A.J. kept to himself most of the week. He wanted to write songs for the new album and knew he could think better when he was alone. He'd just close his eyes and these words and phrases would pop into his mind. They would describe how he was feeling lately, although A.J. himself didn't realize it.
'Broken heart, meaning of being lonely, I can't be there where you are, there's something missing in the heart…'
" Well, this is depressing…" He said the words to himself, and started developing a tune to go along with it. He put it down on paper. He sung out loud what he had so far…
"So many words for the broken heart
It's hard to see in a crimson love
So hard to breathe
Walk with me and maybe
Nights of life so soon become
Wild and free, I can feel the sun
Your every wish
Will be done, they tell me
Show me the meaning
Of being lonely
Is this the feeling
I need to walk with
Tell me why
I can't be there where you are
There's something missing in the heart…"
It was beautiful, but kind of sad. 'Oh well, it works for me…I'll just finish it, then show it to the guys.'
A phone ring interrupted his train of thought.
"Hello?"
"A.J.? Hi, this is Elena…from the club?"
"Ah, yes, Elena, what's up?"
"Well, I need to talk to you. Is it ok? I mean, we could hang, also, if you want."
"Sure, just tell me where and when and I'll be right there. I need to get out of my house! All this week, all I did was sit in my room, sulk, and write for no apparent reason. Well, there's a reason for my writing, but I don't know why I'm sulking."
"Awwe, I'll cheer you up! I'll tell you about my problems, if you tell me yours."
"The buddy system…that could work."
"Alright, how about we meet at the Sun Tavern in an hour? You know where that is?"
"Yeah. They have live music there, too, right?"
"Uh-huh, and the food there is great! The four cheese pizza with the extra-thin crust…oh, it's to die for!"
"Great! It's a date!"
"No it's not."
"Hey, I tried!"
"I admire your persistence! See ya, A.J.!"
"Later!"
They met up at the Sun Tavern, which was packed! There was at least a thirty-minute wait!
"Thirty minutes?! Ohhh, I guess I can wait. How about you, A.J.?" asked Elena.
"I can wait, I'm not that hungry."
"Ok."
A.J. looked around. 'Good, no kids around. Maybe, I can actually be in peace in a public place for once,' he thought. He loved kids, but didn't want to be noticed for obvious reasons.
"Well, as long as we're waiting, I might as well tell you why I called you, besides the reason that I want to get to know you better as a friend…" Elena began.
"Shoot! What do you want to talk about?"
"Uh, it's about Howie."
"Howie? What about him?"
"He seems like he's hiding something. You said you two were like brothers, I thought maybe you knew what was bothering him and wouldn't mind telling me. I'll understand if you don't want to… '
"No, it's a …uh…well, maybe it'll help if you tell me what makes you think he's hiding something."
"Ok, well…when I called him last week to hang out, I suggested the mall or the park and he seemed hesitant at first. We were gonna call you, but…"
"Don't worry about that. Go on."
"Ok, so we eventually ended up at the mall. I had a good time, but Howie seemed nervous and insisted that he wear a cap and sunglasses. Anyway, I needed to get the new Boyz II Men CD, so we entered Sam Goody. There were a bunch of teenage girls crowded around the pop/rock section. Some were crying and some were complaining that they didn't have this CD or something. I could have sworn he purposely avoided that aisle. But the strangest thing was while we were walking out of the mall, I heard a girl scream, "OMG! It's Howie Dorough!" I was surprised! I mean I didn't even know his last name! He rushed me into the car and we left! It was weird!"
"I see."
"Do you know what's going on? Could you tell me please? I like him a lot. I don't care if he's a wanted fugitive…I hope he's not, but if he is…well, I'd rather know, then him leaving me in the dark."
"I assure you, he's not a wanted fugitive. He may be wanted, but not as a fugitive…I don't know if I should be the one to tell you…but, damn I said too much already, so…have you heard of the Backstreet Boys?"
"The Backstreet Boys? Sure, my niece loves them and they're always on the radio. She talks about them all the time. All I ever hear is Nick and Brian…Nick and Brian…"
"Just those two?" A.J. asked a little hurt.
"Yeah, why? There's more?"
"Uh, yeah, there's five guys in that group."
"Really? I didn't know. I'm not cool enough to know. Sorry, I'm a little too old to know who's who in this world of teenage heartthrobs! But you seem like an expert! You into that kind of music?"
"Oh, yeah, DEEPLY into it."
"Cool. But what do they have to do with Howie?"
"A lot! Howie IS a BSB! And so am I!"
Elena stared at him wide-eyed and her jaw dropped to the floor. Just then, they were called for a table. They were led to a booth near a window and seated. Elena was still in shock, so A.J. ordered the famous four-cheese thin-crust large pie for her. She snapped out of it a second later and they ordered their drinks.
