Kerri sighed as she told an old lady that she needed to take the change OUT of her pocket before she stepped through the metal detecter. Man, working at an airport can be such a drag, she thought. At least I might get a glimpse of The Backstreet Boys today, the thought sent a chill of excitement down her spine. Kerri was a huge Backstreet Boys fan. She had moved to Orlando Florida to become a dancer, figuring it would be a good place to try since so many people like them had started their careers there. Instead she ended up working at an airport. At least Desiree is here with me, the only thing that kept her sane.
"Kerri!" Desiree, her best friend, shouted to her breaking her thoughts. "Listen to your walky talky!"
Stupid walky talky, she thought, they give them to everyone so they can always be in touch to tell you what to do. Kerri shook her head and raised it to her ear.
"You there?" a voice asked her, she mubbled yes. "Well good, just to inform you the Backstreet Boys are headed your way and I have a job for you. Take them to the nearest emptey waiting room. They will stay there until their limo arrives."
"Ok, I'm on it." She said back, almost too shocked to reply. Desiree was listening smiled happily and started to move people out of the way. After creating a path she joined Kerri to wait. Any second now, Kerri thought. As if reading her thoughts she promptly heard screaming girls.
"Get ready to run!" She told Desiree as the Boys appeared around the corner, followed by tons of fans. When they came close enough she ran up and grabbed Nicks arm yelling, "Follow me!" over the loud screams. The other four, their body gaurds, and Desiree followed as they ran through the airport. They dashed inside the nearest waiting room and Kerri locked the door.
"Only employes can get in here now." She smiled at them as they made their way over to the couches and sat down.
"You know, you have to worry about some of the people who work here too." Desiree said slyly, winking at Kerri. "You have some pretty big fans here. You never know what they might do." She couldn't help but to grin, neither could Kerri.
"Well I hope none of them come in here." Aj said sarcastically, picking up on Desiree's vibe.
"Too late." Kerri said, taking out her Millennium cd and a pen. She waved the pen back and forth signalling she was waiting for autographs. They all smiled and agreed, Nick took the pen and cd from her hands. He signed the cd then passed it on to Howie. He scouted over over and motion for Kerri to sit down. She wasted no time making it to the seat.
"Don't I get a seat?" Desiree pouted, sticking out her lower lip. Her eyes lit up joyfully as Aj scouted over so she could sit in between him and Kevin. Aj scouted closer to her and slid his arm around her shoulders. Kerri could barely keep from laughing at the look on her friend's face. She looks like she is about to die and go to heaven, she thought. One of us really should get them something to drink, and Desiree just looks so happy where she is, even though Kerri hated the idea of leaving HER seat.
"I know you must be thirsty after that long flight, can I get you guys anything to drink?" she said standing up slowly. Kevin, Howie, and Aj all asked for cokes. Nick smiled at her, "I'm fine, thanks." She couldn't help but stare, he had the most beautiful smile. She was so absorbed in his smile she had not heard the door open. A hand grabbed he roughly from behind and spun her around.
"Mark," she gasped startled, "what?"
He glared at her, then at Nick. "Excuse me," he said through clenched teeth, "I need to talk to my GIRLFRIEND for a moment." Kerri winced as yanked her by her arm across the room.
Desiree longed to chase after and help her friend, but she knew how Mark got when he has jealous. She would only make things worse by interferring. She turned back to Aj and the rest of the boys. SHE couldn't stand seeing her bestfriend at times like this, she certainly didn't want THEM to see.
Mark pushed Kerri up against the wall, "What is wrong with you!" he said harshly.
"Nothing!" she said looking up at him.
"Don't lie to me!" he said, his vioce rising slightly. "I know how you can be, how flirty you are around other guys. Can't you go one minute without coming on to another guy!?" He began squeezing her arms and pressing her up against the wall harder.
"I wasn't flirting Mark!" she insisted, struggling under his grip.
"Whatever Kerri. Like last month when you just 'accidentally' kissed that other guy!" he hissed pressing harder.
She let out a little sob and weakly said, "Mark you are hurting me."
All the anger washed from his body as he saw the tears forming in her eyes, he hated to see her cry. He released his grip on her and she slid to the floor as she began to cry. "I'm so sorry baby. I didn't mean to hurt you, I love you so much. You know that right?" he asked. Kerri didn't reply, she just fell inot his arms and continued to cry. Mark picked her up and led her into a back, employes only, room.
Nick watched in disgust as Mark lead Kerri into a back room. None of the other guys had noticed. Desiree had done her best to keep their attention away from her friend. Nick didn't blame her. No one should have to see that, no one should have to be PUT THROUGH that, he thought sadly. Kerri is pretty and seems so nice, why did she end up with a guy like that? Desiree's walky talky interupted his thoughts.
"Your limo is here." She annonced, disappointed they had to go. She scribbled down her phone number and gave it to AJ before instructing them how to get to their limo safely. As they started to leave Desiree caught Nicks arm and pulled him back.
"Don't worry about Kerri, she can handle it." She whispered handing him Kerri's phone number. It doesn't SEEM like she can handle it, he thought. He smiled anyways and thanked Desiree.
Desiree sighed, I just met the Backstreet Boys, I should be happy. It's impossible to be happy when your best friend is so miserable. She did her best to keep the Boys attention away from Kerri, but Nick sat there watching like a hawk. He looked so concerned about her. Desiree glanced back at the room where Mark had taken her. She could hear Kerri and Mark talking softly, even though Kerri's voice was quiet Desiree could tell she was upset. She shook her head, then headed towards the now calm main airport.
