| Chapter Ten |
| He stood about six foot, had short bleach blond hair, and intense blue eyes, almost like the ocean. There was just something about his eyes that she couldnt get off her mind. What was it? Was she out of her mind? She stared at him. Why did he seem so familiar to her? Why? She had never laid eyes on him in her life before that day in the elevator, and even then he had seemed incredibly familiar looking. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throught. "Yea, it-it's right here." She said nervously as she pulled out a minilla envelope with the words "Backstreet Boys" written across it, and handed it to him. "Thanks." he replied nervously, taking the envelope from her. Say something dammit! Introduce yourself! his mind screamed at him. "I'm Nick." he said shooting out his hand quickly for her to shake. Crystal smiled nervously as she shook his hand. "Crystal McKay." A moment of silence passed as the two stared at each other. "Don't I know you?" They asked each other in unison. They both laughed at each other. "Other than the elevator, I don't think so." Crystal remarked with a grin. "Do you recognize me?" "Uh...no...I dont think so, other than our encounter in the elevator." Nick lied. How was he supposed to just come out right there on the spot and tell her he was her savior? She would probably call him a liar and smack him in the face. "Do you have a last name Nick?" Crystal smiled playfully. "Oh, sorry. Its Carter. Nick Carter." Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well Nick Carter what's your job here, letter fetcher?" "Ha. I could only wish." he laughed sarcastically. "Nope, I'm actually part of the group." "Oh so you're Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys. Maybe that's why you seem familiar to me, even though I don't really pay attention to them much." she smirked. "I’m more of an NSYNC gal." "Gee, thanks." he replied. "Don't worry, this is only a side gig. Next week we're going back to America to promote the album. By the time you get back, I'll be a household name." Crystal laughed hysterically. "Oh really Nick Carter, and how can you be so sure? I barely even know who you are, and I work for your record label." "Believe me, I know these things. Just watch our show tonight and you'll see what I mean." Nick smiled. "I gotta run or Kevins gonna kill me, but it was really nice talking to ya. Maybe I'll see you around." He waved a quick goodbye and left, leaving a dumbfounded Crystal sitting at her desk. ***************** "Thank you and goodnight!" Nick smiled as he ran off the stage. Screams could be heard all over the arena. Crystal had sat out in the crowd for the entire Backstreet Boys performance. She had to admit it, they were really good. She smiled, remembering Nick saying he was going to be a household name in a few months, and he probably wasn't far from the truth. All five of them worked really well together, just like NSYNC, but there was something more to them it seemed. Something she couldnt quite put her finger on. She smiled as the lights dimmed again, the intro music began to play and within a few seconds NSYNC hit the stage. She was tired, and decided to go back to the hotel. She had already seen the show a million times anyway. She left a message with Justin's bodyguard Fritz before she left, telling him that she was going back to the hotel to lay down. As she headed off down the hallway to the exit she was startled when she heard a voice yell out her name from behind her. She whirled around as Nick nearly slid right into her. "Oh, hey." she smiled. "So, did you see the show?" he questioned as he tried to catch his breath. "Yeah, you guys did an awesome job." Crystal smiled. "Thanks, I told ya so." "Shut up Carter." Crystal laughed. This kid cracked her up. He was so unpredictable. So quick to say anything that happened to be on his mind at the moment. Like nobody she had ever met before. "Actually I just wanted to say goodbye, even though we just met tonight and all, but I know you're gonna still be here for a few more months and I dont know when we'll ever bump into each other again." he said reluctantly. "Oh well wait do you have a computer?" she asked him. "Yeah, do you want my screen name? Maybe we can keep in touch or something. I need someone else to talk to besides these guys. They can drive ya nuts sometimes." "I resent that Nicky." another member of the group said as he walked up to them. Crystal couldn't remember his name. Something with an A...AJ that was it. He wore dark sunglasses, a white shirt with the sleeves cut off, and a pair of baggy jeans. He wasn't wearing any shoes, just socks. "You'll have to excuse AJ, his curiosity is too much for him to handle sometimes." Nick grinned. "Shut up frack, I came to drag your sorry ass back to the bus, Kevin is having a conniption." AJ replied. "And who is this sweet thang?" AJ said, after a few moments. "AJ, Crystal, Crystal this is my nosy and perverted friend AJ." Nick rolled his eyes as he handed Crystal the contact information that he had written out for her. "Nice to meet you." Crystal shook his hand. "So what's a hottie like you doing talkin to Nick here?" AJ smirked. "Don’t you know how much better I am?" "Ummm..." Crystal blushed. This guy was a sweettalker, almost as good as Justin. "Would you leave the girl alone?" Nick scowled. "Fine, whatever Nick, you just better get your ass on the bus quick. Nice meeting you Crystal." AJ smiled and ran off in the direction he had came from. "Sorry, I'll kill him later. I wish I could stay longer..." He said with reluctance. "But, you know the biz." "No it's ok...I'm sure we'll talk soon. Bye Nick, and good luck." she smiled. "Thanks." Nick replied. They both walked off in different directions. Neither one knowing what the future had in store for them. |