"S-s-so he…you…are both in the BSB?"
"Yup!"
"Oookkk, well, why didn't he tell me before?"
"I don't know. He probably wanted you to like him for who he was, not for what he did."
"Wow! You guys are famous! I can't turn on the radio without hearing a BSB song! I like that song, oh what was it again… 'God Must Have Spent,' or something like that!"
"Errr…that's not us. 'N Sync sings that."
"'N what?"
"Another group."
The waiter gave them their beverages. Elena felt stupid now. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't know…"
"It's ok."
"Oh, good. I, uh, I don't know what to say…"
"Have you heard 'All I Have To Give'?"
"Oh, yeah! The one that begins with 'I don't know what he does to make you cry, but I'll be there to make you smile...' right? I love that song! It's so sweet! I never knew you guys sung it!"
"Now you know! Nick sings that part, Brian sings the second verse, Howie sings the next one, I do the one following that, and Kevin does the bass break."
"Wow! You guys are so great! I have to get the CD now! So, are you guys on vacation now? I mean, big stars are usually always on tour or in the studio."
"Yeah, we are…a six month break. We're working on our new album, scheduled to come out some time next year and just chillin'. After these six months, back on the road we go!"
"That must be exciting! Traveling all over the world, being admired by millions of girls everywhere, earning big bucks…"
"Having little time to spend with your family and friends, no time for a love life, rehearsing everyday, limited privacy…"
"Oh, I guess there's that too…hehe."
"You have no idea!"
Just then, the pizza arrived.
"Yes! Pizza!" exclaimed Elena as she grabbed a slice or two. A.J. looked at her smiling. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I didn't have lunch today."
"No, it's ok…help yourself."
A few minutes later, little man stepped up to the small stage set up in the corner of the restaurant, looking disappointed, and announced that there wouldn't be any live music tonight because the singer of the band that was supposed to play bailed out at the last minute. There were a whole bunch of disappointed grunts and moans from the customers. The little man apologized again and was about to step off stage, when A.J. got an idea.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" A.J. called to the guy, and ran up to him.
"May I help you?"
"No, but I might be able to help you. You need a singer, right? I could do it."
"You sing? Really, you'd do it?"
"Sure, I'd love too, and I'll do it for free."
"Are you for real? Cool! Thanks, buddy!" He shook A.J.'s hand. "I just hope your good!"
"A lot of people seem to think so." A.J. hopped on stage. There were confused looks on the audience and a big grin on Elena. "Hi! My name is A.J. and I'll be singing for you tonight, that is if you want me to."
There were a bunch of hoots and whistles shooting from around the place.
"I guess that means yes!" A.J. turned around and asked the band if they knew 'Set Adrift On Memory Bliss.' They nodded and began playing the introduction. A.J. began singing, while expressing every line with emotion. Elena was extremely impressed and stared at him in awe.
The whole room was silent. They never heard anyone sing with such enthusiasm and with such an incredible voice. After he finished, everyone stood up and cheered and demanded an encore! A.J. sang 'Water Runs Dry' from Boyz II Men, 'Lay Down Beside Me' which was his solo, and 'This Is How We Do It' by Montell Jordan. Everybody was dancing and clapping along! It was the best show they've ever experienced in a restaurant!
"Music is love, love is music, music is my life and I love my life. Thank you and goodnight!" shouted A.J. at the roaring crowds. The little man ran up to him and asked him if he'd like to sing at the Sun Tavern again some other time.
"Maybe, if I can, I'd like to. I'll let you know!"
"Great! We're gonna have a lot more customers with you here! Here's my number, call me up when you're available! Thanks, again, buddy, you're a life saver!"
"No problem and my name's A.J. Goodnight."
"G'night, it's been a pleasure."
"Ditto."
A.J. walked back to the table and sat down. "So what'd you think?" he asked Elena.
"Wow! My God, you were fantastic!!!"
"Thanks. Hey, when we're back on tour, I'll give you tickets to our concert, that way you get to see all five of us go nuts on stage!"
"I'd love that!"
"Alright! Umm, are you done? I don't wanna rush you, but my mom kind of flips out when I disappear for hours, for obvious reasons."
"Oh, hey, yeah I'm done. Ooh, I'm sorry I ate the whole pizza by myself!"
"That's ok. My hunger wasn't for food, anyway. I just needed to perform at a small place like this and sing as a normal person, where people don't throw condoms and their bras at you!"
"Oh my Gawd! People actually throw that at you?! The nerve!"
"You get used to it after a while. I'll pay for the pizza and we'll be on our way."
"That's ok, I invited you, I'll pay! Although, I'm not a big pop star, I still can pull out a twenty from my pocket!"
He laughed. "Ok, if you insist."
So, she paid for it, and then they left.
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