With an unheard grunt, Tiffany Adams slid across the muddy ground of the football field, clutching the football tightly to her chest. Bodies landed near her or on top of her, but that didn’t matter, she had the ball. At last, they climbed off Tiffany and allowed her to stand.
“WHOO!” she laughed throwing down the ball and dancing around. “Damn you guys are too easy.”
Brian Littrell crossed his arms. “Too easy? Too easy? I’ll show you easy.” In moments he had her tackled to the ground and pinned to the mud.
“Hey! Come on Bri let me up,” she said, squirming under him.
“Ha. Who’s the easy one now?” he said triumphantly, getting to his feet and facing his friends. But before a word could be said, Tiffany’s foot swung and knocked Brian down again.
Tiffany cocked an eyebrow. “You’re so cocky.”
Kevin Richardson laughed and helped his cousin up. “Don’t try Rok. Don’t even try.”
Brian stood up indignantly, running a hand through his slightly curly dirty blonde hair. His twinkling periwinkle eyes shone with mischief. His khaki pants were smeared with mud, but it didn’t matter. He pushed his teasing cousin away.
Kevin was a little older, and was a lot taller. Brian was at least a head shorter. Kevin was 6’ 1” and worked out to maintain his shape. His dark hair and shocking green eyes gave him a mysterious look.
Nick Carter smiled in amusement at Tiffany. It was weird, playing football with a girl. But after a few years, he got used to it, and made one of the best friends he ever had. He always had someone to give him girl advice without him feeling like a complete dork, and it helped a lot. And she was pretty good at sports.
She was a twin. Her sister, Cynthia, was a lot more…for lack of a better word, girly. She wore a lot of makeup, shopped a lot, cared too much about her status and looks, and was a cheerleader. They were complete opposites, although they looked a lot alike.
And now, he wouldn’t change her for the world, and he knew the other guys felt the same. Although they wouldn’t admit it in words, she was as much part of the group as they were.
“Ah man look at you!” Darin Lee laughed. “You’re covered in mud.”
Darin was Kevin’s friend from New York. He was African American, and proud of it too. He was 5’ 10” and had his head shaved. And he was about the nicest person in the world.
Tiffany looked down at her muddy attire and laughed. “I can just hear my sister now… ‘Eew gross! My makeup’s ruined! I’ll have to wash down with antibacterial soap! And I just washed my hair!’” she squeaked.
The guys laughed and they started for the car.
“Good thing I brought a jacket,” she said, shaking out her long, curly auburn hair. “Otherwise I’d ruin your car.”
Nick shook his head. “And if you ruined my car, you wouldn’t see daylight ever again.”
“Yeah well just get me home before my mom does,” Tiffany said, rolling her dark brown eyes. “She’d have a fit.”
“I still can’t see how you and Cynthia can be related,” Brian said, closing the door after her. “You guys are like positive and negative.”
“She grew up on Barbie, I grew up on ESPN. That simple.”
“Man, we’re not even half as dirty as you,” Kevin said, scrunching his nose.
“Well you didn’t get dog piled by 4 guys did ya Kev,” she winked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Ok everyone buckled up?” Nick asked, strapping himself in.
“YEAH!”
“Ok then.”
:+:+:
Brian and Tiffany got out of the black Expedition and said their goodbyes, waving at the car as it drove away.
“Ugh now I’m all cakey,” Tiffany giggled, picking at the dried mud on her arm.
“Yeah well at least you can wash it off. Oh shoot I gotta run- relatives are comin over,” Brian said quickly, jogging off to his house next door.
“Later!”
Jogging the rest of the way, the dirtied woman unlocked the door and entered the house. The answering machine blinked with new messages, so she pressed the button.
“Hey C this is Shawn, call me back aiight?”
“Hey Cynthia it’s Melissa. Where are you?”
“Cynthia, it’s CJ, call me back when you get the chance.”
Tiffany rolled her eyes and pressed save. ‘A waste of space if ya ask me’
Trudging upstairs, she went into her messy room and grabbed some clean clothes. She groaned when she saw all her sister’s makeup on the counter. The lipsticks, the lip glosses, eye shadow, blush…it was all scattered on the counter. Tiffany glanced into the mirror and noticed how incredibly dirty she was. Her eyes flicked towards the makeup again.
“How can she wear this stuff?” she asked the air quietly, picking up one of the tubes.
