I sat in the park. It was a gloomy day and it was lightly sprinkling. Other than me, there was but one person sitting in the park. It was a young girl. Her blonde hair was matted to her head. She looked familiar, but I couldn't place her.

She was carrying a boom box, and as I sat there crying I became faintly aware that is was one. I strained to hear it as a new song came on, "... for the broken heart ... in a crimson love ... so hard to breath ..."

It sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. I couldn't plave anything these days. I was such a mess... of course! It was the Backstreet Boys, how could I forget? Brian finished his line and I started to cry harder. I had to get away, it was just oo much. I got up and began to walk away when the girl spoke, startling me, "MaryJane?"

I turned around hesitantly and looked into the girl's clear blue eyes, "BJ? Is that you?" I was surprised. No wonder she had looked so familiar, but what was BJ doing so far from home?

"How ya been?" she asked, motioning for me to come sit down.

"Better... how's Nick?" I asked, taking a seat. I couldn't ask about Brian, it still hurt to much, but I thought it's be nice to see if her brother was doing well.

"Nick's pretty good, I think. The last time I talked to him was over a week ago... he says Brian still misses you."

After a moment of silence I whispered, "I miss him too." Tears rolled down my face.

Then why'd you leave?" BJ asked softly, pulling a tissue from her purse for me.

I shook my head, "I can't explain, I don't even know if I have a reason... I just had to. I had never been in love before and it was just so overwhelming, and I just... I just wasn't ready for it," I pasued, gathering myself, "So what brings you to California? And on your birthday?"

Sje smiled, delighted I had remembered, "Nick invisted me. They're having a concert tonight, you are going - aren't you!?!"

Of course I should've been going, I was a huge fan. I just hadn't gotten around to buying tickets this time. Why not? I never missed a concert. I guess I hadn't felt like going... and I still didn't. "Actually, I wasn't planning on -"

She cut me off, "Whatever! You GOTTA go!"

"Why?" I asked.

"Cuz I have an extra ticket and no one to take."

"Oh, um, ok then," I wasn't too sure about the idea. She would probably drag me backstage too and I wasn't sure if I could handle that... but I wasn't about to argue with BJ.

She looked at her watchm "C'mon we should get ready."

"Where are we gooing? It's only five."

"Shopping!" she got up and dragged me toward Nick's Durango, which she had obviously borrowed.
--
We left the mall, both with way too many bags. She had convinced me to buy a sheer midnight blue dress that fell mid-thigh. I thought it was too formal, but she just rolled her eyes.

After we got dressed we headed for the arena. It was 7:30 and the concert started at 8:00. As it turned out she had VIP seats, I should've guessed.

When Nick started singing "I Need You Tonight" I started crying. I almost left because I understood perfectly what the words meant. I looked over to the side of the stage and saw Brian staring at me. I pulled my gaze away and looked at BJ, who finally noticed I was crying.

"What's wrong?" she asked concerned, "Do you want to go, cuz I -"

I burst into tears," Please, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your birthday, I just... I... I'm sorry BJ, I've gotta get out of here."

I ran off, exiting the arena I realized how stupid I was being. I didn't know my way around the neighboorhood. I looked back and knew I couldn;t go back in though. I walked into an alley and sat on the side of the road crying miserably until I heard the crowd exit, then I began to walk. Where to, I didn't know. It really didn't matter anymore.

I walked for a while until a dog ran up to me and began to bark. The little chihuahua's identity was unmistakable. I bent down and began to met him, "Hi Tyke. How ya been? You takin' care of Brian like you prmised me?"

I hear footsteps behind me, then an easily recognizable voice, "I'm sorry about my dog Miss, I hope he didn't scare you, we're looking for a friend of mine who -"

I swallowed hard, stood up, and turned around, "Hi Brian."

He ran up to me and embraced me, "MaryJane! Thank god, we've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Huh?" I was confused.

"BJ told us you ran off and we had to find you." He suddenly let go of me, feeling uncomfortable.

Fresh tears filled my eyes, "I love you Brian... I tried to stop, but I couldn't... can you ever forgive me?"

He stared at me silently then replied, "I love you too." He stood there, his hair matted and wet, covered in the scent of wet dog - not to mention he really needed a shower. BJ said he looked horrible when she finally found us, but if you ask me, he sure looked like an angel to me.

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