"Nervous Leshangel?" Nick asked from his seat next to hers in the Orlando airport's American Airline's terminal.
"No. Just really excited. Kinda nervous, I guess..." she smiled up at him.
"Why would you be nervous?" Kevin asked sitting down and handing them their drinks. He had decided to tag along because he had nothing better to do. Originally, AJ had planned to come (big surprise there :) ), but something came up and he couldn't.
"Well, let's see, Kev," Alesha said. "I haven't seen her in over 2 years. That's kind of a long time to not see your best friend."
"True," he said looking at his watch. "What time was her flight suppose to be here?"
"10:30, why? What time is it?" Alesha asked.
"You work at a watch store and you don't wear a watch?" Nick asked laughing.
"Shaddup," she said tapping him on the head. "If someone had set the alarm clock I wouldn't have had to run around like a nutcase trying to get ready."
"Uh-huh, sure..." he said grinning. He rubbed his head and sighed, "That's it. You're not allowed to hang out with AJ anymore."
"And why not?" she asked innocently.
"Because you're starting to sound and act just like him," Nick said shaking his head.
"God I hope not," Kevin said with mock fright.
Alesha laughed, "When I start singing songs and shaking my butt at the mall...then I'll be sounding and acting like him, and somehow I don't see that happening."
Kevin looked confused, so Alesha told him about their shopping trip to the mall. He started laughing, "That definitely sounds like Bone." He shook his head, "I feel sorry for the woman that hooks up with him."
"No woman is EVER gonna hook up with him. He's too crazy to settle on just one," Nick said knowingly.
They finally announced Lori's flight had arrived, so they stood up and walked over to the gate. When Alesha seen her walk out her face lit up so brightly and her smile was huge. "LORI!!" she shrieked, running over to her friend.
"Hey Lesh," Lori said smiling and hugging her. "Wow...you let your hair grow out."
Alesha laughed. "Yeah. Finally. Yours is longer too. Coolieos...oh. Just to warn you, Kevin is here with Nick and me."
She looked at Alesha. "You're kidding right? Kevin? Ohmigawd."
"What?" Alesha asked confused.
"I forgot to tell you that I was starting to like him a little bit."
Alesha laughed, "You're so silly. Come on." So Alesha dragged Lori over to where the guys were waiting. Nick came over and put his arm around Alesha. "Nick, Kevin, this is my bestest friend in all the world Lori Young. Lori, this is Kevin and this," she pointed up at Nick, "is my Nickums."
"But only she can call me that," he said with a mock scowl. "Nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you. This is so cool. You guys look like you could be sisters. Ya'll both have red hair and are cute and stuff. Hehe."
"And you have no idea how much I've heard about you," Lori said with a grin.
"Hey. No embarrassing moments here. I do that enough on my own," Alesha said.
Kevin smiled. "It's nice to meet you," he said extending his hand. He was having a hard time not staring.
Lori smiled shyly up at him and shook his hand. "Thanks, it's nice to meet you, too." She turned back to Alesha. "So, shall we go get my bags?"
"Okie," Alesha said turning in the direction of the luggage station. She leaned towards Lori, and said softly, "Be prepared for an attack of crazed fans. It was a riot when we first got here. Didn't think we were going to make it to the terminal." She shook her head, "Didn't realize JUST how crazy they got."
Lori laughed, "I'll bear that in mind."
They stood at the baggage claim for over an hour while Nick and Kevin were swarmed by fans. Alesha looked at Lori. "Told you," she said. Then she started laughing, "Doesn't this remind you of 'I Want It That Way'?"
Lori looked at her for a second, then looked at the guys, then giggled, "You're right."
"I have an idea," Alesha said and whispered something to Lori.
"I don't think I can do that," Lori said looking at Alesha like she was insane. "I don't even know him."
"Think of it as a rescue attempt," Alesha replied with a grin. "Besides, ya never know what could happen."
"No, I can't," Lori said shaking her head.
Grumbling, Alesha leaned against the wall deep in thought. "I got it!" she exclaimed. "Cmon."
"Where are we going?" Lori asked nervously.
"To the security office."
"Security office? Why?" she asked.
"You ask too many questions. Come on. Trust me."