She took off the cap slowly and twisted the silver lipstick up. The tip neared her lips, but the opening of the door made her jump and scramble to put all the cosmetics in the bucket.
“TIFFANY?”
“WHAT?” she called loudly.
“Where are you?”
“Uh SHOWER!”
“Hurry up!”
She rolled her eyes again and stripped off her sweaty clothes, climbing into the welcoming shower.
:+:+:
“I can’t believe your sister is friends with the captain of the basketball team,” Aisha said, shaking her head, her braided auburn extensions wagging in her face. “I mean, you, the captain of the cheerleading squad, can’t even get him to talk nicely with you, and she gets to go over to his house. How unfair is that?”
“It’s only because she likes sports,” Cynthia said, painting on a final coat of silver nail polish on her pinky nail.
“How can she like sports so much? I don’t get her.”
“Yeah well, she’ll never get a boyfriend, that’s for sure.”
The girls laughed and continued on with their little “makeover party”.
Tiffany stared at the two from her spot on the stairs, her thoughts running wildly through her mind. ‘Never get a boyfriend?’
The sharp ringing of the phone brought her back to reality and she watched her sister waddle off to pick it up, having just painted her toenails.
“Hello?” she answered in her sickly sweet voice. “Oh Brian hi! How are you?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes in disgust. ‘What a dork’
At last she saw Cynthia give up and call out, “Tiffany it’s for you!”
“Who is it?” she asked, coming down the stairs.
“It’s Brian,” her sister said almost jealously.
“Oh. That’s weird…I thought his relatives were over,” Tiffany said, her eyebrows knitted as she took the cordless from her sister. “Hello?”
“Hey Tiff…could you answer the phone next time I call? I really don’t wanna deal with your sister.”
“Obsessed, I say,” Tiffany said, heading up to her room. “So what’s up?”
“Uh my folks are going to a show and a dinner, and I just wanted to know if you’d wanna go. You don’t have to, but I’d just-”
“Show? Dinner? Me? As in dress up?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
“You don’t have to come, I just wanted to ask…”
The impact of what he had asked finally hit her. He was asking her out. And it made her feel weird. But she liked it.
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. How much time do I have?”
“Ah…roughly… 15 minutes.”
“Do I have to dress up?”
“Look presentable, that’s all I ask.” She could feel him grinning through the phone.
“Ok…I don’t have to wear a dress, do I?”
“Not if you don’t want.”
“Ok then. I’ll see you in a few.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Tiffany set down the phone slowly, letting the words wash over her.
“He asked YOU?” Cynthia cried angrily, bursting into her room. “He asked YOU?”
Tiffany spun around to face her sister. “What?”
“How...how could he ask YOU to go, instead of ME?”
“Apparently, sis, you’re not mature enough,” Tiffany rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time that day, brushing past her sister to her closet.
“You have nothing to wear! You can’t even DEFINE the word presentable,” Cynthia sneered, crossing her arms.
“Mm hmm…go back to your hole Cynthia, I don’t need to take your shit,” Tiffany said, deciding on black flares and a red t-shirt with Chinese writing on it. “And of course, I could tell Brian hi for you.”
“Whatever. Like I care.”
“Or I can tell him that you have pictures of him framed and tucked away in your “secret spot”,” she said smugly.
Cynthia’s eyes darkened. “What do you know about that?”
“Enough to ruin your life.”
They stared at each other intensely for a few minutes, and Cynthia glared with hatred. “What.”
“Just gimme some makeup tips, and your secret’s safe with me.”
:+:+:
Tiffany looked at her reflection critically. Her hair was in a half ponytail and pinned with a ponytail claw. That was fine. Then she looked at her makeup. She had a nice amount of blush on her cheeks, and had some lip gloss on. She disagreed on the lipstick- it made her lips look so incredibly fake. She had mascara and a tiny bit of pink eye shadow. At last she decided she looked ok. She wasn’t the most beautiful person in the world, she knew. She was just shorter than Brian, and had a lean frame, thanks to sports. And for once she cared about her appearance.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” Cynthia smiled, proud of her creation. “I’m so proud.”
“Whatever. Not like you’ll see me with makeup on again; I’m just trying to make a good impression.”
“On Brian or his relatives?” she smirked.
“Oh shut up. His relatives.”
“Suuure.”
The two sisters were incredibly close, but they always fought about Brian. For as long as they had been neighbors with him, they fought over him. Cynthia mostly, but Tiffany found it great fun to torture her about him.
