her away. He loved her hair, her eyes, her clothes, her loving and forgivingness. He pushed these feelings away and got dressed. The rest of the guys got dressed.
AJ put black shorts on and sunglasses, along with one of his hats. The five looked each other over and Nick opened the door.
Chapter Three:
“OOOOOH!!” Juliet screamed as she made the final point of the game, having her team win. Her team was Nick and Brian. Howie, AJ and Kevin were on the other. She received hugs and high fives from Nick and Brian. AJ gave her a hug, kiss on the cheek and he spun her around in the hug. She was shocked to say the least. After hugs from the other two, she began her victory dance. “That’s the way that I like. That is the way I liiiiike it.” She sang. Her mix of break dancing, different moves and feet tricks amazed the group of guys. She was done and the guys stood there looking at her. So, she began the chorus of Larger Than Life and performed the dance, flawless as she had practiced. She walked to her water bottle and took a sip, pulling the scrunchie out of her hair. She flipped her head over after the sip and took out her hairbrush from her book bag-purse. She placed her water bottle on the ground and took her mirror out, beginning to brush and curl her light brown hair. She turned around, to find AJ and Brian staring at her and the others talking amongst themselves, sipping from their water bottles. “You know guys, that was the 3rd game we have played and Nick and Brian and me won them all.” She teased. In an instant her brush and mirror were put away and her cowboy hat was on her head.
“You play like a pro, Juliet.” Nick said.
“If you have three older brothers, you learn quickly.” Juliet said.
“Three brothers?” Howie asked.
“Yea. Triplets.. Try beating those three with a lonely one, besides the fact the baby was a girl, me.” She said.
“Sorry baby girl.” AJ said. “Hey I have a nickname for you!” He laughed.
“Yea, Bone.” She laughed. ”O shit. What time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Damn.” She muttered. The guys looked at each other. “Come with me. I have to practice for like 10 mins.. My teacher will shoot me. I’m really sorry. 10 mins the latest.” She picked up her stuff and motioned for the guys to follow her.
“Practice what?” Brian said, catching up to her.
“Flute, piccolo and guitar.” She stated.
“I play guitar.”
“I know.” She laughed. “That’s what she said.” She began to sing.
“Oh, yea.” He said, laughing. The rest of the guys following them.
“Ok. I’m allowed to practice out here.” She said as she got to her Passat. “So you can stay and listen if you want.” She unlocked her doors and pulled out her flute and put it together. She started with her f scale and g scale. She pulled out a book and opened it. Soon, sweet sounds were heard all around the area. Every worker knew it was time for Jess to practice. She quickly put that away, taking her piccolo out. Another piece of music was taken out and practiced. That was put away and the guitar was taken out. She sat on the ground, strumming a few chords. She played the beginning of Back Here by BBMak and laughed. She began to play a piece. This piece of music was memorized. She closed her eyes, allowing her fingers to do all the work, her mouthing forming words as if it was a song. The piece ended and she opened her eyes. “Brian, you wanna help me out with this next song?”
Brian couldn’t figure out what it was but said, “Sure.”
She smiled as he sat down next to her. She began to play That’s What She Said and he smiled, recognizing the melody. Brian’s voice began to sing his part; his smell scent smelled her perfume, taking over the air. Juliet sang the chorus parts and the background parts. Their voices blended and harmonized well. Her eyes were shut again and Brian was gazing at her. AJ had evil eyes toward Brian and gazed longingly at Juliet. The other guys were looking at the two, hearing a perfect harmony. The two ended, looking into each other’s eyes. She looked away quickly and got up. It was quiet as she placed the guitar in the car and locked it. She sat next to Nick and it was still quiet.
“That was great.” Nick said, reassuring her.
“Thanks.” She said, turning red.
“You guys were perfect together.” Howie said.
“You guys sounded great.” Kevin said.
“It was fantastic.” AJ said, glaring at Brian.
“You have amazing talent, Juliet.” Brian said, ignoring AJ’s eyes as much as possible.
“Thanks guys. Now who wants lunch?”
“FOOOOOOOOD!” Nick screamed and hoped up.
“I guess you.” She joked and got up. “I can't fit all you in my car.. so we get a limo..” As if planned, a limo pulled up. “Here we go.” She said, getting up. She laughed at herself.
“What you laughing at?” Kevin asked.
She sang, “Here we gooooo. Here we go just one more time everybody’s feeling fine here we go now.” The guys were laughing as they walked to the limo. “Sorry. What would you like for lunch? McDonalds or fancy restaurant?”
The guys looked at each other and responded together, “Micky D’s!”
Juliet laughed and said, “I thought the verdict would be that. Limo driver, to McDonalds, please.” The door closed as Juliet got in.
“Are you excited for tonight?” Howie asked.
“YES!!! And nervous.” She said, nervously laughing. The guys chuckled.
“Don’t be. You’ll do a fantastic job.” AJ reassured her, breathing in her perfume, once again. He was sitting next to her, on the other couch was Nick, stretched out. The couch with the window between the driver and them had Kevin and Howie on it. The other one had Brian sprawled out, watching Juliet’s every move. Q, the guys bodyguard, was in the front. Over the intercom came music. Lucky by Britney Spears filled the room.
“I love this song.” Juliet squealed and she began to sing. After the song ended, the guys applauded her and she turned red. “Thank you.” PYT’s We’re Dancing came on. She began to wiggle in her seat and Brian chuckled, seeing the woman begin to dance in her seat.