Lori shook her head, "One HAS to ask questions when around you. God knows where I'd end up if I didn't."
Alesha knocked on the door of the security office. An older lady opened the door and asked if there was anything she could do to help them. Alesha related the story to her, but the lady didn't quite believe her. Grumbling, Alesha wrote down a phone number and told the lady to call it. The lady looked at Alesha suspiciously, but slowly dialed the number. ">pause< Yes, may I speak to a Nick Carter or Kevin Richardson please? >pause< What? I can't really hear you. There's too much noise. >pausepause< A couple of young ladies claiming to be your girlfriends gave it to me >pause< It is? Hmmm... >pause< Okay. Thank you," she said and hung up. "Okay girls, here's what I want you to do. You go down to the car, and I'll send two of my people down to get them. Okay?"
Lori and Alesha grinned. "Thanks," Alesha said smiling.
"You're welcome hon. Sorry I didn't believe you."
Alesha smiled, "Sometimes, I can't believe it myself." They walked back to the car, and about 15 minutes later the guys showed up.
"Ungh," Nick groaned leaning on Alesha. "I hate my life."
"Excuse me? I take offense to that. Would you like for me to find you a new one? I'm sure it can be arranged," Alesha said acting hurt.
"I don't mean you babygirl. I mean all of those silly fans," he said kissing her gently.
"Whatever Nick. It's your fault. You're the one who insisted on making a scene in the middle of the aisle by dancing to the elevator version of "All I Have To Give"," Kevin said.
"Oh. You guys are so pathetic," Alesha said. "You're lucky I was here to rescue you."
Kevin looked at Lori. "Sorry about that. Crazy fans. And HIM," Kevin pointed at Nick, "I don't know why I bother hanging out with him."
Alesha laughed, "Oh come on Kevin. You just wanted to check out my friend." Kevin blushed many interesting shades of red. Nick started laughing so hard he almost fell over. Lori was just about as embarrassed as Kevin was. Shaking her head, Alesha said, "Come on you guys. We have to go." They got into Nick's Durango, and Alesha noticed how Kevin opened the door for Lori and helped her into the truck. Grinning bigly, she got into the front seat next to Nick.
On the ride home, Nick and Alesha sang along to the radio loudly and crazily, while Kevin and Lori talked quietly amongst themselves. Alesha noticed how Kevin paid complete attention to EVERYTHING Lori did and said. "Oh my GAWD," Alesha thought to herself. "He likes her. This is so cool." She poked Nick softly and motioned at the backseat. He glanced in the rearview mirror and then at Alesha.
He grinned and then stopped, looking at her. "What about AJ?"
"Agee?" Alesha asked. "What about him?"
Nick looked in the back again and said, "Ummm...ya know...the whole...ummm..use and abuse, but no teasing..."
Alesha blinked. "What?" she asked. "OH!! Damn." She glanced in the back again. "Hmm...well, I guess that would be for Lori to decide, huh?"
Lori heard her name and looked at Alesha, "What's for me to decide?"
"Oh...ummm...what you want to do tonite. When we get back to town." Alesha looked at Nick quickly and grinned.
"Oh," Lori said. "I don't know. What are you guys gonna do."
Nick grinned, "Hang out with you darlin'. Hehe."
"Oh yeah, Lori," Kevin said. "Nick has become permanently attached to Alesha. Didn't you know that?"
"So what happens when ya'll go back on tour? He gonna get surgically removed?" she asked.
Kevin laughed. "That's always a possibility."
Nick grumbled, "HAHA...Mr. I'mSingleAndCan'tStandThatNickIsHappyWithSomeoneSoIHaveToPickOnHimAboutIT. You're quite the comedian. Perhaps you're in the wrong profession."
"Oh Nick, he's just kidding you," Lori said.
"And you lil missy...don't encourage him," Nick said looking at her in the rear view mirror.
Lori laughed, "Lil Missy indeed." Then she scooted to the edge of her seat and whispered to Alesha. "Thank you so much for letting me come down early and meet them. God," she said softly, "I think I'm completely, head over heels falling for Kevin."
Alesha grinned and patted Lori on the arm. "Well, then darlin'. We'll just have to see what we can do to make sure he feels the same."