“Shit gotta go, later sis,” Tiffany said quickly, grabbing the black denim jacket on her way out the door.
She glanced out toward Brian’s house and spotted him sitting at the steps of his house, looking down at his shoes.
“Anyone sitting here?” she asked, smiling when she saw him startled.
“Oh hey C. Is Tiffany done yet?”
Tiffany laughed. “What the hell are you talkin bout Rok?”
His eyebrows furrowed and he looked at her closer. When he spotted all her ear piercings his eyes widened. “Tiff? Is that you?”
“Yeah I know the makeup’s a bit much…"
“No, no…it’s fine.”
“Really?”
“It just surprised me. You look divine.”
“Divine?”
Brian shrugged. “Ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Tiffany said.
“Alright I’ll tell my folks. C’mon.”
“Inside?”
“Duh. You’ve only done it about a million times. C’mon.”
“Ok…” she said nervously, not knowing how his relatives would take her.
“Hey Mom, Dad, ready yet?”
“Good to go. Hello Cynthia.”
“I’m two for two,” Tiffany laughed.
“What?” Mrs. Littrell asked, confused.
“It’s Tiffany,” Brian smiled. “Yeah I know; I thought it was Cynthia at first too.”
“Sorry dear, the makeup threw me off. But it looks great on you.”
“Um thanks.”
“We’re gonna meet you there. You don’t mind if we not join you, right Mom?” Brian asked.
“No, not at all. Enjoy yourselves.”
“Alright c’mon Tiff. Time’s a wastin.” Brian pulled her along to his dad’s BMW and opened the door for her.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Where are we goin?”
“This new restaurant, Heavenly Palace.”
“Oh. Let’s hope the food is better than the name,” she joked.
The first 5 minutes of the car ride was silent, which was unusual because normally they’d be talking up a storm.
“Ok what’s wrong?” Tiffany asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re not talking.”
Brian glanced at her. “It’s just…I dunno, strange seeing you wear makeup. Just gimme a few minutes.”
“Goes to show how makeup is bad for you.”
“NO it’s not bad,” he said quickly. “You do it justice.”
Tiffany laughed. “Yeah that’s what I’d like to think.”
“You look beautiful.”
She bit her lip at that comment. Beautiful? He had never said that to her in the whole 10 years she’d known him.
“Thanks…you don’t look half bad either,” she added, eyeing his nice sweatshirt of natural tones, and his baggy blue jeans.
“Well I don’t look half good either,” he chuckled.
“No really.”
“Ok this is it,” Brian said, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. “C’mon.”
Suddenly she felt underdressed as they entered the classy restaurant. Everyone was dressed so elegantly, and she was just a mediocre face in the wrong crowd. It didn’t help that they were all staring and glancing at them as they walked past.
“Don’t pay attention to them,” Brian whispered, pulling her along still.
“I’m trying,” she hissed back.
“Try harder!”
They reached a table in the corner of the area, where they would feel comfortable, despite the rich surroundings they had. Brian pulled the chair out for her and they talked a little before a waiter asked what they would like. “I’m parched- I’ll take a Cherry Coke,” she said.
“Sorry ma’am, we don’t have Cherry Coke,” the waiter said.
“Ok…Coke?”
He shook his head.
“Dr. Pepper?”
“Root beer?” Brian tried.
Another shake of the head.
“Mountain Dew?”
Nope.
“SPRITE?”
“Sorry.”
Brian directed his eyes toward Tiffany, and both got up.
“Sorry,” they said shrugging, walking across the room to the exit.
“Blasted teenagers,” the waiter said, shaking his head and going to the next table. “Such a waste of my time.”
:+:+:
“Not even a Sprite, how unlawful is that?” Tiffany asked.
“Yeah no kidding. It’s like not having water.”
She laughed and dipped her French fry into the ketchup. McDonald’s was a lifesaver sometimes.
“Did you tell your mom where we are?” Tiffany asked, not wanting to get grounded.
“Yeah. I’m not dumb. Stupid, but not dumb.”
“What time is it?” she asked aloud, checking her Timex. “Only 7? Damn what’re we gonna do all night?”
“There’s a basketball in the car,” Brian hinted.
“Aiight let’s go!”
“Wait just a sec,” he said. He stuffed the remainder of his Big Mac into his mouth. “Ok,” he said, his mouth stuffed.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Alright c’mon you pig.”
“I rfent dap!”
“Yeah uh huh.”
:+:+:
In an hour’s time they had played only two games, and they were tied. They were both tired and sweaty, but still as determined.
Brian stripped off his sweatshirt, revealing his beater underneath.
“I am beat. Let’s call it a draw.”
Tiffany stared in surprise. “You’re giving up? Who are you? Where’s Brian?”
“I just ate Tiff. I might barf while I make a dunk.”
“Gross.”
“Ha look all that makeup came off.”
“Really? That’s nice,” she said, rolling her eyes. “My skin needed to breathe.”
Brian laughed. “You know you should tell Cynthia that.”
“Why? Let her suffocate.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Ok maybe not, but still.”
“What time is it…aah nearly 9. Wanna go home?”
“Dunno. You?”
“Don’t care. We have school tomorrow…”
“Ah shit I forgot to do my report!” Tiffany groaned, slapping her forehead.
“What report?” Brian asked, dribbling the ball between his legs.
“The one for my creative writing class…I’ll have to write something up quick.”
“So is that a “go home” or “stay here”?” Brian asked jokingly.
“Do you think I’d get it done in time?”
“Would she care?”
“Well, no but-”
“Stay here it is,” he laughed, making a basket from where he stood.
“Damn you’re good,” Tiffany laughed.
“I know.”
“Damn you’re conceited.”
“I know.”
“Damn you’re annoying.”
“Now that’s where I draw the line,” he laughed, plopping down beside her. “I’m not annoying.”
“Does anyone else know that?”
“Cynthia.”
“Well she likes you, that doesn’t count.”
“So?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes and leaned back against the chain link fence. The moon was up, the occasional cloud passing by and obscuring it. It was quiet and warm, thanks to basketball. She let out a sigh.
“I’m bored.”
“Yeah I know. You always sigh when you’re bored.”
She turned her head. “I’m bored.”
Brian turned to look at her. “I said I KNOW.”
She opened her mouth, “I-” but Brian’s hand covered her mouth.
He stared her straight in the eye and said, “I KNOW…”
Their eyes stayed locked for many minutes before they both looked away.
“Uh you wanna go home now?” Brian asked, shifting uncomfortably.
“Yeah.”
Her friend stood and grabbed his sweater and his keys, heading back towards the BMW. She couldn’t help but stare at him from behind.
‘God one look and I’m checkin ‘im out. What is wrong with me?!’ she cried inwardly. ‘I must be crazy’
She slapped a hand over her eyes when she found she was staring at his butt, and she walked briskly past him, then slowed down for the rest of the walk to the car.
“You’re in a hurry,” Brian pointed out.
She shrugged. “What time is it?”
“Nine-fifteen.”
“Oh.” Tiffany sighed and stared out the window, trying to make sense of her crazy world. So far, it wasn’t working.
:+:+:
“Alright here we are.”
“Thanks for taking me out. I haven’t had a night like that in a long time.” Tiffany smiled.
Brian held his soft smile. “Yeah. Thanks to you for coming. See ya tomorrow Tiff.”
“Lata Rok.” Tiffany turned to open the door.
Brian put his hand on her arm, “Wait.”
She turned around quickly, “Wha-”
Her heart stopped when she felt his lips on her cheek- way close to her gaping mouth. It was a few seconds later his lips were removed, and her heart started to hammer against her ribcage, almost as if bursting to get out.
“Good night,” he said quietly, sitting up slowly.
“G-g,” she finally found her voice. “Um yeah uh, g’ night.”
Brian chuckled quietly, “Um you can get out…”
“Oh yeah um yeah I’ll do that sorry,” she stumbled, slapping herself inwardly. ‘God I am such a dumbass!! Smooth move Tiff’
She walked into the house slowly, deliberately so she could think. It was going too fast for her to sort it all out…so strange…so new… so… nice.
When she got to her room, she realized… she wanted to share it with someone. But she didn’t have any girl friends- they thought she was incredibly weird to begin with, her liking sports so much. Rarely ever did she come across a female jock. Then, she had her sister. But this was Brian…she liked him…would she listen?
Tiffany sighed and closed her eyes, wanting to feel his kiss again.
She groaned and pounded the soft bed with a fist. “I’m going crazy! Why would he like me? Simple, he wouldn’t. Oh great now I’m talking to myself. Mental Institution of the In Love, here I come.”
>>next